Hand load recommendations: Sako L579 with nonfactory 6mm PPC 1:14 SS 21" barrel for groups 100 yard

[Buckeyedoc87]

Hey all! Just got this rifle, has the original blued factory 243 Win barrel but also came with barely shot 6mm PPC .063 neck 1:14 21" barrel already headspaced and shot on this rifle, just needs reinstalled.
Questions:
1. It looks like the best accuracy paper bullet will be 60g Sierra FB for 100yds from bench indoors for now...other suggestions?
2. Powders: CFE 223...anyone tried it w/ 6PPC?
I have the others always mentioned as favs to try also.
3. I have 200 new blue box Lapua 200 Russian cases dedicated to this barrel I'll handload after fireforming (or poss hydroforming?). I would have to fireform in this barrel, I don't have an old one to fireform in or a reamer print to use either.
A quick summary of the steps I need to get the cases ready to fireform in this .263 neck barrel would be great. I have neck turn equipment (21st century motorized lathe with ppc doodads)and RCBS Universal Prep for length and mouth.
4. I realize that I won't be loading as hot for this factory Sako action as I would for a Panda etc.
Primers will be BR4 unless someone thinks that's a bad idea
Thanks for your input!

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

Don't try to reinvent the wheel. Once brass is fireformed work up from ~28.5 to ~29.5gr VV N133 with a 65-68gr custom benchrest bullet 0.012-0.015" off a hard jam, Fed 205M primer. If this doesn't shoot into 1 hole at 100 yards, something is wrong.

 

[Buckeyedoc87]

Don't try to reinvent the wheel. Once brass is fireformed work up from ~28.5 to ~29.5gr VV N133 with a 65-68gr custom benchrest bullet 0.012-0.015" off a hard jam, Fed 205M primer. If this doesn't shoot into 1 hole at 100 yards, something is wrong.

Toby thanks...exactly what I'm not wanting to waste time on is reinventing the wheel. Faster easier better is my aim...suggestions on case prep prior to fireforming the Lapua 220 Russian in this particular barrel in the Sako action? I've read FL size and trim to length and mouth prep but confused over bullet load vs putty to get propper form to 6 ppc. Seems less barrel wear if no bullet? Does the bullet seater for 6PPC work with the 220R? The cost to hydroform to 6ppc is 60.00 per 100...that'd be 120+ for 200...nearly the cost of a hydroforming die.
It came with several fired cases from this barrel so I picked 3 that measured closest and sent to Harrell's for FL die just this week. Keep advice coming!

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

Expand neck
Neck turn on an arbor matched to the expander mandrel to give a loaded round diameter of 0.260-0.261 (for a 0.263 neck -- check diameter over the bullet pressure ring if a flat-based bullet)
Fill the case to the bottom of neck with N133 or H322
Seat a cheap 6mm bullet long enough to provide some resistance when closing the bolt (be sure bolt lugs are lubed)
Fire away

There are several/many other ways to fireform 220R to 6PPC, but the above method is the one I've used.

P.S. Read Tony Boyer's "Book of Rifle Accuracy".

 

[th82457]

Other powders that have worked in several 6mm PPC's for me are IMR 8208 & AA2015 with 58 V-Max up to 70 gr. bullets including 68 gr BR bullets.

 

[Buckeyedoc87]

Expand neck
Neck turn on an arbor matched to the expander mandrel to give a loaded round diameter of 0.260-0.261 (for a 0.263 neck -- check diameter over the bullet pressure ring if a flat-based bullet)
Fill the case to the bottom of neck with N133 or H322
Seat a cheap 6mm bullet long enough to provide some resistance when closing the bolt (be sure bolt lugs are lubed)
Fire away

There are several/many other ways to fireform 220R to 6PPC, but the above method is the one I've used.

P.S. Read Tony Boyer's "Book of Rifle Accuracy".

 

[Buckeyedoc87]

Perfect...I will read that. The process I will use. Greatly appreciate it!
Anyone tried CFE223 powder?

 

[Buckeyedoc87]

Anyone tried CFE223 for 6mm PPC? Love it for 223 very clean easy loading.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Do you have a ppc bolt for this rifle? I would caution going with the listed loads in this rifle. Start a lot lower then work up. This isnt a custom br rifle and it cant handle the loads youve been given.

 

[Buckeyedoc87]

Good point! My L579 has a Sako factory bolt/action... factory 243 Win Bull barrel 22" built in 1965. I want to be safe but I do know that fireforming Lapua 220R into 6 PPC requires different charges than normal reloads. The Hart 6PPC hvy 1:14 barrel w/ .263 neck won't be the weak link but the Sako action and bolt are not major heavy duty like a custom Panda type action.
That's the reason for my inquiry. Hoping someone that's fire formed for a L579 type Sako rifle or who knows the difference could give sound advice. THANKYOU Dusty

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If its regular 220 russian cases- bump the shoulder in your 6ppc die with bushing removed until they lightly crush fit, expand them to 6mm, turn the necks, fill to the bottom of the shoulder with h322, load a bullet jammed into the lands and fire it. Perfect cases every time

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

Good point! My L579 has a Sako factory bolt/action... factory 243 Win Bull barrel 22" built in 1965. I want to be safe but I do know that fireforming Lapua 220R into 6 PPC requires different charges than normal reloads. The Hart 6PPC hvy 1:14 barrel w/ .263 neck won't be the weak link but the Sako action and bolt are not major heavy duty like a custom Panda type action.

If you are forming 6PPC cases from Lapua 220 Russian brass you will have no problem starting at 28.5gr N133. Even with Sako USA cases (less capacity) and lawyers looking over their shoulders Vihtavuori lists 28.2gr N133/68gr bullet as a max load.

https://www.vihtavuori.com/reloading-data/rifle-reloading/?cartridge=64

It can't hurt to start lower, of course, but you're going to find your best accuracy with high (but safe) pressure.

 

[Buckeyedoc87]

If its regular 220 russian cases- bump the shoulder in your 6ppc die with bushing removed until they lightly crush fit, expand them to 6mm, turn the necks, fill to the bottom of the shoulder with h322, load a bullet jammed into the lands and fire it. Perfect cases every time

What exactly is "until they lightly crush fit" in referring to the cases. Does that refer to trial run of a case in the rifle chamber and closing the bolt?
I've gotten excellent tidbits here thank you! Tony Boyer book on its way, too!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

What exactly is "until they lightly crush fit" in referring to the cases. Does that refer to trial run of a case in the rifle chamber and closing the bolt?
I've gotten excellent tidbits here thank you! Tony Boyer book on its way, too!

Yes you bump it back in your sizing die as a 220russian until you can close the bolt almost all the way but can feel it crush

 

[Eric Leonard]

Daddy has one of the first year made Sako A1 6PPC not the PPC-USA and he shoots the Berger Column bullets with 29.2 VVN133 with no problems with pressure at all,,he doesnt shoot it much though as it was unfired NIB when he bought it and doesnt want to shoot the bbl out,,,just 3-4 5 shot groups at 100 and 200 a couple times a year,,very nice rifle,,

 

[Eric Leonard]

Berger Column bullets are easy to tune and shoot pretty dang good,,but most match shooters use some kind of custom made bullets from various sources,,

 

[Buckeyedoc87]

Berger Column bullets are easy to tune and shoot pretty dang good,,but most match shooters use some kind of custom made bullets from various sources,,

Good to hear about the VV133 and amt. he shot safely in that action. What weight column Berger did he use then, any idea? I have Bart's Ultras and Sierras and Nosler Ballistic tips, starting around 60-70 gr . Is his 6mm barrel 1:14 twist I wonder?

 

[Eric Leonard]

the Column bullets I think were 64.2 grs,,but they vary I have seen them 65 grs also,,
of course work up to the max charge of 133 as with any load in any rifle,,but in his A1 that load has been safe,,I am pretty sure the A1`s are 14 twist ,,