New 6mm longer barrel life, same accuracy 6mmCompetitionMatch

[memilanuk]

JoeSR,

Just a thought that happened to pop up in my noggin' this afternoon whilst cleaning/organizing the reloading room and such...

As I understand this 'project' of yours, both from posts here and emails off-board, you are driving a 107gr SMK, possibly even a 115gr DTAC at around 3000-3050fps, by using a slightly larger case and a lower flame temp powder such as H1000 or N165 instead of H4350 and such. This combined w/ a specific cleaning regimen is what you are saying can extend barrel life of a .243 Win class cartridge from about 1000-1500rd, to around 3000+.

What popped to mind is that while a 6.5-284 is certainly *capable* of driving 142gr SMKs and 139gr Scenars well over 3000fps, sometimes to 3100-3200 w/ some of the long barrels in use today... most long range shooters seem to find, time after time, their best accuracy at about 2950fps, +/- 30fps or so, using,generally) a good dose of H4350, etc. Barrel life still sucks, though, down in the range of around 1000-1500rds... awfully similar to what was mentioned for the .243 Win originally.

Any guesses/bets as to whether a similar combination of diet,slow burning low flame temp powders like H1000) and exercise,specific cleaning regimen) would bear similar fruit for people driving a 6.5-284?

TIA,

Monte

 

[Asa_Yam]

Any guesses/bets as to whether a similar combination of diet,slow burning low flame temp powders like H1000) and exercise,specific cleaning regimen) would bear similar fruit for people driving a 6.5-284?

Probably not that dramatic. N165 is one popular powder for 6.5-.284s. About as low a flame temperature as you can get, and I've heard that if you're really lucky, you might get a 6.5-.284 barrel to go 2000 rounds. Still pretty short.

 

[DesertLefty]

Joe,

Thanks for your reply with details about seating depth vs. magazine length.

,1) Did I correctly read between the lines that you are *not* shooting 107s in the rapids,at 200 and 300 yards)? If so, what bullet are you using for the rapids?

,2) Tubb, Zediker, and others write about pressure problems that can occur when the full-diameter shank of the bullet is seated below the base of the neck,the so-called "doughnut" area). Have you ever encountered this problem with your long-range loads,using 107s and 115s)?

,3) With your "improved" .243 case, what is the distance from the base of the case to the base of the neck?,1.804" in a standard .243) Does the shank of the bullet ever extend below the base of the neck?

Thanks,

Lefty

 

[memilanuk]

Asa,

Any guesses as to why one and not the other?

TIA,

Monte

 

[Asa_Yam]

Asa,

Any guesses as to why one and not the other?

Too much powder, too small of a hole through which to send it through.

 

[memilanuk]

Not being familiar w/ common loadings for the .243 w/ heavy bullets and slow powders... how many grains of powder are we talking on it? 45-50-ish? I thought the 6.5-284 was around 51-53 or so w/ common loadings for that speed w/ H4350, not sure about w/ the slower powders.

Guess I'm not seeing a huge increase in powder capacity vs. bore diameter just off the cuff, but it does seem weird that one would work out and the other wouldn't...

Just a thought,

Monte

 

[Rust]

Monte - The 6.5 X 285 has shown me more about the difference in barrels than just about anything I've ever dealt with. I'm getting 2950 FPS with a 139 Scenar with 48.5 gr of H4350 with a 26" barrel and NO pressure indicators even with a hot 20 round string in July in Alabama. I was somewhere in the neighborhood of 3100 fps before the pressure indicators showed up.

Some folks have found it difficult to believe but I ain't complaining. The chrono numbers were obtained over more than one chrono as I initially doubted them myself and the come-ups to 1000 confirm the velocity.

 

[joesr]

Monte,

On the 6.5x284. I don't have a fix for that. I have had simular experience as far as barrel life goes and I can't get one to shoot acceptably with the slower burning powders for any length of time.

It is a good cartridge. However, temperamental in loading.

Joe

 

[joesr]

Lefty,

I have experimented with smaller bullets, but keep going back to the 107 for short range. It is more consistent and easier for my game.

As far as you other concerns regarding the "donut" and other I have never encountered a problem. The new cartridge has a length to the base of the should of about 1.79" and this seems to work very well. However, the standard 243 worked just as well. It all depends on the lead of the reamer and mine is kind of short so magazine/box loaded rounds work the same as long range rounds.

If Tubb is talking about a donut he must be talking about a shorter cartridge than I am shooting as his 6XC is about the same.

I don't think you need to worry about this and whether you shoot the 6XC, 6CM or 243 you will be good to go shooting the 107 at short range.

However, if I read between the lines you are shooting XTC.

You should email me or call me. Whether you shoot the 243 or the 6CM there is a way to shoot the cartridges accurately and extend the life of your barrels. I'm just trying to get the word out as to how to make this work.

Joe Hendricks
hendricks4@comcast.com
724-933-8110

 

[Michaelvoigt1]

Hi Joe,

I have emailed you for cartridge and cleaning info several times, but keep getting a bounced message from the email server.

please send info to the following email
Thanks
Michael Voigt
Michaelvoigt@att.net

 

[ChrisNam]

Ray
Probably a stupid question, but what exactly is the "new cartridge of Lapua" - variation on existing 6BR or something totally new?
Cheers
Chris

 

[Cheechako]

Chris

Maybe MODERATOR can answer your Q. What about it Paul? Any news yet?,BTW, nice meeting you in Sacto.)

Ray

 

[ChrisNam]

Joe
My mails to you are returned undelivered. I`m really keen on the cartridge and will really appreciate further info. Please mail me at croets@mweb.com.na
Cheers
Chris

 

[joesr]

Sorry guys if your email haven't gotten through. I have a good band width and they should have. My email is hendricks4@comcast.net.

Just to let you know. I shot the 6CM in a 500 yard match this past weekend and I came away with a 200-16X.

Honestly, I'm not used to a gun that shoots this accurately and at X #11 or 12 I started thinking and I blew a few shots before I put the last four back into the X ring.

The 6CM was drilling the spotter every shot for the first 11 or 12. It is absoultly great!

Joe

 

[joesr]

The orders for the 6CM are coming in better than I expected.

I know things are going to slow down with the winter months so I don't want to add any inventory at this time. I have 4 barrels and dies left. The barrels and dies are in stock and can ship quickly.

Barrels are priced at $495.00 chambered to any action they are 1 in 7.5 twist and finish length is 28" or less. All other gunsmithing services are provided.

I am very excited to be able to offer this to other shooters. This is the 6mm cartridge that loaded and cleaned properly is yielding over 3000 rounds per barrel. It is not a "trick" to get these barrels to last this long it is easy and the accuracy and velocity is great.

Another benefit to this cartridge is that is uses 243 Win brass. There isn’t any waiting on custom brass.

With every order you receive detailed loading and cleaning instructions.

Currently I have orders from as far as Africa and inside the US orders are coming from all corners. I know everyone that decides to try this cartridge is going to find success beyond his or her expectations.

If any of you are in need of a new barrel for next year you should give this a try.

I cannot guarantee barrel life,barrel life is based on how you shoot the barrel, if you follow my loading instructions you will be amazed) however, accuracy of ½ MOA is guaranteed given that you shoot the cartridge the same way I do.

This is a great cartridge for shooters of all skills.

For more information or to order contact me.

Joe Hendricks
Hendricks4@comcast.net
724-351-1143

 

[DesertLefty]

Joe,

Sounds interesting!

Who makes your barrels? Who does the gunsmithing? What's the turnaround time?

What's the price for the dies? What type?

Thanks,

Lefty

 

[joesr]

Lefty,

All of the barrels I'm chambering the 6CM in are Kreiger. The reason being is this is the barrel type I have proven the barrel life with and it works.

I am trying a Hart barrel next year to see what how it does, but for the time being all are Kreiger. Also, Kreiger is giving me better pricing and Hart.

On the gunsmithing David Bruno is doing the work. He is one of the best benchrest shooters in the country and his gunsmithing is unsurpassed. He builds a perfect rifle.

The die is a full length sizing die that uses a neck bushing. We can also make a neck sizing die.

Prices are:

6CM chambered to almost any action including barrel up to 28" $495.00.
Custom sizing die is $149.00.
Other gunsmithing services like blue printing are quoted seperately and on as an add needed basis.

You can contact me directly at hendricks4@comcast.net or call me at 724-933-8110.

thanks,

Joe Hendricks

 

[dantec]

your cartridge look as a 6 mm Nieomiller, that an old wilcat described in the Ackley book ) that close to the 6/22/243 Midd, 224 Midd neck up to 6 mm )

both are base on 30° shoulder set back on a 243 WIN brass without body lenght change

that a great design and think that a real easy solution for mass produce case with easy available 243 brass and specilay Lapua Brass because get quality brass is also a important parameter.

I wish a lot of sucess for your chambering

good shooting

DAN TEC

 

[joesr]

In Ackley's book the closest cartridge I can find is the .243 Improved,Epps). However, I don't know the details of the case. Other than that I haven't seen any resembling the 6mmCompetionMatch cartridge.

However, thanks for your encouragement.

Joe Hendricks
Hendricks Shooting Improvements
hendricks4@comcast.net

 

[joesr]

I found in Vol II of Ackleys book the 6mm Nieomiller. That cartridge isn't close to the 6CM. The 6mm Nieomiller uses a very long neck to shorten the case making it's case capacity simular to the 6XC or 6mm/22-250. This is not the 6CM it's case capacity is actually bigger than the 243 Win which is a benefit both in barrel life and in velocity.

Joe Hendricks
Hendricks Shooting Improvements
hendricks4@comcast.net