6mm REM load development

[kenny737]

Hey all, I need to confirm a good starting and max load for 6mm Remingtion. I'm gonna load a Barnes TSX 85 gr in Hornady case (only case option) with 1 in 8 twist with H4350 powder. I'm coming up with min 41gr / max 46gr - HOWEVER those numbers are indicated for a Winchester case. Can I use similar data or should I reduce powder charge since I will be using a Hornady case??? I cannot find case capacity differentials anywhere-may not be looking in the right place...

 

[Webster]

Hey all, I need to confirm a good starting and max load for 6mm Remingtion. I'm gonna load a Barnes TSX 85 gr in Hornady case (only case option) with 1 in 8 twist with H4350 powder. I'm coming up with min 41gr / max 46gr - HOWEVER those numbers are indicated for a Winchester case. Can I use similar data or should I reduce powder charge since I will be using a Hornady case??? I cannot find case capacity differentials anywhere-may not be looking in the right place...

I don't think any reloading manual gives loads with particular cases. You should be OK as long as you start with a reduced load and work up. You don't need to push the limits. Just watch for signs of pressure then back off maybe 1 - 1.5 gr. My standard loads for accuracy are usually 1-2 grs below published max. Some manuals are very conservative in what they publish for safety reasons. Seating depth in a sense changes the case volume. The powder burns in the space behind the bullet as it moves forward. When you get maybe 8000 PSI the case conforms to the chamber.

 

[SeabeeKen]

The 85 TSX is an awesome bullet and I've killed countless deer with it over the last 40+ years. Never failed me. Keep in mind that Barnes will have a slightly higher initial pressure compared to lead core bullets. Use starting loads for similar weight bullets and work up. Only YOUR rifle can tell you YOUR max. In my 6 Rem AI, 8 twist, the accurate powder was N-160 which shot .5" with the 85 Barnes. The 8 twist barrel came alive with the Berger 108 EH and N-165 shooting .034", however I dont hunt deer with the berger.

 

[snert]

Jump that Barnes a long lang way and it will shoot fine. Barnes lists data on the website. I might have some printed stuff...PM me if intersted

 

[SeabeeKen]

Jump that Barnes a long lang way and it will shoot fine. Barnes lists data on the website. I might have some printed stuff...PM me if intersted

Yeah, I jump mine .050 and they shoot great

 

[kenny737]

Jump that Barnes a long lang way and it will shoot fine. Barnes lists data on the website. I might have some printed stuff...PM me if intersted

My apologies for the gap in the conversation timeline here. I'm a novice reloader. Can you fully elaborate on jumping and jamming in regards to reloading. I have a general understanding but I would like to learn more.

 

[snert]

Hey, I just sent you a PM and then saw this.

Barnes says to jump (as in seat the bullet so that the ogive of the bullet is about .050 away from the lands). I have found that to work well with the 130 grain .308 TTSX in a 308.

The usual hunting bullet seating depth with cup and core (not Barnes copper) is much closer to the lands.

So you will need to find out "where your lands are". See my PM for my rube methodoligy that doesn't require much $. Or search here on AS for finding the lands.

Once you know that measurement (best taken using a caliper and a Sinclair "nut" in my opinion) or a Hornady OAL case tool, you just seat the bullet .050 deeper into the case.

Lacking any of these tools, use the OAL listed for the bullet/cartridge combo listed by BARNES. That generally works, especially for a hunting rifle. But don't just use an OAL number from any similar cup and core bullet. All you need is a caliper to get close nuf

 

[JEFFPPC]

Pick your bullet.....4831 with mag primers.

 

[David Milisock]

Hey all, I need to confirm a good starting and max load for 6mm Remingtion. I'm gonna load a Barnes TSX 85 gr in Hornady case (only case option) with 1 in 8 twist with H4350 powder. I'm coming up with min 41gr / max 46gr - HOWEVER those numbers are indicated for a Winchester case. Can I use similar data or should I reduce powder charge since I will be using a Hornady case??? I cannot find case capacity differentials anywhere-may not be looking in the right place...

I have used Reloader 19 with 75 grain VMAX for years.
I have never had any luck with 4350.

 

[kenny737]

Pick your bullet.....4831 with mag primers.

H4831SC? Isn't this powder hard to come by?

 

[Orr89rocz]

I don't think any reloading manual gives loads with particular cases. You should be OK as long as you start with a reduced load and work up. You don't need to push the limits. Just watch for signs of pressure then back off maybe 1 - 1.5 gr. My standard loads for accuracy are usually 1-2 grs below published max. Some manuals are very conservative in what they publish for safety reasons. Seating depth in a sense changes the case volume. The powder burns in the space behind the bullet as it moves forward. When you get maybe 8000 PSI the case conforms to the chamber.

Just about every one i seen lists the case. Speer, nosler, barnes, hornady.

 

[SD guy]

Hey all, I need to confirm a good starting and max load for 6mm Remingtion. I'm gonna load a Barnes TSX 85 gr in Hornady case (only case option) with 1 in 8 twist with H4350 powder. I'm coming up with min 41gr / max 46gr - HOWEVER those numbers are indicated for a Winchester case. Can I use similar data or should I reduce powder charge since I will be using a Hornady case??? I cannot find case capacity differentials anywhere-may not be looking in the right place...

If you start low & work up case differential should not be significant if you are doing your part. IMR4831 & H4895 & VIT 550 would be initial propellants I may start off with. Wish you well.

 

[Plumsask]

The 85 TSX is an awesome bullet and I've killed countless deer with it over the last 40+ years. Never failed me. Keep in mind that Barnes will have a slightly higher initial pressure compared to lead core bullets. Use starting loads for similar weight bullets and work up. Only YOUR rifle can tell you YOUR max. In my 6 Rem AI, 8 twist, the accurate powder was N-160 which shot .5" with the 85 Barnes. The 8 twist barrel came alive with the Berger 108 EH and N-165 shooting .034", however I dont hunt deer with the berger.

I second this with the 108 berger, I shoot it in my 6 AI with H4831sc, 3150 FPS.

 

[kenny737]

I second this with the 108 berger, I shoot it in my 6 AI with H4831sc, 3150 FPS.

Where can I find H4831SC???

 

[kenny737]

If you start low & work up case differential should not be significant if you are doing your part. IMR4831 & H4895 & VIT 550 would be initial propellants I may start off with. Wish you well.

I've loaded some initial loads with H4350. I would love not locate H4831SC for my RL550. I cannot seem to locate any though. Suggestions...

 

[SeabeeKen]

H4831 is out of stock everywhere I looked. Made in Australia so who knows when it will come back
N-160 or N-560 are similar to 4831

 

[SD guy]

Looks like H4895 or Vihtivori offerings may be your current best bet if you do not have the powder in stock. 4895 is marginally available. Vihtivori may be easier to source.