6.8 Western Powder Choices

[Cliffdog]

I started with Ramshot Magnum in the 6.8 Western a couple years ago because that was the first slower burning powder I could source during a time when supplies were limited. I've since added H1000 to my stock and use it in a 300 PRC. I've tried it in 6.8 Western but circled back to Ramshot Grand in the 6.8 Western with a 151 HHT hammer at 3220 fps.

Just curious what is the powder charge you are using with grand? I’ve been trying to develop a load with this powder but not having any luck. I’m shooting 150 cutting lasers.

 

[fuzzymarindave]

Just curious what is the powder charge you are using with grand? I’ve been trying to develop a load with this powder but not having any luck. I’m shooting 150 cutting lasers.

Running 67.1 gr for that load. I had worked my way up to 3300 fps but got too much pressure sign including primary extraction issues - so I dropped down.

 

[Cliffdog]

Running 67.1 gr for that load. I had worked my way up to 3300 fps but got too much pressure sign including primary extraction issues - so I dropped down.

Interesting. I tried 67.1 of grand but it didn’t group for me. Also was running about 3033 fps. I’m shooting m70 Winchester with 1:8 and 24 inch barrel. I’ve had good success with h1000 at 60 grains. 4 shots under 1/2 inch. 150 cutting edge lasers at 3.036 coal and 150 badlands precision super bulldozer 2 at 2.95 coal. Both shoot under half inch at that powder charge. Just looking for more speed.

 

[Mschroeder40]

I use Ramshot magnum and N565. Just shot this load today @ 600 yards with my Browning X-Bolt McMillan with Ramshot Magnum and 165gr ablr's. I really enjoy this cartridge!

 

[skip189]

Best powder I could get going out of an 18" 6.8 western was Ramshot Magnum. Shot lights out with the 175 Sierra. No a speed demon as its in a 18 inch barrel but super accurate.

 

[PorterM]

I use Ramshot magnum and N565. Just shot this load today @ 600 yards with my Browning X-Bolt McMillan with Ramshot Magnum and 165gr ablr's. I really enjoy this cartridge!
View attachment 838475View attachment 838476

How many grains of ramshot magnum and what seating depth? I’m getting decent groups with ablrs seated at 2.850 oal over Retumbo from my browning but not as good as what you’re getting there!

 

[Mschroeder40]

Ramshot Magnum 68.5gr
Coal 2.880 / ogive 2.303
Cci 34 primers
3024 avg fps
SD 7.9

 

[Arcus Venator]

I want to thank everyone for the information.

I just got a Seekins Havak Elemet chambered in 6.8 Western and brass is on the way. I plan on starting with Ramshot Magnum with 170gr Bergers and Nosler ballistic tips.

This thread has given me other powder choices if the Magnum does not work.

 

[gerry35]

I have reloaded the 170 gr Ballistic Tip and 175 gr Sierra TGK and had good results (about 3/4 moa) with Magnum. Going to try it as well with the 170 gr Berger this spring and my favorite 277 bullet the old school 160 gr Partition.

Best loads so far have been the 170 gr Ballistic Tip with Retumbo and 175 gr Sierra TGK with Magpro, both around 1/2 moa. Out of Retumbo so I have some N 565 waiting to add to the mix. My gun is a LH Tikka with a 24" KS Arms 1 in 8 twist barrel.

 

[Mschroeder40]

I ran a ladder test with N565, cci 34 and berger 170gr eol's. 2.247 ogive
Browning X-Bolt HC McMillan 26"
60.5 - 2799
61 - 2797
61.5 - 2814
62 - 2836
62.5 - 2864
63 - 2894
63.5 - 2870
64 - 2931
64.5 - 2969*
65 - 2993
65.5 - 3020 heavy bolt
66 - 3028 heavy bolt
I went with the 64.5 load to be safe with pressure. It worked out pretty well. 2963 avg, es 8.8, sd 3.6. I attached the 12 shot ladder and first 3 shot group below.

 

[gerry35]

I ran a ladder test with N565, cci 34 and berger 170gr eol's. 2.247 ogive
Browning X-Bolt HC McMillan 26"
60.5 - 2799
61 - 2797
61.5 - 2814
62 - 2836
62.5 - 2864
63 - 2894
63.5 - 2870
64 - 2931
64.5 - 2969*
65 - 2993
65.5 - 3020 heavy bolt
66 - 3028 heavy bolt
I went with the 64.5 load to be safe with pressure. It worked out pretty well. 2963 avg, es 8.8, sd 3.6. I attached the 12 shot ladder and first 3 shot group below.View attachment 840180View attachment 840181

Thanks for sharing this, looks quite good. Looks like 2900 fps would be reasonable to expect out of a 24" barrel with N 565 and the 170 gr Berger.

 

[mtmojo]

I tried Magnum, Staball HD and Midwest Powders 701 (similar to Grand - from American Reloading). These are tested with 170 Bergers, loaded to mag length (2.254") with CCI magnum 250 primers. Since I'm in a short action I didn't find my distance from lands. This is with a 23" barrel. It was 5 degrees outside but 50 from inside the shop. So will have to check again in warmer weather for pressure signs.

MP701
65.9 - 2868 primer very slight flattening
65.4 - 2883
64.9 - 2782
63.9 - 2668
63.4 - 2610
62.9 - 2573

StaBall HD
66.8 - 2829 Primer starting to flatten slightly
66.6 - 2820
66.4 - 2806
66.2 - 2799
66.0 - 2804

Magnum
69.1 - 2873 no extractor marks but slight flattening
68.9 - 2875
68.7 - 2862
68.5 - 2828
68.3 - 2823

Went with 65.5 of MP701 (8# jug was $209) - SD of 7.1 and I've got 37 rounds down the barrel now. It's sped up to 2878 so I'm expecting a bit more and will retest once I'm 100+ rounds over. This load shot .6" at 200 and I got a .8" with the Browning factory 175s. I'm looking to pick up some 165 ABLRs to see how they do as well. I'll add that its pretty cold here in MT now so I'll have to check for signs of pressure once it warms up some, though it was 50 inside from where we were shooting. The StaBall was a little slow but looks to be a lot of room around the 66.0-66.4. I think that would show some great SDs and will look at it again when my barrel has sped up,

 

[kevingm1987]

I tried Magnum, Staball HD and Midwest Powders 701 (similar to Grand - from American Reloading). These are tested with 170 Bergers, loaded to mag length (3.335") with CCI magnum 250 primers. Since I'm in a short action I didn't find my distance from lands. This is with a 23" barrel. It was 5 degrees outside but 50 from inside the shop. So will have to check again in warmer weather for pressure signs.

MP701
65.9 - 2868 primer very slight flattening
65.4 - 2883
64.9 - 2782
63.9 - 2668
63.4 - 2610
62.9 - 2573

StaBall HD
66.8 - 2829 Primer starting to flatten slightly
66.6 - 2820
66.4 - 2806
66.2 - 2799
66.0 - 2804

Magnum
69.1 - 2873 no extractor marks but slight flattening
68.9 - 2875
68.7 - 2862
68.5 - 2828
68.3 - 2823

Went with 65.5 of MP701 (8# jug was $209) - SD of 7.1 and I've got 37 rounds down the barrel now. It's sped up to 2878 so I'm expecting a bit more and will retest once I'm 100+ rounds over. This load shot .6" at 200 and I got a .8" with the Browning factory 175s. I'm looking to pick up some 165 ABLRs to see how they do as well. I'll add that its pretty cold here in MT now so I'll have to check for signs of pressure once it warms up some, though it was 50 inside from where we were shooting. The StaBall was a little slow but looks to be a lot of room around the 66.0-66.4. I think that would show some great SDs and will look at it again when my barrel has sped up,

2.955” is mag length,no?

 

[mtmojo]

2.955” is mag length,no?

Yup. 2.253. I'll get that corrected. It's my distance to ogive but I did have the wrong # in there.

 

[YellowDog406]

I've been shooting 64.5 grains of Accurate Magpro with 165 Nosler ABLR and WLRM primers.