Thanks!
Favorite 6mm BR Loads
- Thread starter Forum Boss
- Start date
I would have had a bit more data but I drove 150mi to get to my club only to realize that the bolt from my rifle was still sitting on the bench at home.
Fortunately, I always take 3 rifles whenever I head to the range so it wasn't a total loss.
I shot a few sub .5 moa groups @ 200yds with my brother's bone-stock Savage 112 BVSS in .223. That made the whole day complete for me. LOL
You’re not the only one with a bench like that!I would have had a bit more data but I drove 150mi to get to my club only to realize that the bolt from my rifle was still sitting on the bench at home.
Fortunately, I always take 3 rifles whenever I head to the range so it wasn't a total loss.
I shot a few sub .5 moa groups @ 200yds with my brother's bone-stock Savage 112 BVSS in .223. That made the whole day complete for me. LOL
HTSmith
Silver $$ Contributor
I'm curious as to how much you can get in the case. I'm looking for a Varget alternative.
Still more room seating 105’s at Jam.
Link
Gold $$ Contributor
We would like to see that load at the Super Shoot Saturday. ;{
I had AW spin up a 6mmBR barrel on my 40X action. I'm a complete notice when it comes to 6BR and precision reloading even though I've been reloading heavy hunting cartridges for 40yrs.
Preliminary tests showed a preference for 29.9gr RE15.5 with Berger 105 Hy bullets. Shooting at 417yds I worked with 3 shot groups at various oals. Velocity in my 26" Krieger 8 twist was about 2,755 on a clean barrel and elevating to 2,775 as the barrel fouled.
Several groups came in at just under (or just over) 1", which is about half of what my biggame rifles will do. Nice to see but obviously looking for a better node. It wasn't until I worked with bullets a full .027" off the rifling until groups really tightened. One group came in at .49" @ 417yds which would put it in the 1s. If repeatable, I may be onto something.
It will be another week before I get back to the club and try to fine tune from this point. I only compete against myself but so far, the 6mmBR has certainly opened my eyes to what is possible with a cartridge that is designed for paper rather than knocking over big critters.
Preliminary tests showed a preference for 29.9gr RE15.5 with Berger 105 Hy bullets. Shooting at 417yds I worked with 3 shot groups at various oals. Velocity in my 26" Krieger 8 twist was about 2,755 on a clean barrel and elevating to 2,775 as the barrel fouled.
Several groups came in at just under (or just over) 1", which is about half of what my biggame rifles will do. Nice to see but obviously looking for a better node. It wasn't until I worked with bullets a full .027" off the rifling until groups really tightened. One group came in at .49" @ 417yds which would put it in the 1s. If repeatable, I may be onto something.
It will be another week before I get back to the club and try to fine tune from this point. I only compete against myself but so far, the 6mmBR has certainly opened my eyes to what is possible with a cartridge that is designed for paper rather than knocking over big critters.
My new favorite load:
95 gr Bib FB seated to touch + .021
30.4 gr Varget
CCI 450 primers
Lapua cases
8 twist Bartlein barrel
Approximately 2950 fps.
PopCharlie
95 gr Bib FB seated to touch + .021
30.4 gr Varget
CCI 450 primers
Lapua cases
8 twist Bartlein barrel
Approximately 2950 fps.
PopCharlie
Where can you purchase those pills? I've just joined the 6br addiction. Lots a great info here. Thanks for the share.
Contact @Tom E or @BartsBullets for quality 6mm bullets.
James Eazor also comes to mind for some EPS 106gr
dc.fireman
Sling & Irons!
Tried to edit my original post to update it but couldn't; found a few other loads I thought I'd share:
26" barrel, 1/8 twist
30.2 gr. Varget
205M Primer
Norma case
Nosler 105
2200 fps, 8.5 SD @ 300M
30.0 gr. IMR-4064
205M primer
Norma case
Sierra 107
2200 fps, 4.4 SD @ 300M
All bullets seated to 2.440" COAL (mag length in the Bleiker). Weather for the day was 69º F, partly cloudy, 12-15 mph constant wind from the west. Both loads hold the X ring of the 300M International Rifle target .
I was looking for powder alternatives, and happened to have some IMR-4064 sitting around, and based upon burn rate decided to give it a try. It worked. I've heard from shooting buddies that it can be a little temperature sensitive. For now, it's what I have available. I also have two lbs. of IMR-4166 sitting here, and suspect that the load is probably pretty close to these - somewhere between 29.5 gr. & 30.0 gr.
-tc
26" barrel, 1/8 twist
30.2 gr. Varget
205M Primer
Norma case
Nosler 105
2200 fps, 8.5 SD @ 300M
30.0 gr. IMR-4064
205M primer
Norma case
Sierra 107
2200 fps, 4.4 SD @ 300M
All bullets seated to 2.440" COAL (mag length in the Bleiker). Weather for the day was 69º F, partly cloudy, 12-15 mph constant wind from the west. Both loads hold the X ring of the 300M International Rifle target .
I was looking for powder alternatives, and happened to have some IMR-4064 sitting around, and based upon burn rate decided to give it a try. It worked. I've heard from shooting buddies that it can be a little temperature sensitive. For now, it's what I have available. I also have two lbs. of IMR-4166 sitting here, and suspect that the load is probably pretty close to these - somewhere between 29.5 gr. & 30.0 gr.
-tc
rwj
Gold $$ Contributor
I found that IMR 4166 worked well in my 6BRs… but sadly it has been discontinued.
I am the new guy here but I have been shooting a 6br for quite a while , mostly in benchrest short range . When i was doing that VV 133 or 8208 was the powder of choice but now I'm shooting a modified F class at 300yd off a bench (old farts style) I use 108 & 105 grain Bergers , CCI 450 & BR4 primers and Lapua brass . I have tried many types of powder but I have finally settled on one that works for me , Alliant ts RL15.5 , I called Alliant and asked them for a starting load , ( they informed me that a 6br was a wildcat and they only have load data for Sami spec. cartridges .) So trial and error came up with 29.7 gr. , this works for me with my rifle , Bat 3lug action , Hart 1in8 twist 27 1/2 long 1" at the muzzle , Triggertech trigger and Keystone stock . Sightron SV 10-50x60 dot , great scope . I know this powder is hard to get , but if you can find a pound give it a try . Shyda's in Lebanon PA has some but they do not ship , call first , if you need it and live close enough , good shooting .
wildcatter
Silver $$ Contributor
Well after breaking open a new keg of Varget, I decided to try it with those 95 grain HPBT Bibs bullets I have been enjoying with 4350. The 4350 load shoots good, but its a pain getting that much powder in the case, and compressing powder so heavily that days later some bullets are growing in the loaded case. tighter seating using a smaller bushing creates too much seating tension and groups open up, small but still they open up.
So after a week fine tuning, I think I found a better load easier to assemble and for the more consistent results, I'm only giving up less than 50 fps. In a standard 6BR Norma I'll gladly live with 3007 fps with a 95 grain bullet agging under .250 moa and smile all the way to the match! But when it consistently turns in 5 shot groups in single digit Extreme Spreads, I can't wait to take it to 600!
I used the bottom corners right and left on the border around the bulls for those outside groups, the bottom of the two small mothballs for the inside right and left groups, with that one shot on the left side with 31.0 grains on the top right inside group was first shot, clean cold barrel and and the other four. the outside lower left group was the same load with .004" less jam. the two right groups were .3 more powder same seating as the groups next to them on the left.
After walking the sights to the center of the groups from my aiming point, I shot the last group, bottom right, aiming at that bottom corner of the boarder, about 2 clicks low, but the same load as the top left group. My final load will be the one to the left, 2.763 oal with my comparator, which is .006" jam into the lands.
Today @ 200 yards, one shot didn't register on the Gamma Chrony, but I can't think it was far off, and in the 25 to 30 degree cooler weather it read 6fps slower on my average, but just as consistent. With a much better ES than I was getting with the 4350, which was around the low teens to 20 fps with it, I have yet shoot over 7fps ES with the Varget load.
This was 2 weeks ago with .1 more powder, again 5 shots but lost one to an EER1 on the gamma chrony. and I incorrectly wrote 2978 and should have been 2997, for the average which was a tad slower by 9 fps but maybe I set the chrony a little further away as I don't ever measure it, or I could have had the head tilted just slightly out of square,,, I watch this close, but eyeball is only so close, and ES is again right at 10 just out of single digit numbers!
But the five five shot groups, and mainly the three using the 31.0 grain load confirm my findings, and since 31.3 opened them up, I'll run with the 31.0 grains, I think it should make the little Savage with the 1-8 competitive at 600. One thing is for sure, the 95 grn. Bibs BTHP's are very easy to find a load for, and if nothing else would make great varmint loads. Which with the bipod receiver built into the forearm, I will be doing a little of, this is a multi purpose rifle!
So after a week fine tuning, I think I found a better load easier to assemble and for the more consistent results, I'm only giving up less than 50 fps. In a standard 6BR Norma I'll gladly live with 3007 fps with a 95 grain bullet agging under .250 moa and smile all the way to the match! But when it consistently turns in 5 shot groups in single digit Extreme Spreads, I can't wait to take it to 600!
I used the bottom corners right and left on the border around the bulls for those outside groups, the bottom of the two small mothballs for the inside right and left groups, with that one shot on the left side with 31.0 grains on the top right inside group was first shot, clean cold barrel and and the other four. the outside lower left group was the same load with .004" less jam. the two right groups were .3 more powder same seating as the groups next to them on the left.
After walking the sights to the center of the groups from my aiming point, I shot the last group, bottom right, aiming at that bottom corner of the boarder, about 2 clicks low, but the same load as the top left group. My final load will be the one to the left, 2.763 oal with my comparator, which is .006" jam into the lands.
Today @ 200 yards, one shot didn't register on the Gamma Chrony, but I can't think it was far off, and in the 25 to 30 degree cooler weather it read 6fps slower on my average, but just as consistent. With a much better ES than I was getting with the 4350, which was around the low teens to 20 fps with it, I have yet shoot over 7fps ES with the Varget load.
This was 2 weeks ago with .1 more powder, again 5 shots but lost one to an EER1 on the gamma chrony. and I incorrectly wrote 2978 and should have been 2997, for the average which was a tad slower by 9 fps but maybe I set the chrony a little further away as I don't ever measure it, or I could have had the head tilted just slightly out of square,,, I watch this close, but eyeball is only so close, and ES is again right at 10 just out of single digit numbers!
But the five five shot groups, and mainly the three using the 31.0 grain load confirm my findings, and since 31.3 opened them up, I'll run with the 31.0 grains, I think it should make the little Savage with the 1-8 competitive at 600. One thing is for sure, the 95 grn. Bibs BTHP's are very easy to find a load for, and if nothing else would make great varmint loads. Which with the bipod receiver built into the forearm, I will be doing a little of, this is a multi purpose rifle!
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Greetings all, another newby to the 6BR, I had my rifle built a year ago and have been trying various bullet/powder combinations. Several have gone under .3 MOA, but not consistently. My .308 Tikka action was mated to a 26" Benchmark barrel, 1/8 twist, Boyd's thumbhole stock, 6x24 Arken scope, and the factory trigger was dropped to 14 ounces.
I've been reloading for nigh on 40 years but this precision stuff is still kind of new to me, and I need a scorecard to sort out all the abbreviations I see posted here. Y'all are using gear I've never even heard of, fancy seating dies with bushings and stuff I don't understand, I'm kind of a dinosaur, and still do a lot of my reloading on a vintage Lee 3-hole turret press.
By the time the gun was finished I had amassed plenty of brass, bullets and primers, powder was never a concern, I'm kind of a hoarder and have lots of choices. So far I've tried IMR-8208XBR, Varget, H4895, CFE-223, and H-322, but so far Varget is the favorite with all bullet weights from 87 to 105 grains. I bought spendy LE Wilson seating dies and an arbor press, but oddly enough, some of the ammo I loaded with my El Cheapo Lee dies shot better than the stuff I slaved over.
I'm mostly here to read and try to learn, most of you folks are way more serious about this stuff than me, I quit shooting (handguns) in competition in the 80's, though I might try my hand at F Class matches in the spring, once I get my loads sorted out.
I had no idea how many people shoot the 6BR, or any of the dozen other wildcat/oddball calibers I see mentioned, but I'm glad there are so many good riflemen enjoying our freedoms!
I've been reloading for nigh on 40 years but this precision stuff is still kind of new to me, and I need a scorecard to sort out all the abbreviations I see posted here. Y'all are using gear I've never even heard of, fancy seating dies with bushings and stuff I don't understand, I'm kind of a dinosaur, and still do a lot of my reloading on a vintage Lee 3-hole turret press.
By the time the gun was finished I had amassed plenty of brass, bullets and primers, powder was never a concern, I'm kind of a hoarder and have lots of choices. So far I've tried IMR-8208XBR, Varget, H4895, CFE-223, and H-322, but so far Varget is the favorite with all bullet weights from 87 to 105 grains. I bought spendy LE Wilson seating dies and an arbor press, but oddly enough, some of the ammo I loaded with my El Cheapo Lee dies shot better than the stuff I slaved over.
I'm mostly here to read and try to learn, most of you folks are way more serious about this stuff than me, I quit shooting (handguns) in competition in the 80's, though I might try my hand at F Class matches in the spring, once I get my loads sorted out.
I had no idea how many people shoot the 6BR, or any of the dozen other wildcat/oddball calibers I see mentioned, but I'm glad there are so many good riflemen enjoying our freedoms!
Would you mind showing a pic of how the bipod receiver looks on the bottom of your rifle’s forearm. Thanks.Which with the bipod receiver built into the forearm, I will be doing a little of, this is a multi purpose rifle!
Alternative Varget load. I’ve been experimenting with alternative loads for my 6mm Norma BR Model 70 Varmint rifle. This rifle carries a 28 inch Proof Research Heavy Palma barrel. It is an off the shelf modified 2005 Winchester model 70 Coyote that has been re-chambered 6mm Norma BR and pillar bedded with a jewell trigger. Rifle will shoot .2-.3 moa with 30 Varget and 107 Sierra Match Kings jumped about .035. I recently acquired 2000 pc. 105 Berger VLD and have been exploring Varget powder alternatives. Today, I finalized a load work up shooting a ladder test with IMR 4064. Results were encouraging. My Varget load, in my rifle shoots 0.250 moa best .and the IMR load shot 0.337 moa best. I did todays shooting at 200 yds, absent a close to home F class 300-500-600 range. In my rifle, 29.4 grains IMR 4064 produced the best result mimicking my 30 grain Varget load. The IMR 4064 load is certainly capable of shooting mid range F Class scores in my rifle.
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