new to 6mm br game

[lh leggtowner]

I am new to the 6mm br game. Just started getting into heavy target/varmint guns. I am a lefty, so that makes things a little more difficult. I saw that Savage is building a 6mm norma br in, left feed/right eject and a left feed and eject. Both have right bolts. I have never shot with a this kind of set up. Has anyone out there got one of these type of rifles. Is there an advantage to having the right bolt with the left feed? I was considering shooting the midrange to heavy bullets. I saw that Savage has two different rifling twists. I guess I will have to go with the faster twist. Any opinions out there about that? Any input will be greatly appreciated and thanks.

 

[RonAKA]

I have the Savage LRPV in left feed, left eject, and right bolt. When you are reloading as you have to do with a 6BR it makes it easy to both feed, and catch your empty case without damaging it. I looked at, but failed to see the advantage of the left feed, right eject. Also it would appear to make the action weaker by having dual ports.

On twist it is simple. If you want to shoot the heavy high BC bullets long distances, then you need the 1 in 8 twist. If your distances are going to be restricted to 300 yards and shorter, then the 1 in 12 may make some sense.

I shoot the 1 in 12 and find it is pretty good at 100 meters which is where I normally shoot. Have some small groups out at 300 meters but only for load development.

I am right handed but left eye dominant. I don't really find it a problem shooting right handed on the bench.

 

[lh leggtowner]

That is great information. Thanks so much. Looks like I got to get on gunbroker and find myself a savage.

 

[NorCalMikie]

I'am right handed. I shoot right handed. I just picked up a Savage Model 12 "left hand" repeater.
Left port and bolt. Added a single shot sled. Thought I'd give it a try off the bench. Got a left hand stock, put it together and it's ready to go.
I like the "idea" of working the bolt and loading ammo with my free laft hand.
Won't know for sure how I like it till I try.
And your best luck is with a 1-8 twist. That way you can shoot anything. ;D

 

[deadlyswift]

I am right handed, but left eye dominant as well. Years ago I forced myself to shoot left handed. Now days if I get down on a gun right handed it feels awarked as heck for me. My left eye is so dominant that it was easier for me to adjust to shooting a right bolt easier than it was to try and train my right eye. No matter how hard I tried my left eye wanted to be the one to look threw the scope. Even when I could force my right eye to line up with the scope I couldn't see jack!! I only shoot right handed guns only because of the avaiblity and more options available for right handed guns. (factory actions) My newest project will have a LBRP. With my left hand working the bolt and my right hand reloading. It obviously will make things much more smoother for me.

I'm not experinced in the lighter bullets in the 6br. But my Broughton 1in8 shoots the 95gr vlds lights out. As well it will shoot the 105s too. Berger suggest a 1in9 or faster tw for the 95s.
Mark

 

[jhord]

I have a target action with a Krieger 1:8 barrel on it, and the right bolt/left port is a sweet setup. (but I am a rightie) I thought I would have trouble learning the left load and eject but it came very naturally, and now I dislike all my other rifles with right bolt/right port! The 8 twist is the way to go, it gives you the most flexibility. I've shot mine all the way down to the 80g Berger Varmints, those work great at short range, say out to 300. Berger 95/105VLD's and Sierra 107's work great at the mid-to-longer ranges. I had my first play with the Berger 95 VLD's today @ 775 yards and was very impressed.

 

[lh leggtowner]

Really likiing all of the opinions. They all seem to be very conclusive as to which way to go.
Fast twist 1-8" with the right bolt left feed. Just wished I could find me a left eye, left hand dominate. I am lefty to a point I cannot scratch with my right hand hardly. I guess I will have to learn to manipulate the bolt with the right hand. It really makes sense. Thanks again for the input folks. While you listening, being on a budget, like I am, what kind of optics would you guys recommend. How much power, variable, fixed, etc. Like to hear from you guys.

 

[RonAKA]

I went with a Sightron SII Big Sky 6-24x42 AO in silver. I'm quite happy with it. I have a duplex reticle, and I might go with a target dot, if I was to do it again.

 

[lh leggtowner]

I have a sightron sII on a 7mm mag hunting rifle. They have very good glass and the accutrac system does work. Definately keep them in mind. Going to do a little investigation on the glass. Okay, lets hear about reloading components. Especially dies.

 

[deadlyswift]

Have no experince with the sight irons. I do have have lots of experince with Leupold's. If it was me and I was going to shoot Comp at anytime. I would suggest you pinsh your pennys and hold out for a NF. There might be some that are better, but unless you are willing to do $1000 or more above what the NF cost you want find a better scope! If this rifle is going to be for shooting paper and hunting. IMO you can't go wrong with a Leupold. You will get a quality scope and if it isn't a quality scope, Leupold will make it a quality scope without any extra charge to you! I have many and might have one for sale in a few weeks. May have to let go of a fine Leupold to fund another NF.
Mark

 

[deadlyswift]

reloading componets, I'd have to suggest either Berger bullets, or Smks. Blitz kings for varmints they are awesome! Powder at this point Varget would be my first choice. RL-15 my sec.

Dies I would do the Redding type S bushing dies or Foster! Some like lee! I just trust Redding and Foster a little more.

 

[RonAKA]

Okay, lets hear about reloading components. Especially dies.

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I can recommend the Forster Bushing/Bump die. I think it offers a little more setup flexibility than the Redding, and the bushings seem to be more accurate in actual size vs what is stamped on the side of them. The Forster Ultra Micrometer seating die also works very well.

 

[jhord]

Redding Type S sizing dies work great, The Redding Comp. seater and Forster mic. seaters both will stuff bullets in the case without adding any runout, and hold seating depth settings to .001 easily. That being said I have ordered a custom-honed Forster full length die, which I hope to have in a week or so. The neck bulge that the bushing dies create bothers me so I'm going to give the Forster a try.

 

[lh leggtowner]

These are great comments. I have to look at these die setups that all of you have suggested. Looks like it definately redding or forester. I have always used RCBS, but, I am going to look at these (redding and forester). This is what I was really needing, just a little nudging, so I can investigate for myself from all of the suggestions. Thanks so much.

 

[NorCalMikie]

RE: Dies. I started out with RCBS. Went to Forster Precision Bushing Bump Dies. Havn't looked back. Ordered up some extra bushings and now can do my 22BR in the same die as my 6BR. Bump the shoulder maybe .001 or .015 max, size the neck and your brass will last a loooong time. Throw in a body size once in a while as needed if the case starts getting snug in the chamber and you're good to go. At least 15 to 20 resizings with no problems. Reset the headspace to the snug side and you shouldn't have any problems. Varget seems to be the "go to" powder for some folks. I'am into Accurate Arms powder and have no problem working up loads that do bug holes on a regular basis. YMMV, Mike.