6XC Questions

[Fire306]

Hello everyone.
I have purchased a Tikka M55, with a 27" Krieger 1:7.5 twist barrel in 6XC. I haven't even received the rifle yet, but have my shopping list ordered for it, and am anxious to get reloading for it.
I have a Sightron 8-32x56 Siii LRMOA scope for it. The rifle is coming with 50 Norma brass, 50 Tubbs Brass and about 50 Lapua 22-250 brass. I would like to start fresh with my own brass, and since it is next to impossible to find 6XC brass here in Canada, I have purchased Lapua 22-250 brass to form.
I have read many threads on the donut problem, especially with Lapua brass.
So my first question is, can the donut issue, not simply be resolved by reaming the case?
I'm totally new to the caliber, and am anxious to start load testing. I have H4350, H4831sc, and Varget on hand. I also have some Hybrid 100V which is in the same general burn rates, but I don't see it being used much.
For bullets, I have Lapua 105gr Scenar L's, Berger 105 Hybrids and 115 VLD's

The previous owner of the rifle says it shoots 115's like lasers, but with every rifle, I like to experiment and find my own best results.

Any input about the caliber, load data, barrel life, velocities with different bullet weights, etc I would love to hear.

 

[KMart]

I cannot answer your question about reaming the Lapua brass, but I can vouch for the fact that you will have to get rid of the donut after the first firing. The other problem is that it leaves the case length short by .010 to .015.

another case you can form from is 6.5 Creedmoor. Sizing them down in a 6XC FL die is not without problems.

Pbike makes a sizing tool that should make the job easier.
http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3821227.msg36378377#msg36378377

 

[PALarson]

A couple of things that I have found with my 3 6 XC's and a few that I have chambered for others. First it is easy and reliable to fireform cases from 22-250 I haven't tried the 6.5 Creedmore, it sounds interesting. secondly I firmly believe that any donut should be removed, I have found that is it easy and reliable to use a chucking reamer available from machinists supply, other reamers might be just as good. As for loading I have found it to be up to the barrel. One of my XC's likes Varget ( which may cause faster barrel wear than the slower powders) and another barrel likes H 4350. Some testing also showed promise with RW 17. I have a friend who also is a high Master shooter that uses RE 19 and 4831SC, so you are going to have some testing in your future. As for bullets I use exclusively 105 Berger and 107 SMk's. one of these days I guess I'll try some 115's. Anyway you have selected a great Cartarage have fun.
Paul Larson
Long Range and Mid Range HM

 

[6xcshooter]

One of my XC's likes Varget ( which may cause faster barrel wear than the slower powders) and another barrel likes H 4350. Some testing also showed promise with RW 17. I have a friend who also is a high Master shooter that uses RE 19 and 4831SC, so you are going to have some testing in your future. As for bullets I use exclusively 105 Berger and 107 SMk's..
Paul Larson
Long Range and Mid Range HM
[/quote]

+1 on the above quote. tried all the above powders and all my 6xc's like them. 4350 and 4831sc are the best in mine. I shoot 105 hybrids bergers, see no need to shoot the 115's. At the higher speeds with 105s does everything 115 will do. When you find a great load why bother?

 

[Nomad47]

Add RL-17 and IMR7828ssc to the list for 105 grain bullets.

 

[racesnake]

Mine likes IMR 4350 for the 105-108 weights and H4831sc for the 115's. I use neck-turned Norma brass and have not had the donut problem.

 

[Fire306]

Thanks for the replies.
With difficulties finding powders in Canada right now, I am lucky that I have a fair amount of H4350 and H4831sc on hand to hopefully get me through the season.
I like to stick with Hodgdon's powders for their temp stability, so I have never used much Alliant stuff.

What kind of velocities should I expect to see with the 105 range bullets, and the 115gr's?

 

[missed]

I am shooting IMR 4350 out of mine, taking new Lapua 22-250 brass and bumping it back with the modified 308 die, then into the 6XC die and shoot it.

It was the bump back procedure that is on the accurate shooter 6XC page. I have had no donuts at all.

I only have a handful of rounds down mine due to the shortage of supplies.

 

[missed]

http://www.6mmbr.com/6xcforming.html

 

[Fire306]

Thanks missed,
I read that article. If I'm not mistaken, this method just prevents the mushroom looking cases before the first firing. Does it have any effect on the finished cases?

Edit ** I just went back and re-read the article, there is additional benefits to just better looking cases before first firing.

 

[6xcshooter]

with the 105 hybrids with h4350 with 39 to 39.5 gr. you should get 3100 or better

 

[jcampbellsmith]

http://www.davidtubb.com/index.php?route=account/download/free&download_id=26

gives some loads at the end of the article.

Regards

JCS

 

[majohnson]

I was able to buy some of the last 6XC brass that Tubbs had. Has anyone check and see when they will have more in stock? The brass sold by Tubbs is produce by Norma. Its know that some of the early brass had quality issues. But the current Norma brass appears to be normal Norma quality. If you visit Tubbs site he has a video about the brass and claims to have gotten 25 reloads on cases... I look at like if I can get 10-12 reloads I'll be happy enough to retire it.

 

[Joe C]

Add VV N150 and N160 to the list for me! Mine isn't an XC but a .240NMC, basically the same cartridge. I use Winchester .22-250 brass and have never had a problem with donuts. I just expand, load and shoot. The FF loads are as accurate as the formed loads...

 

[dcali]

I shoot Sierra 107s over 39.0 of H4350 and get a little under 3100 fps out of a 30 inch barrel. 39.3 was a little more accurate, but hinted at pressure signs (barely). I would consider that about max. I tried H4831SC and it was no good at all - significantly worse groups than H4350, and I spent a good amount of powder trying. There was a lot of smoke coming out of the end of the barrel - maybe it's just too slow. I don't really know why I couldn't make it work, as some have reported good results with it.

 

[Jeff Von Rosenberg]

I don't know if I will get reamed for this, but here goes! As far as donuts go I try to have my freebore done so that the pressure ring on the bullet doesn't extend past the neck shoulder junction( where donut forms) so I don't worry about donuts. I have a T2K and it formed donuts first firing but I have experienced no accuracy loss as I seat ahead of the donut. This may be an error in my thinking, I am sure someone will let you know! JVON, 66 and still learning!

 

[rcol317]

Late response to this thread, I love my little 6 XC and just tried the Hybrid 100V with both 105 VLD's and 105 Nosler Competition. Was not able to quite get the speed's I'd hoped for with accuracy. Both shoot about 2900-2950 fps with both getting under 1/2 moa out to 500 yards. Both shot 2" groups @ 500, 1 1/2 inch @ 400. When I tried to push the speed the groups fall apart. I'm not sure how well this powder does in the high temperature environment, I'm big on extreme powders but I have 8 lbs I'm wanting to shoot up.

 

[Fire306]

I took it to the range yesterday and got to quickly try a couple of loads before the skies opened up. I only have 200 yards to test at right now, tried 3 steps from 38.3-38.9 grains of H4350 and 105 Berger Hybrids. The 38.9gr were at 3015fps, and the group at 200 yards was horizontally spread. but not much vertical. Wind was minimal. I was shooting off a bipod (which I don't do often), so I am partially blaming the horizontal spread on myself.
I am hoping to get a bit more velocity out of it, but won't know until I get back to the range on a dryer day.

 

[Fire306]

I got a chance to get to the range tonight after work to finish testing the loads I had ready. It was a dead calm night, hardly enough wind to clear the heat shimmer from the barrel.
So far the most promising load was 39.5 gr of H4350 and a 105gr Berger hybrid. .839 5 shot group at 200 yards.
I will try a few more in that load range with varying seating depths and neck tension.
Looks pretty good though, right at 3100 fps

 

[6xcshooter]

I got a chance to get to the range tonight after work to finish testing the loads I had ready. It was a dead calm night, hardly enough wind to clear the heat shimmer from the barrel.
So far the most promising load was 39.5 gr of H4350 and a 105gr Berger hybrid. .839 5 shot group at 200 yards.
I will try a few more in that load range with varying seating depths and neck tension.
Looks pretty good though, right at 3100 fps

Yup!!!!!!!