need help with 6mm remington 700 bdl

[jreedtn]

hey guys I have an older vintage 700 bdl in 6mm rem. its the sporter version with 22 in barrel. I have tried nosler ballistic tips (95gr) smks (95gr) with various charges from 43-46 gr of 4350 powder and cant get better than 1.5-2 in groups. the bore looks bright and clean. looking for any loads or suggestions to help shrink these groups. I love the little gun, I just expect more from this caliber...

 

[a1712]

Sierra 85gr. BTHP w/a stout charge of RL22, Fed GM primer. My sons factory 700 shoots this load MOA to 400, fast also. He's taken a pile of deer with this combo. Brian.

 

[MrMajestic]

Barrel floated? Action bedded?

 

[ShootDots]

JReed, I have had more than a couple of 6mm Rems... It has been my experience, without fail, whether 85gr bullets or 100gr bullets, that H4831 is THEE powder for that round.. However, having said that, get it glass bedded, free-floated and get a GOOD trigger job done>>>>that will help as much or more than the H4831 will!

 

[areaone]

Sierra 85 gr BT works wonders. 4350 or 4831. Check your twist, may not be stabilizing the 95 gr. My 12 twist 244 rem loves that 85 gr bt. and it is a superb bullet for deer and antelope.

 

[jreedtn]

thanks guys. the action is bedded and barrel floated. I plan on putting a jewell trigger on her if she would just show me a little hope! one thing I noticed is the old rcbs dies that I have dont seem to bump the shoulder back when sizing. this makes the bolt tight to close. could this maybe be preventing the round from centering properly in the chamber? thanks again for the help. I really want this thing to shoot. its such a gem!

 

[Outrider27]

Based on my experience with a few older mdl 700 BDLs (early 1970s), the forestock is probably a bit flexy. If you do nothing else, make sure there is adequate clearance between the forestock and the barrel under all conditions - if it is not free floated sufficiently, the forestock will contact the barrel when placed across the pad on a front rest or a bag when benching it, for instance. And if you have to sand/rasp the barrel channel for clearance, don't forget to re-seal it with some varnish to prevent moisture absorption problems later on.

 

[Multitoes]

You might try RL 17 if you have some ; high velocity and good accuracy from my 22" 6mm factory pencil barrel when I tried it. I was shooting 100 gr. Hornady B.T.'s.
I worked up to near max using Allliant data ; no pressure signs in RP brass.

If it is a factory 6mm (not 244) it has a 9 1/4 (I think 1/4...) twist.

I sold the rifle so I have not tested that load extensively.

 

[Multitoes]

FWIW:
Also, those old Rem. 700 triggers are fairly easy to adjust down ; get a $7 spring from Ernie the Gunsmith and carefully adjust and you will get a very nice trigger most likely.
There are several guides on line for adjusting 700 triggers.

 

[357Mag]

Howdy !

Plus 1 on what areaone said.

Those Sierra 6mm 85 BTHPs are j ust stupid accurate ( at least they have been for me ).


Regards,
357Mag

 

[jonbearman]

I agree with the previous posts but nobody said,is the barrel toast? If you can get it scoped unless it is a new barrel of course.It should be checked for copper as well and a carbon ring.

 

[snert]

The dies should work as long as you are "camming" over on the press, to get maximum sizing.

Start with some new brass. Prep it well, weigh it and sort, stick with the rounds that are closest in weight. Neck size. Agree with the powder changes suggested. Check the basics like bases and rings. switch out one thing at a time, and even try a new scope. I have several BDL sporter rifles of that vintage, and with work, every one will go under MOA. LAstly, check crown. And clean it well.

Best part about a gun that gives us fits is getting to shoot it till it shoots right, then smiling like a pig in....well you get the drift.

Snert

 

[WyleWD]

I agree with the previous posts but nobody said,is the barrel toast? If you can get it scoped unless it is a new barrel of course.It should be checked for copper as well and a carbon ring.

+1 Totally agree that it should first have the bore checked by a competent gunsmith or shooter. Then start with load development. WD

 

[treeman]

don't be afraid to use a belt sander to take a few thousandths off the top of a shell holder to get it to bump the shoulders back.

 

[joe40x]

The 6mm was originally introduced as a varmint round w/ a 1 in12 twist. Check your twist.

 

[ShootDots]

Joe, that is not QUITE true about the twist.. The ORIGINAL 6mmREM was called a .244Rem, that came with a 1-12 twist. They lost ground with the .243Win because the .243 had a 1-10 and would stabilize 100gr bullets easily. Soon afterward Remington redesigned the .244 and placed a 1-10twist barrel on it and RE_named it "The 6mm Remington".. So if he has a .244Remington, he probably has a 1-12 BUT if his rifle is stamped 6mm Rem, it came with a 1-10 barrel..

 

[jreedtn]

if it does need a new barrel, any recommendations on a gunsmith that could rebarrel it in say a 6mm ai? I may go that route if all these other suggestions dont work.

 

[WyleWD]

It is your rifle, and do as you want, but I'd stick with the 6mm Rem if it were mine. I went the 6ai route one time.... and that was enough. Barrel life just plain sucks with the 6ai. JMHO.

Best way to describe it.... is that it is fun while it lasts, but that isn't too long. Again JMHO. WD

 

[stacy]

WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN PARTING WITH THE OLD GIRL..................................IF SO SHOOT ME A PM

 

[SDWhirlwind]

Joe, that is not QUITE true about the twist.. The ORIGINAL 6mmREM was called a .244Rem, that came with a 1-12 twist. They lost ground with the .243Win because the .243 had a 1-10 and would stabilize 100gr bullets easily. Soon afterward Remington redesigned the .244 and placed a 1-10twist barrel on it and RE_named it "The 6mm Remington".. So if he has a .244Remington, he probably has a 1-12 BUT if his rifle is stamped 6mm Rem, it came with a 1-10 barrel..

This "is not Quite true" either! It is correct that the first 244's were 12 twist but Remington actually started making some of the 722's in 244 in 9 twist the last couple years of production, I owned one! When they introduced the 700's in '62 they made their 243 and 6mm barrels in 9 twist or 9 1/8"(what they claim for current 243's etc) to supposedly have a better barrel for heavier slugs than Winchester's 10 twist. Reason for the name change in caliber/cartridge designation was because of the new twist to handle the newer heavier/longer bullets. Case dimensions were the same to my knowledge.