First range trip with 6mm PPC Now with photos

[Fassteel]

Well Gents

I recently bought a Sako in 6 PPC from a fine fellow on the EE from Thunder Bay.
I have never had or shot a benchrest cartridge in the past other than 222. We did loads with 75gr Vmax and 70gr Sierra bullets. The powders we used were H335 and IMR 8208 XBR.
This rifle seems to shoot every thing very well. We shot 10 five shot groups and 3 three shot groups and al were less than MOA with one 1 holer group withe the 75gr Vmax with 26.5gr of H335.
Makes me wonder how well it would shoot with Bergers or other target bullets.
Can't wait to be back at the range again with this rifle. FS

 

[Mystic Precision]

It's fun isn't it....

I just got a new Shilen 6PPC barrel for my Savage/Stevens and have really enjoyed shooting this cartridge.

I am also using XMR8208 but with 68gr Bergers, Norma brass and Fed 205 primers.

As long as I can keep up with the winds, the bullets are snuggling into 1 small hole. I am looking forward to some calm days to see how small the group can get.

It was also super easy to tune - lots of info out there too. The cartridge wasn't fussy at all.

Jerry

 

[Fassteel]

Velocity

Mystic

Are you working up your loads to be faster than 3100 fps? Is that why you chose the XBR powder? FS

 

[prosper]

I have a ton of 55 grain noslers to use up in my Sako PPC, though it does prefer the 70 grainers. I worked up a load with surplus WC-735 that shoots very accurately with both

What dies do you use? The decapping pin on mine is too big to use with my small-flash-hole Sako brass

Anyway, my gun has a light sporter barrel, and I can't wait to carry it through the gopher fields one day soon

 

[coyote]

I also have a 6ppc and it likes h322 behind 68gr bullets one hole if you do your part.

 

[Ducimus]

 

[AKD]

Welcome to the Internet. It's usless with out pictures!

 

[Ducimus]

Welcome to the Internet. It's usless with out pictures!

Do you have the post royal wedding blues or something?

 

[Mystic Precision]

Mystic

Are you working up your loads to be faster than 3100 fps? Is that why you chose the XBR powder? FS

Haven't chronied this load yet but the data I used indicates speeds around 3200fps (????) 22" barrel so should be in the ballpark.

Will chronie someday. Not worried about speed as this is all about accuracy.

Jerry

 

[Mystic Precision]

I have a ton of 55 grain noslers to use up in my Sako PPC, though it does prefer the 70 grainers. I worked up a load with surplus WC-735 that shoots very accurately with both

What dies do you use? The decapping pin on mine is too big to use with my small-flash-hole Sako brass

Anyway, my gun has a light sporter barrel, and I can't wait to carry it through the gopher fields one day soon

Lee collet neck die, Redding body die, Forster BR seater.

All working wonderfully with the Norma brass.

I am really impressed with this brass. Seems to be holding up very nicely and the quality is top tier for sure. The first time I do not feel the need to outside neck turn the brass or deburr flash holes. But I did have to deburr the necks.

Way less fuss then fireforming Lapua Russian. I can see why this brass has become so popular in the US.

The primer pockets are really tight and the Feds need some convincing to seat. I really don't think loose pockets will be an issue with repeated firings.

Jerry

 

[prosper]

hmm, the decapping pin on the Lee collet die gets stuck in the flash holes on my brass. Maybe I'll just drill them out a bit larger

 

[dead meat]

What model Sako and is it original?

 

[prosper]

Mine is all original, model A-1 repeater. It's actually almost as-new, so, I have a hard time bringing it out into the 'real world' where it might get scratched or dirty

 

[cycbb486]

Powders of choice:

any surplus 8208 if you can find it
VV133
H322
Benchmark
New IMR XBR 8208

 

[Nathan231]

 

[Fassteel]

Is the gun you want to see or the targets from the range, my one holer that measures .110 FS

Prosper I have a Redding die set but according to my loading partner it sizes the brass to tightly so we have switched to a Hornady die, seems to size better for my chamber. Lemme know if you'd like to test it out. FS

 

[Fassteel]

What model Sako and is it original?

Mine is a model S491 single shot heavy barrel all original. FS

 

[dead meat]

Sounds like you have a keeper.

 

[Mystic Precision]

Powders of choice:

any surplus 8208 if you can find it
VV133
H322
Benchmark
New IMR XBR 8208

In your experience, are the bullets pretty sensitive to winds?

The last time out was light to med gusty conditions and it definitely moved the bullets around. Much more then I would have expected given the distance and speed.

Will spend some time learning more about PPC tuning as time and weather allow.

Sure does shoot well.

Jerry

 

[rpollock]

In your experience, are the bullets pretty sensitive to winds?

The last time out was light to med gusty conditions and it definitely moved the bullets around. Much more then I would have expected given the distance and speed.

Will spend some time learning more about PPC tuning as time and weather allow.

Sure does shoot well.

Jerry

Here are my thoughts while Cal digs out... I am sure he will add his comments later.

The PPC doesn't get moved around any more than any other cartridge of similar performance. It takes a very accurate cartridge and rifle to see the wind moving the bullets on the target, whereby the movement isn't lost in the background noise of large groups.

Now you need some flags to help read the wind and do something about it.

This is the trick, land the first bullet somewhere you expect, then put 4 more in the same hole. Very few cartridges have this capability, luckily the PPC is one of them.

This is why at our BR 101 Clinic in 2 weeks I will have the shooters behind full on bench rifles and wind flags, just to see that you can read the wind and work with it.