6mm BR

[Bugzlife19]

Running 26” Stuteville 1-7.5 twist barrel. Planning on Varget with CCI 450s. Looking for some starting loads for 107 SMKs and 105 Nosler RDFs. Any helps appreciated. I’ve tried searching but not seeing a lot on 6br loads so I figured I start a thread. Thanks for any help.

 

[andrewsben]

I run a 26" bartlien 7.5 twist with 107 SMKs. 28.5 of varget shoots amazing jumping around 20 thou. This load uses cci br primers though.

Not RDFs but this is a load I worked up in same barrel with 105 Nosler CCs
RL-15 30 grains, SB-4,4SR .010 jump 0.138 group

 

[RyanM]

I have 2 Brs and am only shooting 105 Hybrids and both are great at 30grs of Varget.

I started at I think 28grs of Varget and worked up. I think i did .5gr jumps to 29 and the dropped it down to smaller increments.

 

[NGCSUGrad09]

I've got two nodes for 108gr ELDs, one at 2750fps with 30gr of Varget and one at 2850 with 31.1gr of Varget in virgin brass. That's out of a 28" Hawk Hill barrel.

 

[BallisticPrimate]

6br
Shilen 1:8 21.5 inch barrel
105gr Berger Hybrid
Lapua 0 x Fired Cases
30.4 gr Varget
CCI 450 Primer
.020 off lands
2725fps (Magneto)

 

[2Akeepers]

I also shoot at long range, heavy bullet : 105gr. Lapua Scenar, Lapua brass, CCI BR 4 primer and 31 grains of Vihtavuori N150.
But, may be, the Norma brss could allowetter accuracy : it is more flexible than Lapua brass and my lats tests showed that I can get better groups with it .... veryting else beeing thevsame,bushing included).

 

[Friar]

Cooper Arms 6BR
1 in 8"
107 smk
Lapua brass
CCI BR primer
Varget 28.5 gr
.025 off lands

 

[MarcusOlsson]

When i used my old 28" 7.5twist bartlein for long range i ran 105 hybrids with 31.2gr of VV n550, i also ran them up to 3000fps with 33.2gr n550 for a long time but that shit was just straight up poison for my barrel.... after 1300rnds my gunsmith recommended me not to bring it to another match, just to play it safe.

These days i run a 26" 7 twist bartlein with 95gr pointed SMK, loaded with 33.5gr N550 to 3080fps

Both loads are wicked but the 28" one with hybrids shot 5 of them in to one ragged hole with 31.2gr.
33.2gr opent it up to about 1/4 moa but that barrels was just sick

the 95GR ones produced one 1/4 moa group and one 1/8 moa group at 100yd during load developing and for PRS that's more than enough, took me 24 rnds to find that load so i'm not going to pursue better accuracy

Oh, and i runt them 0.03" in to the lands pretty much all the time and only use lapua brass and CCI 450 primers

 

[Bugzlife19]

Thanks a lot. I was planning to start at 28.0 and working my way up. This pretty much confirms that.

 

[Friar]

I saved the poster board from a 300 yard ladder test that I did and if memory serves the sweet spot was between 28.5 and 29.5 grains of Varget. I'll dig it up later on to see if I remembered it correctly. If not, I'll repost what the charge range was.

 

[MilSpecOkie]

Is anybody running 8208 XBR or IMR 4133? Maybe RL16?

 

[BallisticPrimate]

If i was speccing a build from scratch I'd opt for a 7.5 or 7.7 twist

 

[Geno C.]

I’d just grab an 8 and run with it. Countless records have been set with 105s shot out of an 8

 

[earthquake]

I just got one of PVA's button rifled 8-twist barrels in 6BR at 24". It's silly accurate and a joy to shoot! Shot Dasher in cut rifled barrels the past 3 years and wanted to try 6BR. Went shorter b/c I'm gonna run suppressed next year in matches.

I've only got 52 rounds through it so far for break-in purposes, but I started at 29.4-gr Varget and they're moving 2,700-fps. Pushing 105 Amax for now. Once I feel it's broke-in, I'll load test with 105 hybrids.

 

[steve123]

I'll be doing a ladder test with a 26" 6mmBR 8 twist using the new Sierra 90gr TGK, that's after 100 rounds of barrel run in on steel. Might take 2-3 weeks to get that done but I'll get back on here and share results.

Anybody used R16 yet?

 

[Patty]

6BR - 26" Hawk Hill
29.3gr of H4895
105 Hybrid
2855fps SD of 2-3fps ES under 10

 

[D_TROS]

http://www.6mmbr.com/6mmbr.html


GL,
DT

 

[Patty]

http://www.6mmbr.com/6mmbr.html


GL,
DT

This issue with this source is 95% of folks are either running light bullets or 30" barrels. Neither of which are as popular here on the hide.

 

[D_TROS]

This issue with this source is 95% of folks are either running light bullets or 30" barrels. Neither of which are as popular here on the hide.

The recommended loads on the bottom are from a 28" barrel and go from 80's up to the 108 gr bullets...almost EXACTLY what most 6br shooters here use...

Point being, its a great starting point for a rook with a variety of bullets and powder. It gives an idea to work up to no matter what variety of powder and bullets you have. I would HIGHLY recommend no one give their actual load as everyone reloading should work up to their personal rifle. That being said I like seeing others loads so here are mine.

I have had great success with the following myself:

28" barrel

107 SMK (jump 0.015)
30 gr varget (also had good load at 30.2 of IMR 4166) is the go to load for a reason in almost every custom rifle. it plain works. I would start half gr under and don't be surprised if right at 30 (+/-.2) is your best load.

95 berger (jump 0.120) this bullet loves jumped or jam. Didn't want a jam load in PRS matches so chased a good jump load.
31.8 IMR 4166 (HOTTT load)

105 berger (jump 0.020)
30.8 VV N140 is just outstanding in accuracy department. My most accurate load to date... (on the hot side)

Just start low and work up.


Good Luck!
DT

 

[MilSpecOkie]

Curious as to why such long barrels, 28”-31”, are used with such a small capacity case as the 6BR? Those are as long or longer than most 6 Creedmoors with much greater capacity. It’s an honest question, I’m not trying to stir the pot.

 

[Colt1776]

I've got two nodes for 108gr ELDs, one at 2750fps with 30gr of Varget and one at 2850 with 31.1gr of Varget in virgin brass. That's out of a 28" Hawk Hill barrel.

How do you like the 108s?

 

[Colt1776]

I also shoot at long range, heavy bullet : 105gr. Lapua Scenar, Lapua brass, CCI BR 4 primer and 31 grains of Vihtavuori N150.
But, may be, the Norma brss could allowetter accuracy : it is more flexible than Lapua brass and my lats tests showed that I can get better groups with it .... veryting else beeing thevsame,bushing included).

How do you like running the Vihtavuori powder? How does it compare to Varget?

 

[Patty]

Curious as to why such long barrels, 28”-31”, are used with such a small capacity case as the 6BR? Those are as long or longer than most 6 Creedmoors with much greater capacity. It’s an honest question, I’m not trying to stir the pot.

It’s free velocity without the penalty of recoil. The disciplines that use BR the most, don’t involve running around.

 

[MilSpecOkie]

At a certain point the bullet would start slowing down I would think? Anyway, I was just curious. Thanks.

 

[Patty]

At a certain point the bullet would start slowing down I would think? Anyway, I was just curious. Thanks.

At a certain point, physics dictate that yes, it must, but an extra 4 or 5 inches isn’t anywhere near that point.

Think of .22lr, it’s proven that the powder is burnt up within the first 12” of barrel, yet people still shoot barrels up to 28” with no loss in velocity.

 

[Patty]

So at what barrel length does a 6br start to slow down?

I don’t know that that is an exeperiment anyone has actually taken on, someone smarter than me can probably use math to tell you that it’s beyond practical barrel lengths, which is likely the reason these centerfire calibers aren’t tested for speed in stupid long barrels.

We should not go off on a tangent here, this thread is meant to be a place where folks can find reloading information, I recommend starting a thread with your questions or searching a bit.

 

[Colt1776]

I don’t know that that is an exeperiment anyone has actually taken on, someone smarter than me can probably use math to tell you that it’s beyond practical barrel lengths, which is likely the reason these centerfire calibers aren’t tested for speed in stupid long barrels.

We should not go off on a tangent here, this thread is meant to be a place where folks can find reloading information, I recommend starting a thread with your questions or searching a bit.

It was just a curiosity question. I to am interested in load data so any bit helps

 

[MilSpecOkie]

Is anyone running IMR 4166 or 8208 XBR with 105-108 grain bullets?

 

[tennturk]

AI/MPA
Keystone cut 27” Krieger
1-7.5 twist
105gr JLK
30.9gr Varget
GM205M primer
0.035” jump
2870fps
SD 1 ES 3

 

[Shifty6BR]

30.5gr varget. 105 amax 2860 avg.
Cci 450. Ran just as well with rem 7.5 when the 450 were few and far
Sd and es in singles.
Slight jam.
.002 neck tension.
The most accurate rifle I ever owned. 28" 8tw Barty gave me over 3k of accurate rounds. Velocity dropped towards the end.
I made my own mag box ala Mike Bryant mod but there's mag kits now to accomadate feeding.
Enjoy!! 6br is an awesome little cartiridge and very easy to load for.

 

[steve123]

I'll be doing a ladder test with a 26" 6mmBR 8 twist using the new Sierra 90gr TGK, that's after 100 rounds of barrel run in on steel. Might take 2-3 weeks to get that done but I'll get back on here and share results.

Anybody used R16 yet?

Alrighty then, down my new barrel is 132 rounds. That includes the first ladder test which was done at 400Y on a calm morning.

Components were twice fired Lapua brass, Varget powder, CCI450 primers, Sierra 90 grain TGK. I went from 30.2 grains up to 32.4 grains in .2 grain increments. Near as I could tell there was a node centered at 30.5 and at 32.1 grains, both had nearly zero vertical !!! Because I have an old Oehler crono I can only test speeds off a bench but I do my ladder testing prone so I don't have any numbers to give during the ladder test. Later in the day I came back with the 32.1 grains load and chrono'd, I got a sizzling """3196 fps""" average with 15 fps ES for 3 shots, WOW. I wasn't expecting that much speed! LOL, uh, half the reason I went to 6BR was to get better barrel life so I'm going to try the 30.5 grain node next.

Turns out the throat in my barrel has a really long freebore, the 90 TGK's bottom of bearing surface of bullet is halfway up the neck to be .10" off the lands. That nets a bunch of extra powder capacity and why I think there were no bolt stickyness or flat primers even at 32.4 grains. My plan is always to load my ladders high in charge weight at the end and just stop when I hit pressure, then pull the rest when I get home, that didn't happen this time.

 

[steve123]

Alrighty then, down my new barrel is 132 rounds. That includes the first ladder test which was done at 400Y on a calm morning.

Components were twice fired Lapua brass, Varget powder, CCI450 primers, Sierra 90 grain TGK. I went from 30.2 grains up to 32.4 grains in .2 grain increments. Near as I could tell there was a node centered at 30.5 and at 32.1 grains, both had nearly zero vertical !!! Because I have an old Oehler crono I can only test speeds off a bench but I do my ladder testing prone so I don't have any numbers to give during the ladder test. Later in the day I came back with the 32.1 grains load and chrono'd, I got a sizzling """3196 fps""" average with 15 fps ES for 3 shots, WOW. I wasn't expecting that much speed! LOL, uh, half the reason I went to 6BR was to get better barrel life so I'm going to try the 30.5 grain node next.

Turns out the throat in my barrel has a really long freebore, the 90 TGK's bottom of bearing surface of bullet is halfway up the neck to be .10" off the lands. That nets a bunch of extra powder capacity and why I think there were no bolt stickyness or flat primers even at 32.4 grains. My plan is always to load my ladders high in charge weight at the end and just stop when I hit pressure, then pull the rest when I get home, that didn't happen this time.

The 30.5 grains load shot really good a few hours ago, better than the 32.1 grain load did yesterday, all at 100Y. Won't have the velocity until Friday but I got a .305" all touching, and a .48" group with the one I called out, this was in bad mirage, shooting prone/bipod in a cinder pit. I didn't shoot the rest of the seating depth I had ready because the target was flashing so bad from mirage that just decided to tap out.

 

[Miguel7527]

Anyone have a 6br 115 DTAC RBT load they would like to share? Please include barrel length and powder used and what velocity achieved thanks!

 

[steve123]

The 30.5 grains load shot really good a few hours ago, better than the 32.1 grain load did yesterday, all at 100Y. Won't have the velocity until Friday but I got a .305" all touching, and a .48" group with the one I called out, this was in bad mirage, shooting prone/bipod in a cinder pit. I didn't shoot the rest of the seating depth I had ready because the target was flashing so bad from mirage that just decided to tap out.

The 30.5 gr load/3045fps, does fantastic out to 800Y and wind drift wasn't much different than shooting my 6x47L. During a practice session I cleaned a TYL without missing at 340Y, the smallest was a estimated 1.5" circle. If I missed inside of 800Y it was on me.

By 933Y misses or hits weren't easy to make out, the spotter said he thought I hit the steel, the steel just wiggled a little. By 1195Y the poor 90 grainer was done petered out. Even using stepped BC's I couldn't get the dope to line up at that distance??, was hitting a mil lower than predicted.

The place I shoot most often goes out to 785Y so this is a great load for this location.

I'm going to order some 107SMK's to try next.

 

[Justin30hate]

Has anyone tried the 115 DTAC in their 6br?

 

[Macca]

Every ladder test i’ve done with Lapua 105’s,Berger 105’s & Sierra 107’s always comes up with the same accuracy node of 30 gr of varget.
Tests have been with a hardy cf 24” 1/8.

 

[steve123]

Every ladder test i’ve done with Lapua 105’s,Berger 105’s & Sierra 107’s always comes up with the same accuracy node of 30 gr of varget.
Tests have been with a hardy cf 24” 1/8.

Yep, via ladder testing the node I found a few days ago with 105 RDF was between 29.7 and 30.1, so 29.9 being right in the middle, those 3 shots within an inch at 300Y and no vertical with 29.7 to .9. Starting seating depth tests and will try 29.8 and to 30 grains while I'm at it.

By 30.7 I was getting a sticky bolt.

 

[Codiekfx400]

Steve123 have you ever tried the sierra 95 tmk in your Rifle?

 

[Gilly]

Has anyone tried the 115 DTAC in their 6br?

I did a load workup this summer with them. I tried Varget and RL16, knew it was a stretch with rl16 and ran out of capacity before I got speed up but dang it shot good! Varget I started at 30 and went to 31.6 velocity was 2710 to 2867. I found a pretty good node at 2835-2840 but never could tune the seating depth or load to get consistent accuracy. Ended up moving to the 105 much easier to get it to shoot, 1 3/8” group at 520 the other day tuning seating depth. If I had a little longer freebore I would switch powder and think the dtac would be an option but not with this current setup.

This is a 24” barrel on my AX that mile high spun up, its a bartlien 7.5 twist

 

[steve123]

Steve123 have you ever tried the sierra 95 tmk in your Rifle?

I haven't.

Those new 90gr TGK's have a .49 BC, and like I mentioned in my earlier post, they fall out of the sky bad past 800Y. With a .5 BC at a slower velocity the 95 TMK would do the same if I were to guess.

I'm revisiting 6mmBR and basically experimenting with it right now for the fun of it. If these RDF's aren't consistent, especially after sorting by bearing surface and weighing, I'll try another bullet. What drew me to the RDF is the .571 BC and hoping it'll do better at 1200Y.

If I'm still not happy after a while I think I'll have the barrel rechambered to 6mm BRA or Dasher.

 

[Gilly]

Steve123 have you ever tried the sierra 95 tmk in your Rifle?

I’m not Steve but I’ve run 500 of the Sierra 95 smk through mine. I assume it is very similar to TMK without the tip? Very forgiving bullet with awesome accuracy inside 600 for me at 2900. I could push them much harder but haven’t so far. I was using blc2 through powder drop on Dillon and could load 250 per hour or better so for a bulk or practice load I like it. I think it gives up too much after 750-800 for a competition load, at least out in my part of the world.

 

[Codiekfx400]

Check out the bc in fps category in the links below. https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/product.cfm/sn/7295/243-dia-6mm-95-gr https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/product.cfm/sn/4100/243-dia-6mm-90-gr-TGK What do you guys think of the bc being much lower on the 90 gamechanger once the velocity starts to drop?

 

[steve123]

Check out the bc in fps category in the links below. https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/product.cfm/sn/7295/243-dia-6mm-95-gr https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/product.cfm/sn/4100/243-dia-6mm-90-gr-TGK What do you guys think of the bc being much lower on the 90 gamechanger once the velocity starts to drop?

I'm glad you noticed these!

That is a big difference isn't it.

I just plugged those stepped BC's in for the 90 TGK and the drops line up now, whata yuh know, lol. Wish I had gone to those links right away.
I just used the .49 BC on the box and made up my own stepped BC's when out there shooting because my dope was so far off at 1195Y, never imagining the BC at that distance was so low being .32, or even the .4 BC between 1380 and 2700 fps!!! At least I could see exactly where I was missing in the dirt near that 1195Y steel.

At 933Y the misses weren't easy to detect due to the location of the steel and there was the windage aspect making it harder.

Hmm, those 95 TMK's would work better at the longer distances after all, in comparison between these two bullets.

 

[Justin30hate]

Th

I did a load workup this summer with them. I tried Varget and RL16, knew it was a stretch with rl16 and ran out of capacity before I got speed up but dang it shot good! Varget I started at 30 and went to 31.6 velocity was 2710 to 2867. I found a pretty good node at 2835-2840 but never could tune the seating depth or load to get consistent accuracy. Ended up moving to the 105 much easier to get it to shoot, 1 3/8” group at 520 the other day tuning seating depth. If I had a little longer freebore I would switch powder and think the dtac would be an option but not with this current setup.

This is a 24” barrel on my AX that mile high spun up, its a bartlien 7.5 twist

Thanks for the info! I’m still fighting back and forth between what bullet i want to try. The 115 is really attractive to me so i think I’ll give it a try and see if i have any luck!

 

[steve123]

I haven't.

Those new 90gr TGK's have a .49 BC, and like I mentioned in my earlier post, they fall out of the sky bad past 800Y. With a .5 BC at a slower velocity the 95 TMK would do the same if I were to guess.

I'm revisiting 6mmBR and basically experimenting with it right now for the fun of it. If these RDF's aren't consistent, especially after sorting by bearing surface and weighing, I'll try another bullet. What drew me to the RDF is the .571 BC and hoping it'll do better at 1200Y.

If I'm still not happy after a while I think I'll have the barrel rechambered to 6mm BRA or Dasher.

The RDF's had bad flyers at distance!!??, I shot at 981 and 1122Y, the largest flyers I've ever had!, like 4' at 1122Y. The crazy thing was when I finalized the load at 200Y, 6 groups of 3 rounds, only one group was over 1" and it was at 1.6". Two were 3/4". Also when using up the rest of that load it was easy to hit small steel inside 300Y??!! I decided to abandon the RDF.

I have a ladder test ready for 105 hybrids.

 

[Codiekfx400]

Shot my Br for the first time today. It is a x-caliber savage prefit 1-8 twist 6 groove 26” barrel. Lapua Brass 450cci primer 29.5 grains of imr 8208 xbr and a sierra 95 tmk. Velocity recorded on a cheap Caldwell chronograph at 2990 fps. Shots 20 through 30 down the barrel averaged 3/4 inches at 100 yards. About what I expected for a 10 shot group. Once I get another 70 or so rounds down the pipe I will start load development.

 

[hookedonbrass]

Shot my Br for the first time today. It is a x-caliber savage prefit 1-8 twist 6 groove 26” barrel. Lapua Brass 450cci primer 29.5 grains of imr 8208 xbr and a sierra 95 tmk. Velocity recorded on a cheap Caldwell chronograph at 2990 fps. Shots 20 through 30 down the barrel averaged 3/4 inches at 100 yards. About what I expected for a 10 shot group. Once I get another 70 or so rounds down the pipe I will start load development.

Encouraging to read. Just got my x caliber pre fit this week, 1:7 twist.

waiting for brass dies and bullets to arrive and I’ll report back with a load she likes

 

[steve123]

The RDF's had bad flyers at distance!!??, I shot at 981 and 1122Y, the largest flyers I've ever had!, like 4' at 1122Y. The crazy thing was when I finalized the load at 200Y, 6 groups of 3 rounds, only one group was over 1" and it was at 1.6". Two were 3/4". Also when using up the rest of that load it was easy to hit small steel inside 300Y??!! I decided to abandon the RDF.

I have a ladder test ready for 105 hybrids.

Ladder test completed using the hybrids.

There seems to be wide node from 30.2 to 30.6 of Varget, less than .2" vertical at 400Y which was the distance I shot the ladder test!
35 rounds loaded up at 30.4 to try today so this afternoon i'll report back.

 

[bribri]

I just did this yesterday. Conditions were 20 degrees, and had an 8 to 12 mph wind at my 5 o'clock. Rifle specs are 24" carbon fiber proof research barrel 8 twist. 105 hybrids, Varget, wolf primers. It looks like 31.0 to 31.4 grains is what it likes. Target was shot at 600 yards.

 

[steve123]

Ladder test completed using the hybrids.

There seems to be wide node from 30.2 to 30.6 of Varget, less than .2" vertical at 400Y which was the distance I shot the ladder test!
35 rounds loaded up at 30.4 to try today so this afternoon so i'll report back.

Success finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 30.4 grains gave a velocity of 2915 fps ave which is pretty fast for a standard 6mmBR in a 26"! 10 fps ES. I lucked out with seating depth and I don't think I'll mess with it - .005 off the lands.

100Y, .3" to check zero in 3 shots.
1" vertical at 500Y, one splat about 2" wide.
792Y, 3" vertical for 10 shots, most right around 2".
A black cinder hill at 1182Y, I had 6 rounds remaining, 5-6" vertical, maybe less because I was hitting .1 mil high and had to compensate after a few shots, and hit the 4" sized rock I was aiming at on the 3rd shot.

I'm still absolutely astounded how much those RDF's suck! So bad in fact I thought my scope might be broke or something had come loose. They didn't even feed well in my rifle.

The 90 TGK's don't do bad at all inside 800Y, actually they could be a great varmint bullet, I might do more testing at the 3196 fps velocity with seating depth.

It's surprising that the hybrids do feed decent, just a little tweaking and I think I'll be GTG.

Now to send some brass off to Harrels for the correct size die.

Relieved