Page 1 of 2

6BR loading tips

Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2019 12:59 pm
by Merlin
Not sure if I have seen the light or gone to the dark side but... Ordered a 6BR for a try.... Not a Dasher of a BRA... Straight 6BR

I know there a 46 other calibers that are sweeter, neater and better in all regards but please humor me with just my desires to go with a 6BR.....

I have heard and read from numerous sources that the 6BR is a very easy gun to load for. So, My thoughts about reloading for the gun are to (at least) start out with a very basic set of dies with least amount of work I can do to reload my ammunition. No neck turning or weighting brass or steps that are pretty much standard for a benchrest or F Class shooter - just basic loading with good brass and decent bullets.

My thoughts at this time are (not set in stone) to use Sierra 107s and Lapuas brass and probably RL17 or H4895.

So if anyone has any advise on what dies and/or other equipment that is really actually needed to get what I want done I would appreciate hearing your thoughts......

Re: 6BR loading tips

Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2019 3:22 pm
by xpilot
30.0 gr of Varget, CCI 450, Sierra 107 or 95 HPBT and you are good to go. You're going to like it.

Re: 6BR loading tips

Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2019 5:07 pm
by Merlin
I will scratch RL17 from my list of possibles. Thanks xpilot...

Re: 6BR loading tips

Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2019 6:01 pm
by cslcAl
Merlin,

I’ll second the Varget and CCI 450’s. What twist is your barrel?
Sierra 110gr MatchKings work well for the Rams.

Al Foust

Re: 6BR loading tips

Posted: Mon Oct 14, 2019 6:08 pm
by Merlin
Shilen 8 twist Ratchet for one rifle and whatever Mr. Pharr decides to put on the current gun. Not sure but I think it will also be an 8 twist in Mark's favorite barrel brand.

After all the chest beating and posturing I have done about how wonderful my 7-08 is I am dumping it after Zwolle. :mrgreen:

Re: 6BR loading tips

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 9:59 am
by Evelio Mc Donald
Merlin,
I also second the load listed by X-PILOT Varget powder is about the best for the 6BR and CCI 450 primers are also recommended
Evelio.

Re: 6BR loading tips

Posted: Tue Oct 15, 2019 12:52 pm
by Merlin
Evelio Mc Donald wrote: Tue Oct 15, 2019 9:59 am Merlin,
I also second the load listed by X-PILOT Varget powder is about the best for the 6BR and CCI 450 primers are also recommended
Evelio.
Thanks Evelio
As soon as I get the Shilen in you will be receiving a package of parts in the mail to play with... LOL. I am already getting anxious.. :D

Re: 6BR loading tips

Posted: Sat Oct 19, 2019 2:27 pm
by TheBugFather
And here I was about to sell my Rem XR-100 single shot barreled action with a Shilen stainless (I think #4 with 1-8 twist) 26" barrel, 2 lbs Jewel trigger with safety... to you :roll:

Anyways, good luck, I'm sure you will have fun.

I also liked the 115 DTAC bullets over Varget or VV140 or IMR 8208 for Rams, and the CCI 450's, Lapua Brass.

107's for everything else.

Hello Darkness, My Old Friend...

Dennis

Re: 6BR loading tips

Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2019 10:01 am
by Merlin
Thanks Dennis - The other powders are looking like a necessity as I can't find Varget or H4895 anywhere....

I thought about trying some of the Shooters World powders but I have yet to hear/see anything specific about how they work for the 6BR.

Re: 6BR loading tips

Posted: Sun Oct 20, 2019 1:33 pm
by TheBugFather
IMR 4166 is very very close to Varget, probably made in the same factory.

And has the same temperature insensitivity as Varget.

Dennis

Re: 6BR loading tips

Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2019 8:18 am
by ywltzucanrknrl
Back when Varget was hard to find---guess it is now also---I used both H4895 and Rl15. My results (groups, SD, ES) were nearly the same as Varget.

Re: 6BR loading tips

Posted: Wed Oct 23, 2019 1:33 pm
by Merlin
Asking around and it appears that Varget should be showing up on shelves again soon. I use IMR 4895 with a couple of other rifles but I bought a little H4895 and some RL15 and will also try a ladder with these to see how they do.

I am hearing that you can get some pretty good loads with any number of powders with the 6BR and as I am shooting silhouette rather than benchrest I think I will be pretty easy to please.

Thanks for the info so far......

Re: 6BR loading tips

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:15 am
by MTelkhunter
Since Powders are getting very hard to find, I am curious of what other folks are using instead of Varget? I have a few pounds of RL-15 and would like to know loads for a 105 and 115 grain Nosler that are working. Thanks and hope you have enough powder for the next year or so....

Re: 6BR loading tips

Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2021 11:34 am
by Emietenkorte
MTelkhunter wrote: Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:15 am Since Powders are getting very hard to find, I am curious of what other folks are using instead of Varget? I have a few pounds of RL-15 and would like to know loads for a 105 and 115 grain Nosler that are working. Thanks and hope you have enough powder for the next year or so....
I use 29 grains of Vihtavuori N140 powder with Berger 6mm 95 Grain VLD Target bullets for the chickens, pigs and turkeys, and 30 grains of N140 with Berger 115 Grain VLD Target bullets for the Rams.

Re: 6BR loading tips

Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2021 6:51 am
by MTelkhunter
Thanks Erich. I do have a few pounds of VV 140 so will do a little experimenting.