First day at the range with the 6SLR

[NZ_Fclass]

A shooting mate got me hooked on the idea of a 6SLR, when I was considering a 6 Creedmoor. NZ had recently introduced an F- PR class rifle into the F-Class family - has to have a magazine/folding bipod , but used single shot to comply with range rules. So decided to use my now redundant 223 ( I got another based on a Tikka) Savage 10. It has a Warne steel 20 MoA rail, Timney trigger and the Choate varmint stock. Luckily I found, through a local forum, a brand new PTG bolt head and a found a Criterion barrel in stock locally too. A Dave Manson reamer and a Whidden die were purchased from the US. I picked up a Bushnell Forge 27x scope recently, at a good price, so decided on that for starters. Quite pleased - tracking is accurate and the image is bright.But oddly, does not have elevation/rotation marks under the turret. I will find a fix for that later. Odd.

I had to do some guess work on loads. I would have started to work up using AR2213SC - If I had any. With the current dearth, I had to pick from what was available in the shed ( or loading room, if you prefer - but trust me , it's a tin shed) - so decided on N165. I have some used Winchester 243 brass of dubious origin and used that for running in the barrel/getting some load data etc. I have a bag of new Norma for later - but that will need neck turning to remove the outer donut. I'll keep that for now.

I started to loads at 43g - and went up to 46g. Using locally made Targex 105g. These are really good projectiles. testing in the 6BR has shown little difference in accuracy against Berger's and real easy to tune. I started these at a 15 thou off for now.

Running in the barrel in the usual way, ( clean between etc) the loads from 43 - 45g all shot within an inch and a bit. 46g produced 3 touching (at 100m) and, as I suspected the higher load would produce a result,I had loaded more ammo at 46g, attached the Magnetospeed and the next 3 were under .25 MOA and 2934fps ES of 11.

It's off to a good start. I will up the load from 46 - I want to get around 3050fps. I have N160, 560 and Reloader 22 in the cupboard and may be able to get some AR2213 (H4831sc) shortly.

Jobs still to do - I have to shorten the bolt stop on the Savage! Forgot that one.

 

[No manches"]

Perfect..
I got one made on a 1910 mexican mauser.
Everyone laughs at it..and then they cry (oh mommy,) when they get their behinds kicked.
It's a slower mauser action and hard to work but I am very confident in what it's capable.
And being confident with your equipment beats any.
I use IMR 4955 and it just hammers.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Perfect..
I got one made on a 1910 mexican mauser.
Everyone laughs at it..and then they cry (oh mommy,) when they get their behinds kicked.
It's a slower mauser action and hard to work but I am very confident in what it's capable.
And being confident with your equipment beats any.
I use IMR 4455 and it just hammers.

Thats a powder that I am not familiar with, but I will investigate. Thanks

 

[No manches"]

It was the only powder I could find..
It's actually slight faster burning than H4831, atleast my lot. I got lucky and found 2 8lb kegs.

Re-edit it's IMR4955

 

[NZ_Fclass]

It was the only powder I could find..
It's actually slight faster burning than H4831, atleast my lot. I got lucky and found 2 8lb kegs.

Re-edit it's IMR4955

Just checked - my local (40ks away) has some.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

Enjoy your new caliber. Times are tough but keep an eye out for some Sako 243 brass and dump that Winchester brass

 

[1shot]

I've been running the 6SLR since it came out. N-160 or H4831sc and even H-1000 will serve you well. Have fun with your new cartridge.

Lloyd

 

[Dgd6mm]

I'm a 6mm Competition Match shooter since '07. Had I not started shooting it I would have went to the 6SLR when it was developed. I've said this often. Enjoy the 6SLR.

 

[No manches"]

Long ago I heard a group of shooter's here in California.
Comparing the 6 competition match to the 6SLR.
And if I remember correctly 3 guys of the group where using MR4000 from alliant and were giving it a rave..
Any info on this powder? Anyone uses it with success?

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Enjoy your new caliber. Times are tough but keep an eye out for some Sako 243 brass and dump that Winchester brass

I only used the Winchester as it is easy to form the case - the shoulder being the same thickness as the neck. I have some Norma brass, but I am also considering 260 cases as an alternative. I will see what is available. We are half way through our much shortened season (due to "Covid")
So this project will be ready for next season - ie September 2022. I also have some different LR primers to try out, including RWS and Federal Magnum Match as well as the BR2's I used for initial testing, as the brass was already primed with them before I reformed it.

 

[sandwarrior]

Perfect..
I got one made on a 1910 mexican mauser.
Everyone laughs at it..and then they cry (oh mommy,) when they get their behinds kicked.
It's a slower mauser action and hard to work but I am very confident in what it's capable.
And being confident with your equipment beats any.
I use IMR 4955 and it just hammers.

People talk about some of the best Mausers out there, I'd say Mexican 1910's built in the 1930's as a premier action to get. So smooth. I have one in 7x57, but it's a later barreled sporter. It's got a 1-12" twist instead of the original 1-8.44" twist. It won't stabilize heavies, but it sure is nice to shoot 120's and 140's.

Edit: Thought about rebarreling it to a tight twist 6mm Rem. Then a friend shot 6SLR for a while (700 action) and I thought about that. Probably have to change the follower is all.

 

[No manches"]

People talk about some of the best Mausers out there, I'd say Mexican 1910's built in the 1930's as a premier action to get. So smooth. I have one in 7x57, but it's a later barreled sporter. It's got a 1-12" twist instead of the original 1-8.44" twist. It won't stabilize heavies, but it sure is nice to shoot 120's and 140's.

Edit: Thought about rebarreling it to a tight twist 6mm Rem. Then a friend shot 6SLR for a while (700 action) and I thought about that. Probably have to change the follower is all.

My gunsmith put a Spanish airforce bottom metal on mine so it uses Spanish mauser removable magazines,..
But he didn't change the follower, quite funny cause when I get to shooting that is the first thing every one notices* the drop out magazine, and then they realize it's a mauser action.
Mine has a Xcaliber 0.237 bore In 8twist.
I had two reamers made one with a 0.0950 leade/freebore to shoot 95grn SMK's and VLD's
The other was recently with a 0.115 for the 108's

 

[Leeman]

I only used the Winchester as it is easy to form the case - the shoulder being the same thickness as the neck. I have some Norma brass, but I am also considering 260 cases as an alternative. I will see what is available. We are half way through our much shortened season (due to "Covid")
So this project will be ready for next season - ie September 2022. I also have some different LR primers to try out, including RWS and Federal Magnum Match as well as the BR2's I used for initial testing, as the brass was already primed with them before I reformed it.

I'm running a 6.5SLR with Lapua Palma brass necked down and CCI450 SMR primers, no issues with ignition but did have issues with Russian SMR primers, just not man enough for the job, although can depend on the powder you are using of course. N560 was the worst to ignite, no issues with N160 or N550. I turned the brass at .308 before necking down to 6.5mm and then a skim turn once formed but had the throat cut to get the bullet out there in case doughnuts were going to form, currently using Berger 144's. I used RWS years ago in large rifle brass but found them undersize compared to Federal or Russian primers.