Benchmark or Varget in my 6mm PPC?

[GJgo]

Hey guys,

I've worked up a really, really sweet load with my Sako 6mmPPC using Berger 80gr bullets and 26gr. Benchmark. I've been shooting consistent .240"-.270" groups at around 2900 FPS. I can do 10 shot strings with no significant barrel warming that would lead to stringing. Everything was perfect until..

Tonight, for the heck of it, I decided to try some loads using everything else the same but changing to Varget. As I went up in charge weight, the groups got tighter.. At 28 grains, which was the hottest I loaded for the shoot, I laid down a .220" group! I did not have my chronograph tonight, however I could tell that there was quite a bit more recoil than with my Benchmark load and the barrel heated up quite a bit more with each shot, indicating more speed. (At no point did I get any pressure sign.) So, I need to back it up with some more testing, but the load looks very promising. Plus, I know my rifle, and it is as consistent as the B.S. from a politician's lips.

So, here's my dilemma. Great groups at a slightly slower speed where I can shoot longer strings between cooling down, or even better groups that are hotter? the benefit of the former I can see, however the benefit of the latter would be quite a bit (potentially) less drop and drift at longer ranges. What would you guys do if it were your rifle?

 

[JerrySharrett]

I assume you are a varmint hunter or plinker. Varmint hunting, a hot miss is not as good as a slow hit.

Varget is way too slow for the 6PPC.

From QuickLOAD, 100% load density 80g Berger.

Varget-27.1g gives 2834 fps at 42,500psi
Benchmark 27.6 g gives 3050 fps at 56,000psi.

In your action 56,000 might be a bit hot.

Nolo contesto IMO.

 

[abintx]

Jerry ...

What does QuickLOAD say about "fps and psi" for the 6mmBeggs using 24.5 grains of H4198 and a 68 grain Bruno 00 BT ??? Thanks, Art

 

[GJgo]

Thanks Jerry,

This is my target rifle, actually. I love it too much to take it out in the fields shooting vermin.

I don't have a way to measure pressure other than watching my brass and listening to how the shot sounds. I have shot handloads that crept up over the edge, and I knew it from sound even before I took the brass out of the chamber. I have a feeling that the Varget load is getting warm, but it is still OK. The Benchmark load is cool in my rifle.

It's a Sako 75 by the way, with the .269 throat.

I've loaded up some more to back up over the chronograph tonight, so we'll see what the Varget is really doing. All the prediction software is great, but the results (attached pic) speak for themselves..

 

[caroby]

4895

JG..........

Because your shooting a factory action Don't try to push the loads that you hear on this site..... May very well get a face full of HOT gas.

I say stick with Benchmark on the fast side and think REAL hard about H/IMR 4895....... Should shoot! and presure should be safe.

be safe,
cale

 

[JerrySharrett]

What does QuickLOAD say about "fps and psi" for the 6mmBeggs using 24.5 grains of H4198 and a 68 grain Bruno 00 BT ??? Thanks, Art

33,700psi and 2632fps and an OAL of 2.16" in a 21" barrel. I don't have data on the Bruno OO so I used the 68 Bart Ultra. This is 98% load density at that seating depth. So, H4895 is much too slow IMO. Gene may use 4198 in this cartridge but I may be wrong there.

REMEMBER. this is all theoretical.

 

[GJgo]

I actually haven't tried the loads on this site, I've been working from scratch with the low loads in the books. Thanks though.

I should have some data later tonight with these loads over a chrony. That should give a more complete picture.

 

[GJgo]

Well, I decided to stick with the 26g Benchmark load for my rifle. I shot the best 3 shot group of my life wth it tonight, further backing up the consistency of the load that I've seen in the past. It's the top right target in the attached pic- all targets in the photo were 3 shot groups. Honestly it's so small it's hard to measure- best I can get on it with my calipers puts the group in the .005-.010" range.

When I went to back up he Varget loads, the backup just didn't happen. Over the chrony they were in the 2950-3000 fps range. In the big picture I don't think the extra ~100 fps is worth it with the consistency I'm getting with the Benchmark load.