6mm ARC Hunting Loads

[jovy1097]

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.

 

[Bluefish]

Either 103 or 108’s can do just about everything. I have not worked up bolt loads yet, but if lvr works, I would try reloader 16 instead. Will take a groin or two more to get the same velocity, but better temp stability.

 

[270quest]

I have the 20" carbon barreled action in a stocky stocks. Wanted a temp stable powder so settled on H4895. 27.0 with a 105 Berger Hybrid gives me sub moa accuracy and 2725-2740 FPS with a Backcountry Suppressor. At the 5500-8500 feet elevations I hunt - thats 600+ on bullet expansion. (Not that I plan to shoot that far with it)

But I am taking into the backcountry for big muleys and black bears and possibly an elk this fall...

 

[seand]

I’d just load 8208xbr or Varget with a 103eldx if you want easy. It’s likely going to shoot lights out and be fairly temp stable. 2750 is max pressure for a 24” barrel so for a 20” I’d assume max pressure is 2650fps.
Just load middle of the road charge, verify it shoots and adjust velocity to where you want to be. Then just load ammo.

For my 6arc I just loaded 108s under 8208 and it shot well first try, typical for any of the hornady cartridges I’ve loaded 6arc,6cm,6.5cm. Good components with a suitable stick powder and they all seem to shoot without messing with all the “typical” load development nonsense.

The latest hornady manual shows staball match has way better velocity numbers at pressure, matching lever. I’ve got 16# of it so I’ll be trying out to see if shoots when I get time. But I don’t know yet and it’s a ball powder which aren’t typically as consistent. certainly 8208 or varget are the easy button.

 

[CO_MTN_GUY]

I have some 90 gr Sierra TGK's loaded up over a stout charge of StaBall Match for my Ruger American Ranch I'm going to try on black bear bear, elk and mule deer this fall. I'll try to post results if successful.

For varmints I have some 58 and 65 V-Max's I'm gonna play around with using Benchmark. Still trying to find the time for that.

 

[jovy1097]

Thanks so much for this. Sounds like a great place to start for the deer/hog load.

I’d just load 8208xbr or Varget with a 103eldx if you want easy. It’s likely going to shoot lights out and be fairly temp stable. 2750 is max pressure for a 24” barrel so for a 20” I’d assume max pressure is 2650fps.
Just load middle of the road charge, verify it shoots and adjust velocity to where you want to be. Then just load ammo.

For my 6arc I just loaded 108s under 8208 and it shot well first try, typical for any of the hornady cartridges I’ve loaded 6arc,6cm,6.5cm. Good components with a suitable stick powder and they all seem to shoot without messing with all the “typical” load development nonsense.

The latest hornady manual shows staball match has way better velocity numbers at pressure, matching lever. I’ve got 16# of it so I’ll be trying out to see if shoots when I get time. But I don’t know yet and it’s a ball powder which aren’t typically as consistent. certainly 8208 or varget are the easy b

 

[jovy1097]

So I'm hearing Varget, 8208XBR, and Staball Match as good powders to start with. Guess Lever is not reliable? Also, any other bullet choices besides ELD-X, ELD-M, and 90gr TGK's? Any input on 95 grain Barnes LRX's? I've thought about giving them a shot.

 

[Dukhtr3]

108 eldm with varget at 2650 20" howa shoots lights out.

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