Peterson 6XC 107gr SMK Ammunition

[Kimber.204]

Review of Peterson 6XC Ammunition.

Full Disclosure: Peterson Cartridge Company provided me with some of their new 6XC loaded ammunition asking that I review it and post my findings (good or bad) on the forums. I am not employed by Peterson. No additional compensation was given. Also, I am a big fan of Peterson – they are a local company that produces a fantastic product. But, if this ammo didn’t shoot I’d let you all know the truth.

I’ve had this ammunition for more than a month, but due to an issue with the chamber on my initial barrel I could not provide a review. I now have a new barrel from Keystone Accuracy, Green Mountain, 1:7.5 twist, 6 groove, 26” long, Rem Varmint Taper, Savage Small Shank Prefit. This is the Tubb chamber, not the 6XCii. This is screwed into my ARC Archimedes action, sitting in an ARC XYLO Chassis.

THE DATA:
Brand New Barrel, Cleaned and lightly oiled with some Kroil.

Shot data (FPS)

1. 2943
2. 2916
3. 2897
4. 2894
5. 2931
6. 2922
7. 2912
8. 2895
9. 2889
10. 2892

Average Speed - 2909fps
SD = 18
ES = 54

I was not impressed but I knew that this barrel would speed up some, so after getting the gun sited in and checking the initial velocities, I shot an 80 round practice match (NRA High Power) at 200 and 300yds. My scores weren’t great due to fatigue from physical therapy on my shoulder that morning, but my shots were on call. I also recently got a new to me Atlas CAL bipod and shot off the bipod for the first time, so I put a few more rounds down range with that as well.

The following Monday I went back to the range before work. I cleaned the bore and put the bipod on to check group size. The clean cold bore shot was about ¼ MOA to the left of center. I moved to the other side of the target and fired several more shots. I saw that shots 2,3, and 4 were also to the left and slightly low. Then shot 5 was directly below the point of aim. I proceeded to put 4 more shots into a small group with shot 5.

At this point I had 123 rounds through the barrel, and I decided to check the velocity again – though I expect it to speed up until about 250 rounds.

Shot Data #2 (FPS)

1. 2935
2. 2949
3. 2945
4. 2949
5. 2961
6. 2959
7. 2953
8. 2952
9. 2959
10. 2946

Average Speed - 2950 FPS
SD = 7
ES = 26

While it is still slower than I was hoping for, I’m not too concerned about that at this point. The SD’s are where I want them. The box states that this ammunition is approximately 3000fps. I know that one of the developers was getting closer to 3050fps, so this leads me to believe that my barrel is still speeding up…or maybe it’s just a slow barrel (I've never had a 6 grove Green Mountain - but my .224 - 4 groove Green Mountain is plenty fast). I’ll check around 250 or 300 rounds and provide an update on the velocity.

I really have not shot a lot of factory ammunition compared to how much I shoot. But as a small business owner with a wife and a young son, I am realizing that I do not have enough hours in the day. That brings us to the age-old question of is it a better value to reload or to shoot factory ammunition. You must answer that for yourself. But I think people need to be honest with themselves about their needs and capabilities. With ½ MOA ammunition and an SD of 7 this ammunition will not limit me for any NRA HighPower match. I’ll be shooting it at the PA State Championship (replacement) Matches over Labor Day weekend.

Regards,
Ross

 

[6xcshooter]

Now take that brass and reload it with h4350 39.3grs. Same bullet and it will be better load. Be cheaper too.

 

[Kimber.204]

Now take that brass and reload it with h4350 39.3grs. Same bullet and it will be better load. Be cheaper too.

How much better....this load will already easily hold the x-ring on a 300yard slow fire target (MR-63). And that's with me holding it...it's probably better off of a bipod.

Also....you're assuming that I can find H4350 to buy, which I can't.

And I've got to be honest, as much as I enjoy spending time in the loading room, it's very low on my priorities list right now. I'd like to make High Master classification in NRA high power, but I'm not going to do so at the cost of my marriage or having my son think this obsession is more important than him. This ammunition is good enough that I don't have to spend hours and hours in the loading room weighing charges with tweezers in my hand. It's still better for me to spend my allotted gun/shooting time at the range with the gun in my hands instead of pulling the handle on my reloading press. Again, for ME, and my current situation, my time is very precious....so I'm probably going to be using this ammo for a while. Eventually I'll find some H4350 or RL17 and develop a good load for it. We're not talking about green and yellow box Remington or white box Winchester ammo...this is essentially mass produced F-class worthy ammo, and for now, I'm willing to pay for the opportunity to have great ammo and still get to make memories with my wife and son after work everyday. I'll keep using this ammo until my time is less available than the cash to buy it....could happen tomorrow with our pre-election Covid-19 economy.

Thanks for the 39.3gr recommendation, I'll jot that down for the future.
Regards,
Ross

 

[Zero333]

Thanks for doing the review and I appreciate the 10 shot string velocity data. I always take peoples reported ES/SD with a grain of salt unless they specify 10+shot strings.

Factory ammo with single digit ES from 10 shots is outstanding.

 

[urbanrifleman]

You can get even better numbers with Tubbs ammo. His loading machine uses H4350 with Tubb dust and throws powder to the kernel.

 

[Kimber.204]

A quick update:


After 353 rounds, I cleaned the bore and checked the velocities again. I wanted to see how many rounds it took to stabilize after being cleaned. It took 11 rounds for the barrel to calm down. Then following 15 rounds had an Average Velocity of 2980fps and an SD=10FPS. I noticed about 100 rounds ago that my zero was off about 1/2moa low, so I suspected that the velocity did in fact change some. I was happy with the 2950fps initially, I'm okay with the 2980fps as well. This is still shy of the 3000fps advertised on the box, but it's close enough that I'm not worried about it. On target at 600yards the difference between 3000fps and 2980fps average is minimal.

 

[Kimber.204]

@urbanrifleman thanks for the recommendation I'll have to give Tubb's ammo a try sometime. But, I'm really happy with the performance and precision of the Peterson.
Do you know what Tubb is using to throw powder?
Regards,
Ross

 

[urbanrifleman]

@urbanrifleman thanks for the recommendation I'll have to give Tubb's ammo a try sometime. But, I'm really happy with the performance and precision of the Peterson.
Do you know what Tubb is using to throw powder?
Regards,
Ross

It is his own design. But it is pretty incredible.

 

[Kimber.204]

This past Sunday I shot at Reade Range in Central Pennsylvania for the replacement matches for the PA State Championship. I grew up near Reade, but I've never shot there. It was a great experience.

Despite my unbelievably horrendous performance in sitting rapid fire, I shot well. This was the first time that I shot this Peterson ammo at 600yards. I shot a 197-8x. Two of the 9's were out due to wind, which generally was slow and consistent, as I had 0.75MOA on the gun for wind for most of the string. My last shot I broke the trigger before I was settled and had a low 9 at 6 o'clock. All in all, I am still very pleased with the ammo.

Ross

 

[EdHarley]

UrbanRifleman, If I am using the DTAC with nose ring and H4350, 26” barrel, what velocity would you try to achieve?

I have shot the 107 SMK with Peterson brass and avg velocity was 3060fps. The DTAC tended to group better at 3050fps with a slightly lower SD and ES but both were well under 1/2 MOA.

 

[BOB LEE SWAGGER]

You can get even better numbers with Tubbs ammo. His loading machine uses H4350 with Tubb dust and throws powder to the kernel.

I went all in with Tubb on the 6xc. 32"barrel, 1:7 twist, Tubb reamer, Tubb dies and Tubb ammo. Results at 600 yards were 8" groups. My 6xcII (that I was hoping to improve on) with a 30"barrel, 1:7.5 twist, 6xcII redding sizer die and Forster seater using 39.1 grains of RL16 and Berger 108bts groups between 2.5 to 4 inches regularly.

 

[urbanrifleman]

I went all in with Tubb on the 6xc. 32"barrel, 1:7 twist, Tubb reamer, Tubb dies and Tubb ammo. Results at 600 yards were 8" groups. My 6xcII (that I was hoping to improve on) with a 30"barrel, 1:7.5 twist, 6xcII redding sizer die and Forster seater using 39.1 grains of RL16 and Berger 108bts groups between 2.5 to 4 inches regularly.

Have you contacted David? Something isn't right. I have shot his ammo at 1000 plus and it was crazy accurate.

 

[BOB LEE SWAGGER]

Have you contacted David? Something isn't right. I have shot his ammo at 1000 plus and it was crazy accurate.

Not sure where I would start. He often mentions buying into the system. When it's time to re-barrel the 6xcII is the obvious choice. Also forgot to mention using and very happy with Alpha srp brass.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Not sure where I would start. He often mentions buying into the system. When it's time to re-barrel the 6xcII is the obvious choice. Also forgot to mention using and very happy with Alpha srp brass.

There are only small differences in his reamer now and the 6xc 2. His base is smaller now by 20 thou and the neck is 278. That's about it. What bullet were you shooting?

 

[BOB LEE SWAGGER]

There are only small differences in his reamer now and the 6xc 2. His base is smaller now by 20 thou and the neck is 278. That's about it. What bullet were you shooting?

Tubb ammo DTAC. Berger 108BT in 6xcII. Also not pleased with 7-8k neck tension using Tubb bushings.

 

[urbanrifleman]

Tubb ammo DTAC. Berger 108BT in 6xcII. Also not pleased with 7-8k neck tension using Tubb bushings.

Well I shoot 108 Bergers and they are outstanding, but the DTAC will shoot pretty darn close. Send me a pm.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Peterson should load, 6 XC Ammo with some, 70 and 80 gr NBT's, 80 gr #1515 Varminter's and 85 grain JHP Sierra's for, the 1-10 Twist crowd ! About, TIME for the 6 XC to go,.. "mainstream" !

 

[D. Eason]

Great info here Ross! I totally agree with your assessment of what’s important too....
Less time in the reloading room, and more time behind the trigger for me these days? There’s definitely a balance one has to find. And I’ll take 1/2-3/4 moa ammo all day in a 1000 high power match, if I can do my part Good to know there’s boxed ammo out there that’ll get the job done in a pinch!
Great stuff.
Don

 

[Kimber.204]

@D. Eason thanks for your comments. I know after talking to several shooters this past summer that they are excited to try some of the other chamberings that @Peterson Cartridge is currently producing (6x47L and 6mm Creedmoor). I talked to their sales manager about getting enough ammo for the 2021 season and they said that they are working tirelessly right now, but that they expect to be able to fill my request well in advance of the start of 2021 Highpower season.

@Idaho-Lefty - I saw a comment you made on another 6XC thread I follow and thought you would find this post as well. I love the 6XC....it's my favorite cartridge to shoot right now. But, I still think we 6XC shooters are few and far between. And I'm sure the slow twist 6XC crowd is even smaller....so, I'll let you dream, but I wouldn't hold my breath for a light weight varmint load for your slow twist 6XC,

Keep 'em in the center folks!
Ross

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

@D. Eason thanks for your comments. I know after talking to several shooters this past summer that they are excited to try some of the other chamberings that @Peterson Cartridge is currently producing (6x47L and 6mm Creedmoor). I talked to their sales manager about getting enough ammo for the 2021 season and they said that they are working tirelessly right now, but that they expect to be able to fill my request well in advance of the start of 2021 Highpower season.

@Idaho-Lefty - I saw a comment you made on another 6XC thread I follow and thought you would find this post as well. I love the 6XC....it's my favorite cartridge to shoot right now. But, I still think we 6XC shooters are few and far between. And I'm sure the slow twist 6XC crowd is even smaller....so, I'll let you dream, but I wouldn't hold my breath for a light weight varmint load for your slow twist 6XC,

Keep 'em in the center folks!
Ross

@ Kimber,.. Gotta agree with you, as most of, the 6 XC shooters have 1- 7. 5 or 1-8 twist bbl's and shoot the "heavies" at, longer ranges than I do ! And probably not that many, at that ! But, I'm not too worried tho, as I'm stocked up on, 70 gr NBT's, MK's, TNT's and 80 gr Sierra Varminter's to reload. Seems like the 6 XC is getting more Popular, lately ! My next build, will have a 1-10 Twist barrel for, the lighter bullets for, Varmints to, 400 yds and 6 to 700 Yard, informal Steel plate shooting with, some speed and LOW recoil !
IT will be replacing, my .22-250 Rem. that I'm tired of, Trimming Brass ! NOPE,.. I won't, be holding my breath on New ammo ! It would be NICE for, the 6 XC to be "sponsored" by Peterson, tho as it's, a great lil' round and NOT, the "barrel burner" that, the 6 needmoor, IS !.