Loading Cases To Jam The Lands-Fire-Forming 6ppc

[Gergg]

I've read conflicting info about loading/seating so that the bullet hits/jams the lands when chambering loads for fire-forming 6ppc cases. Some info says you need to do this to properly form the case, others say this is dangerous due to increase pressure risks. Then other info says to use a light powder charge and others say a hot load is needed.....Dang, what do you all think? Oh, sorry if my terminology is not exact as I'm just figuring this stuff out.

 

[artbosco]

You've got Three [3] methods you can use. I prefer #2: http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/6mmppc/ It's a personal choice.

I also lightly lube the outside of the entire case on the first fire forming. Some lube during the second fire forming too.

Highly recommended if you're going to shoot the 6PPC: http://www.brunoshooters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BSS&Product_Code=TBSC

There's a lot to learn about the 6PPC if you're going to take advantage of it's inherent accuracy.

 

[Joe Maisto]

I shoot the PPC for matches as well as all those that shoot along side me. We MUST fire form, and we all stick them way out and close the bolt. This makes for the case not being able to move back against the bolt UPON firing, Some put a light coating of oil on the case. Most do not. You should also realise, that you need to do this at least twice, using a full case of powder. Our actions are custom. Don't know what yours is, but using the proper powder and leaving the powder column with just enough room to seat a bullet will not get you into trouble. Any of the following powders will do. VV, 322, 4895, 3031, 2230. I've used them all and have never had a problem.

 

[artbosco]

The powder of choice for the 6PPC is Vihtavuori N133. N133 likes a lot of neck tension [.003" to .004"]. If you're using the .262" neck chamber and turning to .260" a .257" bushing is the norm. Sometimes .256" does the trick.

Everything you need to know about casually shooting or competing the 6PPC is here: http://www.brunoshooters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BSS&Product_Code=TBSC

 

[Joe Maisto]

The powder of choice for the 6PPC is Vihtavuori N133. N133 likes a lot of neck tension [.003" to .004"]. If you're using the .262" neck chamber and turning to .260" a .257" bushing is the norm. Sometimes .256" does the trick.

Everything you need to know about casually shooting or competing the 6PPC is here: http://www.brunoshooters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BSS&Product_Code=TBSC

I shoot with some of the best and you hear all these stories about neck tension, so far off the lands, etc, etc, . Someone started this some time ago because of what THEY/HE thought. Most PPC shooters use a .258 bushing for a .262 neck, a few use a .259, and only one I know of that shoots the matches at Holton, MI. with me uses a .257, and yes, 98% of us use V V.
Go figure.

 

[BoydAllen]

This is what I do. My Viper actioned rifle has barrels that are chambered .0035 over min. and if find that I need a slight cut into the shoulder with the chamfer of my turning tool's cutter to get the feel that I want when chambering fire forming rounds, I want to just feel them snug but not hard. I usually have saved my 133 because it is more trouble to get, and most of my fire forming has been done with a powder that is easy to find by the pound locally, for a reasonable cost, Benchmark, which I load to where the back of the bullet will be when seated. I seat to a little longer than jam, and use a bushing that is tighter than I would normally load with, for 133, about .001 smaller. With powders that are in the normal range for a 6PPC given how much space is created as the case is fire formed, there is little chance of having too much pressure. Once, at a match, I watched a former world record holder fire form some cases, as he was loading them, he put a small drop of 3 in 1 oil on the body of the case and carefully spread it over the entire case before chambering it. My way works. His way works. Take your pick. Just remember to dry you chamber afterwords, if you use oil.

 

[Gergg]

My Viper actioned rifle has barrels that are chambered .0035 over min

Can you please explain what this means....it seems obvious, but I'm not sure.

 

[BoydAllen]

The headspace of the barrels, in my action is .0035 longer than what will just barely allow the bolt to close on a PPC GO gauge. Even at that, unless I were to slightly bump the neck shoulder junction, I have to take a very thin cut on the shoulder of the expanded .220 Russian cases to get the bolt close that I like for fire forming. Also, to be able to bump the shoulders of tight cases, I have had to have my shell holders shortened a bit, material removed from their top surfaces. I have another barrel that is on a different action, and it was chambered to just have the bolt close on a GO gauge. I actually find this to be less convenient, given that I generally fire form my brass from Lapua .220 Russian. On the other hand it is a better match for unfired Norma 6PPC cases, which no one that I know of competes with.

 

[Dave T]

I apologize if this is a little of subject but I wonder why Lapua doesn't just eliminate the 220 Russian and just make PPC brass ready to go.
Dave T

 

[BoydAllen]

You are asking in the wrong place. That would be a question for Lapua. My guess is that we have no leverage. They make the only case that is deemed to be competitive for the rather small sport of short range benchrest. Everyone who shoots a PPC is already fire forming, so they would gain little from the expense of making another case. For less demanding applications there are plenty of cases that work very well. If someone guaranteed that they would buy sufficient quantity, I am sure that they would make whatever he wanted.

 

[artbosco]

The powder of choice for the 6PPC is Vihtavuori N133. N133 likes a lot of neck tension [.003" to .004"]. If you're using the .262" neck chamber and turning to .260" a .257" bushing is the norm. Sometimes .256" does the trick.

Everything you need to know about casually shooting or competing the 6PPC is here: http://www.brunoshooters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=BSS&Product_Code=TBSC

I shoot with some of the best and you hear all these stories about neck tension, so far off the lands, etc, etc, . Someone started this some time ago because of what THEY/HE thought. Most PPC shooters use a .258 bushing for a .262 neck, a few use a .259, and only one I know of that shoots the matches at Holton, MI. with me uses a .257, and yes, 98% of us use V V. Go figure.

When I got ready to have a 6PPC built and then find a custom bullet maker, I went looking for the best. They, over time, became my mentors and still are.

They're both pictured here: http://www.stevensaccuracy.com/html/benchrest.html

Billy Stevens is my gunsmith, Bart Sauter my bullet maker. Bart was recently inducted into the BR Hall of Fame. I got lucky!

 

[artbosco]

I apologize if this is a little of subject but I wonder why Lapua doesn't just eliminate the 220 Russian and just make PPC brass ready to go. Dave T

There is PPC brass that is ready to go ... almost, unless you need to turn necks.

Watch this from a previous Shot Show: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAFleA_mQv8

I tried it. However, about every 4th case didn't want to eject properly for me. I went back to forming the 220 Russian. Maybe it will work for you.