6mm BR Norma, 70gr Sierra's and Varget

[TargetNorth]

Hi Everyone

I'm looking at starting to load for my 6mm BR Norma, and noticed a few things. First off, no reloading manuals have them.

Anyway, I know the whole 105 grain bullet and 30 grains of Varget formula, but was wondering about 70 grain Sierra HPBT Matchkings.

I was going to try three bullets at each of the following loads of Varget in grains:

32.6
33
33.4
33.8
34.2
34.6

Thoughts? Would you recommend anything different?

It's a .272" neck with Lapua brass in a 26" 8 turn barrel.

Thanks for the advice,

Barry

 

[bedrock]

Might be a little on the light side but you never know. I understand it is easier to drop to a lighter bullet in a fast twist rather than going to a heavier bullet in a slow twist. I'm putting together both an 8 and a 12 twist 6BR so I guess I'll find out.

 

[Ron AKA]

I have a factory Savage LRPV with a 26" 12 twist. I've tested Varget in it from 33 grains to 34.8 with BR-4 primers. No signs of pressure in it, so probably you are OK. An 8 twist may show pressure faster, but start at the bottom and work up watching for signs. Worst that can happen is that you have to leave some in the box and pull the bullets.

The bullet that has shot best for me has been the Berger 68, with the Berger 69, and Barts Ultra 68 behind it respectively. Three consecutive 3 shot targets with the Berger 68 below.

The gun I have has a throat that is probably 0.100" too long for a 12 twist. It appears Savage may use the same reamer for the 12 twist as they do the 8 twist for long heavy bullets. So I have trouble getting enough of the short light bullets in the neck. For example the 70 grain Sierra Boat Tail would probably be a no go, unless I went with a big jump to the lands. I have some 75 grain Sierra flat base that I have not shot yet, but should seat OK.

My barrel seems to have a sweet spot at 3100-3150, and another at 3420 or so. I use the low one for 80 grain Bergers, and the higher one for the 68/69 grain. All bullets seem to group the smallest with a 0.010 jam into the lands.

As far as loading info here is a link to the Sierra Data. I also use the Hodgdon Data Center, Nosler Loading Data, and ADI in Australia which makes the Hodgdon stick powder.

Hope that helps some, and here are some groups. There is actually a misprint on the target. I used 34.3 grains, not 33.4.

 

[TargetNorth]

I have a factory Savage LRPV with a 26" 12 twist. I've tested Varget in it from 33 grains to 34.8 with BR-4 primers. No signs of pressure in it, so probably you are OK. An 8 twist may show pressure faster, but start at the bottom and work up watching for signs. Worst that can happen is that you have to leave some in the box and pull the bullets.

The bullet that has shot best for me has been the Berger 68, with the Berger 69, and Barts Ultra 68 behind it respectively. Three consecutive 3 shot targets with the Berger 68 below.

The gun I have has a throat that is probably 0.100" too long for a 12 twist. It appears Savage may use the same reamer for the 12 twist as they do the 8 twist for long heavy bullets. So I have trouble getting enough of the short light bullets in the neck. For example the 70 grain Sierra Boat Tail would probably be a no go, unless I went with a big jump to the lands. I have some 75 grain Sierra flat base that I have not shot yet, but should seat OK.

My barrel seems to have a sweet spot at 3100-3150, and another at 3420 or so. I use the low one for 80 grain Bergers, and the higher one for the 68/69 grain. All bullets seem to group the smallest with a 0.010 jam into the lands.

As far as loading info here is a link to the Sierra Data. I also use the Hodgdon Data Center, Nosler Loading Data, and ADI in Australia which makes the Hodgdon stick powder.

Hope that helps some, and here are some groups. There is actually a misprint on the target. I used 34.3 grains, not 33.4.

Thanks! That is perfect. I appreciate the info and picts. Hope I can make some targets that look similar.

Barry