Which cal. to buy 6mm ppc or 30br?

O

outdoorjunkie

Guest
I am getting into the sport of benchrest shooting. My father 72 years young has been in it for awhile (but just locally) and he shoots a 6mm ppc. I have been looking at alot of the scores and I see alot of 30 br's being shot. I was going to be shooting 100, 200, 300 yard matches. I am hoping to find a good used rifle for around 1500.00 to 2000.00. Is this possible or will most used rifles be shot out. Will I be buying someone elses troubles if I buy a used gun? Any suggestions on barrels, actions,etc?

My fathers gun has a Stolle action,jewell trigger not sure what kind of barrel. It will shoot all x's at 100 and at 200 it will pretty much shoot 10's at 200 with the occasional flyer. Which makes me wonder would his load work in another 6mm ppc and take alot of guess work out for me if I bought a 6mm ppc instead of a 30 BR.

Thanks for the help
James
 
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In a word, no......That being said, a 6PPC will have more across the disciplines application than a 30BR or 30PPC. But what works in your dad's 6PPC is only a guideline for another PPC that you would buy or build. These things are not "plug and play".

A Panda or BAT or Farley or Hall action to start with. A universal boltface and extractor would be nice. That way you could go both BR and PPC just by changing barrels. In a used rifle, plan on the barrel being long in the tooth. Get a year of learning out of it and have a new one ready for the next season. Jewwll is the BR standard for triggers, but Hart and Shilen and Kelbly are all making good 2 oz triggers. Hart, Krieger, Shilen, Rock are all making good barrels. That covers the basics, the rest is see what is out there available.

IMHO, David
 
Thanks as far as scopes dad has a weaver T36x on his. Is that a good starter scope? Or is that ok to keep on when I get a new rifle in a year.
 
outdoorjunkie said:
Thanks as far as scopes dad has a weaver T36x on his. Is that a good starter scope? Or is that ok to keep on when I get a new rifle in a year.
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Weaver T-36 is a fine scope and used by many top shooters. As to your original question PPC or 30BR is pretty much completely dependent on if you are planning to shoot group (PPC) or Score (30) . Many fine rifles can be had for $1500-$2000 but your best bet is to assume the barrel is toast and pay accordingly, then if barrel actually is any good you are ahead of the game.
 
Junkie,
While I will agree with David and Dick that the 6PPC is king for groups, do not discount the 30BR. Each caliber has it's own uniqueness. For me, the 30BR is better (hear me out.... I am not trying to start anything here). The main reason is that the tune is much easier to find and keep. I do not load at the range. I preload all my ammo. I have stuck with the same load since day 1. This may not be the way others are/have been doing it, but it has worked for me and several others I know. While the 30br has a much bigger footprint (great for score shooting) it can/has shot some great groups for me (thank you David for making the best wind flag I have ever used). Here are 2 of my groups I shot just this weekend in my club shoot down here in Texas. Oh... and I use a Weaver 36 as my scope. I love it!!!!!

23401758.png
 
outdoorjunkie said:
Thanks as far as scopes dad has a weaver T36x on his. Is that a good starter scope? Or is that ok to keep on when I get a new rifle in a year.
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Yes, the Weaver 36x is excellent... Solid optics, matter of fact.... I believe they are better than they ever have been in the past.... Mechanics... Solid.

Try Mr. Whites TheList........
http://benchrest.com/shooterscorner/thelist.pdf

B4 looks interesting.....

Welcome to Benchrest James, Your lucky.... Your Pop can be a big advantage for you to get started RIGHT..!

cale
 
caroby said:
Yes, the Weaver 36x is excellent... Solid optics, matter of fact.... I believe they are better than they ever have been in the past.... Mechanics... Solid.

Try Mr. Whites TheList........
http://benchrest.com/shooterscorner/thelist.pdf

B4 looks interesting.....

Welcome to Benchrest James, Your lucky.... Your Pop can be a big advantage for you to get started RIGHT..!

cale
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Wow, maybe I should try another Weaver. I've had 8 of them and every one, in the past, has gone TU on me in competitive benchrest shooting. Is the current crop a $350 March equivalent? tks --Greg
 
>"I've had 8 of them and every one, in the past, has gone TU on me in competitive benchrest shooting."<

8.....Wow!...... Greg, go with the exterior adjustable set-up (frozen scope)......... Leu/Brackney or Buckys mounts... You probably have....

I've had my first (10 years ago) Weaver 36x go crazy after use for about 8 months... By way of crazy I mean there was NO doubting a failure... 1"+ POI shift...... Weaver "fixed" it but it would not hold < 1/4" POI... Sold to a varmint hunter who was advised of the 1/4 POI issue as I sold it to him for $150.00.... He still ownes it and likes it.

Have owned 2 36x's since Meade sold the sporting optics division (Weaver) and both HOLD POA for sure, at least down to 1/16" ... Shot a lotta competitive Aggs with these 2 Weaver 36x's....

March or not.... ALL internal adjustable scopes fail over time and use... It's just the matter of "FAIL".... Meaning subtle 1/16" - 1/4" shifts or much more obvious impact shifts....

Greg, not say'n your Weaver 36 failures were not REAL.... Just I believe most BR Shooters subtle "failures" are >other< gun/shooter issues...

I still recommend the current crop of Weaver 36x to James.
cale
 
I would spend some time at the nearest benchrest range. Chances are, someone will be a good mentor. Most benchrest shooters I know would give the shirt off their back to get a new guy started. You would be best to find a used rifle at one of those local matches. Don`t be concerned about weather the barrel has a lot of rounds on it. The difference between a new barrel and one with 2000 rounds on it CAN ( not always ) be zero. What I`m saying is I`ve seen used rifles with many rounds still be extremely competitive. While the list above has some great recommendations, there are many others left off the list. Actions- don`t forget Nesika, Borden, Defiance, and Stiller. Barrels- don`t forget Bartlien, Benchmark, Lawton, McGowen.
Scopes- Sightron, Bauch&Lamb, Leupold, and Weaver are all good stuff.
6ppc is a little less expensive to shoot. The 30BR is a little tougher to handle in a Light Varmint 10.5lb gun, but can be amazingly accurate, and easy to tune.
Jeff
 
OK, here is an idea....

Find a rifle based on the same action as your dad's. That way your barrels will be interchangeable.
 
6PPC barrels can be quite good with a few rounds down it.
Shot .069" group 5-shot 100y. last Oct. At WWCCA. The barrel just hit 3000 rounds.
Next target. Fritz shot .062" group. I am pretty sure he said his had over 3000 rounds. Fritz came pre-loaded.
Both were range records.
Joe Krupa has told me some of his barrels start to work around 3000 or something like that. He likes to point out the targets. I am always amazed. But, Joe is a damn good shooter.
Now if I can remember, what he tells me about tuning.....
 
OK Guys I got my rifle! I went with the 6mm ppc. Stolle Panda action, Krieger Barrel around 300 rounds fired through it. It has a jewell trigger,Mcmillan stock,Kelsey rings and a 36x weaver scope. It came with 100 lapua brass. I have been shooting it with 29 grains of 322 70 grain serria match bullets seated at 2.640. My books don't show a load that high,but this is what the owner had been shooting through it. I am switching to Gentner bullets this is what he shot in it also. I just haven't had a chance to get any yet. My father has been really ill and has been in the hospital more than he has been out in the past month and a half. So I am hoping to work with it a little more as soon as time permits. It has been shooting very well at 100 but at 200 I am getting a few flyers. It's me I'm sure. Can't wait to try the Gentner bullets.
I also need a good rest if any body has one they are wanting to sale.

James
 
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CHECK THE RATE OF TWIST ON THE BBL
that is a bit on the heavy side for bullet wieght in a 6 ppc

mike in co
 
outdoorjunkie said:
it is 1 in 13.5 twist
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Your fine with those 70gr MK's.... I know they stablize in a 14 twist too...
The customs should REALLY shine...


>>> Wind Flags<<< Just Gotta have them for this level of accuracy... Even in a "calm" ...........

Have fun...
cale
 
Thanks guys for everything. I hope to see some of you at some matches someday.

James
 
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