Bullet decision in the 6 arc???

[270quest]

So been shooting the 105 berger hybrids in a 20" Howa CF 6 arc - 1/7.5 twist. About 125 rounds down it and the load seems to sped up a bit and has settled about 2775 FPS average - at least thats what the last 25 rounds shot got me to. At the 6-7k elevation I normally hunt, that gets me 2k FPS to around 600 yards and 1800 fps to around 750. (Which is farther than I normally shoot at game)

But with these new 116/120 class bullets, the experimenter in me wants to play around with them a bit. If I can safely acheive around 2625 FPS for either of these bullets, the ballistic calculators add around 100 yards of range even with them starting 150fps slower.

Think it worth it play with the bigger bullets or should I leave good enough alone? Right or Wrong, there has always been a part of me that believes that accurate speed kills - something comforting about having that extra 150 fps with the 105?

Maybe a compromise and try the 109's and see if they can move along at say 2725-30ish????

 

[MCGHeel]

I must have a slow barrel. My Howa mini is 20” steel barrel and I’ve never gotten a 100+ grain bullet to fly faster than 2700 without pressure. Factory and hand loads. That didn’t answer your question though. I’m a tinkerer too and I’d definitely try to get the heavies to fly. Not sure with twist rate how they’ll do but I’d give it a shot. I ordered my PBB 6 arc with 1:7 twist so I’ve got 116s on the way to try them out in that rifle. Not gonna try in the Howa.


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[270quest]

27.0 of H4895 with 20” CF barrel suppressed gets me 2775…wouldn’t want to go any higher but it’s a safe load.

 

[Taudisio]

So been shooting the 105 berger hybrids in a 20" Howa CF 6 arc - 1/7.5 twist. About 125 rounds down it and the load seems to sped up a bit and has settled about 2775 FPS average - at least thats what the last 25 rounds shot got me to. At the 6-7k elevation I normally hunt, that gets me 2k FPS to around 600 yards and 1800 fps to around 750. (Which is farther than I normally shoot at game)

But with these new 116/120 class bullets, the experimenter in me wants to play around with them a bit. If I can safely acheive around 2625 FPS for either of these bullets, the ballistic calculators add around 100 yards of range even with them starting 150fps slower.

Think it worth it play with the bigger bullets or should I leave good enough alone? Right or Wrong, there has always been a part of me that believes that accurate speed kills - something comforting about having that extra 150 fps with the 105?

Maybe a compromise and try the 109's and see if they can move along at say 2725-30ish????

Don’t forget the 95g TMK, 107gr TMK (even though I’ve heard the velocity of the 107 is nearly the same as 116, bearing surface I suppose).
I’m pushing the 95 out of my 16” arc at 2735fps. From what I have learned from seeing others information, I would be leaning TMK (any version) over any other brand/bullet. Especially over hollow point bullets like bergers/smk/lapua secnar. I just don’t like how the HP bullets are ”intended” to function per Berger. Bullet yaws, tip rips off-exposing lead, then it fragments. Just seems to be asking for issues. A wedge pushing it open settles my nerves. I have seen bergers function perfectly fine first hand, just not my cup of tea.
The eldm’s have varying lot issues, some with more lead behind the tip, inhibiting expansion. Tmk and eldx have a consistent track record of them being hollow behind the tip and encouraging expansion. Those two bullets will be my first choices going forward in my rifles.

All of that to say, I would 100% get some TMK’s and run them in your rifle.

 

[waspocrew]

Personally, in a 6 ARC, I have no interest in the 116s or 120s. I’d rather use those in a 6 PRC.

 

[coyotekilla]

Was getting low 27's in speed with the barnes 112 mb before surrendering the howa mini to my smith to change the factory 20" to a brux 26" cause i wasn't happy with a rifle that was averaging 1 moa. Leverlution was making me happy with speed & sd though.

 

[270quest]

I’m going to stick with the Hybrid 105s….shooting to good to mess with anything at this point.

 

[vonb]

I must have a slow barrel. My Howa mini is 20” steel barrel and I’ve never gotten a 100+ grain bullet to fly faster than 2700 without pressure. Factory and hand loads. That didn’t answer your question though. I’m a tinkerer too and I’d definitely try to get the heavies to fly. Not sure with twist rate how they’ll do but I’d give it a shot. I ordered my PBB 6 arc with 1:7 twist so I’ve got 116s on the way to try them out in that rifle. Not gonna try in the Howa.


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What powder are you using? The velocity kings in the 6 ARC seem to be LeverEvolution, CFE223 and AA2520.

 

[ckt3]

I’m trying out 95 and 107 TMK in mine to see what shoots better and what velocities are like. Figure between those two I’ll be covered.

 

[Slick8]

I think that's likely your best decision.

Imo, the 120s need a little more horse power to realize the bc gains. I thought about trying some in my 6 Dasher just for fun running a ladder test is simple way to gage velocity potential. But 800 rounds of 105s convinced me to stay put.

 

[MCGHeel]

What powder are you using? The velocity kings in the 6 ARC seem to be LeverEvolution, CFE223 and AA2520.

8208, cfe223, Staball match, Varget. Cfe fastest but to hit 2700 is definitely into more pressure than I want to deal with. Gets there with 30gr


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[270quest]

As I mentioned toned earlier - 27.0 of H4895 gets me 2750 in my 20” barrel with 105s. I have a fast barrel, and the powder is very temp stable - but it’s a hot load, wouldnt want to go any higher.