First time Dasher loader, looking for 87 Vmax & 105 Hybrid powder suggestions

[Kiba]

As the subject says... my action and barrel are currently with Wade Stuteville waiting for the new 6 Norma Dasher reamer from Shiraz. I'm guessing that the rifle might be back in my hands by the end of summer.

Never had a 6BR or Dasher before so I'm starting fresh with load information. Did some searching and reading here but was hoping for suggestions on loads.

The rifle is going to have a 28" Bartlein 1:7.7 twist barrel fitted. It's primarily going to be a long range ground squirrel blaster but will also see some use on long range steel if I don't feel like using my 6.5 Creedmoor. I was planning on using 87 Vmax for the critters and 105 Hybrids for the steel.

Based on my reading I'm not sure how well suited any of the powders I have on hand will be. Right now I currently have N133, H4895, H4350, and AR Comp on hand.

Varget and RL-15 seem to come up a lot here as suggested powders for the 6 Dasher. According to Alliant AR Comp is supposedly very similar in burn rate to Varget and I've seen excellent SD and ES numbers out of AR Comp in 22-250, 223AI, and 6.5 Creedmoor. Has anyone tried AR Comp in a 6 Dasher yet?

I've seen some discussion here about using H4895, but also references to pressure signs when using it.

I've also heard IMR 4166 can work in the Dasher but probably isn't ideal-- it sits in between H4895 on the fast end of the burn rate and RL15 / Varget on the slower end of burn rate. Might be more suited to the lighter 87s than the 105s. 4166 is also much more easily available than Varget at the moment.

Appreciate any suggestions, I'd like to get what I need ordered and on hand before the rifle gets back. Thanks!

 

[stork]

I had mine built by Dan Dowling & had him throat a 1-10 Hart for the 87 vmax's. RE15 is by far the best results with mine.
al

 

[Phil]

I believe Norma 203B is the powder that is interchangable with R15.

Do some checking to make sure that is the correct powder...........


Phil.

 

[Dan Hall]

Don't fight the powder thing. Go with what works and you will save your self a lot of head aches. Just like the H-4350 that works so well in the 6.5 Creedmoor. Varget and Reloder 15 work well in the 6BR and 6 Dasher. I shoot 33.0 grains of Varget with 103 Gr Vapor trails and 105 gr Berger Hybrids. This load gives me 2" 10 shot groups at 600 yards. I also just worked up a load today in my new Dasher for 87 grain Berger hunting VLDs. 34.0 grains of Reloder 15 gave me .25" 5 shot groups at 100 yards. All these are using CCI 450 primers. You could probably make the 87 grain V-Max's work with this load with a little fine tuning. good luck.

 

[savagedasher]

H 4350 with 105 but can't get enough in with 87 . 203 B is the best . Larry

 

[boltfluter]

Both my 6 Dashers drive tacks with Varget. My 6BR loves the 87. V Max and Varget. CCI 450 primers in all loads.

Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[Barlow]

In my Marlin 6 dasher I use 35gr of RL15, 450 primer and 87gr Vmax out of a 26" Rock Creek 5r for 3238mv. Coyotes don't like it. Barlow

 

[Kiba]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like I need to start scrounging for some Varget and RL15.

I still think I'll give AR Comp a try as based on Alliant's data AR Comp is supposed to be right in the middle of Varget and RL15 in terms of burn rate. I've had really good luck with it in 3 other calibers so far, very consistent ES/SD numbers although a little slower than their data suggests. Not sure how much can fit into a Dasher case though as it is a little bulky.

Regarding primers, I see CCI 450s are the main recommendation. However, has anyone tried Wolf KVB556M primers? They're also small rifle magnum primers and I've had very good luck with them in my 223 and 223AI. I'm not opposed to buying CCI 450s but I have about 13K of the KVB556M primers on hand.

 

[CJ6]

Regarding primers, I see CCI 450s are the main recommendation. However, has anyone tried Wolf KVB556M primers? They're also small rifle magnum primers and I've had very good luck with them in my 223 and 223AI. I'm not opposed to buying CCI 450s but I have about 13K of the KVB556M primers on hand.

The Russian primers have a harder cup so you should be fine.

 

[Longtrain]

32.5 grains of Norma 203B, Wolf SRM primers, you'll be pleased.

 

[Dave Berg]

"I still think I'll give AR Comp a try as based on Alliant's data AR Comp is supposed to be right in the middle of Varget and RL15 in terms of burn rate."

You'll be disappointed at least with 105 class bullets. It was developed to be a less temperature sensitive Reloder 15 but the final result was a powder that was about as fast as Varget. I did a lot of testing with it in a 6 BR with 105-108 bullets and eventually gave up. The ES/SD was very good, accuracy was excellent but pressure signs got bad at about 200 fps slower than Varget or Reloder 15. Don't use RL-15 or Varget load data as AR-Comp has a whole lot more energy per grain. I bought a lot of the stuff and it works well in the AR-15's but the 6 BR's get RL-15 or Norma 203B with heavy bullets. The temperature sensitivity issue is blown way out of proportion IMHO. I just drop the charge 0.2 grains when it's hot.

Might work with the 87 V-max. I didn't think it could be any better than my Varget load so I never tried it.

 

[racesnake]

Im running H4350 in my Dasher and BRX and getting some really good results. Start out with 36.0 grs with the 105 gr bullets and tune from there.

 

[Kiba]

Been a few months, but bumping this back up since my rifle is going to be headed back my way very shortly.

Since the initial post where I didn't have the appropriate components on hand, I now have a pile of Berger 105 Hybrids, 87 Vmax, Varget, and CCI 450 primers on hand, enough to last the life of the barrel and then some.

Found plenty of recommendations in the Dasher load thread for Varget & 105 Hybrids but not much info on 87s. I was wondering if someone could suggest a safe starting load for Varget and the 87 Vmax. Keep in mind this is the Norma Dasher so the brass capacity is a little less than fireformed Lapua brass. Thanks!

 

[expiper]

OP,,,the BR is like the 223 ,,,lots of powders will work in them,,,,some a little better than others,,,you askes about the powders that you have,,,I have used a bunch-0-4895 and so do the guys from the great northwest ( Missoula MT) with success,,,,and you said you have H-4895,,,so you are ready to go,,,but,,if you find a deal on a cupla kegs of Rx-15,get some of that,,,,Roger

 

[Jet]

Like Roger recommends, H4895 should definitely be one of the powders you try in the Dasher. Should work well with both bullet weights you want to use. Keep us posted on the results.

Good Shooting

Rich

 

[lbran]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like I need to start scrounging for some Varget and RL15.

I still think I'll give AR Comp a try as based on Alliant's data AR Comp is supposed to be right in the middle of Varget and RL15 in terms of burn rate. I've had really good luck with it in 3 other calibers so far, very consistent ES/SD numbers although a little slower than their data suggests. Not sure how much can fit into a Dasher case though as it is a little bulky.

Regarding primers, I see CCI 450s are the main recommendation. However, has anyone tried Wolf KVB556M primers? They're also small rifle magnum primers and I've had very good luck with them in my 223 and 223AI. I'm not opposed to buying CCI 450s but I have about 13K of the KVB556M primers on hand.

ARComp is faster then varget, it is more like h4895 from my testing, start low and work up if your going to try it, I run into pressure early!

 

[BenPerfected]

IMO, just pick a common Dasher recipe and save on the endless combinations of components. Your savings on components and barrel life will more than pay for a tuner. Numerous tested Dasher loads are listed on this website. My load is 32.4 gn of Varget, CCI 450 primer and a Berger 105gn bullet. Once you select a safe load you should never have have to change it, you just adjust your tuner to the conditions. Having numerous Dasher barrels, they all shoot well using the exact same load and the same tuner. However, each barrel will have a different tuner setting. Be prepared, CF Benchrest is addicting.
Ben

 

[Kiba]

Guess I should have started a new thread, everyone seems to be responding to my first post and missed the new post midway through the thread saying I now have enough Varget and CCI 450s to last the life of the barrel and then some. I can't edit the initial post anymore, otherwise I would.

Anyways, I'm looking for starting load recommendations specifically for the 87 Vmax and Varget. There is plenty of info for Varget and the 105s in the main Dasher Load thread to get me started, but nearly no info for 87s and Varget.

I'm using the new Norma Dasher brass so the case capacity is a bit less than Lapua, so I'm thinking of starting around 31gr Varget with the 87 Vmax. Does that sound reasonable?

 

[expiper]

Guess I should have started a new thread, everyone seems to be responding to my first post and missed the new post midway through the thread saying I now have enough Varget and CCI 450s to last the life of the barrel and then some. I can't edit the initial post anymore, otherwise I would.

Anyways, I'm looking for starting load recommendations specifically for the 87 Vmax and Varget. There is plenty of info for Varget and the 105s in the main Dasher Load thread to get me started, but nearly no info for 87s and Varget.

I'm using the new Norma Dasher brass so the case capacity is a bit less than Lapua, so I'm thinking of starting around 31gr Varget with the 87 Vmax. Does that sound reasonable?

K...you need to add ~3 gr. more powder for 85-88 gr bullets than you use for 105-108 gr bullets ,,,no matter what commonly used powder in a Dasher,,,Roger
PS,,,every bbl and bullet combo is a variable ,,,you gotta do your own loading,,what works for somone else is not necssarily gona work for you,,,(this aint Rocket surgery ) ,,,,

 

[Kiba]

I can work with that. I didn't want to know anyone's exact load for obvious reasons, was just looking for a pointer for a safe starting point and a typical range so I had some data to go from and not waste too much time with initial loads that were way off.