Anyone loading for the 6mmAR?

[Damon555]

I recently started loading for this round and would like to see the data that you guys are using. I've gotten all the info I can from the available online sources including the great article on this site, the load data at 6mmAR.com and what little there is at the Grendel site but would like to expand my "personal load manual" so to speak.

If anyone else is interested here's some of the test results that I've gotten from my Saberco 26" Upper......the good, the bad and the ugly......

 

[Pablo]

Which case is that round based on?

 

[nmjwolf]

Which case is that round based on?

6.5 Grendel

 

[Pablo]

So, is it a 6 Grendel or a 6 Grendel with a sharp shoulder, like a Fat Rat, or Grinch? Just googled it and see it's a 6 Grendel with the standard shoulder angle.

 

[Richard Coody]

i would stick with h4895 and a 105 berger hybrid. find your pressure point. if you can get to 28 grs might be a node there. then play with seating depth. single load start with jam and work out in .005 increments. mag length start at max and work back in .005 increments

mine shoots pretty good

 

[Mastershot]

My fatrat loves CFE223. H4895 was too hot of a load and it would blow the primers and trash the brass. Pick your powder and start out low and check for pressure signs. Average speeds should be from 2500 to 2850 depending on your bullet weight. My 20” barrel is right at 2650 fps and my 28” barrel is at 2750 fps.

I run 105 bergers hybrids, seated at mag length since they love the jump.

I just used my fatrat in last weekends 600 yard AR tactical prone match and took first place again.

 

[Damon555]

Thanks for the great info guys.....I'll follow your advice as money permits....I should mention that I'm a not a target shooter. I wan't to find a varmint bullet that works well....I've got some target bullets and I shot a bunch this go around but that's a secondary endeavor at the moment.

Been shooting the Vmax bullets for many years and have been happy with their sub-moa performance in general no matter what caliber they are. Sure I could shoot smaller groups with target bullets but I'm happy with what I see on those targets....I may have low standards compared to many of you but it's plenty good for me.

As I alluded to earlier the only reason I shot so many of the Hornady BTHP's was to break the rifle in with some cheap bullets......sometimes they surprise me and shoot well too....but they served their purpose......now it's time to humanely take out some varmints at long-ish range with a frangible bullet!

I think the 6mmAR (or 6mm Predator if you like) is the best compromise (barely a compromise in my opinion) between a .223 and a .243 for a varmint rifle....I was a bolt action guy for a very long time....now the AR15 platform guns are getting much more interesting......and accurate.

 

[Buzz]

It looks like Whitley is really pushing the turbo cartridge over the straight 6mmAR now. I’m like you - I use it as a varmint rifle and the hassle of fire forming isn’t worth the added velocity. With that being said, Whitley used to have a much more load data on his site. I specifically remember h335 data with lighter (75-87 grain) varmint bullets. It may be on his site somewhere but I’m sure not seeing it. I would try emailing him or reaching out on here and see if he’ll still share the data. If not, I can dig through my stuff and see what I have if you’re interested. I don’t shoot mine much anymore and can’t remember the load off the top of my head.

 

[Richard Coody]

well mine really shoots the 85 and 100 gr game kings very accurately too. got to watch the overall length with them though. they hit the lands much shorter than the vld style.

 

[Damon555]

well mine really shoots the 85 and 100 gr game kings very accurately too. got to watch the overall length with them though. they hit the lands much shorter than the vld style.

I figured that out really quick with my first loads....mag length was way too long.

 

[Ksmirk]

I have the 243LBC but the differences are so close you can call them the same for the most part. I have a Savage rifle that has been a shooter since day one with about anything you put in it even fire forming 7.62x39 brass it's ridiculous accurate. I just started with an AR in the same chambering and while it shoots pretty good I've still got some things to work on mainly with the ejector but rarely will a group be over an inch at 100 yards, I"m running the Sierra 95SMK's and I'm happy.

What bullet weights are you looking to shoot?

 

[Damon555]

I'm interested in shooting 85-100 grain bullets.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I'm interested in shooting 85-100 grain bullets.

N135 may be your best friend.

 

[Sniper338]

reloader 15 would be my first choice to try... my 6.5 grendel loves it. about 103% fill... is what it is.. no pressure signs.. drives tacks.. With the smaller bore you wouldnt have to fill the case as much. just gotta try a work up..

This rounds been on my mind ever since I got a Grendel YEARS ago.

 

[Damon555]

I have done a little testing with RL15 and it was very promising. I was hoping that one of the powders that I already had large quantities of would work.....but darn it....another 8 lb jug of something different might just be what I need....and the RL15 shot well enough to be in the running for a whole keg to grace my shelves.

I have no doubt that N135 would work very well but I just can't stomach the price of that stuff. So far (with other calibers) I've done very well without having to resort to Vihtavuori powders and Berger bullets....My pockets aren't deep enough for that stuff!

 

[Twoboxer]

Saberco upper w/26" Bartlein. Berger 105gr, 27.9 through 28.1gr N140 all produced 0.5" to 0.6" 5-shot groups. Average MVs were 2655-2667fps.

For me, RE-15 was not as good and certainly was fussier about the load.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I have done a little testing with RL15 and it was very promising. I was hoping that one of the powders that I already had large quantities of would work.....but darn it....another 8 lb jug of something different might just be what I need....and the RL15 shot well enough to be in the running for a whole keg to grace my shelves.

I have no doubt that N135 would work very well but I just can't stomach the price of that stuff. So far (with other calibers) I've done very well without having to resort to Vihtavuori powders and Berger bullets....My pockets aren't deep enough for that stuff!

There is a price difference but it's easier to swallow when you figure that it's only about 2 cents per round, given equal charge weights....Couple hundred rounds = about $4 bucks. I much prefer this method of calculation. Lol!

 

[Ksmirk]

8208 was giving me great groups with the 95SMK and Berger 95 VLD Target bullets as well as Hornady 87gr BTHP, H4895 while not as forgiving as the 8208 the velocity was awesome BUT missing 150fps faster than something you will have a better chance hitting slower I think ya get where I'm going lol I've yet to try RL15 but that's on my list of to do's and I'm hopeful as I use several pounds of RL15 in other calibers I have so it would be great to narrow down the powder canisters on the shelf but as said above I have heard it can be finicky in this caliber.

 

[Damon555]

75 grain Vmax test.....I am really looking for a long range varmint load with a heavier bullets but am not leaving any stone un-turned....The gentleman that sold me the upper mentioned that it shot the 75 Vmax well so I had to give it a shot....Well it looks pretty good during the early stages of testing....We shall see how it holds up with 10 shot groups and longer ranges.......Here's the results of my 5 shot groups from this afternoon:

 

[HomeSlice]

8208 was giving me great groups with the 95SMK and Berger 95 VLD Target bullets as well as Hornady 87gr BTHP, H4895 while not as forgiving as the 8208 the velocity was awesome BUT missing 150fps faster than something you will have a better chance hitting slower I think ya get where I'm going lol I've yet to try RL15 but that's on my list of to do's and I'm hopeful as I use several pounds of RL15 in other calibers I have so it would be great to narrow down the powder canisters on the shelf but as said above I have heard it can be finicky in this caliber.

What range of charge weight did you use for 8208 and the 95 SMK's? I have a fat rat, and i'm having a hard time with the 95SMK/H4895 combo. Is yours a 6mmAR or the Turbo?