Load data for 6mm Dasher 115 grain Berger VLD Target and RL-16

[DmitriyS]

I'm new to reloading and this is my first post. I'm having hard time to find Berger 6mm 105/108 grain bullets. Its almost impossible to get Varget powder now. I was able to find Berger 115 grain VLD bullets and I know where to get RL-16 powder. My barrel is 7.25 twist Bartlein 26 inch. I cannot find load data for 6MM Dasher with this particular bullet and powder. Who can help me with starting and max load for this particular bullet/powder combo ?

Thanks
Dmitriy

 

[Jager]

Berger lists RE-15 (not RE-16) for that bullet in the 6mm Dasher... starting charge of 27.0/RE-15 producing 2478 fps; max charge of 30.1 producing 2730 fps. Those are from a 24" barrel and with the bullet seated to a 2.358" COAL.

They do recommend a 1:7" twist, or faster for that bullet.

Lyman lists a starting charge of 28.0/RE-15, producing 2545 fps; and 31.8/RE-15, producing 2849 fps, using the Berger 115gr VLD Target. That's likewise out of a 24" barrel (theirs used a 1:8" twist), with the bullet seated to a 2.350" COAL.

QuickLoad suggests that it would take another 2-plus grains of RE-16 to approach the same pressure/velocity as that 30.1/RE-15 that Berger lists as max. You're going to be deep into a compressed load at that point and that - inability to get enough powder into the case - will probably be your limiting factor with that powder.

Someone with direct experience with that bullet and one or both of those powders will probably be along.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Kurz]

The Re-16 is too slow for your project. You can't get enough of this powder into the case to enjoy meaningful velocities. However, the good news is that Re-15 can be used but with different min/max weights.

Other trials involved:

IMR-4320
IMR-4451 (Enduron)
Ramshot Big Game
VVN-140

 

[4xforfun]

The Re-16 is too slow for your project. You can't get enough of this powder into the case to enjoy meaningful velocities. However, the good news is that Re-15 can be used but with different min/max weights.

Other trials involved:

IMR-4320
IMR-4451 (Enduron)
Ramshot Big Game
VVN-140

I beg to differ.....I ran RL 16 for two years in two different dasher tubes. 34.4 and 35 grains netted 3070 and 3100 with out any problem. Now this was with the 105 and 108 Berger and also the 103 VT.

It seems that lots of the "big dogs" are shooting H4895. That is in the same boat as Varget and H1000 as far as finding it.

Years ago it was RL 15 and Varget. Now it seems like there are LOTS of powders that "fit" the Dasher.

Tod

 

[Kurz]

Beg all you want, it doesn't make it right.

 

[AckleymanII]

If your barrel is not throated for a 115g, you maybe in for a ROUGH time making them shoot with the bullet deep in the case packed with slow burning powder....

 

[Dave M.]

I'm new to reloading and this is my first post. I'm having hard time to find Berger 6mm 105/108 grain bullets. Its almost impossible to get Varget powder now. I was able to find Berger 115 grain VLD bullets and I know where to get RL-16 powder. My barrel is 7.25 twist Bartlein 26 inch. I cannot find load data for 6MM Dasher with this particular bullet and powder. Who can help me with starting and max load for this particular bullet/powder combo ?

Thanks
Dmitriy

I load Berger 105g and 108/9g VLD jammed 0.010” and 32.9g of RL-15 (summer load). I’m at 900ft above sea level. I’m getting 3026fps with a 20 shot SD of 4.1fps.
dave

 

[Dave M.]

I load Berger 105g and 108/9g VLD jammed 0.010” and 32.9g of RL-15 (summer load). I’m at 900ft above sea level. I’m getting 3026fps with a 20 shot SD of 4.1fps.
dave

I’ve found the 6mm Berger VLDs shoot great at several nodes between jammed 0.015” to 0.055” off the lands. When loading close to or into the lands, the pressures will rise. Be aware of this and watch your brass and Chrony for signs of over pressure. With the OP’s 115g I would start at 30.5-31.0g and work up in 0.3g steps to find a solid accuracy node.
dave

 

[4xforfun]

If your barrel is not throated for a 115g, you maybe in for a ROUGH time making them shoot with the bullet deep in the case packed with slow burning powder....

True, but I could not touch those speeds with Varget or RL 15 safely with the 108...and I run a .104 FB.

Tod