Advice on 6mm ppc loads

[rodauto]

Hi all,
I am still trying to work up an accurate load for my "new to me" 6 mm ppc rifle.262 neck chamber and bench rest stock. Don't know much more about it as I purchased it used.
The rifle is a custom action heavy barrel, single shot.
Using Berger 68 gr moly, Lapua 220 russian brass, H322 powder.
Started off at 26 gr H322 and had some promising groups in the winter that went south once the weather warmed up!!
Have since found that the best/ most consistent groups for this rifle are around 29.4 and 29.6. I want to go higher. Lots of room yet in the case as 29.6 is just starting to fill to the lower part of the neck.
My other PPC liked the Remington benchrest primers but had to go to softer Federal primers to get consistent ignition with the new rifle.
The Federal primers seem to be a lot softer than the Remington so even though I am not getting excessively flat primers or heavy/ sticky bolt lift, the primers are cratering even at 27.8 grains of H322??
Is this normal for Federal primers or do I have a problem?

 

[Jefferson]

try about 29.3 in VV133 and seat just touching the lands,

your milage may vary

JW

 

[rodauto]

Hi JW,

may have to give it atry, ran out of H322 today anyhow!!

Rodney

 

[paperslayer]

H322 and VV N133 are go-to loads. I hear really good things with 8208 as well. There is good load info
on 6mmbr.com

 

[rodauto]

Thanks paperslayer,
The guys at Benchrest Central have been helping me out, lots of questions to be answered. Looks like I just need to do some work on my firing pin and good to go again!

 

[NormB]

Hi all,


My other PPC liked the Remington benchrest primers but had to go to softer Federal primers to get consistent ignition with the new rifle.
The Federal primers seem to be a lot softer than the Remington so even though I am not getting excessively flat primers or heavy/ sticky bolt lift, the primers are cratering even at 27.8 grains of H322??
Is this normal for Federal primers or do I have a problem?
View attachment 6986

View attachment 6988

Your rifle has an Adam Wcislo action. He designed it with a short .180 firing pin fall. It will only light Fed 205m primers reliably.

NormB

 

[rodauto]

Hi NormB,

Have been using the Fed 205m primers since you recommended them. Have never had a FTF since. Only problem I have now is cratering of the primer, looks like my firing pin is rusted/ eroded quite bad and is likely the reason for the cratering. Do you know if it is a standard Remington firing pin or do I need a gunsmith to make me one? Have a load now that is getting me in the 2s and 3s on ocassion, pretty happy with that!( some of the groups are obviously NOT in the 2s and 3s !! Load development is not my speciality but I have great fun anyway, anything over 29 grains H322 seems to be great though.

Rodney

 

[Fire306]

Rodney,
I would like to jump into your thread, no to hijack, but to gain info as well. I have "inherited" a Gaulin Custom Titanium Action 6 PPC, 262 neck, and I think every piece possible of reloading equipment to go with it. I have self taught myself, through internet research, how to form PPC brass from Lapua 220 Russian brass, and put together some very good reloads. (I'm not new to reloading, just new to they different tools and procedures in precision reloading).
I have been using exclusively H322 in the PPC's (I have 2 Sako PPC's Factory rifles as well), mainly due to the fact that with this inherited rifle, was 12lbs of H322. In the Gaulin rifle I have loads that consistently shoot in the .2s, and I'm sure could be better if I actually knew how to shoot a bench-rest setup. Again, self taught, through internet research.

Mine, shoots best at 27.2gr of 322, but I would like to get the velocities up and charges up in the 29 gr range. Both my Factory Sako's shoot very good around the 29gr range.
Would you share your load data for your PPC? I have a wide selection of Berger bullets, and currently am mainly using their BR Column bullets.
Also, I see you are from Ontario, where are you shooting? At my club, I am definitely alone learning to shoot benchrest.

Thanks

 

[NormB]

Rodney,
The firing pin is a standard Remington. I think your 29+ of H322 may be too hot with the current H22 powder. You should chronograph these loads and see what velocities you are getting. Try N133 at this level. Peter Dobson at Hirsch precision can supply it, if you can't get it locally. A little 400 grit wet paper rubbing on the tip of the pin could help smooth it.

Norm

 

[rodauto]

Hi fire306,
I am shooting pretty hot loads as I am using moly coated bullets, took me a long time to work up to these, I expect I would be considerably less with "naked bullets". I am up to 29.6 of H322 with the Berger 68 grain HPBT match. Same bullets I used in my Sako PPC before wearing out the barrel, my new rifle has a substantially larger action than my Sako,would be very carefull of loading the Sako with the same load as the custom rifle.

As NormB says I expect I am at least at the top of the range for powder charge even for moly coated, please don't use this charge for uncoated bullets without the guidance of someone way more experienced than I am as they run at a higher velocity and pressure than the moly coated bullets at lower powder charges.