new to reloading; question about powder

[Deleted old_dood]

New here too. Hello everyone.

I started reloading about last Sept. Over the winter I bought a Savage 12 6mmbr. Since I had a lot of 8208XBR I only loaded with it in the 6mm. This past weekend I tried some Varget and my ES and SD was half of my best data with the 8208. Groups were better also. The only bullets I shoot are Berger 80g FB Match Varmint. Since the Varget is slower burning than the 8208, would I be well advised to stick with powders very close to the same burn rate as Varget?

I've noticed that most 6mm (of all flavors) shooters shoot lighter bullets than the 80g Bergers. Unfortunately, with my long freebore of my factory barrel, I can't and still have the bullet into the lands.

Is there a relationship between the weight of a bullet and the burning rate of the powder such as, heavier bullets should be used with slower burn rate powders?

thanks in advance

 

[mr45man]

I have had good results with 8208 and 80 Berger's.
And yes , generally slower powder for heaver bullets.
A reloading manual is a good reference.
John H.

 

[ridgeway]

Old,
What twist?

 

[madderg]

... the real question is where can a guy GET some powder??

 

[Deleted old_dood]

Old,
What twist?

1:8

 

[Deleted old_dood]

I have had good results with 8208 and 80 Berger's.
And yes , generally slower powder for heaver bullets.
A reloading manual is a good reference.
John H.

according to my Lee manual you're a little over the maximum. I don't think I've ever tried that high but will next time. Also realized you're using magnum primers. I'm using CCI BR-4 What velocity and ES/SD do you get with that load?

 

[Deleted old_dood]

... the real question is where can a guy GET some powder??

Was lucky I placed an order with PV last January.

 

[ridgeway]

Old,
What twist?

1:8

I'd run some 105's, 107's or 108's out of it with either R-15 or Varget.

 

[Shynloco]

Old,
Just as an aside, I've got the same rifle (I think) Savage Model 12 Benchrest 1:8. Been shooting her for about 3 years now and have tested bullets and powder till I'm broke and blue in the face. Now I shoot strictly @100 yds and hence the bullets I use that give the best groupings (5 shots @ .200 consistently) and occasionally tighter (because I'm having a good day and I'm doing my part) are 68 gr Barts bullets, both the Ultra FB (touching the lands & being pushed by VVN133) and the Ultra HPBT (.015 off the lands & being pushed by Varget). BTW, the 105's and 107 wouldn't work in my rifle at 100 yds, but might be the ticket once you get out say 300 yds+. Just thought I'd pass that along in case you wanna play around with something different.

Alex

 

[Deleted old_dood]

Old,
Just as an aside, I've got the same rifle (I think) Savage Model 12 Benchrest 1:8. Been shooting her for about 3 years now and have tested bullets and powder till I'm broke and blue in the face. Now I shoot strictly @100 yds and hence the bullets I use that give the best groupings (5 shots @ .200 consistently) and occasionally tighter (because I'm having a good day and I'm doing my part) are 68 gr Barts bullets, both the Ultra FB (touching the lands & being pushed by VVN133) and the Ultra HPBT (.015 off the lands & being pushed by Varget). BTW, the 105's and 107 wouldn't work in my rifle at 100 yds, but might be the ticket once you get out say 300 yds+. Just thought I'd pass that along in case you wanna play around with something different.

Alex

thanks Alex. I'm a little concerned about smaller bullets. I tried a box of Berger Columns and, when touching the lands, was not in the neck very far. Like I said , a fairly new reloader. I would assume there's some minimum amount a bullet should be into the neck. I see VV133 is closer to 8208 than Varget is. I'd like to try some of those Barts if you don't think my concern about seating depth is valid. I'm not too crazy about buying 1000 at a time. Would you be interested in a trade for some columns? BTW, my range only goes up to 200 yds.

Al

 

[mr45man]

OH its all coming together now,
You seem to have long throat and an 8 twist.

If you cant seat light ( short) bullets close to the lands
with about 1/3, at least, of the neck occupied by the bullet bearing
surface just move on to the 105,107's if the 80's don't work.
John H.

 

[Deleted old_dood]

OH its all coming together now,
You seem to have long throat and an 8 twist.

If you cant seat light ( short) bullets close to the lands
with about 1/3, at least, of the neck occupied by the bullet bearing
surface just move on to the 105,107's if the 80's don't work.
John H.

thanks John. I never said I was having any problem with the 80's. Just had general questions about powder burn rates with respect to bullet weight. I have some 95g SMK on order.

Al

 

[ridgeway]

Is there a particular reason you don't want to use 105's or heavier bullets? If you plan on shooting 300+ yards...its a no brainer with an 8 twist. The 95's may work ok for you...I'd still run R-15 or varget with them.

 

[Deleted old_dood]

Is there a particular reason you don't want to use 105's or heavier bullets? If you plan on shooting 300+ yards...its a no brainer with an 8 twist. The 95's may work ok for you...I'd still run R-15 or varget with them.

The only range I shoot at only has 200 yards max. I live on Long Island in NY. It's a miracle we even have places to shoot.

 

[mitymouse1968]

Old, I usually shoot mainly from 200-1000 yards with my dasher but the times that I have shot 100 yards I've been consistently in the .1's. I have a 1-8 twist 28" barrel I shoot 33.4 gr. of rl15 and 105 Berger VLD's seated .010" in

 

[potatoe]

Old, I usually shoot mainly from 200-1000 yards with my dasher but the times that I have shot 100 yards I've been consistently in the .1's. I have a 1-8 twist 28" barrel I shoot 33.4 gr. of rl15 and 105 Berger VLD's seated .010" in

Should have gone to the super shoot

 

[markr]

Old, I usually shoot mainly from 200-1000 yards with my dasher but the times that I have shot 100 yards I've been consistently in the .1's. I have a 1-8 twist 28" barrel I shoot 33.4 gr. of rl15 and 105 Berger VLD's seated .010" in

Should have gone to the super shoot

Exactly...LOL

 

[mitymouse1968]

What is the super shoot. I'm in al. and usually just shoot local matches

 

[ridgeway]

Why do so many people think long range(VLD) type bullets don't shoot at 100 yards? I've shot many 5 shot groups in the 1's and 2's with a Dasher as well. I know other Dasher shooters with the same success. Lets see what the Supershoot shooters can do at 1k with their PPC's!

 

[CatShooter]

Why do so many people think long range(VLD) type bullets don't shoot at 100 yards? I've shot many 5 shot groups in the 1's and 2's with a Dasher as well. I know other Dasher shooters with the same success. Lets see what the Supershoot shooters can do at 1k with their PPC's!

It's one of those myths that keep being passed on by folks that read but don't do.