Getting into custom 6mm bullets on a budget

[dgeesaman]

That self-contradictory title ought to get some attention, but it's sincere.

I'm a hobbyist shooting a Sako 6PPC-USA for accuracy at 100-200y. I've been buying bullets by the 100 box and paying $35/box for the better ones. Looking at the various custom maker bullets (Bib, Bart's, Hottenstein, Meyer), the cost per bullet is reasonable but at 500 or 1000pc boxes, not very practical for experimentation.

Do you really buy 500pcs and set aside 450 if they're not a good match for your rifle? Even with foulers and fireforming there would still be many bullets unused.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

you can buy 50 from bart if you want to try something

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

That self-contradictory title ought to get some attention, but it's sincere.

I'm a hobbyist shooting a Sako 6PPC-USA for accuracy at 100-200y. I've been buying bullets by the 100 box and paying $35/box for the better ones. Looking at the various custom maker bullets (Bib, Bart's, Hottenstein, Meyer), the cost per bullet is reasonable but at 500 or 1000pc boxes, not very practical for experimentation.

Do you really buy 500pcs and set aside 450 if they're not a good match for your rifle? Even with foulers and fireforming there would still be many bullets unused.

- Another option you may want to consider is the Classified's section here on the forum. - Once in a while some are for sale, partial lots etc... - I don't know if you can post a Wanted add, but that may be something to think about as well. - You may be pleasantly surprised how many folks may be willing to help out another shooter / forum member.
- I've been running Berger's in a 6mm BR and they've done pretty good for me. I do understand the want to test out some customs though.

Good Shooting - Ron -

 

[pirate ammo]

I don't know if you can post a Wanted add,

yes you can,,and sometime people will GIVE you some to play with,,

 

[dgeesaman]

you can buy 50 from bart if you want to try something

I’d happily buy 50 or 100 from several of his types. I’ll give him a call at some point.

David

 

[Mikemci]

EPS (Eazor Precision Shooting). James will sell you any quantity you want.

 

[SteveOak]

If one were to follow this route, buying a small quantity to see if they worked well in your rifle, would it not then be necessary or at least advisable to then be able to buy a quantity of the same lot of bullets?

 

[dkhunt14]

If one were to follow this route, buying a small quantity to see if they worked well in your rifle, would it not then be necessary or at least advisable to then be able to buy a quantity of the same lot of bullets?

Lots dont change as much with customs like other bullets. Unless they change jackets, they should be like what you test or at least very close. Matt

 

[50bmg1979]

If you buy 500 and your rifle doesn't like
them, you shouldn't have any problem getting rid of them here on the classifieds. Just another option.

 

[SteveOak]

Lots dont change as much with customs like other bullets. Unless they change jackets, they should be like what you test or at least very close. Matt

Ok. Thanks

 

[Greyfox]

What you will get with custom bullets is consistency. Every single one in the box will be exactly the same. The difference between those from one maker and those from another will vary, but with a little experimentation you will find that most any custom bullet will shoot in your rifle. The idea that your barrel may "like" one bullet more than another, when it comes to custom bullets, is vastly over rated. I have shot bullets from 4-5 different makers in my rifles and won with all of them. You will probably want to work with the seating depth somewhat, but it isn't voodoo. Get 500 from a well know bullet maker and go shoot them.

Rick

 

[JRS]

If you have no plans to make millions of bullets, I believe Larry Blackmon still makes dies.

Edit: The Blackmon dies will last you a lifetime when making bullets for yourself and maybe a couple of friends.

www.bulletswagingsupply.com

 

[TAJ45]

Make bullets? Everything has a "cost".

Addressing time:
6 pulls, or izzit 7, of a handle. Two or izzit three washings? Component gathering. Then the learning curve to reach the level desired.

I ain't against rolling your own pills by any means. Just research and see if you are looking for a new precision hobby to accompany your current two precision hobbies of shooting and reloading.
When you have YOUR answer, ENJOY.

 

[jackson1]

I know we are flying far from the original question. Bullet making takes the hobby to a whole different level. Making quality bullets much further. Spent my life as a journeyman tool and die maker. The world that people like Bart and Tom live in is beyond my interest and my skill level. Twice I have had the opportunity to buy bullet making tooling and I passed. I am grateful for companies and individuals making bullets, because I don't have the time or inclination to do it myself.

 

[Webster]

That self-contradictory title ought to get some attention, but it's sincere.

I'm a hobbyist shooting a Sako 6PPC-USA for accuracy at 100-200y. I've been buying bullets by the 100 box and paying $35/box for the better ones. Looking at the various custom maker bullets (Bib, Bart's, Hottenstein, Meyer), the cost per bullet is reasonable but at 500 or 1000pc boxes, not very practical for experimentation.

Do you really buy 500pcs and set aside 450 if they're not a good match for your rifle? Even with foulers and fireforming there would still be many bullets unused.

From your post you shoot for fun and not serious competition. I have a Rem 700 BDL Varmint Model 6BR, 26" Keiger barrel, glass bedded and a jewell trigger. It's intended purpose was GH hunting but 95% of my shots are off a bench. Maybe some others can kick in here about some 62-68 gr mass produced bullets that shot small and consistant. I bought a box of Sierra 60 gr Varminter bullets which are hard to find. I would buy at least 5 boxes if I could find them. My first 5 shot group with this bullet and no load development was under .25". I think this was luck. Someone else on this website said it was a great bullet. I shoot a lot of 58 GR Hornady VMax bullets because they are always available, good price and suitable for putting GH to sleep. They always shoot under .350" if i am pulling the trigger properly. You have a stock factory rifle. You have to reach a point ware you say this is all I can get out of this rifle. All of my improvement has been gun handling at the bench. I don't have the ability to shoot to the rifles capability. It's hard to hold the cross hair perfectly still and I don't have a smooth trigger pull. Find me more of the rare Ohio GH.

 

[JFrank]

Class Cat makes his own bullets.

 

[dgeesaman]

Well I have since bought 1000 Barts 68 Ultra FB. The rifle is now out for a rebarreling, but so far it seems that in the varmint/hunting category, bullet type matters a lot. Among target bullets, I was able to get anywhere from good to outstanding results depending on the exact bullet, lot, and load.

I will continue to take the plunge on custom bullets, since the results have been no worse than 'good'.

 

[Webster]

Well I have since bought 1000 Barts 68 Ultra FB. The rifle is now out for a rebarreling, but so far it seems that in the varmint/hunting category, bullet type matters a lot. Among target bullets, I was able to get anywhere from good to outstanding results depending on the exact bullet, lot, and load.

I will continue to take the plunge on custom bullets, since the results have been no worse than 'good'.

Some stores carry Berger Bullets they are mass produced and highly thought of.

 

[357Mag]

Dgeesa -

Howdy !

Reknownwd riflesmith Fred Sinclair once told me to first try Sierra bullets in a custom accuracy rifle to get a good feel for things like preferred bullet wt, best powder for accuracy etc....
Before going. w/ full custom bullets.

Fred’s sage advice still rings true for me, even today. I’ve had some very satisfying results when shooting Sierra. .224” cal and 6mm bullets.
These days, I’ve Ben doing load work-up in my “Deep 6” wildcat, shooting Sierra 6mm 95”tipped” MK’s over a nearly full case of RL-23.

For your 6PPC, you might want to try Sierra 6mm 85BTHP.
I once weighed 3 boxes of these, and only had .2gr max wt variance over the 300 bullets weighed. I quit weighing those !

Accuracy provided by the 85BTHPs was superb ( my rifle, my loads ).

Like a lot of other shooters, I went to use of Berger bullets as the next step from bullets made by Hornady and Siera.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[BartsBullets]

I’m not Charging enough!!!!!! I’m only 280.00 for flat base 68gr bullets and 290.00 for boattails!

Bart