Need advice - 6 ARC bolt action load data for 103-108 gr bullets

#51
EODsniper said:
What’s the best load you have for varget? Just picked up the aeromatch bullets and realized I need the new seating stem so waiting on that. I was thinking of starting at 28 grains and stopping at 28.5 with .020 of jump.
Click to expand...
My once fired Alpha brass has the same case H2O capacity as my Hornady but Alpha is a much tougher brass so load at your own risk.

I started to get slight compressed loads starting at Varget 28.3gr. And at 28.4gr (~2800 fps) I'd get ~20% of cartridges with pierced primer (CCI 400 SRP) when running in my Savage SA. No pierced primer with my BigHorn Origin which has the factory small firing pin and was a consideration in my build.
Hornady 105gr Aeromatch in it's hybrid/secant profile took less seating depth vs 103gr ELDX, so you'll be riding the fine line of case capacity vs lighter bullet weight in the pursuit of speed. As many have pointed out, 2660 fps was a great node, 2830 also seems to be a very good node.

I haven't tried drop tubes but when I tried and old electric toothbrush to see if I could get the extruded powder to settle, but it only helped ~.1-.2gr before slight crunch.

0.020" seating depth without compressed load should be fine as the seating depth really had minimal effect higher than 0.005" in my development, so I'd seat it to maximum length before the bullets touch the rifling or ~0.010"

YMMV and happy shooting
 
#52
Powder temp stability chart from the internet.
Of the handful I've tested, the data seems to be correct.
YMMV, happy shooting
Powder temp stability chart.jpg
 
#53
EODsniper said:
What’s the best load you have for varget? Just picked up the aeromatch bullets and realized I need the new seating stem so waiting on that. I was thinking of starting at 28 grains and stopping at 28.5 with .020 of jump.
Click to expand...
I run 27.2gr in Starline brass. 107smk’s loaded at 1.725 base to ogive. It’s around .015 from the lands in my barrel. Federal 205m primers. This is a compressed load for me.

This averages 2680 in a 20” northland shooter supply barrel. Sd’s averages around 6-7.

Hornady shows max at 28.1gr. I had pretty significant pressure signs at 27.6gr.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EODsniper and Mr. Wolf
#54
Mr. Wolf said:
My once fired Alpha brass has the same case H2O capacity as my Hornady but Alpha is a much tougher brass so load at your own risk.

I started to get slight compressed loads starting at Varget 28.3gr. And at 28.4gr (~2800 fps) I'd get ~20% of cartridges with pierced primer (CCI 400 SRP) when running in my Savage SA. No pierced primer with my BigHorn Origin which has the factory small firing pin and was a consideration in my build.
Hornady 105gr Aeromatch in it's hybrid/secant profile took less seating depth vs 103gr ELDX, so you'll be riding the fine line of case capacity vs lighter bullet weight in the pursuit of speed. As many have pointed out, 2660 fps was a great node, 2830 also seems to be a very good node.

I haven't tried drop tubes but when I tried and old electric toothbrush to see if I could get the extruded powder to settle, but it only helped ~.1-.2gr before slight crunch.

0.020" seating depth without compressed load should be fine as the seating depth really had minimal effect higher than 0.005" in my development, so I'd seat it to maximum length before the bullets touch the rifling or ~0.010"

YMMV and happy shooting
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response. I’m looking forward to giving these a try. I currently shoot the 107smk with 28gr of varget slightly compressed at .020 off the lands and get 2590 fps out of my 16” Krieger barrel.
This was a 10 rd group with the 107smk. I guess my goal for the 105 aeromatch is just a little more speed. So you’re saying seating depth didn’t make much of a difference at all for you? If that’s the case I’ll seat them as long as possible for more case capacity.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0925.jpeg
    IMG_0925.jpeg
    2.1 MB · Views: 8
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Mr. Wolf
#55
EODsniper said:
Thanks for the response. I’m looking forward to giving these a try. I currently shoot the 107smk with 28gr of varget slightly compressed at .020 off the lands and get 2590 fps out of my 16” Krieger barrel.
This was a 10 rd group with the 107smk. I guess my goal for the 105 aeromatch is just a little more speed. So you’re saying seating depth didn’t make much of a difference at all for you? If that’s the case I’ll seat them as long as possible for more case capacity.
Click to expand...
Nice group and nice work up for a 16” barrel.
In my system, the Aeromatch 105gr wasn’t jump sensitive from .010 - .030”
Cheers
 
#56
Just was at the range and did my least favorite testing of 5 round groups. Did 105 aeromatch at .020 off the lands with varget out of my 16” bolt gun

28gr shot the best group with all touching at 2640
28.1 was 2640
28.3 was 2660 and all over with velocity and group. Was very compressed with this load and wouldn’t go past it.

I will stay at 28 grains which is what I also use for my 107smk load but with the aeromatch I gain 50fps. Nothing drastic but at least I have another solid load option.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mr. Wolf
#57
EODsniper said:
Just was at the range and did my least favorite testing of 5 round groups. Did 105 aeromatch at .020 off the lands with varget out of my 16” bolt gun

28gr shot the best group with all touching at 2640
28.1 was 2640
28.3 was 2660 and all over with velocity and group. Was very compressed with this load and wouldn’t go past it.

I will stay at 28 grains which is what I also use for my 107smk load but with the aeromatch I gain 50fps. Nothing drastic but at least I have another solid load option.
Click to expand...
Interesting. 2640 is what I get from Seekins w/ 18” CF Proof, 107 Sierra and 29 LVR and only 2570 w/ 103 ELDX over 27.3 Varget.
What chrono are you using?
 
#60
EODsniper said:
27.3 of varget is a lighter load. Try the 107s with it obviously working up.
Click to expand...
Already seeing mild pressure (slight plunger) marks (with 103’s) on hornady brass and I feel like a compressed load maybe but I didn’t record that. My barrel doesn’t like those 107’s with LVR. 1.25” 5 shot groups. Maybe it will with Varget. I’ll definitely start lower.
 
#61
db2000 said:
Already seeing mild pressure (slight plunger) marks (with 103’s) on hornady brass and I feel like a compressed load maybe but I didn’t record that. My barrel doesn’t like those 107’s with LVR. 1.25” 5 shot groups. Maybe it will with Varget. I’ll definitely start lower.
Click to expand...
The ELDX 103gr appears to be a tangent ogive vs a more secant type profile for the 105gr hybrids or aeromatch. I was able to seat the 105gr without crunch at same seating depth as the 103gr.
Happy shooting, YMMV
 
#63
EODsniper said:
I started crunching varget at 28.1 with the 105s.
my cbto with the aeromatch is 1.722 and 1.724 with sierras
Click to expand...
My seating depth is 1.724" with aeromatch and 27.2gr XBR. No crunch.
Electric toothbrush might get an additional .1 or .2 gr, but with such a small case and minimal speed gains and no accuracy improvement in my system, was not worth it to me.
YMMV, happy shooting
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Dave__th3__ss
Firearms *sold*6 arc ar with extras*sold*
Replies
1
Views
340
Dave__th3__ss
Dave__th3__ss
sanpedroranch
Firearms WTT/WTS Gun Room Cleanout
Replies
4
Views
1K
sanpedroranch
sanpedroranch
JohnDeereGuy1996
Geissele GFR Maritime Reconnaissance 6mm arc write up and review
Replies
137
Views
22K
Joeyg023
J
S
6mm ARC loads with Temp Stable Powders
Replies
15
Views
10K
MarshallDodge
M
A
Here's everything you missed last week
Replies
0
Views
669
ArloMax
A
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Merch
Alerts