Getting started 6BR

[Neal6.5]

I have Peterson's brass ( can't find Lapua) varget powder CCI 450 and sierra 107 match kings. Planning on buying Foster dies. I'm shooting a savage model 12 F class in 6br. Where do I start with my first loads

 

[SET]

There are about a million combinations listed throughout this website.
You could start here. https://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/6mmbr/

 

[SKWERLZ]

T

There are about a million combinations listed throughout this website.
You could start here. https://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/6mmbr/

^^^^^this!

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I would start a little lower than those in the list above for starters, it does say to reduce loads by 10% to start with. New Sierra manual shows max of 27.1 grains. 26 grains or less might be a starting point.

 

[Mike TackleBerry]

"For reference ONLY my 6BR Load"
Peterson Brass
CCI 400
29.2 Gr Varget
Berger 105 VLD
CBTO 1.769
2812 FPS

 

[Lance21]

The most used load for those components is right at/around 30 gr varget.

 

[mudduck]

27.5 and go up

 

[HTSmith]

27.5 and go up

^^^ This. My experience w/ Peterson is that it will take a little less powder than Lapua. Very good brass though.

 

[Skeetman59]

The most used load for those components is right at/around 30 gr varget.

This!

 

[Freezebomb]

echo the threads above and will throw in checking out Gordon’s Reloading Toll or Quickload to assist in development as well.

 

[Fast14riot]

With 107s, varget, 7-1/2 in lapua brass I started at 28 and went up. Settled on 30.1. Peterson brass, I would start 27-27.5. I'm seating bullets until I get a square mark from the rifling.

 

[SKWERLZ]

Has anyone done a quick load or other internal ballistic program check on the common varget and H-4895 loads?
My program shows common BR and especially the common BRA loads to be a bit spicy for my taste.

28 grains of varget is reasonable but pressure predicted goes up fast after that.

I’m already loving my slowish 6BRA fireform loads performance.

 

[Fast14riot]

Has anyone done a quick load or other internal ballistic program check on the common varget and H-4895 loads?
My program shows common BR and especially the common BRA loads to be a bit spicy for my taste.

28 grains of varget is reasonable but pressure predicted goes up fast after that.

I’m already loving my slowish 6BRA fireform loads performance.

My load of 30.1 is a little spicy, but I needed 2800fps from my 24" barrel to shoot that gun at 1K. Since my long range gun is finished now, im likely going to back down a bit and keep it a mid range gun.

 

[jaybray]

My .104 freebore 8 twist 6br with Lapua brass will not shoot any of the recommended loads on this site worth a darn. 30 grains of varget or any of the other recommended higher charges of different powders with a 105 bullet was too high of pressure and accuracy was always terrible. I started from scratch at the Hodgdon minimum load and worked up and found my load. 28.7 varget shoots bug holes with 105 bergers and 28 grains of 8208xbr with the 80 berger is incredibly accurate at 100 yards. Lord knows I tried to make the higher charges shoot but always a no go.

 

[SKWERLZ]

My .104 freebore 8 twist 6br with Lapua brass will not shoot any of the recommended loads on this site worth a darn. 30 grains of varget or any of the other recommended higher charges of different powders with a 105 bullet was too high of pressure and accuracy was always terrible. I started from scratch at the Hodgdon minimum load and worked up and found my load. 28.7 varget shoots bug holes with 105 bergers and 28 grains of 8208xbr with the 80 berger is incredibly accurate at 100 yards. Lord knows I tried to make the higher charges shoot but always a no go.

According to my program 28.7 of varget is 64k ish
That’s reasonable, far better than the 80-90k predicted for “popular” loads

 

[SKWERLZ]

My load of 30.1 is a little spicy, but I needed 2800fps from my 24" barrel to shoot that gun at 1K. Since my long range gun is finished now, im likely going to back down a bit and keep it a mid range gun.

What exactly did you get for speed?

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Lots of loads there for powder that you suggest that you can't find....

There's plenty of alternatives. Have a look at Hodgdons online for lots of choices.. IMR8208 or 4064 are good places to start, as is H4895. The new StaBall Match should"work well, but, it is that, "new"

Also look for 500 packs of 107's from the usual online suppliers, often easier to find than 100's.

I'm not a great fan of Forster dies, although I use them for 308, I have had problems with the seating die. The "cup" had a sharp edge which was marking, and on occasion "grabbing" the bullet. You need to ensure that the bullet tip is not touching the seating cup. I believe that there is a correct seating cup for VLD's, but worth checking. I use the standard Redding set, but may change to the competition seater . I also use a mandrel for sizing rather than the expander ball in the FL die.

 

[Fast14riot]

What exactly did you get for speed?

2815avg

 

[SKWERLZ]

2815avg

Interesting

 

[NorCalMikie]

No matter how fast, if it won't group, you can't hit s***!!
Me? ZERO FREEBORE, 1-8 twist, Start with the lightest bullets you can get your hands on and go heavier as the throat wears, and it WILL.
Find a lower node to start from. That way, you'll be leaving yourself some wiggle room for when it gets warmer/hot. Or, just get a bigger hammer to beat the bolt open for your HOT LOADS that wern't hot on a cooler day?
Varget stinks! Never liked cutting kernels. Deadly accurate but VERY temp sensitive.
Starting with 107 Match Kings? Where do you go when the throat is gone?
Guess you could start with 2 barrels and swap as needed? Plan ahead.