6mm Dasher

[BoilerUP]

I think 32.4gr Varget with a 105-109gr in a Dasher is like 30.0gr in a 6BR with same weight bullet.

It may not be the BEST load for a given system, but its a damn fine place to start and refine +/- 0.2gr.

 

[Shoots 700's]

I run 105-109’s with the same load Varget or N140. You cant go wrong with the accuracy of a dasher.

 

[Baron85]

Just ordered parts for my first dasher and looking for advice on bullets. I ran a 6br all this year with 108 eldms and am almost out so need to restock on bullets for the dasher. I had pretty good luck with the eldms but wondering if the 107 sierras would be a step up in consistency and accuracy to justify the added cost. I have a friend that switched from the eldms to the sierras and said his consistency at distance improved. Just want to know if that’s the norm.

Our local matches go out to 1400 and i ordered a proof prefit

 

[4O6shootist]

Just ordered parts for my first dasher and looking for advice on bullets. I ran a 6br all this year with 108 eldms and am almost out so need to restock on bullets for the dasher. I had pretty good luck with the eldms but wondering if the 107 sierras would be a step up in consistency and accuracy to justify the added cost. I have a friend that switched from the eldms to the sierras and said his consistency at distance improved. Just want to know if that’s the norm.

Our local matches go out to 1400 and i ordered a proof prefit

107 pointed smk are a step up in consistency, as well as bc over the 108eldm.

 

[Baron85]

I’m only finding 1 options for the 107 SMK. Are they all pointed or are there 2 different versions?

 

[4O6shootist]

I’m only finding 1 options for the 107 SMK. Are they all pointed or are there 2 different versions?

Older are unpointed, lower bc. All production for last 4ish years on 107 and 142 are factory pointed.

 

[TwistedOneinSeven]

As above for 6Dasher, my goto load is 32.4gn 2208/Varget in Lap brass and it works for 105Hyb/107SMKs
You can tweek +/-0.1gn but I don't bother, it shoots better than me every time.

Also, if you're considering 107SMKs versus 108ELDM, go the 107SMK every time.
I have used a lot of both in 6Creed, 6BRX and Dasher and the 107s perform way better down range in my experience.

 

[Krob95]

Found my 105 hybrids, grabbed 1k of them. Loaded up 31.0 gr varget and set em 20 thou off. Running 2850fps on virgin brass. Stupid accurate.

 

[Krob95]

Question for anyone that loads them. What's a good load for 87gr vmaxs in a dasher. Looking to get 3000-3100fps in a 27" 7.5 twist barrel. I'm at 2860 with 105's and 31gr varget. I'm thinking somewhere in the 32gr range to get to where I want.

 

[cheyenne01]

My F-open gun, Borden Brmxd action, 31 inch long IBI straight 1.250 1-8 twist.
using 105 Hybrids an 35.4 gr H-4350. Runs 2980. I did build an extra long drop tube to get that much powder in.
Has shot a lot of cleans with this rifle.

 

[Belisarius]

My F-open gun, Borden Brmxd action, 31 inch long IBI straight 1.250 1-8 twist.
using 105 Hybrids an 35.4 gr H-4350. Runs 2980. I did build an extra long drop tube to get that much powder in.
Has shot a lot of cleans with this rifle.

what brass were you loading?

 

[cheyenne01]

using fire formed Lapua 6BR brass.
5 shots at 100. Our guns are quite a bit different than what most shoot.

 

[J_D]

Just loaded my first Dasher rds this weekend.

Brand new Alpha OCD brass
450 primers
29gr Varget
108 Berger BT

Barrel is a Radix with .274 Neck and .120 freebore

Jam was at 1.730" and I started my initial jump at .050 for CBTO of 1.680".

Sound like a decent start off point?

 

[J_D]

29 grains of varget is going to be extremely slow. At least do yourself the favor on the workup and go in half grain increments to find pressure. Most people are shooting around 31.5 to 32.5 grains.

First time loading these.....wanting to play safe, and fire form the new brass. I'll record the MV data and go up from there slowly. I have lots to learn.

 

[TylerN]

29.0 grains of a slow and very safe load as rubenski pointed out. But nothing wrong with working up a load. Also if it's a new barrel I like to run 100 safe rounds first before I start load dev to bring my barrel up to speed.

30.0gr of Varget with a 105 - 110gr projectile is a classic 6 BR load for; the Dasher can hold 2 more grains comfortably.

With your components I'd probably start out in the mid 31's myself and increment by 0.1gr. I'd probably look for a load with good ES/SD around 2890 - 2900 fps (26".) With the 108's that would probably around 32.0 gr +/- a little. You will probably start to see the CCI 450's crater in the low to mid 32's.

I haven't shot the 108 Berger BT's so I can't comment on Jump. I always start with 0.020" jump for no good reason and am drinking the long-jump kool-aid.

 

[Belisarius]

29 grains of varget is going to be extremely slow. At least do yourself the favor on the workup and go in half grain increments to find pressure. Most people are shooting around 31.5 to 32.5 grains.

in my experience alpha brass has lesser internal capacity than lapua formed brass. with the same powder charge in both cases, alpha gives me 180-200 fps faster velocity. Peterson brass is about the same, I load it about .5 gr less to match velocities with alpha

 

[J_D]

I'm pretty set on 29gr to start, and going with .050" jump. That will give me a baseline MV to capture, plus fire form the new brass.

Safely work my way up from there.

 

[Jred2136]

23.5" 1:8 Bartlein

105 Hybrid
32.7 gr Varget
Lapua FF'd Brass
CCI BR-4

2929 FPS

I'm currently fireforming brass for another 23.5" 1:8 Bartelin barrel; I'm going to try 8208XBR and CCI 450 and see how it works.

Hornady 108 ELDMs
31.5 grains Varget
CCI 450s
Alpha Dasher Brass
2910 FPS

 

[camocorvette]

2753 velocity
@35° / 30 Gr. Varget
108 eld, Alpha brass. Cci Mag Srp
Proof comp 26"

I think I posted that before but it works. Hits a 4" diamond at 807 yards 4/5 times. Repeatedly once the wind was figured out.

My buddy shoots literally the exact same load from the same loading equipment and same powder. Same rifle set up too. His reaches 2840 avg velocity.

 

[Belisarius]

My buddy shoots literally the exact same load from the same loading equipment and same powder. Same rifle set up too. His reaches 2840 avg velocity.

I'm curious about this! Are you using the same brass and velocity measuring equipment?

 

[4O6shootist]

My buddy shoots literally the exact same load from the same loading equipment and same powder. Same rifle set up too. His reaches 2840 avg velocity.

I'm curious about this! Are you using the same brass and velocity measuring equipment?

Barrels are likely the difference. They're like womwn, not 2 are ever the same.

 

[camocorvette]

My buddy shoots literally the exact same load from the same loading equipment and same powder. Same rifle set up too. His reaches 2840 avg velocity.

I'm curious about this! Are you using the same brass and velocity measuring equipment?

Yes. We each have a different lot of alpha brass. Other then that all the same. Used the same lot of varget and used different lots of varget. Still get roughly the same results of him being 100 fps faster with the same load. But both rifles hammer. We are using my magnetospeed on both guns.

 

[J_D]

Here's 31.2gr of Varget with the 108 Berger Target BT in new Alpha OCD brass.

I was pretty meticulous in my prep and powder setup.

Took that load out to 3" plates at 500yds so far. I'm pleased so far.

 

[camocorvette]

That's pretty damn good.

 

[Kchild307]

I have been using 4166 with 109’s in the dasher. I am very happy with the results so far and quit looking for Varget.

 

[Kchild307]

New to the 6 Dasher and was looking for loads for 108 ELD-M's and 115 DTAC's. (Some 105 info too). Mostly using Varget powder, but some others mixed in if it was with a Varget load. (6.5 Staball because I have quite a bit) I went through this thread and found what I could. I put in an Excel Spread sheet . None of these loads are mine and I have not tested any. Hopefully it helps someone else looking and save you some work.

Bullet	COAL	CBTO	Powder	Charge	Jump	FPS
105 ???			Varget	31.2​		2990​
115 ???			Varget	Start 31		2850+	4895 Start 30+
105 RDF		1.735​	Varget	32-33.4	0.04​	2949-3051
108s							2850-2900 is sweet spot
108 ELD-M		1.776​	Varget	31.6-33	0.02​	2907-3018
108 ELD-M			Varget		0.035​		.104 FB too short for 115s
108 ELD-M			Varget	31.5​	0.01​	2890​
108 ELD-M			Varget	32.1​	0.025​	2925​	Consistently under 3/8 moa
108 ELD-M			Varget	30​		2753​
115 Dtac			Varget	32.4​	0.02​	2905​
115 Dtac			Varget	33.3​	Just Off	2925​
115 Dtac			Varget	32.5​	0.018​	2833​	Barely any vertical
115 Dtac			Varget	32.8​	0.018​	2857​	Literally Same Hole
115 Dtac		1.802​				2857​
115 Dtac			Varget	32.5​		2820​
115 Dtac		1.795​	Varget	32.5​	0.005​	2820​
115 Dtac		1.795​	6.5 Staball	36​	0.005​	2798​	Settled on 36.8 gr. There was only a 4 fps difference between 36.6 and 37.0 gr. I loaded 5 rounds of 36.8 with the bullet .015 off the lands and got a sd of 9 @ 2857 fps
115 Dtac		1.795​	6.5 Staball	36.2​	0.005​	2828​
115 Dtac		1.795​	6.5 Staball	36.4​	0.005​	2835​
115 Dtac			6.5 Staball	36.8​	0.015​	2868​
115 Dtac			H4350	33.5​	.08-.15	2800​
DTAC			Varget	33.3​
DTAC 115	1.918​

 

[Paul73]

I run 109 Hybrids closer to 2880 with 32gr Varget in Lapua brass. Played around with a node at 31.5gr in the range you described but got lower SDs at 32gr.

it is so odd as i keep seeing people speaking about 31.5 to 32gr varget loads on those hybrids - on my MPA 26" gun i get 2945fps on 30.8gr varget on 105 bergers. anything a tad more than 31gr starts pushing the primer out.
it was with lapua brass, then i got alpha brass but it all remained exactly same - it really hates anything above 30.8.

as of what was said above - i never got any of eld-m i tried to group better than 105gr berger hybrids.

 

[King_beardsly]

it is so odd as i keep seeing people speaking about 31.5 to 32gr varget loads on those hybrids - on my MPA 26" gun i get 2945fps on 30.8gr varget on 105 bergers. anything a tad more than 31gr starts pushing the primer out.
it was with lapua brass, then i got alpha brass but it all remained exactly same - it really hates anything above 30.8.

as of what was said above - i never got any of eld-m i tried to group better than 105gr berger hybrids.

I will say I do get some weird marking on the case head with my alpha but never had an issue with primers @31.8. I had my smith and alpha comparing notes and everything was with in spec on both their ends, should I have back down the charge a little bit, probably but with everything being with in spec I just keep the recipe.

 

[Paul73]

I will say I do get some weird marking on the case head with my alpha but never had an issue with primers @31.8. I had my smith and alpha comparing notes and everything was with in spec on both their ends, should I have back down the charge a little bit, probably but with everything being with in spec I just keep the recipe. View attachment 8057137

not too weird - it is an ejector that get hammered into the case. in my gun on hotter 31+ loads it gets so bad - brass gets into the injector and it gets stuck, so, it is just an other side of overpressure stress.

 

[King_beardsly]

not too weird - it is an ejector that get hammered into the case. in my gun on hotter 31+ loads it gets so bad - brass gets into the injector and it gets stuck, so, it is just an other side of overpressure stress.

Well the weird part comes from it being big horn action, so I’d expect a thin line from the slot cut for the mechanical ejector but it’s a pretty good size swipe from something.

 

[Paul73]

Well the weird part comes from it being big horn action, so I’d expect a thin line from the slot cut for the mechanical ejector but it’s a pretty good size swipe from something.

i discarded most beaten up cases, but here how it looks like when extractor prints.
with signs like that in my gun - 3-4 firings and the primer pocket expands so bad that primer falls out by itself at reloading.
just too much pressure at anything above 30.7-30.8.

 

[b6graham]

i discarded most beaten up cases, but here how it looks like when extractor prints.
with signs like that in my gun - 3-4 firings and the primer pocket expands so bad that primer falls out by itself at reloading.
just too much pressure at anything above 30.7-30.8.

View attachment 8057166

you're posting an ejector mark from a normal plunger type action

@King_beardsly pic shows the mark left from the gap in the bolt head from where the mechanical ejector pushes through

 

[J_D]

I'm at 31.2 Varget and got none of those marks on brand new Alpha brass.

 

[TylerN]

I'm shooting Alpha OCD brass and it's handled pressure well.

I've been shooting 31.6gr of Varget with 112gr Match Burners and I get slight cratering on CCI 450's but haven't seen any marks on brass. 31.6gr has been rain-safe; I shot some 32.1gr loads for a bit without marks on brass but I got heavy bolt lift in the rain so I backed it down to 31.6gr which has been good for about 800 rounds. This load is getting me 2920 FPS with a 26" barrel. I'm going to try lower charges in the future, I'd be happy with 2875-ish with a 112gr and a bit less pressure since I'm getting good speed with the barrel.

And here's what the slight cratering of primers looks like; CCI 450's. I dug through about 20 shot cases and these were the worst:

I recently tried a ladder test with some of the last of my Berger 109gr LRHT's. I was getting crazy speeds and need to back it down more with the 109's. Speeds with Varget:
31.7gr: 2937 FPS
31.8gr: 2953 FPS
31.9gr: 2965 FPS; good ES/SD for 5 shots. 6 ES, 2.6 SD.
32.0gr: 2971 FPS
32.1gr: 2979 FPS
32.2gr: I forgot to write down speeds, SD wasn't good, 13 or 15 or so.
32.3gr: 2984 FPS, Heavy bolt lift

 

[J_D]

Alpha Munitions just put brass back in stock.......I picked up my 500.

 

[Raffy]

Thanks. Got a 5er also. I didn't know they had modified cases also. Got one of those too

 

[J_D]

They went quick!

 

[camocorvette]

Yeah just looked they were out. Luckily I bought 600 when I built my gun. Ordered some swag and lube haha.

 

[Krob95]

Makes me think I have a slow barrel. Running 2888 with 105's and 2898 with 103's. 31gr Varget, alpha ocd brass, 27" bartlein.

 

[J_D]

I'm running 2800 with 31.2 varget with 108 bergers. I don't think your barrel is slow.

 

[b6graham]

Makes me think I have a slow barrel. Running 2888 with 105's and 2898 with 103's. 31gr Varget, alpha ocd brass, 27" bartlein.

that sounds in range

i'm 2980 with 32.4 varget and 105s

 

[Krob95]

that sounds in range

i'm 2980 with 32.4 varget and 105s

I tried 32.4gr but never chrono'd that load. Just shot for accuracy and it was meh lol

 

[Mormegil87]

2742 with 31 of Varget and 109 Hybrids. SDs in the 3-4 range. Nice little cloverleaf groups and sub 2" at 500.

Speed is overrated

 

[Sheldon N]

Makes me think I have a slow barrel. Running 2888 with 105's and 2898 with 103's. 31gr Varget, alpha ocd brass, 27" bartlein.

31 gr of Varget with a 105 in Alpha OCD brass gives me 2875 fps in a 26" barrel.

 

[Krob95]

31 gr of Varget with a 105 in Alpha OCD brass gives me 2875 fps in a 26" barrel.

Maybe i am on par then... lol

 

[howler]

2,815 31 gn Varget 107 SMK 26”
2,840 31 Varget 105 Hybrid 26”

These are what my hawk hill barrel does at about 500 rounds down the tube.

 

[TylerN]

Doubt I could repeat this. 31.4gr of varget, CCI 450, alpha brass 5 shots, ES of 2, SD of 0, 2881fps avg with 112gr match burners

 

[J_D]

Doubt I could repeat this. 31.4gr of varget, CCI 450, alpha brass 5 shots, ES of 2, SD of 0, 2881fps avg View attachment 8073710

Nice. How does it shoot?. Mine was very close to that with 10 shots. Groups pretty good.

 

[Dave62677]

I found my dasher sweet spot for ES and group size at 2870-2880fps

 

[TylerN]

Nice. How does it shoot?. Mine was very close to that with 10 shots. Groups pretty good.

Shot well. Groups weren't picture worth since it was a gusty windy day and i wasn't good enough to get great groups. I think the group was probably a touch over half an inch which was as good as anything I shot that day.