80 Grain Hillbilly

[Clancy]

I was able to source some of these from a generous member of this forum, and I’m loading them in a .104 6BR.

I’m starting out with my old standy of N135 and a Federal 205. I’m just wondering what to expect from them. Will they shoot like the 68 class?

 

[WyleWD]

I've shot quite a few 80's from a 6br, 6 Grendel, and a 6xc. From the 6br I've shot Barts dominator's, Cheek's, and Hillbilly 80's and are in a class by themselves at the top. Will they shoot with 68's? They're capable of great accuracy. But there or so many REALLY great 68's out there you're asking a lot from the 80's. IMHO.

Not knowing what the twist rate of your barrel etc is, I'd say there's one way to find out...... give em a try. JME. WD

 

[Clancy]

Not knowing what the twist rate of your barrel etc is, I'd say there's one way to find out...... give em a try. JME. WD

It’s a 1:10 Krieger 4 groove. Thanks for bringing that up. I went with a little tighter twist than normal on purpose- after seeing how well 68s shot in a 12. That’s been talked about a lot recently (how we may have been marginally under-stabilizing) and I wanted to give it a go myself.

I’m pretty spoiled by the 68 Avengers, so I actually built this thing to shoot the 80 gr Dominator and the jacket market dried up. Shortly after that, I found some Hillbilly. I’m just hoping these are as good. I can’t say I’ve ever heard a bad word about Hillbilly Bullets, but I’ve also never seen a load development target or anything posted, which is odd.

 

[Mike Hightower]

I think you will love the 80gr Hillbillies and Larry is a great guy to deal with!

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

It’s a 1:10 Krieger 4 groove. Thanks for bringing that up. I went with a little tighter twist than normal on purpose- after seeing how well 68s shot in a 12. That’s been talked about a lot recently (how we may have been marginally under-stabilizing) and I wanted to give it a go myself.

I’m pretty spoiled by the 68 Avengers, so I actually built this thing to shoot the 80 gr Dominator and the jacket market dried up. Shortly after that, I found some Hillbilly. I’m just hoping these are as good. I can’t say I’ve ever heard a bad word about Hillbilly Bullets, but I’ve also never seen a load development target or anything posted, which is odd.

I've shot his 80's for a few years now and you'll love them. I shoot them in a 6 Grendel mostly. I push them pretty hard at around 3400fps. I'd load for a sweet spot around that same speed in a 6br and you should still have good brass life and good accuracy but that's not a pussycat load even in a br. I typically use 12 twist barrels but have been playing with a 10 some recently. Contrary to what is frequently posted in regard to twist, that 10 twist shoots the 68's and 80's a little better than the several 87-95 grain bullets I've tried in it. In this one bbl, I'm led to believe bullet length is more detriment than a so called over stabilized shorter bullet. This was part of what I set out to find out but also, that if the heavier bullets shot as well or very near, they may have a place for tough conditions and say 300 yard matches. The jury is still out in that regard because I just haven't been on top of my game lately, but they show promise too.

As for the 80's, 8208 has been consistently my favorite but it's become near impossible to find, last I checked anyway. H4895, n135, 2460, n140 and Benchmark...all have shot very well for me in the past. 2015 will shoot well too. I've never been a big varget fan but it should work. I've found sweet spots all over the place in regard to seating depth but I almost always come back to a light jam.

Good luck and post up how some results.

 

[wvlongshot]

You'll love them in a 10 twist. They shoot small and tune easy.

 

[Clancy]

I've shot his 80's for a few years now and you'll love them. I shoot them in a 6 Grendel mostly. I push them pretty hard at around 3400fps. I'd load for a sweet spot around that same speed in a 6br and you should still have good brass life and good accuracy but that's not a pussycat load even in a br. I typically use 12 twist barrels but have been playing with a 10 some recently. Contrary to what is frequently posted in regard to twist, that 10 twist shoots the 68's and 80's a little better than the several 87-95 grain bullets I've tried in it. In this one bbl, I'm led to believe bullet length is more detriment than a so called over stabilized shorter bullet. This was part of what I set out to find out but also, that if the heavier bullets shot as well or very near, they may have a place for tough conditions and say 300 yard matches. The jury is still out in that regard because I just haven't been on top of my game lately, but they show promise too.

As for the 80's, 8208 has been consistently my favorite but it's become near impossible to find, last I checked anyway. H4895, n135, 2460, n140 and Benchmark...all have shot very well for me in the past. 2015 will shoot well too. I've never been a big varget fan but it should work. I've found sweet spots all over the place in regard to seating depth but I almost always come back to a light jam.

Good luck and post up how some results.

You and Randy were the two I was referring to.

I’m not afraid of the 10 twist because of y’all. I actually chose it over a 12 with both in stock, because I can even shoot the 87 vld on antelope or something.

I’ve got 4895, 135 and 140. I let my dad have my stock of 8208 for his 22-250 and it works wonderfully in that with a 52 Bart.

I am not a varget fanboy either. It’s a good powder, but it’s easily matched with powders that burn cleaner and have wider windows.

I’m just waiting on the bedding job. The first batch is loaded long and ready to be seated to depth once the rifle is in hand.

 

[WyleWD]

You'll love them in a 10 twist. They shoot small and tune easy.

+1^^^^^

I've shot all three that I mentioned in my previous post from a 10tw 6br and all three worked very well. 8208 was good powder, hopefully you have some. JME. WD

Edit: I agree with the OP on Varget.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

You and Randy were the two I was referring to.

I’m not afraid of the 10 twist because of y’all. I actually chose it over a 12 with both in stock, because I can even shoot the 87 vld on antelope or something.

I’ve got 4895, 135 and 140. I let my dad have my stock of 8208 for his 22-250 and it works wonderfully in that with a 52 Bart.

I am not a varget fanboy either. It’s a good powder, but it’s easily matched with powders that burn cleaner and have wider windows.

I’m just waiting on the bedding job. The first batch is loaded long and ready to be seated to depth once the rifle is in hand.

I can't tell how much of it is me or this bbl and it might be some of both. This 10 twist shoots good but shoots nothing great. It's so close but for now, I prefer my 12 twist bbls over everything else, even for the lighter 65-68 grainers. The last few years have been tough and I simply haven't been able to put in the work to shoot my best for a while. So, it's not fair for me to condemn this 10 twist setup as not quite what the others are...yet, but it feels that way to me. Close but not quite there. It may not have anything to do with the twist. The bbl might just be average. It's not bad and it's more likely the nut on the butt than anything.

I do love my 12 twists though. I actually prefer it over the 13.5 or 14 twists. I think there's a very slight edge there, 65-80 grainers.

 

[dbduff]

Have never been able to make contact with Hill Billy bullets maker. Any contact info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Clancy]

@gunsandgunsmithing ive seen some of the groups you shot with that sorry old 10 twist barrel. I’d take it off your hands