I've heard time and time again that 6PPC is the king of short-range benchrest. What is it about this cartridge that makes it not the king of long-range? Are the typical bullets used flat-base? Is it a velocity issue?
*Note - I know there are other GREAT short-range benchrest cartridges out there, I'm just picking this one as an example.
lazy -
Howdy !
My best friend and shooting buddy shoots short tange benchrest w/ the NBRSA. He was " Rooky of theYear, his first year in competition. He has twice had a groups he shot submitted for consideration as possible new world records.
He tells me that these days, more and more 6PPC shooters are shooting BT bullets. Also, the grain wt being shot has shifted some towards 65gr for use @ 100yd.
IMHO - The reason the 6PPC is not " King of Long Range" is found in the last 2 words mentioned..long range
There are practical limits to velocities acheivable for certain case capacities existing within each calibre.
Yes... this can be helped by improving the rifle's " expansion ratio " via use of longer barrel lengths.
But again, there are practical / sensible limits. Benchrest shooters are pushing the 6PPC case hard enough that many shoot their cases a very few times, then go to use of another whole new set of cases.
A larger capacity 6mm case / cartridge willl likely provide and easier route' to higher muzzle velocity than the 6PPC can provide. Higher MV is desireable when the ultimate goal is reaching longer ranges. After all, to also do things like buck wind better, shoot flatter @ extended range, and deliver more terminal energy; heavier bullets will come to the fore'. To make best use of these heavier ( often VLD-style ) bullets; a healthy MV is an eminently sensible way forward. There's only so much a 6PPC rifle can do, while other larger 6mm cases can take things to the next level.
The popularity of first the .243Win, and more recently cases like the 6 X 47Lapua, 6 XC; and 6 Creedmoor has done a lot towards educating would-be long range 6mm shooters on the mertis of such medium capacity cases. These cases also have limits to their practical application range, but their usefull range covers a significant distance; and offers a lot of utility for both target shooters & varmint shooters.
All of the above are offered IMHO.
When I wanted a 6mm case for varmint/target use, I designed my own 6mm wildcat; which has a case capacity of 51.2gr H20. I wanted a valid 1,000yd capability for both varmint & target use, and this case capacity in 6mm calibre gave me that.
With regards,
357Mag
