load info for 6mm ack.imp.

12-34hom · June 21, 1999, 03:10 AM

Just started reloading for 6mm ack.imp. and wondering if any pet loads out there that anyone would care to share? Gun that i'm using rem 700 action [tuned] SHILEN select match s.s. 26 inch tube [1&8 twist]. Normally shoot 95 thru 105 grain moly coated bullets [BERGERS VLD'S AND STARKE F.B.] but have nothing against non- coated variety. Have shot some NOSLER 55 b.t. with some luck. Any comments? Thanks in advance. 12-34hom. - out.

Art Eatman · June 21, 1999, 10:56 AM

Is this an Ackley improvement on the .243? I could not find a reference in five different loading-data books...

Intriguing that the 1 in 8 twist will stabilize the 55-grain bullets. Should be a tack-driver with the 100s...

What data are you now using?

Best luck, Art

12-34hom · June 21, 1999, 12:17 PM

ART: THIS CARTRIDGE IS BASED ON STANDARD REM. 6MMREM. [with a 40 degree shoulder after fire forming.] I have using an article out of Precision Shooting mag [by Roy Towers] and Nosler. Also a book authored by P.O. Ackley himself. I have shot 55 Noslers AT around 4200 fps thru this barrel; shoots them at 2.5 inch high at 100 yards. [Devastating crow load!] I have shot BERGER, VLD'S [95 & 105] AND STARKE F.B. [95] WITH GREAT RESULTS WITH RELOADER # 19 & 22. Also IMR7828 is good. I have not had as good luck with V.V.# 160 and that susprised me. Kind of thought i would be locked into heavier bullets weights with the twist rate but i have shot 55's with pretty good results. Thanks for your reply.. 12-34hom.

**Mal H** · June 21, 1999, 12:20 PM

Assuming you have the 6mm/30-30 Ackley improved, I have found some suggested loads from old P. O. himself in "Cartridges of the World":

75 HP IMR3031 37 gr. MV = 3450 fps
75 HP IMR4895 36 gr. MV = 3265
85 HP IMR4895 37 gr. MV = 3300
90 SP IMR4320 38 gr. MV = 3065

Ackley originally designed this for a rebored Savage Mod 99 lever action.

I certainly agree with Art on the high twist rate. When you say you have some luck with 55 gr bullets, do you mean it's lucky that they make to the target in one piece?

**Mal H** · June 21, 1999, 12:24 PM

12 (may I call you by your first number?) - Sorry about posting what is probably redundant info since you have Ackley's book. We were apparently writing our responses at the time.

I also see that your's is not the 6mm/30-30, so ignore the above info, it would be too light. I didn't know Ackley had a 6mm Imp. other than the one I mentioned.

[This message has been edited by Mal H (edited June 21, 1999).]

12-34hom · June 21, 1999, 04:56 PM

MAL: I THINK ANY CARTRIDGE that has a shoulder angle of 40 degree's is considered an Ack. imp. Far as using 55 grain bullets in a 1&8 twist barrel, not a problem. Yea the heavier vld's and others do work better at longer ranges [600+ yards] but for varmint hunting out to and around 400 yards just can't shoot a much flatter TRAJECTORY than with those NOSLER B.T. BETWEEN 4100 & 4200 FPS. In fact; the drop and drift rates are better[ie..less] than the vld's at those ranges! AND they really dump thier energy and fragment when they come in contact with crows and yotes. If hammered crows with this load and they actually explode when hit! [Think that theory works the other way around, too slow a twist and not enough to stabalize heavier bullets]. thanks for the interest and reply 12-34hom - out.

**Mal H** · June 21, 1999, 05:13 PM

Very interesting stuff. I'll bet they do explode when they hit a crow. They're spinning at around 375,000 rpm. That has to be on the hairy edge of self destruction. If they weren't Noslers, I bet they would. I've never had a Nosler bullet I didn't like.

Art Eatman · June 21, 1999, 11:12 PM

My Sierra book shows IMR4350 and 760BR as the powders I would prefer, in the "stock" 6mm Rem.

They show a load with Rem 9-1/2 primer, 60-gr Sierra HP, and MAX 48.9 gr of 760BR as giving 3,700fps from a 26" barrel.

Best I can do ya, but it really sounds as if you already have the situation well in hand.

Sounds like a fun-gun!

Art

12-34hom · June 22, 1999, 10:48 AM

ART: This rifle was "smithed " by GORDY GRITTERS,varmint hunters asso.= [gunsmith advisory panel member] over the last two years. After i shot the factory barrel out [243win,1900 rnds] had him install the SHILEN. This rifle has a laminated stock, [pillar bedded], barrel is a #7 contour s.s. Shilen Select match, bolt face is squared, lugs lapped, 11 degree target crown on barrel. On top of this rides a SPRINGFIELD ARMORY [1ST GENERATION] GOVT. MODEL sniper scope, with weaver rings. Harris bipod attached, AND a GOOD nylon sling i found at my sporting goods store. I HAVE SHOT @ 340 ROUNDS thru this barrel and the guns averaging @ .5 moa. 12-34hom - out.

Art Eatman · June 22, 1999, 11:15 AM

Truly neat! Sorta think you're in that category of "It ain't broke; don't fix it!"

Question: How'd you shoot out a .243 in only 1,900 rounds? Unles you used max loads with Hercules HiVel? I'm well over 2,000 rounds in my old Sako, and still getting 1/2 moa. 90% of my loads have been 37.5 gr of 3031 behind an 85-grain BTHP bullet...

At least, now I know what to do if the little critter tires out on me!

12-34hom · June 22, 1999, 01:32 PM

ART: I don't have a good answer for you. Bought this rifle at a gun show [STOCK] and took it to GORTY and had him remove the barrel. It was sent down to BLACKSTAR INC. and i had thier polishing process administered. Shot many "max" loads thru the barrel but was careful while doing so. Never shot to excess of getting the barrel extremely hot, never used ammonia based solvents while cleaning, and cleaned EVERY time the rifle was fired. I was not impressed with blackstars process. I did not have the bore "mapped" when this was done [ie.. lack of funds] but now wish i had done so. The gun shot very well for a factory barrel but at around 1750 rounds accuarcy started to fall off. Guess i'm a fan of the saying "only accuarate rifles are interesting". I was getting to many flyers while shooting targets. Checked other aspects of the gun and seemed ok so i reasoned a bnew barrel must be in order. Love this Shilen barrel and after researching the trades i settled on that brand. I have tons of reloading data for the 243 and if you are interested glad to share if you need info. Shot a 243 for 10+ years and love that caliber also. 12-34hom -out.

flatlander · June 27, 1999, 12:42 AM

12-34hom: I bought my first 243 in 1968 and had lots of good times hunting coyotes and prairie dogs with it. Was still in high school, on a teenager's tight budget, so I bought surplus H4831 from my local dealer. He bought it in 125lb. drums and sold it to me for 80 cents/lb. I loaded lots of Speer 80gr soft points and Sierra 75gr HP's. Paid $123 for that M70 new, and put a new Weaver K6 with rangefinder reticle on it for another $60. I had a tackdriver - the loads with 4831 probably weren't going more than 3100fps, but they worked real well on prairie dogs. Wish I still had that rifle. I read one too many gun mag. articles about the 25-06 and traded my good M70 for a not-so-good Ruger M77 Heavy Barrel. The Ruger never shot worth a hoot(at least not when compared to my M70), and I traded it for another new M70 in 243. Still got this one, but it's never shot quite as well as the first one did. Many times I've thought about re-barreling it with a good SS tube, but there's too many irons in the fire, and wheat's only worth $2/bushel. Got to feed my AR's for HighPower. Enjoy your 6mm IMP, maybe someday I'll treat my M70 to something like your M700 makeover.

Art Eatman · June 27, 1999, 12:16 PM

12: Shilen barrels have had a consistently good reputation since over 30 years ago...I'm slow to try newer stuff, so long as the old stuff is working.

Flatlander: My own .243 is a little Sako Vixen. After throwing away the front piece of that phony Mannlicher stock, and rebedding, it became a 1/2-minute shooter. I've mostly used the Sierra 85-grain BTHP to kill about 20 deer with no "getaways". That bullet and the 60-grain Hornady both shoot to almost the same point of impact at 100 yards, so I don't bother with the scope for coyote hunting with the 60-grain. Haven't gotten good results with any 100-grain, but I don't know if it's the twist or me...Again, since the 85-gr works, "no le hace"--it doesn't matter. On mulies, I go to the '06, anyway...

Rock · July 4, 1999, 11:39 AM

12-34hom
Have just put my 6MM-Imp together haav fire formed a few cases will be interested in your loading results. Keep us informed

------------------

June 21, 1999, 03:10 AM	#1
12-34hom Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 1999 Location: Iowa - northeastern Posts: 1,810	Just started reloading for 6mm ack.imp. and wondering if any pet loads out there that anyone would care to share? Gun that i'm using rem 700 action [tuned] SHILEN select match s.s. 26 inch tube [1&8 twist]. Normally shoot 95 thru 105 grain moly coated bullets [BERGERS VLD'S AND STARKE F.B.] but have nothing against non- coated variety. Have shot some NOSLER 55 b.t. with some luck. Any comments? Thanks in advance. 12-34hom. - out.

June 21, 1999, 10:56 AM	#2
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Is this an Ackley improvement on the .243? I could not find a reference in five different loading-data books... Intriguing that the 1 in 8 twist will stabilize the 55-grain bullets. Should be a tack-driver with the 100s... What data are you now using? Best luck, Art

June 21, 1999, 12:17 PM	#3
12-34hom Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 1999 Location: Iowa - northeastern Posts: 1,810	ART: THIS CARTRIDGE IS BASED ON STANDARD REM. 6MMREM. [with a 40 degree shoulder after fire forming.] I have using an article out of Precision Shooting mag [by Roy Towers] and Nosler. Also a book authored by P.O. Ackley himself. I have shot 55 Noslers AT around 4200 fps thru this barrel; shoots them at 2.5 inch high at 100 yards. [Devastating crow load!] I have shot BERGER, VLD'S [95 & 105] AND STARKE F.B. [95] WITH GREAT RESULTS WITH RELOADER # 19 & 22. Also IMR7828 is good. I have not had as good luck with V.V.# 160 and that susprised me. Kind of thought i would be locked into heavier bullets weights with the twist rate but i have shot 55's with pretty good results. Thanks for your reply.. 12-34hom.

June 21, 1999, 12:20 PM	#4
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,947	Assuming you have the 6mm/30-30 Ackley improved, I have found some suggested loads from old P. O. himself in "Cartridges of the World": 75 HP IMR3031 37 gr. MV = 3450 fps 75 HP IMR4895 36 gr. MV = 3265 85 HP IMR4895 37 gr. MV = 3300 90 SP IMR4320 38 gr. MV = 3065 Ackley originally designed this for a rebored Savage Mod 99 lever action. I certainly agree with Art on the high twist rate. When you say you have some luck with 55 gr bullets, do you mean it's lucky that they make to the target in one piece?

June 21, 1999, 12:24 PM	#5
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,947	12 (may I call you by your first number?) - Sorry about posting what is probably redundant info since you have Ackley's book. We were apparently writing our responses at the time. I also see that your's is not the 6mm/30-30, so ignore the above info, it would be too light. I didn't know Ackley had a 6mm Imp. other than the one I mentioned. [This message has been edited by Mal H (edited June 21, 1999).]

June 21, 1999, 04:56 PM	#6
12-34hom Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 1999 Location: Iowa - northeastern Posts: 1,810	MAL: I THINK ANY CARTRIDGE that has a shoulder angle of 40 degree's is considered an Ack. imp. Far as using 55 grain bullets in a 1&8 twist barrel, not a problem. Yea the heavier vld's and others do work better at longer ranges [600+ yards] but for varmint hunting out to and around 400 yards just can't shoot a much flatter TRAJECTORY than with those NOSLER B.T. BETWEEN 4100 & 4200 FPS. In fact; the drop and drift rates are better[ie..less] than the vld's at those ranges! AND they really dump thier energy and fragment when they come in contact with crows and yotes. If hammered crows with this load and they actually explode when hit! [Think that theory works the other way around, too slow a twist and not enough to stabalize heavier bullets]. thanks for the interest and reply 12-34hom - out.

June 21, 1999, 05:13 PM	#7
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,947	Very interesting stuff. I'll bet they do explode when they hit a crow. They're spinning at around 375,000 rpm. That has to be on the hairy edge of self destruction. If they weren't Noslers, I bet they would. I've never had a Nosler bullet I didn't like.

June 21, 1999, 11:12 PM	#8
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	My Sierra book shows IMR4350 and 760BR as the powders I would prefer, in the "stock" 6mm Rem. They show a load with Rem 9-1/2 primer, 60-gr Sierra HP, and MAX 48.9 gr of 760BR as giving 3,700fps from a 26" barrel. Best I can do ya, but it really sounds as if you already have the situation well in hand. Sounds like a fun-gun! Art

June 22, 1999, 10:48 AM	#9
12-34hom Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 1999 Location: Iowa - northeastern Posts: 1,810	ART: This rifle was "smithed " by GORDY GRITTERS,varmint hunters asso.= [gunsmith advisory panel member] over the last two years. After i shot the factory barrel out [243win,1900 rnds] had him install the SHILEN. This rifle has a laminated stock, [pillar bedded], barrel is a #7 contour s.s. Shilen Select match, bolt face is squared, lugs lapped, 11 degree target crown on barrel. On top of this rides a SPRINGFIELD ARMORY [1ST GENERATION] GOVT. MODEL sniper scope, with weaver rings. Harris bipod attached, AND a GOOD nylon sling i found at my sporting goods store. I HAVE SHOT @ 340 ROUNDS thru this barrel and the guns averaging @ .5 moa. 12-34hom - out.

June 22, 1999, 11:15 AM	#10
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Truly neat! Sorta think you're in that category of "It ain't broke; don't fix it!" Question: How'd you shoot out a .243 in only 1,900 rounds? Unles you used max loads with Hercules HiVel? I'm well over 2,000 rounds in my old Sako, and still getting 1/2 moa. 90% of my loads have been 37.5 gr of 3031 behind an 85-grain BTHP bullet... At least, now I know what to do if the little critter tires out on me!

June 22, 1999, 01:32 PM	#11
12-34hom Senior Member Join Date: June 8, 1999 Location: Iowa - northeastern Posts: 1,810	ART: I don't have a good answer for you. Bought this rifle at a gun show [STOCK] and took it to GORTY and had him remove the barrel. It was sent down to BLACKSTAR INC. and i had thier polishing process administered. Shot many "max" loads thru the barrel but was careful while doing so. Never shot to excess of getting the barrel extremely hot, never used ammonia based solvents while cleaning, and cleaned EVERY time the rifle was fired. I was not impressed with blackstars process. I did not have the bore "mapped" when this was done [ie.. lack of funds] but now wish i had done so. The gun shot very well for a factory barrel but at around 1750 rounds accuarcy started to fall off. Guess i'm a fan of the saying "only accuarate rifles are interesting". I was getting to many flyers while shooting targets. Checked other aspects of the gun and seemed ok so i reasoned a bnew barrel must be in order. Love this Shilen barrel and after researching the trades i settled on that brand. I have tons of reloading data for the 243 and if you are interested glad to share if you need info. Shot a 243 for 10+ years and love that caliber also. 12-34hom -out.

June 27, 1999, 12:42 AM	#12
flatlander Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 1999 Posts: 120	12-34hom: I bought my first 243 in 1968 and had lots of good times hunting coyotes and prairie dogs with it. Was still in high school, on a teenager's tight budget, so I bought surplus H4831 from my local dealer. He bought it in 125lb. drums and sold it to me for 80 cents/lb. I loaded lots of Speer 80gr soft points and Sierra 75gr HP's. Paid $123 for that M70 new, and put a new Weaver K6 with rangefinder reticle on it for another $60. I had a tackdriver - the loads with 4831 probably weren't going more than 3100fps, but they worked real well on prairie dogs. Wish I still had that rifle. I read one too many gun mag. articles about the 25-06 and traded my good M70 for a not-so-good Ruger M77 Heavy Barrel. The Ruger never shot worth a hoot(at least not when compared to my M70), and I traded it for another new M70 in 243. Still got this one, but it's never shot quite as well as the first one did. Many times I've thought about re-barreling it with a good SS tube, but there's too many irons in the fire, and wheat's only worth $2/bushel. Got to feed my AR's for HighPower. Enjoy your 6mm IMP, maybe someday I'll treat my M70 to something like your M700 makeover.

June 27, 1999, 12:16 PM	#13
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	12: Shilen barrels have had a consistently good reputation since over 30 years ago...I'm slow to try newer stuff, so long as the old stuff is working. Flatlander: My own .243 is a little Sako Vixen. After throwing away the front piece of that phony Mannlicher stock, and rebedding, it became a 1/2-minute shooter. I've mostly used the Sierra 85-grain BTHP to kill about 20 deer with no "getaways". That bullet and the 60-grain Hornady both shoot to almost the same point of impact at 100 yards, so I don't bother with the scope for coyote hunting with the 60-grain. Haven't gotten good results with any 100-grain, but I don't know if it's the twist or me...Again, since the 85-gr works, "no le hace"--it doesn't matter. On mulies, I go to the '06, anyway...

July 4, 1999, 11:39 AM	#14
Rock Member Join Date: July 2, 1999 Posts: 25	12-34hom Have just put my 6MM-Imp together haav fire formed a few cases will be interested in your loading results. Keep us informed ------------------