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6mm Crusader

GUNNER75

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Jun 29, 2005
    1,266
    234
    48
    SW KS
    Figured there would be a list on this one by now. Anyone have proven loads worked up yet?
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    I am using 44.4 grains of RL17. 3348 fps at 4651 asl. 105 Amax 26" tube gain twist, starts 1/9 and ends 1/8


    downsized_1224101540b.jpg
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    Working out some fireform loads, hope to get some more info here by the end of this weekend.

    Update on this..... Been a bit backed up and just haven't been able to dedicate the time to this one, but what I have played with it has been very promising.

    Hoping to finish out some fire form loads with different powders this week. Will do my best to post up my findings.
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    How is everyone doing fireforming loads?
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    Surgeon with old 243 8 twist bbl rechambered to 6mm
    Crusader (Fireform bbl)
    70F
    115gr DTAC BN Coated
    6mm case Fireform
    Good LD 2941 fps avg 44gr RL17
    <span style="font-weight: bold">GOOD LD 3015 fps avg 45gr RL17 USE FOR FF AND VS MATCH</span>
    TOO HOT 3085 fps avg 46gr RL17 PRIMER LEAK
    TOO HOT 3128 fps avg 47gr RL17 PRIMER LEAK, ONE POP
    TOO HOT 48gr RL17 NO!


    This is a 300yrd group with the 45gr RL17 load. 100yrd group and 500yrd are not quite as what I expected, but the 300 is always on!

    Surgeon 591, 2500round 243 rechambered barrel to 6Crusader, 8 twist Bartlien.

    YES this is a 5 shot group.
    300yrd6Crusader-1-1-1.jpg


    My FF Process:

    New Win 6mm Win Brass:
    FL Size 6mm brass in 6mm Crusader die
    (Sizing mostly to check new brass for neck issues, etc)
    Trim,Chamfer in/out
    Prime
    Charge
    Seat 115's just at lands
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    RWS 7x57 Mauser brass, necked down, neck turned and fire formed with COW, lots and lots of work!

    30 inch Bartlien 5R 1-7.5 Twist, COL 3060
    115 Dtac 49 gr N560 3130 fps (could have gone faster)
    115 Dtac 53 gr RL25 3180 fps (chosen load holds half MOA all day)
    115 Dtac 50 gr H4831SC 3165 fps (looks good, very low ES)
    115 Dtac 54 gr H1000 3150 fps (accuracy sucked)

    Ian
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    Interesting. George just recommended to me to load up a 6mm case, drop about 49gr of RL25, seat a Dtac @ 2.955 and run with it to fireform. Never mentioned anything about running the brass through the sizer at all.
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    Whats everyone's trim to length once you've fireformed?
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Poison123</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Whats everyone's trim to length once you've fireformed?</div></div>

    I was informed by George that 2.238 is max, I'm using RWS brass that is much longer than Win brass and trim it to 2.235.
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    Sweet thanks Ian. I've heard the trim to length was 2.25, so I'm feeling good now
    smile.gif
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    Summary of all of my loads from the thread above. 27" Bartlein 1-8" twist 5R barrel. Loads are OCW loads. Standard LR primers unless noted otherwise.

    <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Fireforming Loads:</span></span>
    Best results are with the cases lightly lubed.

    115 DTAC (bare) pushed 0.020" into the lands
    50.0 gr. Retumbo
    2925 fps.
    Very accurate and shoulder is formed perfectly.

    115 DTAC (bare) pushed 0.020" into the lands
    46.5 gr. RL-25
    2825 fps.
    Very accurate and shoulder is formed perfectly.

    <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Varmint Load:</span></span>

    87 VMAX (bare) seated to 2.385" on the Hornady bullet comparator
    49.0 gr. H4831SC
    3300 fps.
    Can push it quite a bit faster, but this velocity gives the best accuracy and remains supersonic past 1000 yards.

    <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Match Loads:</span></span>
    All are with 115 DTAC (bare)seated to 2.385" on the Hornady bullet comparator.

    52.0 gr. Retumbo
    3125 fps.
    This is the load I have settled on. Good groups and good temperature stability.

    51.3 gr. H1000
    3100 fps.
    Required magnum primers to get the SD down and was still finicky. Was the most temperature stable load I have ever tested though.

    48.5 gr. H4831SC
    3060 fps.
    Performed ok, but didn't give any advantage over other powders.

    50.3 gr. RL-25
    3100 fps.
    Best groups of all powders, but VERY poor temperature stability.


    Tried a box of hBN coated bullets, and will not use them in the future. Found no advantage to them. When tuned to the OCW node, the velocity is the same as with bare bullets, which makes sense. It has to be to give the same barrel time with the same powder.

    Planning to try the 87 VMAX with H4350 next. Unless a new slow burning temperature stable powder comes out, I'll probably just stick with Retumbo for the 115 DTACs.
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    Pulled out the 6mm Crusader again today and figured out my FF loads. I have two. The better is 48gr RL25 load as it showed to have a touch better accuracy.

    90F, 2500ft, NO WIND, Lots of mirage!

    RL17, 44gr, 3039fps. Max FF load for me now that the temp has came up. Primers are wanting to flatten out but are not. Very consistant.

    RL25, 48gr, 2945fps. Could probably push it to 3,000 w/o issue, but it shot very well and the primers looked 100% fine. This is now my FF load.

    I loaded up to both again and tested. I was rushing it some, and the mirage sucked, but at 300 I see the RL25 having the advantage. Will probably test both again on CED and at 300 then 500.

    All my brass is ready to load (500pc) just hope the old 243 bbl holds out after 2500 + rounds of 115's at 3,000fps running H4350 to allow me to run the FF loads on P Dogs. It's going to get HOT!
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    6mm Crusader
    27" Bartlein 1-8" Twist
    Sierra 100 gr. Spitzer flat base (touching the lands)
    10.2 gr. Trailboss
    Formed cases or virgin 6mm Rem. brass
    210M Primer

    Works nicely for blowing out the shoulder of the cases! Just stable in 80F weather at my altitude. Rub a bit of oil on each bullet to get stable velocities.
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    Ran a Varmint Silhouette shoot this last Sunday with the Crusader FF Barrel. (Previous chambering was .243. 8 twist 27" Bartlein, 3,000 plus rounds total, 2750round .243 running 3,000fps)

    My FF load: RL25, 48gr, 115gr DTAC, 2945fps.

    Cleaned the 500M Jacks, but dropped a couple at 2,3,and 385M. Simply didn't do my job on at least 4 targets and not sure on two others.

    I didn't think this barrel would last but it is and also runs these FF rounds very very well.

    I have about 125 rounds and then I twist on the new bbl that is ready to twist on. Cannot hardly wait to get this thing really running!
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    I think this round actually likes the wind! It hates steel at 3300fps with the 115gr DTAC!
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    Yes, 7x57mm Mauser can also be used. I've also formed cases form 270 and 30-06.
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    I've settled on 52gr's of RL25. 3200 with ease, but psi is knocking at the door. Steels worst enemy. Hammer time. Not sure what the PSI is, but it is tough. Groups are solid and I will run with it.
    My bugle call drop tube aids in dropping powder.
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    Gunner, that's pretty much my load. Just make sure to keep on top of the carbon with RL25.

    I'm running a 30 inch barrel and don't get a 100% burn with RL25, on my next barrel I will try RL22.
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    <span style="font-size: 17pt"><span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: line-through">We are proud to announce that we have fully loaded 6mm Crusader ammunition and fire formed brass IN STOCK & ready to ship.
    </span>

    <span style="color: #FF0000">We're sorry but as of September 2012, we are no longer offering this as one of our loading's. However we will gladly load you a reduced power 6mm Remington to allow you to fire form your own brass for reloading. Thank you.</span>
    <span style="color: #FF0000">

    Copper Creek Cartridge Co. </span></span></span>
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    Nice! how is it doing with the temperature swing?
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    I will have my second barrel in the next few days. I replaced the first one after 1000 rounds of F class, although it would still shoot X rings it would drop unexplainable points, I'm keeping the old barrel for fire forming and short range practise.

    I will be looking at RL22 and VV N165 in the new barrel using 115 Dtacs using a Bartlien 30 inch 1-7.8 twist.
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kombayotch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice! how is it doing with the temperature swing? </div></div>

    Great !
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    My old load of 53 grains of RL25 still works in the new barrel despite the twist being 1-7.8 as opposed to 1-7.5.

    Yesterday I had to do some emergency load development with RL22. Normally I do my testing over 300 yards and 5 shot groups, but time and the wind weren't on my side, so it was 100 yards.

    All 5 groups are 1/2 inch or less with the smallest being .147 and no pressure signs, the temperature was 45F. I will be shooting the 50 grain load tomorrow at 600 yards so fingers crossed. I didn't have time to set up the chronograph but QL predicts 3268 fps.

    PICT0001-2.jpg
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    Proof enough that a group shot at 100 yards doesn't mean it will shoot well beyond that.

    At 600 yards the 50 grains of RL22 shot ok but certainly not competitive enough for F class, the old load of 53 grains of RL25 out shot it by some margin.
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    4350 just put the rest to shame on accuracy out of an 8 twist Barlien. Not sure how it will end up, but with 115gr DTAC BN it looks like 45.5ish is where it's at (and pretty impressive)

    Hope to get some more trigger/load time in the AM.

    The above showed 3135 avg fps. I was aiming for 3200, but 3175 would be fine. Not sure I can get there with PSI and Accuracy, but it's much better than any previous loads I have ran.
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    Is there any still shooting this for comps? Or has the 6 creedmoor taken its place.
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    I'm still shooting mine in comps. But, the comps I shoot have paper targets, so nobody is worried about it pitting their steel.
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    Ya....You can't really run the 6 Crusader at balls to the wall with the speed limits in comps.
     
    Re: 6mm Crusader

    1300 round count now and still very accurate. Not accurate enough for F class competition but it makes a very nice practice and fire forming barrel.
    The barrel is heavily fire cracked and fouls real bad.
     
    Got to the range today. Temp was 45 degrees. Shooting rounds to start off just to see where pressure shows up. Using IMR-7828SSC and 115 Bergers .010 off the lands. Started with 42.0 and worked up to 46.0 in .5 increments. Flat primer right off with 42.0 gr by 43.5 showing tit from ejector hole on base of case, I stopped there no use going any further. Going to try going the other way on the powder charge or try a different powder.
     
    Got to the range today. Temp was 45 degrees. Shooting rounds to start off just to see where pressure shows up. Using IMR-7828SSC and 115 Bergers .010 off the lands. Started with 42.0 and worked up to 46.0 in .5 increments. Flat primer right off with 42.0 gr by 43.5 showing tit from ejector hole on base of case, I stopped there no use going any further. Going to try going the other way on the powder charge or try a different powder.

    What's the latest, there boss ?