6mm ARC Hunting Loads

[jovy1097]

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to try out 90 Sieerra TGK's first. Sierra recommends Shooter's World Match powder if using a bolt gun. Say you can get 3, 000 fps with a 24" barrel using 30 grains of this powder. Sounds pretty potent for the load. Thoughts?

 

[UnckleBob]

6 ARC is a great round, the great thing is more and more factory options are popping up lately. I had planned to use my 6 ARC for antelope hunting last fall, but couldn't get an acceptable accurate load with the 75 gr Hammer HHT prior to my hunt. Use the right bullet and put it in the right spot and it will definitely do the trick.

Do you happen to have any load data with Varget? I have that bullet and want to use a temp stabile powder.

 

[Canowormz]

New to the forum. I recently put together a 6mm ARC on a Howa Mini action in 6mm ARC with the 20" heavy barrel and a Stocky's stock. Love this little gun - it's the most fun to shoot of almost anything I've ever owned. Have been shooting factory Hornady Black, ELD-X, and ELD-VT ammo in it with acceptable results. The main reason I wanted this in bolt action was because it's a way to get the most from the small case. With that in mind, I want to start reloading. I want to make up a load for coyotes and similar varmints and a load for deer/hogs. Can any of you put me on the quickest track to a good load for these? I'm not looking for a one-for-all single load. I'd rather have a "best coyote load" and a "best deer load." Don't want to spend loads of money trying everything, so maybe a bullet/powder combo for each as a good starting point? For example, I've heard that LeveRevolution and 103 ELD-X is a decent deer combo. Other places I've heard that LeveRevolution is a very erratic powder for accuracy, so just polling the audience for suggestions.

I have basically the same setup as you. So far I'm getting great results with both the 108 ELD-M and 95 LRX over Varget. Getting about 2600 with the 108 and 2700 with the LRX. So far killing well but only my shots were on deer inside 250

 

[UnckleBob]

6 ARC is a great round, the great thing is more and more factory options are popping up lately. I had planned to use my 6 ARC for antelope hunting last fall, but couldn't get an acceptable accurate load with the 75 gr Hammer HHT prior to my hunt. Use the right bullet and put it in the right spot and it will definitely do the trick.

Yesterday, I tried out a load using Varget. I started with 29g and got to 29.5g before bolt lift was a little sticky. Both loads were scary accurate.

For my upcoming trip, I am going to use the 29g load which got me 2950fps. It should be great for shots under 100 yards.

 

[UnckleBob]

26.0g N133 for 75g HHH bullets from Howa 20" barrel. 2950fps

I hope to test it on a deer this year.

 

[cdes29]

I was working up a load for my buddies CA with a 16” barrel, and it was tough to find accuracy. Varget and N540 were the most consistent.

 

[CO_MTN_GUY]

Changed directions and taking the 103gr ELD-X over Hornady book max of Varget, averaging 2620 FPS out of the Ruger American Gen II Ranch to the elk woods this week. Just under 3/4 MOA for 5 shots and according to Hornady 4DOF stays above 1800 FPS out to 500 yards.

 

[CO_MTN_GUY]

Changed directions and taking the 103gr ELD-X over Hornady book max of Varget, averaging 2620 FPS out of the Ruger American Gen II Ranch to the elk woods this week. Just under 3/4 MOA for 5 shots and according to Hornady 4DOF stays above 1800 FPS out to 500 yards.

I can happily report that this load works very well on elk. 270 yards slight quartering away, one shot and he went 20 feet and tipped over. Estimated impact velocity of 2190 FPS. Golf ball sized entry and wound channel through the thoracic. Jacket and core separated somewhere in there and jacket was recovered just under the off side hide.