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?

 

[ants]

You found the difference between the fast consistent powder Benchmark, and the slow consistent powder Varget.

Given the case capacity of the PPC, I would explore the Varget more fully. I use the faster powder in 222 and 223 Rem and 22 Hornet where limited case capacity does not allow larger volumes of slow powder.

 

[GJgo]

I had pulled it out of the safe to "tune it up" for a 600 yd dynamite shoot this weekend, so that extra speed could come in handy- especially with the flat base Bergers..

As a point of interest, my rifle seems to be able to push quite a bit more speed with no pressure sign than the loads listed in all the major manuals. Such may be since it's still pretty much a wildcat..

I've had excellent luck with Varget in my .223 and .308 Savage rifles, and my .22-250 Remington. That sure would be something if it is the best powder for this case as well!

 

[ants]

Good luck at the shoot. I know you'll have fun.

 

[Walkalong]

90% or better of Benchrest shooters use a hot load using N133 in 6PPC. I have never seen anyone use Varget. Tac, H322, 2015, and some older powders at times. I have shot all those with good results, but you can't beat N133 for consistency. 99% use Lapua .220 Russian brass formed to 6PPC.

 

[GJgo]

Well, most 6PPC aren't in a 1:12 twist and don't use 80gr bullets for match work, or so I've read.

In all reality, we just don't have VV powders available locally, and I've got a policy of using consumables that I can get without mail ordering them. Thanks for the tip though. (nice signature quote, too!)

I did start out with H335, and it became clear quickly that in my rifle, Benchmark was better.

Also, while Benchmark loads don't fill my cases, Varget does.

Here's a pic of my 2 good groups from last night. I've loaded some to back up with over the chrony this evening.

 

[GJgo]

(attachment)

 

[Dave P]

Oh, I thought we were talking 5 or 10 shot groups, not 3. Is the BR standard five shots?

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, Nobody in Benchrest shoots 80 gr bullets. Missed that.

Nice groups. If it will do that consistently, why look further?

 

[GJgo]

I'll go to 5 shot groups once I get more dialed in on a load- in the beginning I do 3 just to get an idea of where to concentrate. I think I'm pretty much there. Should have more data with chrony nubers later tonight for both loads.

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, 5 shot groups are a mite tougher.

5 shots in on the first one and 4 shots in with one out on the next one. :banghead:

 

[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 this 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 the Varget loads, the "back up" 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.

Now I want to take 'er to a competition!!

 

[Walkalong]

That one group is excellent, but one can shoot the same exact load for all six targets and get a wide range of results. When a load can shoot a little bughole every time you do your part, then you have something. Shoot an aggregate (five five shot groups) with that load and see what it can do.

 

[Remo-99]

Benchmark works brilliantly in my 222rem, i run loads over the max listed without signs of pressure (you cannot fit enough of it in a 222rem case to max it out imo).
Varget(AR-2208) is well suited for 22-250 size .22 cal with standard weight bullets(52/53-55gr) And I switched to it for 243win with bullets 70-85gr, it's a little faster than the AR2209(H4350) than i was using.
And in my opinion, may well be suited to your application of 80gr in 6mm PPC.
On another thought have you tried H4895(AR-2206H)? It's the next fastest from Varget, and may fill PPC case to optimum levels, resently developed by ADI for 223rem & 308win.

 

[GJgo]

I'm going to try it again with some aggregate groups tonight with the 26g Benchmark load, varying the COAL a little (working on the jam depth) to see if I can find more consistency. Right now it's just touching the lands, and I've worked up loads in .005 increments to .015 jam.

After that I may see if a change to the bushing makes a difference- these loads are using a .268 bushing which puts .001 pressure on the bullet. I also have .267 and .266 bushings, we'll see if the extra neck tension makes the MV more consistent.

I haven't tried H4831 yet, but hopefully with this load I won't have to.

Do you guys have any idea what kind of group sizes and consistency I'd need to see to be competative should I try competing?

 

[Walkalong]

what kind of group sizes and consistency I'd need to see to be competative should I try competing?

For Benchrest? An aggregate of around .2500 and under to be competitive. (Depending on conditions )

It is a tough game with no excuses. Very demanding mentally, very hard to be consistent (25 timed shots with no mistakes), & very rewarding when you do well.

Don't let that stop you, and don't wait until you think you are ready. Just jump in and go for it. Benchresters are a great crowd and will help you learn the game. They wil also try to beat your eyes out, but will help you try to do the same to them.

 

[GJgo]

Thanks Walkalong, you've given me some of the info I've been looking for. Now I need to do some local searching- I bet I can find some guys interested in putting a shoot together.

The other night I tried different jam lengths, and sure enough, my current best load (just kissing the lands) only degraded with more jam. The FPS spread went way up as well as the jam increased.

Looks like the only thing I have left to try is another thou of neck tension. Time to start working on those aggs!

 

[Seafarer12]

When I loaded 7mm Br I liked Benchmark with Rem 7 1/2 primers.

 

[GJgo]

How much time does one have to shoot their 5/5 aggregate?

 

[Walkalong]

7 minutes for 5 shots. 5 times. (10 minutes for 10 shots in the unlimited class)

Shorter than it sounds sometimes. You shoot your first group, then you go back to your bench/table/whatever, clean your barrel, load your brass, and wait your next turn to shoot, usually not long. If you have any time, it can be well spent behind the line watching wind flags and good shooters.

 

[GJgo]

Ok good- so your barrel has a chance to cool after 5 shots. 25 shots in a row would be a burner for some hot calibers!

 

[Walkalong]

One reason for heavy barrels on Bench guns. You might shoot 5, but you might shoot 15 to produce one 5 shot group. (sighters on bottom half of target)

 

[Zoomer]

My Father in Law is a competitive benchrest guy. The VAST majority of his colleagues use Vit. N133 and Lapua 220 russian brass fire formed for thier reamers/barrels as others have said. I think he makes 68 Grain HP match bullets (yes - he makes his own bullets... lead core, copper jackets multiple presses,, etc.)

As a group, I find benchrest people a real joy to be around - very nice, polite, willing to share ideas and info.

On the whole however, they take OCD and shooting to a whole new level. With that said, they can back it up with some really impressive shooting. They shoot screamer groups to less than 20 thousandths of an inch (the thickness of a matchbook).

It's a technology driven sport (Much like F1 in racing cars) Expect to pay top dollar for everything to be competitive. Either machine it youself, build it, or buy it. It all costs huge money. He carries 5 Leupold 45X competition scopes with him to shoots. at 1,000 per you figure it out - and thats just for optics.

 

[Walkalong]

On the whole however, they take OCD and shooting to a whole new level. With that said, they can back it up with some really impressive shooting.

It all costs huge money

You don't need 5 scopes. I only have two backups.

No, it is not cheap, but it is like many other things, you can spend as much as you want, but get by with much less.

 

[GJgo]

I do use Lapua 220 Russian brass, and the rifle does wear a Nightforce BR scope. If this thing will consistently shoot in the 2s, I think I'll just get by with what I have..

I did try Berger 68gr FB in the beginning. They shot OK. However, in order to get them to kiss the lands in my barrel the bullet was hardly seated into the neck at all.