6mmBR Load Development

[Quinny]

Just wondering what loads you guys are running in your 6mmBR with 2208 and 105gn projectiles...

I have just purchased a Savage 12 F-Class in 6BR to get back into F-Class shooting, I have some 105gn Berger Hybrids and a heap of 2208.

According to the ADI manual, they recommend a max load at 29gn, but I see that many people run 30-31gn of 2208/Varget in theirs. The 6BR has been around for a while now, but it is new for me, I have always shot 308 (and a brief affair with a 6.5x47), I was wondering if there is anything I need to look out for or any tricks that I can use to extract maximum accuracy.


Note: I am not new to reloading, so I am aware of the dangers of running high pressures, and I was planning on starting around 28gn, and working up from there, just interested to see what loads other people have had success with

[pjifl]

At one time I ran a 6BR for a while. Delightful little cartridge.

One thing I found was that to run bigger charges, there was advantage in using tougher primers.
The CCI small rifle Benchrest primers used with either the 223 or 6BR solved any problem of pierced primers.

From memory I ended up with about 30.5 grains of 2208 powder but at times did shoot over 32 grains with shorter case life. Depends on powder batch.

As an aside, I believe a well developed larger cartridge can be just as accurate, even a man sized cartridge, but the low recoil of the 6BR makes it a lot more forgiving re technique and rifle.

But it is still a lovely little cartridge that can still push others aside.

Peter Smith

[Barossa_222]

I have just started some work with a 6BR. My starting load was 28.5gr of 2208 with a 105gr Berger Hybrid at 10 thou jump. Haven't ladder tested or group tested yet, but it's holding 6 ring at 300 and 400 yards. Considering I only bought it to shoot foxes, 6 ring at 400 yards is good enough for me!

[fclass556]

G'day Quinny,

Ive been running 6BR for a while now and find it really is the most forgiving calibre that can seriously hold its own. 30.5 to 31.0 grains of 2208, CCI BR4 primers, and alternate between Berger 105 and JLK 105 VLD's seated 10 thou into the lands gives me just under 2900 fps. Shoots like stink. I have loaded hotter but found no real advantage and just wore the barrel and cases out quicker. At the shorts they can be unbeatable and with wind reading skill just as competitive at the longs. After injury and serious health issues, I also found the recoil ( or lack of ) very comfortable which for me was conducive to a relaxed shooting style which gave me better scores. Good luck matey. Andy

[pjifl]

Yes, I know a few people using the 6BR because of a health issue and it is really worth mentioning to appropriate people for this reason.
And its other virtue is quite a long barrel life even with fairly hot loads.

Peter Smith.

[Quinny]

Health considerations or recoil reduction was not a major factor in my decision to go for the 6BR. The gun weighs around 15-16lbs so the recoil will be further reduced by the weight.

The 6BR has been considered a very accurate cartridge for quite some time, and it extensively used in benchrest competition. The accuracy and longer barrel life was definitely a big factor. I didn't want some weird wildcat that only gets 800 rounds before the barrel is stuffed.

[AlanF]

Quinny,

We have a Savage 12F in 6BR at Rosedale for new shooters. Everyone who uses it wants to buy it! Its done over 3000 rounds and still shoots as good as new if you clean it about every 150 rounds! I load 30.2 of 2208 behind 105 A-Maxes for it.

The only thing I don't like is that silly red Accu-Trigger. It over-sears if you try to reduce the trigger weight to anything like decent. There is an aftermarket trigger used in them (Rifle Basix SAV-RAT) which I've heard good reports about. Approx $US90 from Sinclair.

Alan

[Brad Y]

On the right path starting at 28gr. Work up in 0.2gr increments looking for something that shoots same vertical POI across a couple of charges. Then tune your group shape with seating depth.

On the hybrids there has been batches of really fat ones and some more conventional diameter. I had great success jumping the fat ones 50 thou in a dasher- shot a 60.9 with them, but the newer ones are smaller in diameter and Im about ready to chuck them in the bin. Tried a few powders now but they just dont shoot as tight as the others used to- jammed or jumped.

[Chris S]

G'day Quinny,

I also have a Savage F-class in 6BR. Shoots great, consistantly sub 1/2 MOA.
Took it out the box and shot it as it, no problems at all, almost 2000 rounds through it.
Currently use moly'ed Sierra 107 gn Match Kings jammed 0.015", CCI BR4 primers
and 31.5 gn AR 2208. 2 seasons on same (200) cases,FL Sized every reload, primer pockets still tight.
Savage also shot well with Hornady A-Maxes.


cheers,
Chris

[DenisA]

Quinny, my first barrel which was a factory Savage barrel liked 30.4gn ar2208, 105 VLD's, CCI450's (small rifle magnum primers) and .005" in to the lands. Approx 2850 fps.

My current barrel likes 30.5gn ar2208, 105 VLD's, CCI450's and .015" in to the lands. Approx 2900 fps.

From discussions I've had with a lot of 6BR shooters using 105's in an 8T and things I've read, I've found that 30.2gn - 30.5gn of ar2208 and .015" jam is a pretty common load, 30.5gn being the most common.

.......... all barrels are different, all precautions apply in development, but thats my experience.

[Norm]

Your Savage F-Class rifle should be ok with 30+ grain loads but you need to be careful with some chambers that have shorter throat lengths as this eats into your powder capacity and raises pressure quite a bit with such loads.
I had to have the throat of my Pac-Nor lengthened before I could safely use such loads with 105gn bullets.