Fireforming 6mm ppc

[selmer]

What do guys use for fireforming methods in the 6PPC? I will be getting my first 100 of .220 Russian Lapua brass in next week and would like to form them to my T/C Encore chamber. I like the idea of the "no bullet" method with Bullseye. I'm assuming another fast powder like Red Dot or Unique would work as well. I'd rather not burn bullets fireforming, it's the whole penny pincher thing. What do you seal your cases with in the no-bullet method? Wax or modeling clay is suggested, I'd like wax because the powder should vaporize and burn it out completely. Not sure how to get the wax onto the case mouth however. Suggestions are welcome, I'm new to the 6PPC and want to get some good target and varmint use out of this barrel.
Thanks!
Selmer

 

[Cheechako]

Selmer

First of all, don't consider fire-forming with a bullet as a waste of bullets, powder or barrel life. I know shooters who shoot matches while fire-forming. If you will be using yours for things such as live varmints there is no reason you can't hunt with fire-form loads.

But, if you're intent on a no-bullet load I'd stick with BE or Red Dot. Unique may be a little slow for the tiny PPC case. I use nothing more than a small square of TP to hold the powder against the primer. I've never seen a need for wax or cream of wheat or any of that stuff. BE alone will completely fill out a case if you use enough. To make wax plugs just melt some wax onto a piece of wax paper forming a sheet about 1/16" thick. Peel the sheet off the paper. Press the sheet over the case mouth and it will cut its own plug.

Ray

 

[johnvic]

Shoot your foreforming loads at varmints, don't waste your barrel life and time if you are going to hunt and shoot varmints with your rifle. I know guys that use what is considered a worn out competition barrel for varmint hunting and they are more accurate at that point than any you can get from new factory barrels. Loads that are loaded for fireforming are almost as accurate as the ones that are shot the next few times with just the exception of a few grains of powder that you can't get in the case for the first time shooting it. Good luck with your Thompson, the ones that I have seen are very accurate rifles, bet you are going to have some fun using a 6ppc barrel on it.

JT

 

[tightneck]

I use a full case of bullseye with a paper towel wad to hold it in. I do this in a dedicated fireform barrel and it works very well. I don't know that you will be gaining anything by doing this in the barrel you plan to do your shooting with though. Large doses of pistol powder burn very hot and may do as much or more harm to the barrel as the traditional method. Ten quick shots with the bullseye makes the fireform barrel hotter than I would like any good barrel to get.