6 Dasher Barrel Life - for hunting

[KyleR1985]

Everyone I show my 3/4moa load work up to says “yeh, I’d be concerned if a dasher didn’t do that”.

Well I’m still proud of it - I’ve shot more center fire rifle rounds in the last 6 months than I have in the last 20 years of hunting.

OP, Piet from Impact Shooting just put out a new video where he chops his 6 Dasher from 26" to 18". In it he stated that he had around 3000 shots on that barrel and it was still printing 1/2MOA 5-shot groups with two different loads.
Makes me almost want to build a 6 Dasher.

 

[khuber84]

Most 6 dasher comp barrels go 2500 rounds of well under sub moa accuracy, this is high rate of fire, hot days the barrel never cools off. If you're just going to slow fire targets and hunting, I'd think it'll last 3k rds minimum.

 

[KyleR1985]

Most 6 dasher comp barrels go 2500 rounds of well under sub moa accuracy, this is high rate of fire, hot days the barrel never cools off. If you're just going to slow fire targets and hunting, I'd think it'll last 3k rds minimum.

Slightly related: would you be concerned at all with load development and target shooting with the DD Wolfhunter?

DD just gives a temperature limitation.

 

[Lawnboi]

Titanium under 800 degrees is pretty standard across a number of companies.

I can’t speak to DD but Tbac has the same recommendation. I shoot 12 round strings of fire during matches fairly often in 80 plus degrees with zero issues.

The only reason this has recently becoming something payed attention to with bolt gun is scythes blowing up left and right and silencerco blaming it on titanium.

 

[khuber84]

Slightly related: would you be concerned at all with load development and target shooting with the DD Wolfhunter?

DD just gives a temperature limitation.

I'd think you're 100% safe with a 12rd string in 60 seconds. I have 4 diligent cans, I've gotten them pretty warm, no issues.

 

[Leaf Litter]

I'm ignorant when it comes to "nodes".

If I'm changing bullet weight from that 100-109 class, to 85-95gr, would you still use 32gr of varget, or would I expect better accuracy at a higher charge weight?

For what it's worth, the gun shot 2700fps 105 BTHP over 32.5gr varget, 2815fps 95 TMK over 34gr varget, 2965fps 87 Vmax over 35gr varget. Less than 20 rounds down the tube.

Before cutting to 16" from 22", all shot under 1.5" for 3 at 100 with no work done to stock/action as far as bedding, properly torquing, still using factory bottom plastic - at those charges. Speeds were obviously around 200fps faster.

You'd be best to ignore anybody who uses the term "node." It's an outdated term used by people who shot statistically useless 1-3 shot "groups" to determine velocity or accuracy changes between powder charges.

 

[khuber84]

You'd be best to ignore anybody who uses the term "node." It's an outdated term used by people who shot statistically useless 1-3 shot "groups" to determine velocity or accuracy changes between powder charges.

If you're chasing sub moa group yeah nodes aren't really a thing or that important. Talk to benchreat shooters who consistently shoot 10 shots in the 2s and 3s at 1k yards, velocity nodes are definitely a real thing. They are NOT powder nodes. They are a range of charge weight that generates a velocity windows that holds tight vertical at distance through positive compensation of barrel harmonics. Shoot a lot of paper at 600-800y and you'll see it as you work up in powder weights. The accuracy needed to kill deer at 700y it's basically a 1.5moa gun. The accuracy needed to be in top 10 at Williamsport is a 10 shot group at 1k yard in the 3s or smaller.

 

[wind gypsy]

Talk to benchreat shooters who consistently shoot 10 shots in the 2s and 3s at 1k yards,

Is that an actual thing? I thought world records were in the high 2s and typical winning relay was more in the 5+ for 10 shots?

 

[zdc1775]

Is that an actual thing? I thought world records were in the high 2s and typical winning relay was more in the 5+ for 10 shots?

I guess it depends on how you define consistently.

The guys who shoot 3" groups typically can do it somewhat regularly in perfect conditions but absolutely not on demand, and those are also usually the 5 shot group in light gun. Sort of like how a lot of shooters say they have a .5 moa gun because one time they put three bullets out of 5, but they know the other two where flyers, into a group that size once, maybe.

For the ten shot groups in open, yeah 5" is much more common on any given day.

And the heavy/open gun 10 shot record is 2.65", and the light gun 5 shot group record is 1.47" according to the benchrest shooters association.

Personally, the few times I've shot benchrest or f class at 1,000 I was happy if I was able to keep all the rounds in the 9 and 10 rings.

 

[khuber84]

Is that an actual thing? I thought world records were in the high 2s and typical winning relay was more in the 5+ for 10 shots?

Tom Mousel recently shot several relays with a 300wsm in the 2s. His avg has been in the 3s. He's winning with that. But to compete for top spot this is what's necessary in the micro accuracy game. We do not need this level of precision to kill game.

What I'm saying is, shoot a 3 shot ladder at 600-700y, repeat the test, if it repeats that's a 6 shot sample of data, now load typically in the upper half that powder bracket with tight vertical and test it at distance. These guys are total nerds about their loading, but velocity nodes are a real thing. A lot of things start changing out past 600y, these guys tune at the distance they compete at. A tune that shoots in the 2s and 3s at 400-500y, likely will not do the same at 800-1000y. I have a handful of friends that compete in 1k br at Deep Creek year. Good conditions these guys can shoot really small.

 

[pathnz]

What kind of results are the guys that are losing those matches getting?

 

[pathnz]

the average group agg at the 2024 IBS national champs 1k was 6.62" for LG and 8.63" for HG

The guys losing are shooting well over MOA (up to 17+ inches)

There's a lot of factors that contribute to the results at long range, but - all these guys are also trying to tune their loads for nodes. If everyone is doing it, then everyone's results are more representative than just the winner.

 

[Lawnboi]

I’m not sure if I’ll ever be shooting my 223 again. 6 more grains of varget, way more accurate, much more consistent velocity, higher wind number, little extra recoil. Legal for big game in all the states I plan to hunt.

 

[HandgunHTR]

I’m not sure if I’ll ever be shooting my 223 again. 6 more grains of varget, way more accurate, much more consistent velocity, higher wind number, little extra recoil. Legal for big game in all the states I plan to hunt.


View attachment 889226

I might have missed it somewhere else on the Forum, but what are the specs on that rifle? Looks like fun.

 

[KyleR1985]

I’m not sure if I’ll ever be shooting my 223 again. 6 more grains of varget, way more accurate, much more consistent velocity, higher wind number, little extra recoil. Legal for big game in all the states I plan to hunt.


View attachment 889226

I love mine.

Howa mini 6ARC punched to 6dasher and cut to 16” in stockys vg, rookie bedding job, shooting factory seconds 108’s over factory seconds Peterson brass pretty much makes holes that touch now with any powder and charge I try.

Can’t wait for deer season.

 

[Lawnboi]

I might have missed it somewhere else on the Forum, but what are the specs on that rifle? Looks like fun.

It’s a tikka, ace 3 7.5 twist barrel prefit at 21”, hnt 26 chassis with elite grip, ultra 7 and the new mdt mountain bipod. Really like this rifle.

Alpha legacy chamber, .120 fb, Shooting alpha brass. Same as my match gun.

Stupid easy loading and stupid easy shooting.

 

[khuber84]

It's pretty cool to see one the 6mm benchrest favorites since the 90s start coming full circle in the hunting community. When someone finally figured out smaller bullets at less than Mach Jesus velocity kills just as effectively, horizons really broaden.

 

[Lawnboi]

It's pretty cool to see one the 6mm benchrest favorites since the 90s start coming full circle in the hunting community. When someone finally figured out smaller bullets at less than Mach Jesus velocity kills just as effectively, horizons really broaden.

Now that we have popular no turn chambers, factory brass and magazines I do t see how a reloaded could overlook a br/dasher as a do all sub 500 yard rifle.

 

[KyleR1985]

Now that we have popular no turn chambers, factory brass and magazines I do t see how a reloaded could overlook a br/dasher as a do all sub 500 yard rifle.

I worked backwards into this spot, and fully agree.

I owe all of you guys who pointed me in this direction.

 

[HandgunHTR]

It's pretty cool to see one the 6mm benchrest favorites since the 90s start coming full circle in the hunting community. When someone finally figured out smaller bullets at less than Mach Jesus velocity kills just as effectively, horizons really broaden.

Be careful there, son. That is just a "belief". /s