6mm ARC Temp Stable Powders

[AlaskaRed]

Looking for powder suggestions and load suggestions. I have a 6mm arc for practice and predator hunting. Looking to use the heavies for predator hunting but open to different bullets. I have a bolt action so interested in higher pressure load. Also I'd like the powder to be dual use for loading in my 308 for 150-175 gr practice rounds as well. Temp stability would be more important than velocities here. Varget type powders with some more velocity would be nice.

 

[Mtnmilsurp]

Try XBR with TMKs

 

[AlaskaRed]

Do you think that will do better than varget?

 

[WyoWild]

Do you think that will do better than varget?

XBR will give you better velocity than Varget by about 100 fps IMO.

Your best bet for temp stable powders are going to be Varget, Win Staball Match, H4895, Benchmark and XBR 8208.

My results with a 20" Howa 6 ARC

95gr Bullets:
-XBR 8209 ~ 2780 fps
-Varget & Staball Match ~ 2650 fps
-Staball Match ~ 2650 fps
-H4895 ~ 2700 fps
-Benchmark ~ 2685 fps

*** I had best accuracy with 27.0gr of Benchmark with 95gr

105gr Bullets:
-XBR 8208 ~ 2660 fps
-Varget & Staball match ~ 2550 fps

With 105gr Varget & Staball were OK on accuracy but pretty slow velocity. XBR had pretty good speed but did not give the accuracy I was after. I ended up using 27.5 gr of TAC which was right at 2660. Of course every barrel has its own favorite combo.

For the ranges I am shooting with a 6 ARC (sub 500 yards) I have not problem using TAC or similar power that has less than 1fps per degree temp stability.

 

[AlaskaRed]

Thanks for that data super helpful. My 6arc is a 22" howa mini.
Just came across this test https://ultimatereloader.com/2022/04/01/extreme-powder-temperature-testing-varget-vs-tac/.
If I can get accuracy with varget that may be my ticket. Some information I left out is I need the ability to practice in the winter here in alaska. My chronograph would not be happy in the cold to test my velocity for accurate ballistics data. I'd prefer the slower speeds as long as they are stable across my training temperatures all year. The XBR is very compelling.

 

[WyoWild]

Yeah with your goals Id do XBR. If you dont mind speeds around 2600fps then Varget should be good to good.

 

[Stango424]

How are you dispensing your powder? I switched from varget to sta ball match so I could load on my progressive and dispense through my powder dropper on the press. I was lucky and got a load that shoots great with 87 Vmax, 90 TGK, and 108 Eldm with the same charge. I was having to dispense from an electronic dropper for varget to get consistent throws.

 

[KyleR1985]

If you’re not shooting past 4-500 yards, and more than a 70* temp swing across your shooting sessions or hunts, I doubt most anyone could shoot the velocity spread of TAC under field conditions.

Add distance, or have your temp vary by 70* or more in a single shooting session, you might be able to shoot the difference.

I am just starting to shoot 8208xbr in my 6ARC, so hopefully will have some data over next few months