OAL of 6mmBR Please

[squirrelsnpr]

I was thinking about going with a 6mmBR and the 87 grain V-max for a varmint rig. I would like to know if anyone is running this combo, and if so what OAL are you using and what distance from the lands that is. I am trying to take advantage of an internal magazine so I am restricted on OAL. Just wanted to see if it'll clear the mag restrictions. I'm going to post this in the Varmint forum as well.
Thanks,
Mitch

 

[squirrelsnpr]

I was just curious if anyone is running this combo and what their OAL was. I want to see if I will be wasting my time trying to get a 6mmBR with an 87 V-max fit into a mag well approx. 2.260" long, and still have the bottom of the bullet seated at or around the neck/shoulder junction. If you do have something that will fit, I would love more info on it.
Thanks,
Mitch

 

[fdshuster]

Mitch: Just took some measurements with the 87 V-Max seated with the full .243 dia. very close to the neck shoulder junction, ( just a little above to keep away from the "donut" that may be there), and the overall length is 2.170". The base of the bullet/ heel is slightly above the shoulder/body junction. I was always impressed with the 87 gr. V-Max, and tried them in several of my faster twist 6mm's ( 243, 6mm22-250 & 6BR) and never could get them to shoot. We had a discussion here about a year ago, and others, (including the moderator) said they also had problems with the 87 V-Max. When I'm looking for the best accuracy I can get out of my rifles, Berger remains my first choice, with Sierra MatchKings a close second. Just my opinion/ what I think I've learned. p.s. Should have made it clear: Lapua 6BR case length is 1.560" and bullet o.a.l. is .914".

 

[squirrelsnpr]

Thanks fdshuster. Hmmmm....I'm disapointed to hear that about the 87 grainer. What about the 75 V-Max? I have tried Bergers in my 223 Remington with great accuracy. However I found they did not always do the job on the targets. Some hits would make it back to the holes. I am shooting out here on the west coast at ground squirrels. The average size would be equal to a guinea pig. Much smaller than the 'chucks most shoot. Think the Bergers will still work ok?

 

[Steve Blair]

I have very good results with the 58g V-Max in 6mm Remington, 9" twist, 26" barrel. A stiff charge of Varget drives them at ~4050 and produces ES/SD around 10/4 in .4-.6", 5 @ 100 yds. It is a deadly varmint load.

It is likely that around 30 grains of IMR 4198 in 6BR would get >3600 from a 26" varmint rig. The OAL would have to be about 2.15 with the short bullet, so magazine length should not be an issue.

 

[squirrelsnpr]

Ok...so what twist should I go with to shoot the 58 to roughly the 80 grain class of 6mm bullets for varmints. I would have thought that a 1 in 9 would be too fast for the 58 grain V-Max, but at 4k FPS things change. Again, I was thinking about going with the 6mmBR b/c of my OAL restictions due to using a blind mag.

 

[Steve Blair]

Berger makes an 80g, flat-base Match Varmint that has also produced very good results for me. It has a great accuracy reputation.

A 9-10.5" twist can easily handle the range from 55-80 except for long 80g boattails like the Nosler BalTip. You would probably need a 10" or faster twist for those.

The 6BR is an excellent choice for a short-action varmint rifle. I have heard it has feeding problems because it is so short. Since my 6BR is a single-shot, I cannot comment on whether it feeds.

 

[squirrelsnpr]

I am kind of concerned about the feeding as well, but it has been done. I know Savage makes a factory repeater in 6br and check out gun of the week #32 if interested. It will probably take more work by the 'smith. I am hoping to use the Savage action I have rather then buying another.

 

[fdshuster]

The 58 gr. V-Max have been an outstanding "light" bullet for me also. Was turned onto them about 10 yrs. ago when there was a short article in P.S. magazine about their accuracy. tried them in my 6ppc and was amazed. Have used them in my 6BR's with the 1-14 twist barrels, (and shorter throats), but not in my 1-9.25 and 1-8 barrels, since they are throated longer, and I cannot get them to touch and still be in the case neck. On our 10 to 12 pound Pennsylvania groundhogs, loaded up to near maximum velocities, they do the job, extremely well. Because of the results with the 58 V-Max, tried the 65, 75 & 87 V-Max, but cannot get any of those to perform. In my rifles, they are mediocre, at best. The before mentioned 80 gr. Berger Varmint flatbase is one of my first choices for the faster twist barrels in 6BR.

 

[Mikem]

Franks making a wise choice in using the Berger 80g FB in his 6BR, its also the most accurate round in my 1 in 8" 6BR over 30.5g of Varget. Mine shoots in the .1 to .3s depending on how much coffee I had that morning.
And if it wont do a job on your underground critters, you best start carrying a side arm.
Mike.

 

[squirrelsnpr]

Thanks for the advise. I know this is a hard question to answer, but how far out can you guys go with the 58 V-Max or 80 Bergers? I'm looking for some distance. If you know what your rifle groups at say 600 yards, I would be very interested.

 

[Mikem]

The max we can shoot at our clubs range is 420 yds, and unless its real windy, the Berger 80s are fine.
But in my opinion, even 420 is pushing a FB bullet, but under 300, they can be vary accurate.
Mike.

 

[fdshuster]

Yes, I must admit that I generally limit flatbase bullets to around 400 yards. For the rare times when I'm able to get out to 500 yards, due to range limitations, the 95 gr. berger VLD becomes the choice in the 1-8 6BR. Those bullets that look like intercontenental ballistic missles are the most impressive at those distances. Will try some of the 105/107's when the weather breaks. Mirage and wind continue to be my worst enemy.

 

[squirrelsnpr]

hmmmm.....I was really hoping to get about 600 yards out of this set up. Any suggestions?

 

[Steve Blair]

You will need an 8" twist to shoot 95 Sierras and above at 6BR velocities. I am able to shoot 95 Matchkings in a 9" twist 6mm Remington, but only in warm weather. If the 58 V-Max will work in a 9" twist at 4050, it may work in an 8" at 3500-3600. I can confidently say the Berger 80 will perform well. You could also shoot anything except the 115s.

BTW, the Berger 80 at 3182 MV is still doing 1560 at 600 yards. The wind drift is more than a long boattail but manageable.

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

Try a box of the 87 gr. V-Maxs! My smith shoots them out a 10" twist 6br no turn neck and has excellent results. If I'm not mistaken and don't take this as gospel but I think they're over 28.5 gr. Varget through a 26" Krieger. A box of 100 is only about $20 at worst. I know I've pissed away more than that on less!

Mike