Still Searching for a Good 600yd Groundhog Gun

[HillbillyLongRifle]

I have been shooting my 12 twist 6br with 80gr bergers alot lately and it shoots very well and I have taken a groundhog at 630yds with it but im looking to build me something flatter shooting and more wind bucking than the 6br. I really cant make up my mind tho. Just looking for an Accurate 600 to 700yd Varmint Rifle.

 

[Quickoz]

I dont shoot hogs but why not a 243AI or 6x47L Improved?

 

[timeout]

Might want to run some mock ballistic calculations to compare windage MOA's on various caliber bullets. A 6BR 8 twist with 105's is pretty nice out to 600 yards. A dasher would be even better.

 

[MrMajestic]

As you are probably aware you must build around the bullet. Beating the wind is nothing if the bullet doesn't anchor them when it hits them. The 105 grain A-Max has a great reputation for both. The 80 grain A-max at 3050 fps from my .223AI has done well however much past 400 it gets Crawler's. Of course if you get that velocity up? IMHO you would need more than the BR case and using QL I like the .22-.243AI or .22-.284 to get to 3500 with reasonable pressure. I've been kicking around another build and it probably will end up being the .22-.243AI with a 28-30" 8tw tube screwed on a 721 action. Already having two .243AI's saves me money on dies and cases. Good Luck with your build!

 

[rich44]

Hillbilly
I just had a 6AI built for just that groundhogs out past 500 yrds, I was using my 22-250AI with the 75gr Amax which is a great bullet for groundhogs and have taken them past 600 with it but I was looking for more of a devastating impact, out at around 600 yards the 75gr Amax was leaving a quarter size or smaller exit.
I have only taken a couple with the 6AI so far with the 105 Amax but not further than 400 yards, so far its been very devastating.
I'm also trying out the 87gr Vmax and 90 gr Berger hopefully I will get a chance to try them out in the next couple of days

 

[MarkS]

Hillbilly,

I have been there and done what you are looking to do. Don't go with the 22 cal heavy bullet, Barrel life sucks, been there. I have had 3 6AI they work, but are hard on barrels too. After the big 6's, I went to the 6BR 12tw shooting 70gr Sierria Blitzkings great 600 to 700yd gun. I now shoot a 6BR, 12 and 8tw using a 87gr Vmax. The 87gr Vmax is the best GH bullet out there, it has 0.400 bc, great long range bullet.

Your 12 tw should shoot the 87 max, mine does. The 80 Berger are a very accurate bullet, but lack punch down range. The first kill I had with the 87gr Vmax, was at 500 yds. the groundhog was half way out of the hole. At the shot it pulled the GH out of the hole with a backwards flip landing 3 ft from the hole. The 87 Vmax hit hard, very hard. The 87max are as accurate as the 80 Berger, they will run 0.5 moa in my guns.

I have not had any luck with the 105gr bullets lots of shoot thru's. maybe in a big 6mm

If you are looking longer range gun try the 87gr Vmax in your BR first. If you want something different, build it around the 87 Vmax.

good luck with the project.

Mark Schronce

 

[WyleWD]

Hillbilly,

I have been there and done what you are looking to do. Don't go with the 22 cal heavy bullet, Barrel life sucks, been there. I have had 3 6AI they work, but are hard on barrels too. After the big 6's, I went to the 6BR 12tw shooting 70gr Sierria Blitzkings great 600 to 700yd gun. I now shoot a 6BR, 12 and 8tw using a 87gr Vmax. The 87gr Vmax is the best GH bullet out there, it has 0.400 bc, great long range bullet.

Your 12 tw should shoot the 87 max, mine does. The 80 Berger are a very accurate bullet, but lack punch down range. The first kill I had with the 87gr Vmax, was at 500 yds. the groundhog was half way out of the hole. At the shot it pulled the GH out of the hole with a backwards flip landing 3 ft from the hole. The 87 Vmax hit hard, very hard. The 87max are as accurate as the 80 Berger, they will run 0.5 moa in my guns.

I have not had any luck with the 105gr bullets lots of shoot thru's. maybe in a big 6mm

If you are looking longer range gun try the 87gr Vmax in your BR first. If you want something different, build it around the 87 Vmax.

good luck with the project.

Mark Schronce

+1 Absolutely agree with Mark's post.

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

I have used yhe 87 vmax in a 6mm rem with great results. I will give them a try in my 6br. Thanks alot

 

[Phil]

87-95 ish weight bullet and a 6BRDX or Dasher should be the ticket, I built a 12 twist Dasher for the 87 vmax....LOTS of fun.......

 

[stacy]

WELL HERES MINE 22DASHER 1/8TWIST 27'' SELECT MATCH SHILEN 75GR VLD N-135 450 PRIMERS 3200FPS NO PROBLEM AT THOSE RANGES!

 

[Nomad47]

8 twist 6XC shooting the Hornady 105 AMax.

 

[Mr.270win]

I made the switch this year to 6mm06 8 twist pushing 95gr SMK. Everything I wanted for hogs. Haven't had any pass through.

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

I loaded some 87 V-Max to try in my 12 twist Brux barrel 6mmBR.

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

I had a 10 twist 6mm06 once. 3650fps with the 87gr V- Max just to hard on barrels. I like to shoot alot and the bigger cases just aint my thing.

 

[Changeling]

I loaded some 87 V-Max to try in my 12 twist Brux barrel 6mmBR.

So how did that work out for you?

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

Haven't tried them yet.

 

[ARW]

I have been shooting the 87gr. V-Max this summer for groundhogs in my 12 twist 6mm Ackley. They are going a little over 3500fps and do a real good job on groundhogs.

It won't shoot .1's or .2's but so far it's been accurate enough to take groundhogs out to 400yds.

Alan

 

[boltfluter]

Hillbilly,

I have been there and done what you are looking to do. Don't go with the 22 cal heavy bullet, Barrel life sucks, been there. I have had 3 6AI they work, but are hard on barrels too. After the big 6's, I went to the 6BR 12tw shooting 70gr Sierria Blitzkings great 600 to 700yd gun. I now shoot a 6BR, 12 and 8tw using a 87gr Vmax. The 87gr Vmax is the best GH bullet out there, it has 0.400 bc, great long range bullet.

Your 12 tw should shoot the 87 max, mine does. The 80 Berger are a very accurate bullet, but lack punch down range. The first kill I had with the 87gr Vmax, was at 500 yds. the groundhog was half way out of the hole. At the shot it pulled the GH out of the hole with a backwards flip landing 3 ft from the hole. The 87 Vmax hit hard, very hard. The 87max are as accurate as the 80 Berger, they will run 0.5 moa in my guns.

I have not had any luck with the 105gr bullets lots of shoot thru's. maybe in a big 6mm

If you are looking longer range gun try the 87gr Vmax in your BR first. If you want something different, build it around the 87 Vmax.

good luck with the project.

Mark Schronce

+2 for the 87 in the 6BR. I have shot a 25 shot agg. that was .288 with this bullet. Doesn't get much better than that. ;D

Regards, Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[waterfwlr]

+3, I've been shooting them out of my 12 twist Br for a few years now. Devastating on prairie dogs and woodchucks. I weight sort mine, and they have shot in the .2's.

 

[Danger]

+1 for the 243 AI cases are dine a Dozen and this is one bad little Dude