6 Dasher thread

[Lawnboi]

6 Dasher yesterday - checking out the new 116TMKs and trying out some 112 Match Burners. This is a custom PRS rig, 27.5 inch Krieger barrel with 2300+ rounds of PRS match ammo - in theory, this barrel is done but still hammering.

No load development, no measuring seating depth, etc. Used my Forster seating die at my normal 105 Hybrid setting (never changes). Obviously can add some powder and get some more speed; however, note the groups and the SDs. Alpha brass (6+ firings, annealed every firing) and CCI 450 primers.

Dasher is easy - the thread is going down some black magic rabbit holes that are not required. Either Dasher is the easy button or it isn't.

PS - I am not a great group shooter to begin with.

This is exactly why I started this thread. You don’t have to be a good group shooter to shoot a dasher well. It’s really shown me what’s me and what’s maybe my rifle. The consistency and ease of loading is why every hand loader needs one

 

[G&W]

Hunters need to know! This cartridge deserves its own thread, and at the request of a few people I figured we should start one.

6 dasher once was a wildcat that required forming, neck turning and was well known as an accurate match round. Today there’s plentiful brass, reamers and information. It has worked its way from something seen on the bench, to a round that works in a field rifle as a repeater. Before owning a dasher I didn’t think inherent accuracy was a thing. Having shot it for a while now I believe, and I think it’s a cartridge every hand loader needs.

I started shooting dasher last year, did a lot of research on reamers, brass, dies and loads to come up with what I thought would work for PRS and hunting. I have ended up with two similar but different setups. One 9lbs in an mdt hnt 26 for hunting, and one 22lbs in a mdt acc for comp use.

What I found in the last year is that the dasher is the perfect round for what I do hunting as well as comp use. Consistency, barrel life, inherent accuracy, quality of components and the ability to make a heavy for caliber bullet maintain 2000 fps at 500-600 yards is what I wanted. I wanted it in a package that had the least recoil possible.

The ease of loading and accuracy have pushed me to only shoot the dasher now. I see little reason to shoot much else for a hunter like myself that isn’t going to shoot at animals past 600 yards. Iv even gotten rid of my 223 stuff and just find it easier to feed and shoot the dasher.

I like the way you think. Built a pair of 6.5x47’s in the same manner. 22 pound ACC Elite 26” for range use and a much lighter weight HNT26 20” for all around use. Very easy to shoot cartridge, wide variety of bullets, pretty good barrel life, and a bit more energy downrange to thump the steel.

Am working on getting second barrels in each for 22 GT.

 

[Lawnboi]

My 24” osprey I had chambered showed up, getting ready to put that rifle together and see what I can get 116s to do.

Swapped back over to the ultra 7 for my shorter rifle…. Hate to say it but the 6.5 U7 is just a better suppressor than the OG65 imo. I really like the CB, and it sounds better to me. Enough shots in the field for me with both now and the u7 dosnt leave me wanting any more suppression, zero discomfort. The OG was just a little louder and notably it was a little uncomfortable after a few shots.

The OG will live on the 24” barrel when that rifle gets setup. Leaving both setups the same length.

Shot some positional groups today seated and kneeling. One shot took me off sub moa accuracy for the session….. grrrr

 

[wind gypsy]

My 24” osprey I had chambered showed up, getting ready to put that rifle together and see what I can get 116s to do.

Swapped back over to the ultra 7 for my shorter rifle…. Hate to say it but the 6.5 U7 is just a better suppressor than the OG65 imo. I really like the CB, and it sounds better to me. Enough shots in the field for me with both now and the u7 dosnt leave me wanting any more suppression, zero discomfort. The OG was just a little louder and notably it was a little uncomfortable after a few shots.

The boomy vs whooshy sound thing is real. I find the "tone" of the whooshy cans more pleasing which goes against marketing. That's with ear pro on as the shooter. I'm still excited about the OG65 as a creedmoor and smaller case hunting can with a little extra barrel length. *I reserve the right to change my opinion after more shooting.

 

[Mrwoodard]

This isn't a hunting rifle but I we wanted to show how easy a Dasher is to load for. Installed my second Proof competition contour prefit for an Origin. Loaded virgin Alpha brass with 105 hybrids and enough varget to hit 2850 fps. I went and shot my first 600 yard bench rest match for fun with no expectations. This was my last target of the day. Average group size for all four relays was 2.8 inches. Not good enough to win, but damn good for a prefit barrel and no load work up.

 

[StreetCred]

Thinking of making a 6mm Dasher out of a Tikka T3x action that's not being used. I'll need a barrel and while looking for one I'm seeing choices of Lapua and Norma chambers. What's up with those? Seems like the Lapua's neck area is slightly larger in diameter. If I had the barrel chambered in Lapua would I be forced to use only Lapua brass?

 

[wind gypsy]

Thinking of making a 6mm Dasher out of a Tikka T3x action that's not being used. I'll need a barrel and while looking for one I'm seeing choices of Lapua and Norma chambers. What's up with those? Seems like the Lapua's neck area is slightly larger in diameter. If I had the barrel chambered in Lapua would I be forced to use only Lapua brass?

Norma came out with head stamped Dasher brass when it was purely a wildcat but they added length to the neck. So if you're going to use the long norma brass, you want norma chamber. Lapua, peterson, alpha brass goes in lapua chamber. I think the "alpha" chamber is very close or basically the same as what folks long used for fire formed lapua brass.

You dont want the norma chamber unless your sitting on norma brass that you dont want to sell or just cant stomach the short neck of a dasher. Data from most all other shooters is going to come from lapua/alpha chambers.

 

[sierracharlie338]

@wind gypsy beat me to it with more detail lol

 

[StreetCred]

Norma came out with head stamped Dasher brass when it was purely a wildcat but they added length to the neck. So if you're going to use the long norma brass, you want norma chamber. Lapua, peterson, alpha brass goes in lapua chamber. I think the "alpha" chamber is very close or basically the same as what folks long used for fire formed lapua brass.

You dont want the norma chamber unless your sitting on norma brass that you dont want to sell or just cant stomach the short neck of a dasher. Data from most all other shooters is going to come from lapua/alpha chambers.

I'm just starting this Dasher journey and don't have any components or rifle to shoot them out of. Sounds like I want to go with the Lapua chamber. Now, what about all the different variations of Lapua chambers? Not having a SAAMI spec leaves things open to variations.

 

[wind gypsy]

I'm just starting this Dasher journey and don't have any components or rifle to shoot them out of. Sounds like I want to go with the Lapua chamber. Now, what about all the different variations of Lapua chambers? Not having a SAAMI spec leaves things open to variations.

Look for a alpha reamer and use alpha brass.

 

[Lawnboi]

I'm just starting this Dasher journey and don't have any components or rifle to shoot them out of. Sounds like I want to go with the Lapua chamber. Now, what about all the different variations of Lapua chambers? Not having a SAAMI spec leaves things open to variations.

Norma reamer references long neck Norma brass. I don’t see anyone using a Norma reamed dasher.

Lapua reamers generally were designed for use with fire formed lapua 6br brass. One thing to make sure of is if the neck requires turning or not. For a field gun you likely want a no turn neck. Lots of guys successfully use alpha formed brass in these chambers.

Alpha legacy reamers were designed for alpha brass. This is what Iv got. Tried to make it easy and use an alpha reamer, alpha brass and an alpha reamed die (although most dies out there will work in the alpha chamber; but not the other way around).

I see zero reason to fire form dasher anymore so I would ask your smith for a no turn neck dasher chamber for shooting alpha brass.

As far as freebore goes there’s a ton out there. All my data on here is from a .120 freebore reamer. Perfect for jumping Berger hybrids/tmk an appropriate amount.

 

[KyleR1985]

I think one would be wise to get a print of the reamer being used on their first dasher barrel with a smith.

It really isn’t complicated. That said, if you’ve got a smith who’s been around a while, and has a reamer from the cowboy days of the dasher, and communication isn’t tip top, you might get disappointed.


Has anyone measured h2o capacity of their fired alpha brass?

 

[StreetCred]

Thanks for all the good information! This is awesome! I was planning on buying Peterson or Alpha brass. Don't want to fire form the 6mm BR. Still trying to find a barrel that won't break the bank.

 

[Treelineasassin]

Typical lapua dasher reamers are 272 neck or smaller(that require turning). Alpha reamers have a 274 neck I do believe. I've used lapua and Alpha in 272 neck, and 274 neck chambers without issue. Dasher is REALLY easy. Alpha brass is superior in web strength VS lapua.

 

[Lawnboi]

Thanks for all the good information! This is awesome! I was planning on buying Peterson or Alpha brass. Don't want to fire form the 6mm BR. Still trying to find a barrel that won't break the bank.

Get alpha. Great brass, and more capacity than Petersen. If you look at some side besides the Peterson have a very very thick base.

Are you building a comp gun or a hunting gun?

 

[wyosam]

I'm just starting this Dasher journey and don't have any components or rifle to shoot them out of. Sounds like I want to go with the Lapua chamber. Now, what about all the different variations of Lapua chambers? Not having a SAAMI spec leaves things open to variations.

Easy button is alpha brass, alpha reamer


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[StreetCred]

Get alpha. Great brass, and more capacity than Petersen. If you look at some side besides the Peterson have a very very thick base.

Are you building a comp gun or a hunting gun?

Sounds like Alpha's the way to go. This gun will just be a range queen. I don't compete or hunt anymore.