Gunsmithing Help with 6mm Creed (for hunting) reamer

[Bache Kermooni]

Based on everything I have read here, a standard reamer with 0.18"+ freebore reamer is too long for hunting bullets. I am planning on using the Berger 105 VLDs or perhaps the Hornady 108 ELD-m (yes not the 103 ELD-x - apprently they do not expand well at long distances).
Also, based on everything I have read here, a 0.120" freebore reamer is it. I have two favors to ask:
1. Please comment on the validity of my findings
2. Does anyone have this 0.120" freebore reamer I can borrow?
Thanks.

 

[Ledzep]

1. Why do you care if hunting bullets don't work if you're not going to use hunting bullets?

2. Use the SAAMI spec chamber and run with it.

 

[Bache Kermooni]

The Berger 105 VLD is a hunting bullet.

 

[47guy]

This is a .109 freebore reamer I shot 6 barrels chambered with that reamer and shot everything from 105s to 115 DTACs

and for $118 bucks you should just buy your own reamer.

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[Ledzep]

The Berger 105 VLD is a hunting bullet.

Oh yes. A different color box and sticker.

 

[cwinner]

Oh yes. A different color box and sticker.

But comes with the same random performance on game..... Sure dead is dead but I'm tired of the claims and defense of their performance on game by the Berger fanboys..... sure they will shoot great on paper but we owe it to the game we hunt to use bonded core bullets that will reliably penetrate at all distances!

 

[Bache Kermooni]

Everyone, I appreciate your comments. However, here I am not interested in a bullet performance discussion.
Please enlighten me with your actual experience with freebore depth and 6mm Creed accuracy.
Thanks.

In case you are interested, please watch Barbour Creek Long Range Shooting videos on youtube for bullet performance.

 

[Bache Kermooni]

This is a .109 freebore reamer I shot 6 barrels chambered with that reamer and shot everything from 105s to 115 DTACs

and for $118 bucks you should just buy your own reamer.

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Thanks. You are right.

 

[Bache Kermooni]

This is a .109 freebore reamer I shot 6 barrels chambered with that reamer and shot everything from 105s to 115 DTACs

and for $118 bucks you should just buy your own reamer.

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Is this a live pilot reamer?

 

[rockin randy]

But comes with the same random performance on game..... Sure dead is dead but I'm tired of the claims and defense of their performance on game by the Berger fanboys..... sure they will shoot great on paper but we owe it to the game we hunt to use bonded core bullets that will reliably penetrate at all distances!

I’m ready to move on from the bonded core for game. It seems like so much wasted energy punching thru them. I can deliver most of the bullets energy into the game while destroying its vitals, all while launching a match grade target bullet. Sounds good to me

 

[47guy]

Is this a live pilot reamer?

yes It uses/comes with a bushing.

 

[Bache Kermooni]

yes It uses/comes with a bushing.

Thanks.

 

[cwinner]

Please enlighten me with your actual experience with freebore depth and 6mm Creed accuracy.
Thanks.

sure, I've got both a .183" @ .110" and 0" FB bore with a throating reamer I can use to set up any bullet and length I want....... if your set on the VLD your going to want a shorter freebore, I'd say the one your looking at would work great.

As for the 6 Creedmoor as a hunting rifle, it's certainly capable and everyone of the dozen or so I've built have been lasers and fit the niche for medium game at modest ranges very well, keep it within bounds and you'll have a great rifle........ didn't mean to derail you're thread but I've used and seen the 105 VLD hunting bullet used to take 4 antelope just this fall and a bunch more over the years . I've used Berger's extensively in hunting calibers 6,6.5,7&30 cal for over a decade on everything from goats to elk and the 105 VLD accounts for some of the most inconsistent performance I've seen, your mileage may vary.

 

[Bache Kermooni]

sure, I've got both a .183" @ .110" and 0" FB bore with a throating reamer I can use to set up any bullet and length I want....... if your set on the VLD your going to want a shorter freebore, I'd say the one your looking at would work great.

As for the 6 Creedmoor as a hunting rifle, it's certainly capable and everyone of the dozen or so I've built have been lasers and fit the niche for medium game at modest ranges very well, keep it within bounds and you'll have a great rifle........ didn't mean to derail you're thread but I've used and seen the 105 VLD hunting bullet used to take 4 antelope just this fall and a bunch more over the years . I've used Berger's extensively in hunting calibers 6,6.5,7&30 cal for over a decade on everything from goats to elk and the 105 VLD accounts for some of the most inconsistent performance I've seen, your mileage may vary.

Thanks for the valuable feedback. I have asked my GS to order the 109 fb reamer.
My plan is a mountain build using my 308 Kimber 84m action. The distance limit is 700 yards, both my practical field shooting, and energy (1000 ft/lb). That should work for all medium game.

All the best.

 

[Sil17sd]

Thanks for the valuable feedback. I have asked my GS to order the 109 fb reamer.
My plan is a mountain build using my 308 Kimber 84m action. The distance limit is 700 yards, both my practical field shooting, and energy (1000 ft/lb). That should work for all medium game.

All the best.

Are you planning on shooting factory ammo?

 

[47guy]

Are you planning on shooting factory ammo?

this is a good question...if you are planning to shoot factory ammo the .109 freebore is to short...i bought a box of 108 ELDM and they were way to long.

 

[Sil17sd]

Yep, I started at .130 which was too short then throated it to .150 and it runs 115 prime and 108 hornady factory stuff extremely accurate (like .2s regularly)

 

[Bache Kermooni]

I have the Hornady 103 ammo to play with. I might shoot the factory 108s though. I guess I have to see.
Thanks for the info all.

 

[Sil17sd]

I have the Hornady 103 ammo to play with. I might shoot the factory 108s though. I guess I have to see.
Thanks for the info all.

Factory 103s and factory 108s will NOT chamber in a .109FB. They would both pull bullets from an unfired round (leave them stuck in the lands) @.130.

With it at .150 the 103s slightly engrave and the 108s are really close. Actually maybe like 1out of 15 of the 108s will very lightly engrave (mark left when they touch the lands)

 

[Ledzep]

I say to run the SAAMI spec reamer because the freebore is only .0005" over bullet diameter and tends to be less sensitive to jump, AND you can run any factory load out there. Additionally if you run Alpha, ARC, etc.. magazines that allow seating out to 2.930-2.950" you can take advantage of the extra throat length.

 

[Bache Kermooni]

I had been measuring the chamber of my new and yet unfired HOWA 1500 in 6mm Creed - which is supposed to have a SAAMI spec chamber???

It seemed there was very little penetration of the bullet into the case mouth and to achieve BT/BS junction near the neck/shoulder area, it had to jump a mile - or 150 thou.

When I get back, I will ask Hornady to send me a sample of 103 and 108's so I can measure. Also, my GS is going to send me a chamber sample with his and the newly-acquired 109 reamer.

I always have to worry about traveling with my rifle to a far destination and my bullets not getting there and I have to rely on factory goods

I REALLY appreciate your help/feedback.

 

[Ledzep]

That sounds about right. I'm only seating 110 A-tips into my cases about 1/8" because I decided to start with ~0.025" jump. 1/3 MOA hammer. I've also run a few boxes of 108 ELDM factory match through it and it also wads up pretty tight. Like 10-shot .5-.6 MOA groups.

 

[clark33]

Don't hesitate to use the 108eldms hunting, they flat out worked for me this year (Factory Hornady Match ammo)

 

[Bache Kermooni]

Don't hesitate to use the 108eldms hunting, they flat out worked for me this year (Factory Hornady Match ammo)

Thanks. Heard good things about them. As a matter fact, many competitive PRC folks shoot factory Hornady and Barbour Creek test was very positive.