The 6br, what length, twist and weight bullet.

[onelastshot]

Ok, I just am one of those who gets started on a project and then OCD. In short, the 6mm AI I ordered is supposed to be shipped today. I am building the stock myself.

I know I'm still a ways away from a completed rifle but I already decided to start the next build. I have never had a 6br and decided it's time. At this point I am not certain if I will go with the 60-65 grain bullets or step up to the 105s.

My question relates to twist, I read preferences from 1-8 to 1-14. Considering I my potential jump from the 60-65 grain bullets up to the 105 category, what twist would be best? Also, this gun is for long range varmints so weight is a factor. With this in mind what recommendations for barrel contour and length are preferred.

Lastly, if you have a special preference for actions I would be interested in knowing. The budget will not allow anything over $1,500.00. I would like to find a bolt action that can handle the 6br. From what I've heard many action have difficulty extracting cartridges from the clip when reloading.

Any and all thoughts appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Sully2]

Its mighty tough to find a 6mmBR "repeater".....Most are single shot models

 

[jefats]

Do yourself a big favor and get a Cooper 6BR 26" 1-10 twist with their Phoenix stock. I did and it shot so well I sent the barrel/action back to be set in their benchrest Bumblebee stock. With 450 rounds down the tube in 43 different loadings it shoots everything from 62 to 95 grain bullets (mostly Bergers) into incredibly tight groups out to 300 yards (don't have a longer range at my club to try). The 105's I've tried did fine but I haven't shot them enough to really get a true reading.

And, as a bonus, it's in your price budget.

Good Luck!

 

[Shynloco]

onelastshot,
Just saw your post and thought I'd throw this out for your consideration since I have been in your place in the past and I came across something very interesting just yesterday at the range. Your question about twists vs bullet weight begs one more question...AT WHAT DISTANCE are we talking and what is the overall purpose you intend to use this rifle for?

I shoot a Savage 6mmbr Benchrest Model (1:9 twist)and I shoot almost exclusively 100 yds, sometimes 200 yards. My declining eyesight prevents me from going any further out, regardless of my 36X scopes. I've had this rifle for a little over 2 years now and have played with various bullets weights and powders during that time. I originally started out with 68 gr FB Ultra Barts being pushed by 30 grs of VVN133. That choice was based upon the recommendation of a friend who competes in Benchrest Shooting and is a super bright guy (sometimes on verge of obnoxious). Now according to conventional wisdom, that bullet should work better in a 1:14 twist barrel and the 107's should work in my barrel even better. But my groups were so darn tight and good with the 68's, that I didn't buy any of 107's until just recently. Well thx to all my shooting buddies, they kept saying I was nuts for shooting the 68's and should go to the 107's that would perform better. (A tip, there are more experts at the range than you can shake a stick at and sometimes you still outshoot every one of them, hence opinions are like rear ends, everyone has one.) So I bought a bunch of Sierra 107's and was at my favorite Candy Store (Bruno's) this past weekend while in Phoenix. I needed to pick up some more Bart's Ultras but all they had were the Bart 68 gr HPBT's and no FB bullets. Jason Bruno said they would work well for my purposes so I bought a box. Came home Saturday, loaded up 10 rounds to test and along with other 68's and the 107's headed to the range yesterday. Shot some 68 FB as foulers that was being pushed by 31 gr of VVN133. Finally got my scopes zeroed because of the testing of a different powders and pulled out the 68 gr Barts HPBT's being pushed by 30.5 gr of VVN133. Shot two groups at 100 yds and both reported at a groups size you could easily cover with a dime. Moved on to shoot the Sierra 107's being pushed by 28.1 gr of RE15 and 28.1 grs of Vargets (which according to the Sierra Manual is the accuracy load for the 107's). The Varget was good (a nickel would cover the groups) but the RE15 was even better (that a dime would also cover). FINALLY, my point to all that verbose and lengthy jabber, there is more than one way to skin a cat and your rifle might surprise you. Even the genius' and "experts" I shoot with could not explain how the heck this rifle shoots both 68 gr HPBT's and Sierra 107's Matchkings with very comparable accuracy in a 1:9 Twist Savage Benchrest Rifle. My take on it is simply that there are exceptions to every rule or guideline. You'll have to experiment with whatever you end up with and see how she's does. But remember, what works in one, won't necessarily work in another. Even the "experts" sometimes don't have all the answers and I'm no expert for sure.

 

[onelastshot]

Thanks for the responses. The overall purpose for the rifle will be varmints mostly, and your occasional shooting contest with friends. As far as distances, I would say a good bit of my shooting will be in the 400-600 yard range. While I've shot for years, living on the east coast has limited my distances. I hope to go west for prairie dogs at least once this summer but I'm not going to attempt 600+ yard shots, I just don't have the experience.