Lightweight bullet selection for 6mm 1in8" twist?

[BigDMT]

I am putting together a 243 LBC Turbo. Barrel has a 1in8" twist. I know I won't have any trouble shooting heavier match bullets up to 105gr, but was wondering how light I can go on bullet weight for varminting with that twist rate and still get really good accuracy potential? Thanks.

 

[xs hedspace]

Sierra 70 gr BTM made a sub 1" group for me at 100 yds. Only problem was I fired 5 shots, and only 3 made it to the paper. I suggest loading below max published loads. I have a PACNOR 8" twist 6mm Rem barrel. Tried again, and 4 out of 5 got there. Of course it was a max load, I think supposed to be 3400 fps, but I have a 30" barrel.

 

[Larryh128]

That's the only real problem in over rotating the bullet. I can't use the cheap 55gr HP's in a 223WSSM. They won't make 100yds. The ballistic tips should work though in a 6mm, quite a bit tougher bullet.

 

[357Mag]

BigD -

Howdy !

Sierra 6mm 85BTHP's worked just fine for me, shot from a 29" 6mm 1-8 "5-C " rifled barrel.



With regards,
357Mag

 

[double g]

Try berger's 80g varmit bullet. DG

 

[BigDMT]

Thanks guys. I think I have some 87 gr VMax bullets I will try. Was kind of hoping to push a 70gr, but if I can't get the speed before the bullet comes apart, I might as well use a little heavier bullet at a similar speed.

 

[BradY]

Im running 55gr nosler BT's in a 8 twist 6mm dasher. The barrel is only 22 inches and im not getting all the velocity I probably could with a longer barrel, but have had no issues with bullets not making the target. Its a great bullet for hunting foxes where I live.

 

[BigDMT]

Im running 55gr nosler BT's in a 8 twist 6mm dasher. The barrel is only 22 inches and im not getting all the velocity I probably could with a longer barrel, but have had no issues with bullets not making the target. Its a great bullet for hunting foxes where I live.

Yeah, I noticed Larry suggested the 55gr Nosler BT. Perhaps they really do have a tougher jacket to handle the torque. Thanks for the input.

 

[fredhorace77]

You might be sure and test your bullets at the intended furtherest distance. I had a 22-250AI that shot fine at 100yards with the 40gr. vmax but at 160yards they were coming apart. ??? This has always puzzled me. I don't know why they didn't come apart sooner. 1:9 twist 24" barrel

 

[BigDMT]

I definitely plan on testing them out to at least 300 yards to be sure. Thanks Fred.

I have a Ruger M77 Tang 6mm Remington I already have a bunch of bullets for already. What I have are;

a bunch of Sierra 75gr Hollow Point bullets
a bunch of "old" Nosler 70gr Solid Base Boat Tail hollow point bullets in the black and red box
and one box of Nosler 70gr Ballistic Tip bullets
(maybe some small amounts of others)

Of course I have some 105gr Berger VLDs as well, but for the lighter weight bullets, I expect some of those listed above should work. I think the twist in my 6mm Remington is 1 in 11" and I launch the Sierra 75gr bullets at 3430 fps. I doubt the 243 LBC Turbo can match that speed, but hopefully it will launch them without jacket separation.

I forgot to mention that the barrel I will be using on the 243 LBC Turbo is a Shilen stainless with the Ratchet Rifling. The Ratchet rifling is supposed to induce less bullet jacket stress similar to the 5R rifling. It's basically "half 5R" rifling. Do you guys think this will aid in being able to shoot the smaller bullets as well?

 

[jbarnwell]

Try the 80 grain Berger varmint.

 

[GSPV]

Freebore is an issue in addition to the twist. An 8 twist should have FB for the long, heavies. Then, the shorter, lighter bullets have trouble seating long enough.

The mid-weight bullets might be a good compromise. As mentioned, the 87 VMax. The Berger 87 VLD might work, might be a tad short. The 95 VLD or Classic hunter might work.

 

[BigDMT]

Freebore is an issue in addition to the twist. An 8 twist should have FB for the long, heavies. Then, the shorter, lighter bullets have trouble seating long enough.

The mid-weight bullets might be a good compromise. As mentioned, the 87 VMax. The Berger 87 VLD might work, might be a tad short. The 95 VLD or Classic hunter might work.

yeah, I set up my reamer for the Berger 105s (not exactly sure of the free bore) and a 0.269" neck.

 

[GSPV]

Some people have luck jumping the bullets a long way. Never worked for me.

 

[BigDMT]

Some people have luck jumping the bullets a long way. Never worked for me.

I always seem to have luck jumping heavyweight Berger VLDs a long ways when magazine fed rifles demand a shorter OAL. But then again, I usually throat those a good bit less to help reduce the jump. Still a long ways from the lands though.

I don't imagine the lightweight Sierra HPs will mind the jump because those seem to shoot good no matter how I load them in my 6mm Rem. Have to see about the Nosler BTs and Boat Tail HPs

 

[Quickoz]

I'm using 70gr blitzkings in my 6x47L for varminting. 39gr Varget and all made it to the paper at 200m so I'm happy with that. Unsure on MV but based on other guys MV with 70gr class outa the 6x47L with same load, it's above 3500fps. I will Chrony them ASAP. Haven't tryed the load out on game yet but should be awesome for rabbit, Roo, Fox, etc.

 

[Shooterman]

I shoot 75 and 87vmax's and 87hpbt out of a 7.5 twist, 6 mm RAT. 87vmax's shoot great, usually .5". The 75's shot just under 1" but they all made it down range. 8208 was the powder.

 

[BigDMT]

Quickoz,
I always liked the Sierra BK bullets. I use the 39gr BKs in my 204 Ruger. Crazy accurate. Shoot under 1/2" at 200 yards after leaving the muzzle at 4000 fps.

I might have to see if I can find some BKs in 6mm

 

[Quickoz]

I went for the BK after a a mate who has a 8T 22-250AI runs 55gr BK and has never had one blow up on him I think. He just said the vmax are too soft for the MV/RPM combo and the nosler isn't quite as accurate he found. So I went BK and I had three rounds print into around 0.2" at 200M.

I thought about trying the 55gr BK but I think I'll be pushing my like with that MV/RPM combo.