Shooting the 6BR at 325 with VMAX 75 gr

[rchouser]

I couldn't get better than 2 inch groups (5 shot groups). 5-7 mph right to left wind. Range actually lasered at 332 yards. Shooting a 12 twist Savage factory target barrel. VMAX 75 gr at 3240 chrono.

It did consistantly shoot two inch groups (8 groups), but, I was hoping for better.

What should the VMAX 75 shoot? Anybody getting alot better? (light front rest and soft rear bag).

Looking for 300+ yard suggestions.

(More practice is understood).

thanks rc

 

[RonAKA]

What length and size of barrel do you have?

My Savage LRPV 6BR has a 26" x 1" fluted barrel, and seems to like 3100 and 3400 fps for velocity. If your barrel is the same, those velocities may work in your gun as well. 3250 is not a good velocity for mine, and groups double or more in size.

 

[Kenny474]

While I don't own a Savage 1-12 6BR, I will still go with RonAKA on finding a better accuracy node velocity wise. My little .222 1-9 twist bench gun will run obscene velocities (for a .222) without showing any pressure signs beyond a flat primer, as I can run it faster than my buddy's .223 by over 80fps, yet I run it dialed back a good bit because accuracy suffers when I push velocities.

Anyway, you are under MOA by a good bit at 330yds, how much better do you want!? ;D

What model Savage do you have? The 1-12 would suggest an LRPV variant. The rounded stock (if it's an LRPV) could also be hindering top accuracy somewhat, as it will have more of a tendency to torque or roll in the front bag than if it was flat. Maybe try a bag rider?

Also, if the rifle is new, accuracy will likely increase a bit as the barrel wears in and smooths out, and velocity may increase a bit as well.

If you haven't bedded the action, now may be a good time to do so as well. I have heard that the factory Savage's benefit greatly from a good bed job.

And just out of curiousity, what are the specs of your load, powder, neck tension, how far from lands? And lastly, how many rounds through the rifle?

I have tried the 75gr V-Max in both my 6-284 and .243. Both have shot it well, but neither rifle is capable of stellar accuracy. But it is a great bullet when used on woodchucks. Very good splat factor when you crank up the velocity!

 

[rchouser]

I am shooting Lapua brass (unturned). Load is 31.0 gr VIHT N-135, Wolf 223 SRP, LOA is 2.838 using a Hornady 6mm comparator.
I ran a series between 2.840 and 2.860. The 2.838 oal grouped best at 100. The rifle is a savage LRPV. This load was shooting raw .4's at 100.
I would like to be in the sub 1/2 mil range (1.5" or less group) but wanted to know if anybody is getting the VMAX 75 to shoot that.
I am going to try the berger 80s and the fowler 80s. I really want .5 MOA at 600.
+1 on the Splat Factor. I am new to the 6BR so I have to see what I can make it do in this gun.

thanks rc

 

[RonAKA]

Best two loads so far in my 12 twist LRPV:

80 gr. Berger, 32.0 gr. Varget, BR-4, 3114 fps, 0.287" AVG of 3, 3 shot groups at 100 meters

68 gr. Berger, 34.4 gr. Varget, BR-4, 3420 fps, 0.176" AVG of 3, 3 shot groups at 100 meters

Both loads are jammed 0.010"

 

[camac]

I tried the 75Gr Vmax in my LRPV and best groups were around 0.4moa, 70Gr Noslers and and Sierras I got down to 0.25moa but best were the 80 Gr flat based (Bergers, Procal etc) all shot very very well. I tried a few 300m F class matches with the 80 gr with good success in reasonable wind. The velocity nodes I had agreed with Ron. Some 0.09 to teen groups between 3080 and 3120 fps. Can push em higher but lost a bit in accuracy even cracking nto a small node in the 3220+ region. For ultimate accuacy try the 80 gr flat base. Difference at 300 is negligible and Berger make em in a varmint bullet. At 500 though any bullet out of a 12 twist is starting to suffer. I ended up switching my match barrel (an 8 twist) on the LRPV to make it do what you want to do.

 

[Kenny474]

For .5MOA at 600, you may need to step it up to a 1-8 twist and shoot something a little heavier, as the lighter stuff is going to struggle. Not to say it can't be done, as I would imagine it has. But a faster twist with heavier bullets will produce less drift and should make things easier.

Though I do recall someone shooting some sort of 6mm (ppc maybe?) with 80gr flatbase bullets at 600, or 500 maybe, and doing well. Maybe they were Fowler bullets? Can't remember for sure. I just remember it was a 6mm with 80gr flat base bullets and I was surprised with how well it did.

 

[camac]

I have shot quite tiny groups at 5 and 600 yards with the 80 grainers when there is absolutely no wind but it only takes a breath before they start getting pushed around at those distances. Practically for hunting varmints it would put them in the "rare hit" basket with even slight winds. For range shooting I think you would be horribly frustrated 9 days out of 10.

 

[rchouser]

Ok, I guess an 8 twist may be needed if I want the 6BR at 600. (Maybe I should just warm up the 260 rem and keep the 6BR for less than 400.)

I will give the Fowler and Berger 80's a try just to see if I can tighten up the 330 yard line. I agree that wind drift and stability will be the issues. I had considered 600 yds to be an optomistic MAX for the 12 twist.

thanks rc

 

[MarkS]

rchouser

I never had any luck with the Vmax as far as accuracy, the very best I have shot is 0.5 MOA. I shoot N135 and Sierria 70 Blitzking, in many 6BR's and have kils past 600 yds, with a kill at 525yds this year. I use Berger 68 and 80gr for my go to accuracy loads.

Mark Schronce

 

[rchouser]

Funny... I keep seeing the 70 BK show up for the 6BR and each time, I have gone around it. I guess I will pick up a hundred and try them. I have shot alot of MK's, varminteers, and prohunters in other calibers, but never the shot BK in anything. thanks rc

 

[Nomo4me]

BK's have always outshot V-max in my varmint guns.

Funny... I keep seeing the 70 BK show up for the 6BR and each time, I have gone around it. I guess I will pick up a hundred and try them. I have shot alot of MK's, varminteers, and prohunters in other calibers, but never the shot BK in anything. thanks rc

 

[6BRinNZ]

Hi Mark s,

you have my interest piqued with the 70grn BK, what sort of FPS and accuracy are you getting? Also with the 70grn BK over 400yrds can you consistently hit with it? I am moving from 75 V-maxes to the 105 A-maxes simply for consistency sake as I am only at about 50% hit ratio with the 75s for shots over 400yrds....wind being the bugbear....also with the 105s I can often see the bullet strike whereas with the 75 not so much, so it makes it that bit harder to adjust.