Best Powder for 6BR 68 Grain Target Accuracy?

[RonAKA]

So far I've only tested two powders H322 and Varget. I like the Hodgdon Extreme powders for their insensitivity to temperature in the chamber. Varget has fairly consistently out shot the H322. I think the reason is probably that Varget is slower and can get the 68 grain quite easily to the 3400-3450 or so velocity that seems to shoot best in my gun. H322 comes up a little short at 3300 or so. Also, Varget fills the case into the neck, so right full but not compressed.

Do you think there is better than Varget and why? I was considering VV N135 or N140. They seem to be a touch faster and slower respectively than Varget. I also wonder if there is a down side to whatever process Hodgdon (ADI) must be using to achieve the temperature insensitivity?

Any comments or advice you can provide are much appreciated,

 

[RonRouse]

Re: Best Powder for 6BR 68 Grain Top Target Accuracy?

Ron, yu might want to try some H-4895--seems to work really well with the bullet weights you're shooting.

 

[drybean]

Re: Best Powder for 6BR 68 Grain Top Target Accuracy?

RL10 works great

 

[MarkS]

Re: Best Powder for 6BR 68 Grain Top Target Accuracy?

RonAKA,

VV N-135

Mark Schronce

 

[Tozguy]

Re: Best Powder for 6BR 68 Grain Top Target Accuracy?

What twist rate and barrel length are you using Ron?

 

[jwv2001]

Re: Best Powder for 6BR 68 Grain Top Target Accuracy?

32.5 gr. N135 Euber 68 gr. Match
Right at 3400 fps. My rifle is a Cooper M22 MTV with a 26" 14 twist barrel. I get the same accuracy for a little less money with 65 gr. Vmax.

 

[CT10ring]

Re: Best Powder for 6BR 68 Grain Top Target Accuracy?

Ron, I get great results from VV N135 ( 31.5g) & 58-65g vmax moly in a 1/14 tw
26" Krieger bbl. enjoy it...

 

[SS427]

Re: Best Powder for 6BR 68 Grain Top Target Accuracy?

I get the most consistent results with 30 grains of N133 with 70 SMK bullets. I've gotten slightly smaller groups with N135, but not as consistent. The attached target is typical.

 

[fdshuster]

Re: Best Powder for 6BR 68 Grain Top Target Accuracy?

Like otter I've also had excellent results with 30 grs. of N133 with the 68 (Berger) and 70 gr. (Sierra), seated to touch in both 14 and 8 twists. Varget is kept for 80 to 107 gr., although N135 also fits in between the 133 & Varget. Federal primers with the VV powders and BR4 with Varget.

 

[DCRYDER]

Re: Best Powder for 6BR 68 Grain Top Target Accuracy?

You need to try some Benchmark. It is right in the middle between Varget and H322. My 6br with 75gr bullets loves it, velocity is great too. Also is an Extreme powder.

 

[RonAKA]

Re: Best Powder for 6BR 68 Grain Top Target Accuracy?

What twist rate and barrel length are you using Ron?

It is a 26", 12 twist. Best groups (average of 3, three shot groups at 100 meters) have been with Berger 68 (0.176"), Berger 69 (0.254"), and Bart's Ultra 68 (0.279"), using about 34.3 grains of Varget and BR-4.

 

[necchi]

Re: Best Powder for 6BR 68 Grain Top Target Accuracy?

"You need to try some Benchmark."

+1, next logical choice.

 

[jonbearman]

I have had great results with h322 29.6 grains and it shoots a ragged hole with a 14 twist barrel by hart.

 

[RonAKA]

Thanks for all the replies. The count so far is:

N135 - 5 recommended
N133 - 2 rec
Benchmark - 2 Rec
H4895, RL10, H322 - 1 each

So it seems N135 is a front runner. I really want to get about 3425 (26", 12 twist) out of it for velocity on a 68-69 grain. Are you guys getting that much? Varget currently gets me up to 3500 if wanted. The Sierra load map is not optimistic for velocity from N135. VV themselves show a bit better than 3300 at max.

The VV Powder Burn Rate Chart shows N133 as just slightly faster than H322, and H322 seems a bit too fast to get 3400+.

H4895 is not far from N135 and may be worth a try. It would be easier to get. Good for 3400+?

Benchmark on the VV chart shows it even faster than H322. That had me puzzled until I looked at the ADI Chart. ADI makes Hodgdon powder. It turns out there are two Benchmarks I and II. Hodgdon appears to only market the II which is slower than H322. But I think VV has put the wrong Benchmark on the chart. I'll have to e-mail them and point it out. I told them the H1000 was under the wrong manufacturer a few weeks ago, and now I see they have corrected it. Impressed that a big company listens.

 

[jo191145]

Hey, if its a poll. Put me down for one Ramshot X-terminator ;D

 

[Shynloco]

RonAKA,
Just saw your post. I shoot a Savage Model 12 Benchrest 6mm Norma and use Barts 68 Gr bullets. I use 29 grs of VVN 133 powder which gives me a bit less velocity than VVN135, but seems to give me a slightly tighter groups @ 100 yds. Don't know what your distance goal is, so I thought I'd pass along in the info anyways.

Alex

 

[Ackman]

Heaviest bullets I've shot are 65's.....VMax and 2 custom bullets. Very accurate with AA2230 and the best loads are at 3675 to 3710. Hart 24" barrel, 14twist.

 

[JohnO]

In the 6mmRAT, I seem to get the best results with H4985 with 90 grain or heavier bullets (8 twist) On the 6BR I have the same results with H4895, also 8 twist. I cannot complain about RE15 either. i am going to try some Benchmark with some 75s tomorrow at 100 yards.

 

[kyreloader]

Anyone loading IMR8208XBR with the 65-68g bullets in 6br. From Hodgdon data, it is the fastest powder listed and should work good for precision due to being a BR powder.

Anyone??

 

[rbertalotto]

Vit 135 was designed for the 6BR with 65-70 grain bullets. Vit133 was a bit too fast (great in the smaller case 6PPC) and Vit140 is great for 80-107gr bullets in the 6BR............