Great 6PPC Article Re: Varmints

[shcal]

I enjoyed the Speedy 6PPC article on the PPCs for Varmints. I purchased a used 6PPC HV about a year ago to try on Varmints, I shoot ground squirrels in California. Let me tell you, the 6PPC in a 14 twist HV barrel with 65gr V-max's is great. Anything on a relatively calm day out to about 250 yds is dead. I used to think that this caliber and twist was only good to 250 yds but the more I shoot this caliber the more I understand it has much longer range potential. The last two weekends I was consistently hitting squirrels in the 310 yds to 350 yds range. The 65gr V-max is deadly. Only complaint is I wish the accuracy could be repeated with a little faster twist for heavier bullets to compensate for the wind we have hear in coastal California. Anybody else use the PPC for Varmints? Lets hear from you.
shcal

 

[Forum Boss]

SHCal,

Glad you liked the article. We couldn't run a PPC article without some mention of its varminting potential. Yes you do have the fire-forming issue, but as Eben Brown explains, you can use a no-turn neck and still get excellent accuracy.

One advantage the 6PPC has over the 6BR or 22BR is the fact that the smaller diameter casehead creates less bolt thrust. This allows the 6PPC to be used in some lightweight actions that won't work with a 6BR. A friend of mine had a Brown falling block built in 12-twist. He used it as a "walking-around" varminter on CA squirrels and the occassional coyote. He said the 75gr V-Max anchored 'yotes very well.

 

[shcal]

Donovan:
Thant's incredible accuracy. I know what you mean about a dead calm environment, it seems this little cartridge has a difficult time with windy conditions but when the conditions are right, its a lot of fun. I used to load H-322 but now use N-133, seems little more consistent for temp and cleaner burning. I will be experimenting more with this gun/cartridge as time goes by. Obviously the 70gr SMK's were not too heavy for the 14"twist. I will give the heavier bullets a try and let you know how they work out.
shcal

 

[shcal]

Donovan, thanks for the input. Have you tried the Berger 70gr MEF in your 6PPC? I like the MEF's for my 22-250 AI, they are accurate and they do the job well on varmints. I am impressed with your velocities. I have not chrono'ed my loads - 28grs N-133 about .070" into the lands with 65gr v-max, but this load seems to do well out to at least 350yds.
shcal.

 

[rwleonard]

I am just getting started with a 6mmPPC Improved, 14 twist. It is shooting 70 Sierra BK's very well,consistently under 0.5MOA with a no-turn neck). I am using 53 Culver clicks of N-133 for 3,167 fps out of a 22" tube. I have been waiting for it to get hot out, so that I can see how hard I can push it before I settle on "The Load."

The land owner at a farm I hunt a lot told me the other night that she didn't even know I was around, the rifle was so quiet.

Rick

 

[rwleonard]

I got a good, hot afternoon at the range today with the 6PPC Improved. 58 Culver-clicks of n-133 filled the case to the brim with no pressure signs in the 98 degree heat. I settled on 57 clicks for 3,447 fps with a 70 grain Blitzking. First 3-shot group,this is a light-barreled walking varminter) measured .102". Groups opened-up as I got tired,I was shooting a bunch of .308 between shots of the 6PPCImp to give it time to cool) and the wind picked-up for an average of .422 MOA, shooting at 100 and 200 yards.

This is one neat little cartidge. My loading manuals list these kind of velocites for the .243 Winchester and 70 grainers.

Rick

 

[Cheechako]

To all

Try the 6PPC in a 12 twist with the 71 grain Berger BT loaded to 3350 fps plus or minus and be prepared to be amazed. That is my calm-day 600 yard benchrest load and it has served me very well with lots of trophies. I held the 10-shot small group world record at one time. And I firmly believe it would shoot in worse conditions if I had the guts to try it.

Ray

 

[tenring]

Ray - What neck diameter do you like? Powder? Whose barrel? HV or LV? Action? What was your record group? Ya got me thinkin here, as I am about to order some new barrels. Thanks.

 

[snert]

I run a 22 PPC with 50 grain Vmax out to 500 or so on groundhogs. It is a fine varmint rifle. Even in wnds to 20 MPH (gusts) I mange with experience and gut instinct. Last year I shot several on film at 490. I think the PPC is totally underrated, in both 6 and 22 versions.

 

[V509]

I have a Ruger Mini 30 that has had a ton of work done to it including a heavy stainless barrel in 6PPC
It is too heavy to use for coyotes but perfect for the way woodchucks are hunted in my area. Shots are rarely over 250 yards but woodchucks are dead right there

 

[AckleymanII]

I have shot 100K rounds at varmints though various 22 and 6PPC's over the years. I shot 15-11 twists, love the zero freebore but what ever was on a br rifle of mine got hammered.

I shot a fast lot of H335, 2230-s with 60g bullets at 3550. 300 rounds inbetween cleanings with H335, about 125 with 322.

Today, the BC of the 55g Nosler is awesome, and the 55g Sierra blitz king is the most explosive.

I put 10K through one Hart barrel on a Stolle panda, it would agg .285 when I screwed it off, but copper fouling got hard to deal with.

I used PMC 7.62x39 brass and formed PPC cases from it, fire forming on hair. PMC is the only 7.62x39 brass worth forming cases from due to how hard it is. Large rifle primers will still shoot groups in the 1's and low 2's, make no mistake about that fact.