New wildcat rifle and I need reloading help please

[Haz223]

Hello Everyone,

I bought a used benchrest rifle and I need help with working up a load for it. It is stamped S.G. 6 x 44 .262 NK on the barrel. The cases are formed from .300 Savage cases. I have a load that the previous owner gave me for the rifle, but I want to change the powder, bullet, and primer for it to something I already have on hand.

My question is where do I start at to figure out what powder charge will be safe to shoot in this rifle? Can anyone point me to a good source for information about how to calculate a safe powder charge for a wildcat? I've looked on the internet but there is so much information it's hard to know what is good information and what is bad. If anyone could point me in the right direction I would really appreciate it.

Thank You in advance

 

[TylerFromMS]

https://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek038.html

Good luck!

 

[59FLH]

Look for load density formulas, lots of published info out there.

 

[riflewoman]

I’d take a fired case and get a capacity. I bet it’s very close to 6XC in capacity. If so I’d develop from that data.

 

[Big Mc]

Hello Everyone,

I bought a used benchrest rifle and I need help with working up a load for it. It is stamped S.G. 6 x 44 .262 NK on the barrel. The cases are formed from .300 Savage cases. I have a load that the previous owner gave me for the rifle, but I want to change the powder, bullet, and primer for it to something I already have on hand.

My question is where do I start at to figure out what powder charge will be safe to shoot in this rifle? Can anyone point me to a good source for information about how to calculate a safe powder charge for a wildcat? I've looked on the internet but there is so much information it's hard to know what is good information and what is bad. If anyone could point me in the right direction I would really appreciate it.

Thank You in advance

Sounds like it was built by Speedy Gonzales. Call him and ask. 972-672-6630. Tommy Mc

 

[Haz223]

Thanks for the help everyone. I checked the water capacity of a fired case and it was 45.7 grains. I should probably error on the low side so it looks like 6mm dasher is the closest 6mm cartridge as far as volume compared to the water capacity charts on this website. I also send a facebook message to Thomas Gonzalez to see if he can give me some more info.

 

[Ken]

Thinking out loud. You know the powder that worked so go to a burn rate chart and find something you have that is similar. Choose an appropriate safe starting load. Prepare some cases with the primer you have. Take your preset Harrells powder measure to the range and work up from there. Carefully

 

[Bill K]

Checking with Gonzalez is good, but can't you also ask the person you bought it from, what they used, if you did buy it used from them ?

 

[357Mag]

Haz223 -

kwk.us/powley.html

The " Powley Computer " is a great asset, including for use w/ determining wildcat loads.

There also a related instructional manual, one can view on the "net".


With regards,
357Mag

 

[Evan]

How does it compare to a 6GT dimensions-wise? Sounds like it would be pretty close!

 

[Fast14riot]

You should be able to form brass from Lapua 6x47 instead of trying to do it from 300sav or 243win, might be a little less work.

I'd run some numbers through QL to find suitable powders, probably in the H4350 burn rate range, likely 35ish grains.

 

[Haz223]

Thanks for the info guys.

I'm not a benchrest shoot so I'm new to all of this. I'm just a recreational shooter looking to breath some new life into this old benchrest rifle. I plan on using it as a varminter and a casual target shooter.

I don't need to form brass yet for it.

I don't have QL.

I used the Powley Computer and it told me to use 38.5 grains of IMR 4320, IMR 4895, or IMR 4064 for my 6mm 58 grain bullets that I plan to use (Hornady V-Max)

case capacity: 45.7 grns of water
case length: 1.781
cartridge length: 2.495
bullet length: .791
bullet weight: 58 grns
bullet dia: .243
barrel length: 20.75

I can't ask the person I bought it from. But he did give me 2 recipes but I want to change the components.

His recipes were:
68 gr Berger FB, 29.5 grns of N130 2.495 OAL CCI standard primer
68 gr Barts, 33 grns H4895 2.495 OAL CCI standard primer

I want to use:
58 grn Hornady V-MAX, ? grns of Varget CCI standard primer

IMR 3031 is right next to N130 on the burn chart I could use that

So if the Powley computer is accurate I could use 34.6 grns of 4064 (38.5 grns minus 10%) and be safe. Does this sound ok or am I missing anything?

 

[Kurz]

Your information:

case capacity: 45.7 grns of water
case length: 1.781
cartridge length: 2.495
bullet length: .791
bullet weight: 58 grns
bullet dia: .243
barrel length: 20.75

Your desired information:

Cartridge Length: 2.495
Case Length: 1.781
Bullet Length: 0.791

2.495 (cartridge length)
-1.781 (case length)
_____
0.714 (bullet length outside of case mouth)

0.791 (bullet length)
-0.714 (bullet length outside of case mouth)
_____
0.077 (bullet length in neck)
-0.070 (boat tail length)
_____
0.007" shank length in the neck.

 

[Haz223]

Ah I see your point. I'll have to move the bullet in a bit then.

I changed the cartridge OAL to 2.395 now it says use 37.5 grn of 3031

So I can start at 33.7 grn and work up from there, which is almost the same load he had for the 68 grn bullet.

.107 of shank in the neck should be enough right?

 

[Kurz]

.107 of shank in the neck should be enough right?

Since this rifle is considered to be a benchrest rifle, .107" in the neck should be enough as long as you're careful. 1/10th of an inch is not much grip if you consider it in a hunting rifle. Careful seating for concentricity, proper neck tension should let you get started.