Range Report My Latest Savage Build

reeljob

Pastor
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 10, 2009
736
93
Galax, VA
I called Jim Briggs last week to order my new CBI 6mm BR Norma 26" with 1-8 twist heavy varmit. Headpspaced last night and dropped in my McMillian A5 and went to start load development today.
All testing was Five shot groups @ 100 yards, new Lapua brass, GM205M primer, Varget, and 105 VLD's.
Results as follows:
30.0 grains- 2.405 OAL- group .945
28.0 grains- 2.420 OAL- group .502
27.0 grains- 2.420 OAL- group .299

Appears I am headed in the right direction. I will soon try some CCI 450 primers if I feel it is nessecary. This is my second criterion barrel from NSS and they shoot awesome. I hope the weather holds out for tomorrow to shoot the best load to date over the chrony.
I would like to hear feedback as well as load info if any of you all are shooting the same barrel and load componets. I am hoping to shoot a few egg shoots and groundhog matches with this set up.
 
Re: My Latest Savage Build

Nice shooting, you really should have kept the OAL on the 30.0 grains the same as the others, now you have no idea if the larger group size was attributable to the charge or the OAL. Most BR/Match shooters are in the 30gr range though with the Varget.
 
Re: My Latest Savage Build

VLD bullets are typically very sensitive to seating depth. I used them in my 6br (Krieger barrel) for awhile but have moved on to other bullets (tangent ogive) that have proven to be more accurate in my rifle when shooting at 500 yards or less.
 
Re: My Latest Savage Build

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JWV</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Nice shooting, you really should have kept the OAL on the 30.0 grains the same as the others, now you have no idea if the larger group size was attributable to the charge or the OAL. Most BR/Match shooters are in the 30gr range though with the Varget. </div></div>

I noticed this after I shot these loads. I just relied on expierence knowing I get the best performance with the VLD with minimal jump and usally touching the lands and changed it up. I shot the rifle at 300 yesterday as well as 100 with the VLD in the lands and shot a .273 at 100 and a 1.88 at 300. The wind was a beast and overall with a new barrel with less than fifty rounds I am happy. I do need to continue looking for the next node since I am only pushing the 105 at 2583 fps. I would like to see velocities closer to 2750 or so +/-. I ma new to the 6BR but I do think I will like it. In all fairness the first load shot was fired with the factory stock and could have stood a little more opening up for the contour. It had no contact but was off of bags could have been pinching. The rest of the groups where fired from the McMillian. This will be ongoing as the weather permits to find the sweet spot but overall I am two for two on recieving a quality barrel fro Jim at NSS.
 
Re: My Latest Savage Build

Normally the 'honey hole' for 6mm BR loads with a 105-107gn bullet should be 29.0-31.0gn of Varget, with the majority being within 29.5-30.5 gn.

You really skewed the results *away* from what should have been the most promising region, first by not using the same seating depth and then by not using the same stock! I'd strongly suggest going back and doing the testing right, varying one thing at a time instead of three.
 
Re: My Latest Savage Build

Been awhile since I have had time to continue load development with my 6BR build. This past week I have continued my quest to develop loads for this rifle. Since my last post my stock arrived so I have gotten serious with this and have not had to switch stocks back and forth. The 105 VLD is what I have sought to develop and the latest loads with the 105 have consistantly hung right below .5 at 100. I feel like at longer ranges it may tighten up. Because of the groups I am shooting with the 100 and 85 grain sierras I may try some 95 VLDs and see if that is a happy medium. Below are posted 7 shot groups shot this weekend at 100 yards. The one group has eight shots but the flyer was all me so I fired one more to get a good seven shot group. I feel like this CBI barrel will shoot better than me, same as my .260 CBI. I may get on the bench with this rifle and see how she does. I have gotten away from the bench and shoot only bipods w/ rear bags, but I may have to drag out the sand bags for ole time sakes and see if I can tighten these up a bit. Keep in mind these are not 1" squares on the target and many of you will definately recognize the intended purpose for this target.
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