Best Powder for 66-80gr bullets

[Jacob]

Hey All

Have been reading your site for a while and finally decided to join. I will be getting my new 6br soon on a Bat sv with Spencer 12twist. I will be shooting 66-80gr bullets and would like to know which powder is best for that range. If I could I would like to stick to one powder. Best velocity, low SD&ES, cleanest, etc. I read that H4895 is good but hardly ever see anyone using it when looking at reloading data and load maps on this site. Is N135 the superior powder for 66-80grs?

 

[chino1969]

Jacob,
I don't know about the 80 grainers, but VV135 works really well with 68 grainers that I shoot in my 1-14" 6mm BR.
Chino69

 

[Forum Boss]

Check our our Varmint load page:

http://www.6mmbr.citymaker.com/varmintloads.html

N135 and H4895 are definitely two good starter choices, but H322 is also excellent with the light bullets, and Varget should be very accurate with the Heavy bullets.

If you want to drive 'em really fast, a ball powder such as WW 748 or Accurate 2520 may give max velocity.

QuickLOAD is also saying the Norma 202 should be just about ideal for the 80-grainers. Now that Norma powders are available again, I would try that. Norma powders are distributed through Black Hills Shooters Supply and you have to order through a dealer--they don't sell direct-to-consumer.

 

[Jacob]

Moderator
What is the scoop with H4895? It is only on the load map once and that is one of the only places I have seen it mentioned on this site and forum in an actual load. All other references say that it is just good. I seem to see varget and n135 mentioned as being in actual users loads more often than not. H4895 is easily obtained around my parts and it seems to be a good choice, but again I don't see many people using it. Am I missing something?

 

[Forum Boss]

H4895 is a little on the fast side for the 100-grainers, and a little on the slow side for the lighter bullets, but it tends to deliver low ES and SD. It is also an "Extreme" powder, meaning is is less sensitive to swings in ambient heat.

It has a lower heat of explosion than Varget, and in our experience tends to be a little less "spikey" in the way the pressure curve burns.

But as with all ADI,Australian Defense Industries) powders, you have to watch for lot-to-lot variations. The Vihtavuori powders, on average, are probably a bit more consistent from one batch to another.

H4895 has also been used with success with the 100gr class bullets by many of the Dasher shooters.

 

[GermanS1]

Jacob, Paul, I've used H4895 with moly coated 105 Bergers and was pleased with the results. I didn't buy more when it ran out because I had a large supply of another powder but I wouldn't hesitate to shoot H4895. I didn't chrono it but 300 Meter accuracy was great.

German Salazar

 

[JohnJ]

so does any one care to share there 4895 loads

thanks

 

[GermanS1]

JOhn, I used 29.0 H4895 with a moly 105 Berger. As I said, I didn't chrono it and I'm not a speed freak so its probably not a very fast load. It is accurate, however.
German Salazar

 

[thane]

Hi Jacob
My favorate load for my 6br,which has a 1:12 twist, is
31 gr. of H322 behind sierra's 70 gr. Blitz King. Also
my barrel is only 22" long. This load will consitantly
give me .25 to .35 3 shot groups at 100 yds. It is my
belief that the equipment and load will show its worth
within 3 shots. After that it is the shooter that throws
them out.I will shoot several 3 shot groups with the same
load with a rest in between. Then I will average them all.
Give this a shot. Ha Ha
Thane

 

[Jacob]

I will mainly be using 80 and 66 grain Fowler's. With some others mixed in the bunch like 75vmax and 72gr barnes vlc. Any info on these bullets? Any good or bad news about the dry film lubricant on the barnes?

 

[HTSmith]

You are on the right track. The 80 Gr Fowlers are the most accurate in my 6br consistently. The 75 Gr Hornadys are the second most accurate. They beat out a lot of other more expensive bullets. I use Benchmark powder. However IMR4895 has done just about as good.

This is out of a 8 twist bbl. These bullets beat the heavy boat tails everytime in my rifle.

 

[Jacob]

C'mon. Any more recomindations? If you had to use one powder for 66-80 grains what would it be? Thanks for your replys.

 

[Preacher]

IF I was limited to just one powder in the 6br it would have to be Varget.
But I also like Rl-15, AA2520, AA2460, H-322, VV135......
It sure is nice to have a bunch to choose from these days..........

 

[Jacob]

OK OK I get your point and I appreciate it. However I have also read with the 6br it is good to stick with a good combination of components and tune from there. Clay Spencer is barreling my action so I have little doubt it will shoot. I just dont want to get bogged down with a bunch of different combinations of components. Reasons being that I don't want to shoot my barrel out trying everything and because of the cost in doing so.

 

[onehole]

Hi there,I have a RPA6br with a twelve twist Pacnor super match barrel and also dont like to waste too much time and powder/barrel life etc trying to find whats best but I have come to one or two conclusions.I use Vit 135 for all loads and accuracy is outstanding with a range of heads that I have tried.I use the 75vmax all the time for hunting and runs at 3300 fpsvit135/31.5.I seat 5 thou into the lands and will give .1/.2groups at 100,.3 at 200 and rarely outside 1.0 at 300 if conditions allow.For out and out accuracy 80 fowlers or 80 bergers do superbly with fowlers having the edge.If its a testimony to pacnor or vit powders or my rifle care I dont know but with 1100 rounds fired I can barely measure any throat wear at present only 3 maybe 4 thou gone using same head as when barrel was new!!Hope this was of interest to you.onehole.UK.

 

[Forum Boss]

Hi there,I have a RPA6br with a twelve twist Pacnor super match barrel and also dont like to waste too much time and powder/barrel life etc trying to find whats best but I have come to one or two conclusions.I use Vit 135 for all loads and accuracy is outstanding with a range of heads that I have tried.I use the 75vmax all the time for hunting and runs at 3300 fpsvit135/31.5.I seat 5 thou into the lands and will give .1/.2groups at 100,.3 at 200 and rarely outside 1.0 at 300 if conditions allow.For out and out accuracy 80 fowlers or 80 bergers do superbly with fowlers having the edge.If its a testimony to pacnor or vit powders or my rifle care I dont know but with 1100 rounds fired I can barely measure any throat wear at present only 3 maybe 4 thou gone using same head as when barrel was new!!Hope this was of interest to you.onehole.UK.

One-hole--
I have an 8-twist PacNor 6BR barrel and have gotten great accuracy with N135 and the 80gr Bergers. The 75 Vmaxs didn't shoot so well for me but I was about .010" into lands. I'll try backing them out.

Like you, I've seen very little throat erosion. After about 600 rounds, just .003-.004. I use Wipe-Out and have never put a brush in this particular barrel.

With the sad passing of Jef Fowler, it looks like I'll have to be very protective of the 500 80gr Fowlers I have and use them just for matches.

 

[Jacob]

Onehole. Thanks so much for your reply. I think I will choose n135 as my powder of choice as well. I am sorry to hear about the passing of Jef Fowler. I did not know till know. Sympathy and prayers to him and his family.