How to Choose a Bullet?

[Phil3]

Just about all I have read says that when developing a load, choosing a reamer, barrel twist rate, determine the bullet you would like to shoot. OK, but the bullet I want is the one that is most accurate for my shooting distance, which is 85% 100 yards, and the other 15% at 200 and 300. I do not know what is the best bullet for that, but would welcome comments on the following choice.

Berger "Column" bullet, in Criterion 1:14 barrel (recommended twist by Berger).

If a better choice, would like to hear it. Whatever bullet it is, I will load new Lapua brass with the bottom end of the bearing surface about .050" above the neck body juncture. Will ask the reamer maker to cut the chamber per the dummy round with the bullet .010" into the lands. From what I read here, I think this should optimize short range accuracy.

Am ready to order bullets and stuff now, so if I am off course, I welcome your input.

As an aside, I asked questions about building a rifle some years ago. For those who remember that, please note firearm stuff was mostly on hold because of health problems, death of parents, first granddaughter, new job, range closures, etc.

Phil

 

[powderbrake]

I am sorry, but I don't have enough experience in 6BR to comment on your bullet choice but I just went through the same routine. I decided to build a 6BR prairie dog gun, custom action,stock, trigger and barrel. I selected the Hornady 87 gr V-Max for it's high (.400) ballistic coefficient, and had it chambered from some sample rounds.
It is a great gun, but I could not make that Hornady bullet shoot well. Switched to a 88 gr Berger varmint bullet, and it shoots in the .1 range.

I just had my 22-250 rebarreled, and ordered a custon reamer to shoot the same 55 gr Sierra Blitzking which I had used through the previous 2 barrels on that action. I could not get it to shoot well. Changed to a 64 gr Berger Varmint bullet and it shoots in the .2's which is OK for me with it being my "old back-up" gun. Both guns liked the flat base bullets better.

I had also placed another restriction on myself, i.e. that I would use Varget, because it is temperature tolerant and while I may zero in the spring when it is 50 degrees, on the prairie it can get to 80 +, and the sun bakes the ammo. Besides, I had a lot of Varget.

The moral of this story is that no matter what bullet you pick, there is no guarantee that it will be the one that shoots the best in your rifle.

 

[Phil3]

Thank you for your reply. I was beginning to suspect there was no clear-cut answer. Frankly, in answer to the question, "What bullet do you wish to shoot", I have no obvious answer. It seems like the approach is to simply pick one that should work for designed purposes and has a good reputation, cross fingers, and hope the gun shoots it well. And as you pointed out, that approach may very well fail. So, will stick with the Berger Column bullets and hope they work, and also hope that in case they don't, something else will (work).

Thanks again.

Phil

 

[XBBR Shooter]

[...] I just had my 22-250 rebarreled, and ordered a custom reamer to shoot the same 55 gr Sierra BlitzKing which I had used through the previous 2 barrels on that action. I could not get it to shoot well. Changed to a 64 gr Berger Varmint bullet and it shoots in the .2's which is OK for me with it being my "old back-up" gun. Both guns liked the flat base bullets better.

What twist was the new barrel on the 22-250? The 55 BlitzKing can be marginal in a 14"T barrel.

 

[JamesnTN]

If you have a 14 T 6mm barrel you'll be limited to 70 grain and lighter bullets.

 

[MarkS]

Just about all I have read says that when developing a load, choosing a reamer, barrel twist rate, determine the bullet you would like to shoot. OK, but the bullet I want is the one that is most accurate for my shooting distance, which is 85% 100 yards, and the other 15% at 200 and 300. I do not know what is the best bullet for that, but would welcome comments on the following choice.

Berger "Column" bullet, in Criterion 1:14 barrel (recommended twist by Berger).

If a better choice, would like to hear it. Whatever bullet it is, I will load new Lapua brass with the bottom end of the bearing surface about .050" above the neck body juncture. Will ask the reamer maker to cut the chamber per the dummy round with the bullet .010" into the lands. From what I read here, I think this should optimize short range accuracy.

Am ready to order bullets and stuff now, so if I am off course, I welcome your input.

As an aside, I asked questions about building a rifle some years ago. For those who remember that, please note firearm stuff was mostly on hold because of health problems, death of parents, first granddaughter, new job, range closures, etc.

Phil

Phil,
What you have picked sounds good. Any of the benchrest bullets will shoot well. Try VV N135 powder. I like a 12 tw for 80 gr bullets for shot range. Every 14tw 6BR i have owned would shoot 80gr bullets, but most say they will not shoot them.

Mark Schronce

 

[powderbrake]

What twist was the new barrel on the 22-250? The 55 BlitzKing can be marginal in a 14"T barrel.

9 twist

 

[Ag7m]

Phil,
What you have picked sounds good. Any of the benchrest bullets will shoot well. Try VV N135 powder. I like a 12 tw for 80 gr bullets for shot range. Every 14tw 6BR i have owned would shoot 80gr bullets, but most say they will not shoot them.

Mark Schronce

I have had the same experience as Mark. If you can find some of the discontinued Berger 80's or some Starkes you will find they work well in a 14 twist. A little extra powder and moly might be necessary.

 

[MarkS]

I have had the same experience as Mark. If you can find some of the discontinued Berger 80's or some Starkes you will find they work well in a 14 twist. A little extra powder and moly might be necessary.

The 80gr Berger's are still made, they are in the Varmint section.

Mark