The 6BRA is still fairly new to me and I am still searching for the magic load. Today I shot Varget, H4895, and 8208 XBR behind Bart's 105 Infinity and his 103 Dominator. All groups were 3-shot at 200 yards and all were loaded with Fed. 205 primers. 1) 31.5 gr. Varget with 105 Infinity seated at .010 off Jam = 0.387" 2) 31.7 gr. Varget w/ 105 Infinity @ .030 off jam= 0.509" (vertical) 3) 31.1 gr. of H4895 w/ 105 INf. @ .030 off jam= .845 (2 & 1 group that was horizontal) 4) 30.5 gr. 8208 XBR w/ 105 Inf. @ .030 off jam = 0.950" (vertical) 5) 31.1 gr. H4895 w/ 103 gr. Bart Dominator @ .020 off jam= .588". I did not chrono these loads but the 30.5 gr. of XBR seemed too mild. I shot these with Mike Ezell's tuner, but did not change it for the entire test. It was set at "0" on the 1st turn away from the shoulder. Two loads showed vertical stringing and the tuner could probably be used to correct these. Another session is required before match day on Nov. 18th. James
Best powder for 6BRA
- Thread starter jamesdmock
- Start date
CaptainMal
Silver $$ Contributor
You pretty much have the popular powders covered. You sampling is very brief so it would be hard to draw conclusion. Obviously the .2MOA group shot with H4895 is the best but it's only three shots.
I would take that as a start, see if the velocity is acceptable, be sure it has good ES, then play with seating depth. Frankly, if you find something doing that kind of accuracy over a number of shots, take on the world. You have a real winning combination.
I would take that as a start, see if the velocity is acceptable, be sure it has good ES, then play with seating depth. Frankly, if you find something doing that kind of accuracy over a number of shots, take on the world. You have a real winning combination.
Actually, the Varget load of 31.5 gr. shot the smallest and has edged out the 4895 in the past. James
1st bra barrel juts loved the same powder I was using in previous Dasher barrels H4895. The 2nd bra barrel does not agree. Varget will be next up, then RL-15. We should all learn that past performance does not "always" predict future success. We all need to keep tuning and practicing. I found myself getting lazy with working up loads for any new barrel. If first attempts did not look promising, I just moved on with a different barrel. Likely spending too much on barrels
Steve
Steve
I've got two loads developed with two different powders and bullets which I feel are pretty much a match for one another, so I've got a fail safe if I ever run out of one. Firstly, I've got a pretty tight load developed using ADI2206H (H4895), running 30.6gr with a Berger 105gr VLD hunting bullet. Second load is 31.4gr of RL15 driving a Berger 108gr BT bullet. Both bullets would probably work just as well with either powder to be honest, at least that has been my experience in tuning it. I slightly jam both bullets for both loads too.
Do you happen to know what speeds you're getting with these 2 loads (105 VLD & 108 BT)?
Around 2970fps mate. Barrel is a 30" Krieger, 1:8 twist, truck axle.
Thanks for the info. I have a 28" barrel - I've tried the Berger 108 BT using 31.1gr H4895 to get them up to 2970fps range - but I end up with primers that have a crater or primer/cases (+ hard bolt lift) that end up looking like this.
I can get only get the 108s to about the 2940 range.
Yeah I wouldn't be much higher than 30.6gr of 4895. But you know what, if the 108s shoot well, don't worry so much about 30fps, if you can shoot the difference then all power to you. However if you can't safely hit your goal speed of 2970 with 4895, try RL15, that was the powder I used first and had no trouble getting up to speed. ADI2206H (4895) was more of a "let's see if it works as well" experiment after my gunsmith told me he was using it with excellent results. We tend to run out of RL15 in Australia so having a backup load was important.
I also see an ejector mark and what looks like some leakage. you are about get hurt....... Jim
Agreed, I shot 31.1 gr. H4895 with 108s. I ended up with catastrophic case failure.Ended up having to get new extractor , firing pin and spring. Be careful.
Did you notice any increase in pressure needed to lift the bolt on these?
Yes, heavy bolt lift for that charge.
While testing incremental loads - I stopped testing this powder charge when I encountered this case. I settled on a lower powder charge for the 108s (2940fps range).
thanks everyone!
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johnnyi
Gold $$ Contributor
Did you get great accuracy out of the 108? I was hoping to use the 108 as that is my current bullet of choice for the Dasher that really amazing and the 108's are just so consistent in BTO, etc. Or did something else just work out better for you?
The Berger 108gr BT is a cracker of a bullet.
johnnyi
Gold $$ Contributor
I was late to the Party on this one... But oh boy! Its fantastic in my dasher and 6 Creedmoor....
6BRAckley
Gold $$ Contributor
newbie and others...where did you end up settling with H4895 and the 108s? I have some loaded up to try tomorrow...starting at 30.1 and working up to 30.8. I didn't even try to go higher than that at this point based on the experiences you posted. I also plan to try some Varget too.
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