11-14-2021, 07:43 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-14-2021, 07:53 PM by Thelaststraw.)
So I got out this morning and did some chrono work and an OCW 'ladder' with the N140 and 95 VLDs. After having 6PPC suggested my brain got working a little better and I started checking out Mr Whitley's 6AR and it's variants. Knowing they are similar to 6BR capacity wise, I explored a middle ground. Most 6PPC published data only goes to 85 grains that I found. PPC also is for the most part a lower pressure cartridge from what I saw for a bolt rifle...mostly hovering in the high 40s CUP.
I loaded two of each at 26.9gr and 26.6gr N140 and Hornady 6ARC brass for a baseline safety check at ~2.260 OAL, an 0.020 jump in my 24" +2 gas CLE Criterion barrel. No velocity data but very mild and accurate. The OCW and chrono was just 3 rounds each so SD and ES wouldn't be worth noting I imagine:
27.2gr ---- 2751 avg
27.5gr --- 2788 avg
----------------------------
27.8gr --- 2823 avg The OCW showed an accuracy node here, although it may have been an anomaly. I'm
28.1gr --- 2831 avg a sub MOA shooter, but not sub half minute reliably. Vertical spread was approx 1/4"
----------------------------
28.4gr --- 2847 avg
----------------------------
28.7gr --- 2882 avg The OCW also showed an upper node where vertical spread was less than 1/4". Again, luck perhaps,
29gr --- 2899 avg it was very apparent. I'll probably just run with the lower node and enjoy.
From 28.7gr and up all they way to 29gr, nothing changed brass and primer wise. I have always got light ejector marks with my Maxim bolts, especially when suppressed. The only loads that don't do it are my most modest loads when doing initial workups with new powders. I'm positive my suppressor is a contributing factor since my SA gas block is always at full bleed regardless of powder with the can. I'm going to load some of the same with my converted Starline Grendel brass since it seems much more durable in my experience. I think I've also read some guys put a light bevel on the edges of the ejector with some emery cloth/1000 grit? Not sure but going to check on that one and try if my memory is correct.
Hopefully this can be of some use to anyone and if anything throws any red flags I'm all ears. I will say this though, N140 is the cleanest powder I've used yet which is a huge plus in my book.
I also got a little greedy and put three of each down the pipe of 29.3gr and 29.6gr. They were pretty spicy and probably not such a hot idea but in case anyone is curious....
29.3 --- 2930 avg
29.6gr (slight compression) --- 2957 avg
Nothing exciting compared to the above data, but I definitely would NOT advise anyone to go that high unless they know it's good. I couldn't resist since I had them but most likely not going to be happening anytime soon. I may not even be pushing things too far but I may have got lucky....speed isn't everything and even in the high 2700s I'm getting the speed I needed to make up for the BC loss from the 105s so I'm good in the lowest node.
I loaded two of each at 26.9gr and 26.6gr N140 and Hornady 6ARC brass for a baseline safety check at ~2.260 OAL, an 0.020 jump in my 24" +2 gas CLE Criterion barrel. No velocity data but very mild and accurate. The OCW and chrono was just 3 rounds each so SD and ES wouldn't be worth noting I imagine:
27.2gr ---- 2751 avg
27.5gr --- 2788 avg
----------------------------
27.8gr --- 2823 avg The OCW showed an accuracy node here, although it may have been an anomaly. I'm
28.1gr --- 2831 avg a sub MOA shooter, but not sub half minute reliably. Vertical spread was approx 1/4"
----------------------------
28.4gr --- 2847 avg
----------------------------
28.7gr --- 2882 avg The OCW also showed an upper node where vertical spread was less than 1/4". Again, luck perhaps,
29gr --- 2899 avg it was very apparent. I'll probably just run with the lower node and enjoy.
From 28.7gr and up all they way to 29gr, nothing changed brass and primer wise. I have always got light ejector marks with my Maxim bolts, especially when suppressed. The only loads that don't do it are my most modest loads when doing initial workups with new powders. I'm positive my suppressor is a contributing factor since my SA gas block is always at full bleed regardless of powder with the can. I'm going to load some of the same with my converted Starline Grendel brass since it seems much more durable in my experience. I think I've also read some guys put a light bevel on the edges of the ejector with some emery cloth/1000 grit? Not sure but going to check on that one and try if my memory is correct.
Hopefully this can be of some use to anyone and if anything throws any red flags I'm all ears. I will say this though, N140 is the cleanest powder I've used yet which is a huge plus in my book.
I also got a little greedy and put three of each down the pipe of 29.3gr and 29.6gr. They were pretty spicy and probably not such a hot idea but in case anyone is curious....
29.3 --- 2930 avg
29.6gr (slight compression) --- 2957 avg
Nothing exciting compared to the above data, but I definitely would NOT advise anyone to go that high unless they know it's good. I couldn't resist since I had them but most likely not going to be happening anytime soon. I may not even be pushing things too far but I may have got lucky....speed isn't everything and even in the high 2700s I'm getting the speed I needed to make up for the BC loss from the 105s so I'm good in the lowest node.