6mm Dasher

[Natestreo]

I’m using a .266 bushing with a Wilson .242 expander die and have been getting great results. Couldn’t tell ya what my neck tension is … but my SD’s are sub 5, rifle shoots fantastic.

Gonna measure tomorrow because I’m curious now …

 

[southernpew]

It rained all day during the match. So, what a welcome to the sport.

But I placed 4th out of 22 rookies. Not terrible I guess considering I had less than 100 rounds through it and my Rise trigger broke in stage 3. So I shot that stage with someone else’s rifle and my ammo

 

[NELAshooter]

It rained all day during the match. So, what a welcome to the sport.

But I placed 4th out of 22 rookies. Not terrible I guess considering I had less than 100 rounds through it and my Rise trigger broke in stage 3. So I shot that stage with someone else’s rifle and my ammo

 

[NELAshooter]

I was going to shoot that match until I saw the weather forecast. I’m glad you guys got to enjoy the experience. I’ll see yall at the next one, I guess. Good shooting!

 

[steve101610]

Finally found some time to mess with my 20” 7.5 twist benchmark barrel today. Settled on 32.7grs of varget with 105 hybrids. 2860 fps and single digit ES on 10 shot strings.

 

[southernpew]

Changed my seating depth some since my first match. Same charge weight and bullet. First time printing a group at 300 yards. This 6mm stuff is so much fun, I have never bought so many different projectiles to test with. Shot some 103, 105, and 107s Sunday at 100 as well. All shoot extremely well. Plan on taking a doe with a 103eldx this season

 

[TwistedOneinSeven]

Yes, I'm sure it's in this thread somewhere guys...

If I want to resize and then seat, without using mandrel in my process;
What bushing would you use for Alpha Dasher OCD brass?

I use a 266bushing/2415mandrel/105Hybrids at 31.4(2208/Varget) now but want to try dropping the mandrel process.
Was thinking 267 and seat?

Input appreciated

 

[padom]

Yes, I'm sure it's in this thread somewhere guys...

If I want to resize and then seat, without using mandrel in my process;
What bushing would you use for Alpha Dasher OCD brass?

I use a 266bushing/2415mandrel/105Hybrids at 31.4(2208/Varget) now but want to try dropping the mandrel process.
Was thinking 267 and seat?

Input appreciated

If i was dropping the mandrel I'd be going bsck to a FL sizing die... unless you're turning necks for consistent wall thickness, i dont like solely using a bushing

 

[tdogg]

Yes, I'm sure it's in this thread somewhere guys...

If I want to resize and then seat, without using mandrel in my process;
What bushing would you use for Alpha Dasher OCD brass?

I use a 266bushing/2415mandrel/105Hybrids at 31.4(2208/Varget) now but want to try dropping the mandrel process.
Was thinking 267 and seat?

Input appreciated

Not apples to apples but with my SAC 265 bushing and Norma brass my neck ID is 0.239. I upped it recently to the 266 bushing (0.240 neck ID) and have yet to shoot those to test out.

I did test out a 0.241 mandrel expansion compared to my 265 SAC bushing only and I had better SD and accuracy without using the mandrel. Two 5 shot groups, so the data is limited.
With mandrel: 5.6 and 8.7 SD
Without mandrel: 4.1 and 3.0 SD

I'd guess you are on track with the bushing size and eliminating the mandrel. I assume you aren't near the max with a 31.4 charge but the pressure/velocity may jump up a bit depending on the shift is neck ID/tension. You may need to retune/test.

Cheers,
Toby

 

[slodsm]

Jesus this thing is easy to load for. Norma brass, cci SRP, Berger 105’s, 1.762 BTO (.040 jump), and proof 26” barrel.

Loaded 7 different loads in .2 increments from 31.0 to 32.2.

Every group was very sub MOA, had 1 SD in the double digits, everything else was 5-8 SD’s. This was 32.2gr but I’ll most likely back off to 31.2 as it was 11/6 and shot fantastically. Velocity was 2817 with that load and will just make the barrel live longer.

Definitely happy I decided to give this round a try.

 

[XP1K]

Is anybody using Peterson 6br norma brass in a dasher ?

Im in the process of gathering components for a new build and I was thinking g about picking up some Peterson brass from grafs since I'm already getting some other stuff there.

 

[max1840]

Peterson also makes 6mm Dasher brass for the same price as BR

 

[XP1K]

Peterson also makes 6mm Dasher brass for the same price as BR

News to me. Thanks.

 

[Jingoist]

More than happy with my Alpha (and Lapua Dasher brass should be dropping by late Fall/November '25), so you have options.

 

[KyleR1985]

Graf&sons has seconds Petersons dasher brass. Up until about a week ago they did not advertise that it was petersons.

I wrote petersons and this is the reply I got. I’ve been quite happy with the brass at a 25% discount.

 

[KyleR1985]

Just got back from shooting these 95 TMK's with 32.5gr Varget.. They shoot really well as I expected from past experience.

I loaded 50rd up with freshly annealed and sized 2x Alpha brass. Loaded them to 0.015" off the lands

28" PVA Osprey 1-7
6 Dasher 0.110FB
TL3

95TMK
2xAlpha brass
CCI 450
0.015" off lands
32.5gr Varget

3107 SD 7.7

I scrubbed the barrel clean with Thoroclean at the 100rd mark this morning before taking it out..

Those 2 groups on the 3rd line up from the bottom on the below target were the first 2 groups down the clean cold barrel.

Then I went back and start working left to right bottom row, changing tuner settings and working up row by row.

I found a promising tuner setting on the top row middle 2 groups measured in the 0.1's... Nothing formal or scientific about todays outing, just shooting 2 groups and turning the tuner 5 lines then shooting 2 more groups..

Ill now do a mini load workup and seating depth test with this tuner setting and see if I cant dial this into one hole groups... This is about 100fps faster than my 95TMK hottest 6BR Varget load... I didnt have any pressure signs today.

Mind sharing the OAL of the 95tmk/dasher here?

 

[XP1K]

What's a realistic expectation for velocity with 90-108gr bullets from a 22" dasher ? I've seen 2900's posted with 95's, and I know a guy personally that is getting 2700 with a 21" barrel and 108's.

I'm pressuring out really low in the charge range. 32gr of varget under 85 sgk and 90 tgk. And 32gr of staball match under a 95 berger hunting vld. I've got ejector marks on everything. And somewhat stuff bolt lift.

 

[BoilerUP]

What's a realistic expectation for velocity with 90-108gr bullets from a 22" dasher ? I've seen 2900's posted with 95's, and I know a guy personally that is getting 2700 with a 21" barrel and 108's.

I'm pressuring out really low in the charge range. 32gr of varget under 85 sgk and 90 tgk. And 32gr of staball match under a 95 berger hunting vld. I've got ejector marks on everything. And somewhat stuff bolt lift.

My 20" Dasher runs 108 EHs a fuzz over 2800fps with 32.4gr Varget, so I'd surmise 2800-2850 with 105-108 class bullets.

 

[XP1K]

My 20" Dasher runs 108 EHs a fuzz over 2800fps with 32.4gr Varget, so I'd surmise 2800-2850 with 105-108 class bullets.

That's what I thought. 32gr of varget is pretty standard. I can't even get 2500 with a 108 without heavy bolt lift.

 

[BoilerUP]

That's what I thought. 32gr of varget is pretty standard. I can't even get 2500 with a 108 without heavy bolt lift.

Are you running a significant jam?

 

[XP1K]

Are you running a significant jam?

No, I guess I should have mentioned that. I ordered an off the shelf reamer from Manson that has .140" freebore. .2735" neck. Loaded rounds measure .268" With the 90gr tgk it will barely stick in the case to touch the lands. The 95 berger is almost the same way. I seated them down to the neck shoulder junction. So a fair amount of jump.

With the 108 eld-m I seated them .020" off.

Using virgin Peterson 6dasher brass and cci 450's.

Talking to someone else, they said it may just be a tight bore. I need to get in touch with the manufacturer and see what the specs are. It wasn't printed on the barrel. It's an outlier 7 twist.

 

[TylerN]

I might also recommend trying a lighter load for a first firing with Petterson. I haven't shot any before but each 6 Dasher Petterson case I've seen looked like it may need a fair amount of firing forming. The neck-body junction is extremely round and maybe the shoulder needs to push out some. I'm not sure if this is the case here but it might be a contributing factor.

Also I've heard Petterson case capacity is significantly lower than alpha which is lower than Lapua which is likely the leading factor. Your best bet for eeking out more capacity and speed is from fire formed Lapua brass.

 

[XP1K]

I might also recommend trying a lighter load for a first firing with Petterson. I haven't shot any before but each 6 Dasher Petterson case I've seen looked like it may need a fair amount of firing forming. The neck-body junction is extremely round and maybe the shoulder needs to push out some. I'm not sure if this is the case here but it might be a contributing factor.

Also I've heard Petterson case capacity is significantly lower than alpha which is lower than Lapua which is likely the leading factor. Your best bet for eeking out more capacity and speed is from fire formed Lapua brass.

I'll keep that in mind.

The other barrel I chamberd for a friend I finished at 21" shot these two groups after getting a rough zero when I put it back together.

Used proof, previously a 6gt with 2900 down the pipe.

33.5gr of h4350, virgin Peterson 6 dasher, cci450, 105 berger vld. No clue where he seated them. He brought the ammo. Pretty mild, ran right at 2700 and didn't really form the cases completely.


Five shots.

Ten shots.

 

[Snarf]

I am getting back into loading for the dasher after 10 years out of the dasher game.

Anyone have some pointers on where they are sourcing 105 hybrids from for cheapest today?

Same for where you are getting Lapua / Alpha brass, and CCI 450 primers cheapest these days?

I am also looking to upgrade my scale and my powder throwing. Was using an RCBS charge master for years and years. Aside from the AutoTrickler + A&D FX-120i combo, anything folks recommend as a definitive step up?

 

[steve101610]

Anyone mess around the 80 eldvt and varget?

 

[GeoDude]

I am getting back into loading for the dasher after 10 years out of the dasher game.

Anyone have some pointers on where they are sourcing 105 hybrids from for cheapest today?

Same for where you are getting Lapua / Alpha brass, and CCI 450 primers cheapest these days?

I am also looking to upgrade my scale and my powder throwing. Was using an RCBS charge master for years and years. Aside from the AutoTrickler + A&D FX-120i combo, anything folks recommend as a definitive step up?

There’s an in stock thread in here. You can always just google and find the best price. Printed precision seems to be in good position to release a powder charger with a&d.

 

[sheepdog697]

Do these velocities seem about on par for my build and components? Very happy with accuracy.

26" krieger
105 berger hybrids
Varget
Cci 450s

 

[Sheldon N]

Do these velocities seem about on par for my build and components? Very happy with accuracy.

Seems a touch slow, is the barrel fully broken in?

31 to 31.2 grains Varget usually gets me about 2830-2850 with a 26" barrel.

 

[Jingoist]

Seems a touch slow, is the barrel fully broken in?

31 to 31.2 grains Varget usually gets me about 2830-2850 with a 26" barrel.

Good call. Same components @ 31.0gr of Varget yields 2865 out a 28" Bartlein for me.

 

[TylerN]

Seems a touch slow, is the barrel fully broken in?

31 to 31.2 grains Varget usually gets me about 2830-2850 with a 26" barrel.

Agree, that was my same question.

I broke in a 26" Krieger last weekend;
Lapua 2x fired brass
Varget
105gr Hybrid
CCI450

these were shots 101 - 150:

31.3gr: SD 6.1; 2873
31.4: 2.9; 2874
31.5: 7.7; 2884
31.6: 5.6; 2894
31.7: 6.7; 2901
31.8: 7.3; 2907
31.9: 4.6; 2911
32.0: 4.1; 2921
32.1: 6.9; 2930
32.2: 6.6; 2949

And those results are typical; I don't think there's anything fast or slow about this barrel. Last month I broke in a Bartlien with the same components except the same Lapua brass had only been fireformed and hadn't had a full power load through it it yet. That barrel had the same speeds less 15 - 20 FPS slower.

I don't start charge weight testing until I've run 100 medium-pressure rounds through a barrel to get it up to speed.

 

[45-90]

I haven't done barrel break in for 25 yrs.
But if it works for you keep doing it.
I taper polish the bore and go shooting...
Clean the barrel when I'm done.

I prefer 5 R cut rifle barrels ... my 6 Dasher is 28".
I use Alpha brass and Remington 7 1/2 primers.
I run the 105 to 108s around 2975 to 2990 fps for general target loads with Varget or RL 15 up to 3020 fps.
Ran 13 5 shot groups that averaged .313" with 2 powders and 4 different bullets.
Around .0015 to .002" neck tension, and mandrel all new Alpha brass with Wilson neck manderl, load, and shoot.

Many want to stay in the 2800 fps area for their 600 yds or less target shooting.
I found good accuracy in this velocity with 115 gr and H4895.

Want 3100 fps with varget and 107 gr SMK?
Varget and hybrid cases being fireformed average around 3070 fps....but it was accurate here.
The 6 Dasher is very versatile 58 gr Vmax to 4100 fps to 115 DTACs to 3040 fps, for
Maximum effort loads, to target loads with 105 to 115 grs in 2800 to 3000 fps area.
Your choice on what's appropriate for your needs...I use both target and maximum effort loads.

 

[sheepdog697]

Seems a touch slow, is the barrel fully broken in?

31 to 31.2 grains Varget usually gets me about 2830-2850 with a 26" barrel.

Shes got about 100-150 rounds on her.

 

[Sheldon N]

Shes got about 100-150 rounds on her.

Should be mostly broken in then. Also possible your lot of Varget is on the slow side or has a bit more humidity. Based on your test targets I'd just rock 31.6 gr at about 2800 fps, watch to see if it speeds up which might put it in the 31.9 velocity range. If you ever change lots of Varget recheck your speeds.