6x44 BR - anyone have loading data for this cartridge?

[Haz223]

Hello everyone,

I have a new rifle in 6x44 BR and I can't seem to find loading data for it. I seen an article on gun of week #38 but it doesn't have case dimensions so I can't compare them to the cases I have already. I'm not sure I want to attempt to create a load out of thin air. The guy that sold me the gun gave me sizing dies to make brass from 250 savage cases and he had a recipe for a load that shot well, but I heard it's not that safe to trust other people's reloads or loading information. He did give me about 15 rounds of loaded ammuntion, I could take one apart and weight the powder and bullet and get a ballpark figure, but you can't identify powders by sight reliably. I contacted redding and jgp precision by email to see if they have specs on it but have yet to hear back from them. I looked at several wildcat sights and have seen things that are close to it but most sites don't have case dimensions so I can't compare them to what I have. Any suggestions on how to proceed would be apprectiated.

Thanks

 

[rogn]

I shot the 6-44 in hunter class years ago and may still have load data around some where. Currently Im shooting it in 600yd and hopefully longer range. The bullet wgts range from 60 gr to 115gr depending on the discipline. I had difficulty finding data, but finally worked up some loads. Tell me what your doing and Ill try to give some "recommendations". There are a few variants in case design also to cloud the water.

 

[dedeadeye]

I shot the 6x44 for a number of years in the IBS hunter class score competition, winning my first nationals in 1980. The original rifle was built my Bob Brackney of Arizona. We used his 6mm BR reamer .262 neck and run it in until we achieved the rule book requirement of 45 grains of water. That was an additional .250. OAL cartridge length was as I remember was 1.750, trimmed to 1.735. I used the original Remington 308 brass with the small primer. RCBS made a set of form dies to form brass in 3 steps. Cases were fireformed with the following: 10 grains of bullseye--layer of tissue paper--cream of wheat to neck--tissue paper to top. In the next 10-12 years the 6x44 won 2 more nationals, Pa and NJ state championships and many club matches by a growing number of shooters. Many of them using a reamer I had done by Hugh Henriksen. The very best load in cut rifled Atkinson barrels was 35.3 of H4895 with a 65 to 70 grain bullet always .025 off. I still have the reamer and have considered using the cartridge for 1000 yard competition. The case has 3.5 grains more water capacity than my Dashers and should be great with the 105's and maybe with the DTAC 115's. The long neck of the case will allow this. Twist from 7.8 to 8. Today, I would use the Laupa 6 x 47 brass and form back. I know the cartridge was used a number of years back to win a good number of 1000 yard matches but the BRX and DASHER came on the scene. If I can be of any assistance with an old favorite don't hesitate to contact me. Roger Gower--deadeye1@ptd.net

 

[rogn]

Mr. Gower, how good to hear your still in the game. You were a tremendous help to me in the 80's.. Ron Poisker/ Rogn Pardon the tangent!

 

[dedeadeye]

Ron, so good to hear from you. Hope you are well and still enjoying powder burning.
Following my 20 plus year stint of shooting 15-20 matches a year in the IBS short range, my son and life long shooting friend Chuck Loebsack began shooting long range prairie dogs. The challenge of dusting the 1000 dogs started a new quest of accuracy. Following my retirement we began building rifles and learning. Again as always the bench rest fraternity was there with assistance. Men such as Jim Ohara, Tim Claunch, Al Forbes to name a few have been a tremendous assistance to us in sharing their knowledge freely. Hopefully this coming season at 72 I will again be on the line burning powder. Roger Gower

 

[Chuckhunter]

Don't turn around Rog, I'm right behind you! Inside joke but to set the record straight, that's usually where I remained when Roger was on his game.

 

[rogn]

I never shot at the same time as Roger, but he did "nurse" me to a title one year and several respectable years afterward. There was little that could equal the smell of burned 4895 and the disappearance of an X dot. T reamer he has does have some mystical quality. Spending some time now at 600yd and now have to wait til the target comes back , X dot have a longer life in this discipline.