New rifle for groundhog hunting, 6mm Rem custom

[stosh]

Just bought a used custom 6mm Rem built on a Rem 700 action, Krieger 26" 8tw. This is my first forte into fast twist long bullets and could use some suggestions. The throat is very long, I seated a bullet (70gr Sierra) in the gauge and pushed it into the refiling and there wasn't enough bullet in the case to hold the bullet! I hope the throat isn't shot out!! The gentleman that sold it to me assured me only 100rounds had gone down the tube. That said, I am going to have to shoot 80+ grain bullets and would like any advise/recommendations you can offer! I only groundhog hunt with it, no target and no deer. Thanks.

 

[Boatschool02]

If you're talking abut the 70 Blitzking, its about the shortest Base to Ogive minus boattail bullet you can pick.
Both the 75 and 87 VMAX will be much longer in this regard. If in doubt, I wouldn't hesitate to try either the Berger 80 or the Sierra 85 under normal circumstances.

 

[xring]

You might be surprised what that 70 Gr. bullet would do with a long " jump" . I would try a few Groups before giving up on it . I have seen some strange things happen : For example : I have an 8.5 Twist big Case 6.5 mm that prefers the lightest Bullets I have tried in it .

 

[stosh]

Xring, I agree it is worth a try. I had a 6mmAI that shot bug holes with the 70 Gr Sierra Blitzkings, but it had a short throat. But you are right some guns will shoot with long jump for bullets! I have 87 vmaxes and 80 gr Berger varmint I am going to try also. Do you shoot any real heave bullets for varmints, 105's??

 

[K22]

Some years ago Sierra wrote an article on bullet seating stating that some rifles actually shoot tighter with a longer jump. Also most factory ammo I've seen is seated considerably below SAMMI max COL creating quite a "jump" to the lands and I've seen some amazing groups shot at the range with factory ammo, especially Federal Premium.

Regardless of the "jump" issue, with that fast of twist in you rifle however I would think that longer bullet would shoot better. I know I've found that to be the case with my 8" twist 223 Rem's versus my 12" twist 223 Rem's.

I know that in my 243 Win's, the Sierra 85 BTHP shoots exceptionally well but all these rifles have 9 and 10" twist.

 

[stacy]

87GR VMAX OVER RL-15 AND YOUR DONE THAT BEEN A WINNING COMBO FOR ME A LONG TIME IN MY 6MM

 

[xring]

Xring, I agree it is worth a try. I had a 6mmAI that shot bug holes with the 70 Gr Sierra Blitzkings, but it had a short throat. But you are right some guns will shoot with long jump for bullets! I have 87 vmaxes and 80 gr Berger varmint I am going to try also. Do you shoot any real heave bullets for varmints, 105's??

Stosh , I used to use 90 Gr Sierras in 257 which produced more " air time " than even my Swift . Used 80 Gr in a 244 for a lot of years . Shooting buddy used 80 Gr. in a 6mm with good results . This was back in the good old days . Heavy Bullets and extreme Range are modern innovations . Can't make those yearly 1500 mile Trips for Pdogs anymore and the Chuck population back east is dismal due to the Coydog population .

 

[stosh]

Xring, I know what you mean, I lived in upstate NY for 15 years and shot a lot of chucks until the last few years the Coyotes moved in then the chucks really suffered! I live in Southeast Mo and we had good chuckin here when I was growing up but again the dogs keep them thinned out. Still like to hunt them and getting guns to shoot straight. I just got my win 70 back from the smith getting a new barrel installed in 22-250 and have to get busy shooting it. Bought this 6mm cause I like a heavier bullet for longer range and I loved the 6mm AI I had a few years ago. I too am getting too old for those PDOG trips but damn they were fun!

 

[Bangs OH]

Same story with my Cooper in 6mm Remington: still a long way to the rifling even with 70 BK rounds loaded long as I dare. Sure is accurate, though. Can’t remember the last time I got a .243 or .22 cal. centerfire out of the safe for groundhogs at significant distances since I got that 6mm.

 

[357Mag]

Slosh -

Howdy !

I shoot a 6mm wildcat of my own design, which I call “ DEEP 6 “.
Case capacity is 51.2gr H2O. Compare to .242Win @ 54gr, and your
6mm Remington @ 55gr H2O.

My rifle has a 29” Broughton SS 1-8 5-groove. For groundhogs, I have had good success shooting the Sierra 95MK, and also the Berger 95VLD.

I intend to try Sierra’s 95T-MK, next.

All of these bullets should be long enough to reach your rifle’s lands, and still have enough body within the neck for good retention ( IMHO ).


With regards,
357Mag

 

[Plumsask]

I'm jumping a 90 gr sierra TGK .080" in my 6mm rem A.I. due to magazine restriction. It shoots them at 3500 fps and shot a 1.25" group at 300 before antelope this past fall.

 

[stosh]

Great info guys! Thanks!

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

Just bought a used custom 6mm Rem built on a Rem 700 action, Krieger 26" 8tw. This is my first forte into fast twist long bullets and could use some suggestions. The throat is very long, I seated a bullet (70gr Sierra) in the gauge and pushed it into the refiling and there wasn't enough bullet in the case to hold the bullet! I hope the throat isn't shot out!! The gentleman that sold it to me assured me only 100rounds had gone down the tube. That said, I am going to have to shoot 80+ grain bullets and would like any advise/recommendations you can offer! I only groundhog hunt with it, no target and no deer. Thanks.

Unfortunate it has a long throat but it might be great anyway with jumping the bullet's. You could just use heavy bullet's/105 grain. They might reach the rifling and do a good job as well. Slow powders are most likely to win with this cartridge combination, R17-R16-R19, maybe even R26 my new favorite. Superformance is great sometimes.

 

[243winxb]

The Sierra 85 gr hpbt #1530 works well. Used it for years in the 243win. 1-10 twist. 27" bbl.

 

[troupe]

I had a 6 mm Rem in a 40x. What a great shooting rifle. After trying the lighters, sounds that you will need to try the heavies. You may find out that the mid-weight bullets to work great. Good luck with the groundhogs.

 

[Tommie]

Just bought a used custom 6mm Rem built on a Rem 700 action, Krieger 26" 8tw. This is my first forte into fast twist long bullets and could use some suggestions. The throat is very long, I seated a bullet (70gr Sierra) in the gauge and pushed it into the refiling and there wasn't enough bullet in the case to hold the bullet! I hope the throat isn't shot out!! The gentleman that sold it to me assured me only 100rounds had gone down the tube. That said, I am going to have to shoot 80+ grain bullets and would like any advise/recommendations you can offer! I only groundhog hunt with it, no target and no deer. Thanks.

The standard SAAMI chamber is throated to accommodate 100 grain bullets. Doubtful your gun is worn out. It’s just chambered with a standard reamer.

87 grain V-Max bullets should serve you well.

 

[fyrewall]

I have a 65 year old JC Higgins M50 - a FN Mauser. I had a McGowen #5, 8 twist, 6mm Rem barrel fitted to it, Timney trigger and a nice thumb hole stock added. The 6mm Rem fits well into the Mauser niche, it feeds so smooth & certain. I only use 2 bullets in it - 87 Vmax's for rodents (multiple varieties) and 105 Hornady BTHP for steel and paper targets. Velocities are just at 3,250 with the 87's and accuracy is good enough. Velocities with the 105's are right at 3,000. I use whatever powder is left over from loading .243W, 6.5-06, .280 R, & .300 WM - H4350, RL 23, H1000, & others. The 6mm COAL is 2.957 with the 105's. If the OP's rifle is a short action the bolt might need to be pulled to remove a loaded round. If I had to shoot deers with this rifle I would opt for some tougher 100 grain hunting bullet and like my other 3 Mausers it would be able to handle any stuff encountered out on the prairies & forests (snow, rain, ice, dust, mud).

Berger makes a bunch of fine 6mm bullets that would work real good in the OP's 8 twist 6MM Rem. I shot some Nosler 105 RDF's and they did real well at 500 yards but were sort of pricy compared to the Hornady 105 HPBT's.

 

[MrMajestic]

I've killed chucks to 900 yards with the 105 grain A-Max in the .243AI. Killed them outright when hit north of the diaphragm. I think they were in the 3300 fps MV area. Hornady doesn't market them anymore but there is a direct replacement. Perhaps someone will chime in with the name.

 

[fyrewall]

As requested - chiming in - Hornady - 103 ELDX & 108 ELDM - cost about $10 more per 100.

This large rodent was shot & killed with a 105 Amax at 300 yards -8 twist, 6mm AI & H1000.

The new bullets have a different profile. The 87 VMax smacks down rodents real good and now my 6mm AI has a 10 twist. My 8 twist .243 W & 6mm Rem also shoot the 87 VMax very well but don't provide as much excitement as the 6mm AI.

 

[Webster]

Just bought a used custom 6mm Rem built on a Rem 700 action, Krieger 26" 8tw. This is my first forte into fast twist long bullets and could use some suggestions. The throat is very long, I seated a bullet (70gr Sierra) in the gauge and pushed it into the refiling and there wasn't enough bullet in the case to hold the bullet! I hope the throat isn't shot out!! The gentleman that sold it to me assured me only 100rounds had gone down the tube. That said, I am going to have to shoot 80+ grain bullets and would like any advise/recommendations you can offer! I only groundhog hunt with it, no target and no deer. Thanks.

Is it a 6mm Rem or a 6mmBR Norma? The original 6mm Rem had a fast twist and it was assumed they would be used with 100-105 gr bullets for deer. I shoot a lot of 85 GR Sierra HPBT bullets in my 6mm Rem years ago with a factory barrel.