My First Attempt At 6 mm PPC
- Thread starter Nick Caprinolo
- Start date
jimmymac
Jim McGregor
WyleWD
Silver $$ Contributor
+1 on ^ this post. Definitely look at the LT32. And MAN that is a fine looking rifle!! WD
BoydAllen
Gold $$ Contributor
If you do a Google search for free "benchrest practice target" you will find a lot of options that you can download and print. This is what I use a good deal of the time. http://accurateshooter.net/targets/TargetC.pdf
On an official target, I believe that the OD of the center ring, the "mothball" is a half inch.On this target I aim so that the top edge of my horizontal cross hair is just touching the bottom of the mothball, and the vertical cross hair bisects it. I adjust the scope so that the group forms up in the mothball or a little high. The reason that I take this approach is that at 200 yards with some mirage running find it easier to line up on the mothball's lowest position rather than to try to hold center with all that motion. One thing that you will need to learn to take advantage of is a sighter target. In a match it is below the record target, and you are allowed unlimited sighters. This will start to become more important when you have some wind flags to look at and are trying to shoot in the same condition for a group, and it does not come back during your allowed seven minutes. Here is a video that shows the complete target. There are two additional aiming points on the sighter portion of the target.
Evidently the wind was strong enough to move the camera. Just a reminder, in a group match the group does not have to be in the center of the record target as long as it is within the rectangle that borders the record target. This is an example of how one of the top shooters in the world handles his rifle during a match.
On an official target, I believe that the OD of the center ring, the "mothball" is a half inch.On this target I aim so that the top edge of my horizontal cross hair is just touching the bottom of the mothball, and the vertical cross hair bisects it. I adjust the scope so that the group forms up in the mothball or a little high. The reason that I take this approach is that at 200 yards with some mirage running find it easier to line up on the mothball's lowest position rather than to try to hold center with all that motion. One thing that you will need to learn to take advantage of is a sighter target. In a match it is below the record target, and you are allowed unlimited sighters. This will start to become more important when you have some wind flags to look at and are trying to shoot in the same condition for a group, and it does not come back during your allowed seven minutes. Here is a video that shows the complete target. There are two additional aiming points on the sighter portion of the target.
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gambleone
Silver $$ Contributor
Very good info. Thanks for posting.
Man you guys are awesome...I learn something great every day I get on this site. Excellent post!
Nick Caprinolo
Gold $$ Contributor
Went to the range yesterday and here are the results of my 2nd trip using the PPC. I would like some honest criticism regarding the quality of my groups as compared to others who shoot this caliber. Please do not worry about my feelings. I know I am not a world class shooter. 
There have been a couple of comments suggesting you use wind flags. If you have answered that I have overlooked it. Let me urge you to get some kind of wind indicators immediately, even if it's only some surveyor's tape and lath strips. You are shooting what is arguably the most accurate chambering on the planet. You have a rifle that looks like it is up to the task. But you will never get where you want to be without the consistent use of wind flags. Get at least 4 and use them every time you go to the range. Otherwise, you are wasting powder, bullets, primers and most importantly, barrel life. It's fun to post your targets, but without wind flags, it is also pretty much pointless. A 5 mph wind will shift the bullets you are shooting a bullet hole or more depending on the direction and how wide spread the push. You can tell very little about your groups until you have some idea of what the wind is doing. If you already have flags and are using them .......never mind. 
Rick
Rick
Nick Caprinolo
Gold $$ Contributor
Rick
No I have not as yet acquired wind flags. I do realize I will need them and will certainly add them pretty soon. At this point, I have only put 46 rounds through this rifle so I am just getting use to handling it. It is a great departure over the mostly sporting and varmint type rifles I have been shooting. The technique of shooting this rifle is different from what I have been doing in the past.
My question is really about how good these targets are using the current equipment I have. I am certain it will get better as I get a set of flags and then learn to read them. I really want to attend a few matches to watch and learn from those who compete. Problem is that there doesn't seem to any within a reasonable proximity of the Baltimore area. Thanks for the response. I appreciate your being candid with me.
Nick
No I have not as yet acquired wind flags. I do realize I will need them and will certainly add them pretty soon. At this point, I have only put 46 rounds through this rifle so I am just getting use to handling it. It is a great departure over the mostly sporting and varmint type rifles I have been shooting. The technique of shooting this rifle is different from what I have been doing in the past.
My question is really about how good these targets are using the current equipment I have. I am certain it will get better as I get a set of flags and then learn to read them. I really want to attend a few matches to watch and learn from those who compete. Problem is that there doesn't seem to any within a reasonable proximity of the Baltimore area. Thanks for the response. I appreciate your being candid with me.
Nick
This would “agg” at .205 inch. You’re doing as well as most others. They look like 3 shot groups tho so if that is true your agg would end up about .3 to .35. Which still ain’t too shabby.
Get thee to a Benchrest match soonest.
Also Varget isn’t the “best” powder for 6PPC. Try LT32 or N133.
Get thee to a Benchrest match soonest.
Also Varget isn’t the “best” powder for 6PPC. Try LT32 or N133.
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Nick, I'm not sure what your criteria for "reasonable proximity" might be. You are very close to what some would consider the "heart" of benchrest activity. There are certainly matches in many places around PA and some in MD if memory serves me. Since ours is a pretty obscure discipline it is common to drive a considerable distance to a match. The two ranges closest to me are about an hour and fifteen minutes away and the next two that I attend frequently are over 3 hours. You might consider some Varmint For Score matches as there are several within that 3 hour time frame, I believe. Score matches are somewhat different than group matches, but both require similar equipment and skills. You can find some locations by looking at the IBS home page. I don't think there are any NBRSA matches close to you and UBR is much the same. Hope you can locate a match to attend.
Rick
Nick Caprinolo
Gold $$ Contributor
Rick
I have found two locations that are having matches soon that are not too far away. Best thing for me to do is drive up the day before and spend a couple of nights a motel. To bad I sold I motorhome. Could have went in style. The IBS site has a lot of hem listed. Could keep me busy for a while. thanks for the information. Do the 100 and 200 yard matches use the same format?
Nick
There’s IBS shooting at
http://tcandsc.org/
http://bville-rifle-pistol.org/
http://www.fairchancegunclub.com/
http://www.fxrgc.org/mobile/
Within 2 to 3 hours of Baltimore
http://tcandsc.org/
http://bville-rifle-pistol.org/
http://www.fairchancegunclub.com/
http://www.fxrgc.org/mobile/
Within 2 to 3 hours of Baltimore
Nick Caprinolo
Gold $$ Contributor
I am only using that powder while I wait for my N133 to come in. Now that I have found some matches nearby, I will make sure to attend a few.
They are three shot groups and will start the five shot groups. I only have 24 pieces of brass at this time but am waiting for 100 rounds of Lapua to arrive next week and some Federal primers.
Thanks for the critique. At least no I know I am nearing my goal.
Nick
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
All you need is windflags and decent powder. Your groups look exactly like one would guess they would with no flags- better than most but not ppc groups. We know you know this so i wont stress it. When learning how to shoot using anything but the best components is truly a waste. It teaches you nothing about loading or gun handling since its not predictable. Setting your rest up and dry firing will probably be more valuable. Things like getting your rests tuned to return to battery perfect takes a ton of time and is something you can do now. Great shooting btw. Keep it up!!
With an agg like you’re getting, maybe Varget will shoot? You might be on to something.
Nick Caprinolo
Gold $$ Contributor
I have five different load data books and Varget is listed in most of them. The Hodgdon book also lists CFE 223 and several others. I use CFE223 for my AR 15 rifle with good results but it would not fill the case up like Varget. I have a large powder order coming in next week which will include N133. I'm sure others have tried Varget. Everyone tells me N133 is the go to powder.
It's great but humidity sensitive - not so much temp. If guys with more experience correct me on that then so be it. It's humid here ALOT, get a 46% relative and groups get wonky. 6PPC was my first foray into benchrest as well and it still amazes me.
Nick Caprinolo
Gold $$ Contributor
Have fun dude. Welcome to the addiction of precision. I think you dropped a few jaws with the Varget PPC loadsN133 is great but depending on conditions you can go from hero to zero in a few hours.
I am not on the "Circuit" but I like shooting teeny groups just like everyone else.
I'm 82 years old and I won't be shooting competitively, but I also like to shoot those tiny groups. The rifle attracts a lot of attention and when I brought target back everyone crowded around to look at it. I'm hooked.
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