Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 6mm Remington/100 grain Nosler, which powder?

I have a really neat little Remington 700 ADL in 6MM Remington. It was purchased in 1971 for a whopping $126 sales tax included. When I first got the gun I fired 6 shots at 50 yards with the iron sights. 5 were in a one inch bullseye with the 6th touching it. Course I had a set of eyes and could actually use iron sights back then but needless to say, the gun impressed me. For a myriad of reasons I never did anything more with the gun, but today I needed a project. I cleaned the gun thoroughly, mounted a period correct Redfield Traditional 3X9 Denver scope from the mid 70's in Redfield bases and rings on it.


I have 100 Winchester cases, 3 boxes Nosler 100 grain solid base bullets, 1 box Nosler 100 grain partitions, and Winchester WLR and Federal 210M primers(all old stock).

I need a powder. Looking for top velocity, Reloader 22 sorta caught my attention. The old Nosler #3 manual shows 48 grains of Reloader 22 and a 100 grain bullet for a max load and 3,260 FPS.(I know no one ever seems to get Noslers velocities)

An old Hercules manual(1992) and an Alliant Powder Manual(1996) both show a max load for a 100 grain Sierra at 48 grains of Reloader 22 for a velocity of 3205 FPS with a pressure of 62,500 psi.

The current online Alliant manual shows a max load for a 100 grain Speer of 47 grains Reloader 22 for a velocity of 2,971 FPS, no pressure shown, 1 grain less and considerably lower velocity. Interestingly the online manual also shows Reloader 17(which wasn't around in the older manuals) for that 100 grain Speer as a max load of 44 grains giving a velocity of 3163 FPS.

I looked over the current online Hodgon manual and nothing seemed to impress me much.

So I guess my question is 2 fold. Number 1, is anyone using Reloader 22 and getting these kind of velocities? Number 2 what are good choices in powder for top velocity, whats everyone using for powder with a 100 grain bullet and what kind of velocity/accuracy are you getting. Thanks. Since powder is real scarce I'd like to get it right the first time if I can, if I do manage to find powder.

I once had a 700 ADL in 6MM Remington. The highest velocities with 100-grain bullets were obtained with IMR 7828SSC.

Reloader 22 isn't a bad choice either.

I used to run that 48g rl22 load with 100g partitions from my 22" 6mm bdl. IIRC it ran about 3050 from my gun. For years I used i4831 and 100 g hornady btsp's and killed a lot of deer with them and they all dropped at the shot. Another powder that I was surprised to get good speed and accuracy by with 100's in a 6mm was aa4064. I bought some 8 pounders of it for cheap when I was a poor college student and it ran 100's at 3000 +.

These days I mostly shoot 105's from a 243 with H1000 and it's awesome but I haven't tried it in the 6mms because I don't shoot them much anymore.

Bb

RL 19 actually gave me better velocity and accuracy than Rl 22 did...

for heavier bullets my rifle prefers RL 19 or H1000...

for both velocity and accuracy...

mine has a one in 7 twist......

I've only used one load in my 6mm for the last 30yrs.It has always worked great for any 100gr bullet I chose and I also used it for the 105gr as well.It always prints nice little tiny groups,just an amazing little rifle.The load I use is 43.5grs of IMR-4350.It gives me around 3050fps out of the 22" tubed Rem.700.

Helped a friend make a load for his 6mm Rem and 100 gr partitions. Used 45 gr of RL-17. Stunning velocity with excellent accuracy at 100 yd as seen in pic. Both are five shot groups.

This load shot in another rifle that used the same reamer. Its velocity was 3275 fps.

Wow!!!3300fps is taking that 100gr bullet to a whole nother level!!!

That Reloader 17 scares me a little.When you look at your velocities and you check for pressure signs and still don't see any,you have to ask yourself,just how high is the pressure?I've played with this powder myself with mixed results.I know I got some impressive results with it in my 300 Win. Mag.I think you have to get the pressure up a little and then it really kicks into high gear.

You should be able to get 3100 fps with a 100 gr bullet out of your rig. My current 6mm Remmy is a Rem M600 with a 20" barrel.

47/IMR4831/100 Nosler Solid Base/3120 fps
48/Re22/100 Nosler Solid Base/3131 fps
48/MRP/100 Nosler Solid Base/3146 fps

46/IMR4831/100 Nosler PT/3078 fps
47/Re22/100 Nosler PT/3090 fps

The Solid Base has been for many years my favorite deer bullet from the .243 and 6mm Rem. In my various .243 and 6mm guns, I always seem to get much better accuracy with IMR4831 than with H4831, and IMR4831 usually edges out Re22 in the accuracy dept. I shot my first 30" muley on the Paunsaugunt with the 47/IMR4831/NSB load above.

Also the 6mm Remmy is less finicky than the .243 when approaching max loads, IME. But you should work up carefully, being sure to heed your chronograph and watch for the usual pressure culprits.

4320

Thank you guys, all very good information, Now I will have to hunt around and see what powder I can find as per your recomendations.

Like Seafire I've had my best luck with heavier bullets in the 6mm with RL-19, and in three different rifles.

I have the same rifle..Unfortunately,I also have just started playing with it so can't add much..

I did run some 95 grain bergers through it with a max load of Ramshot Hunter..Accuarcy wasn't there,but I attribute that to seating the bullets so deep to fit the magazine,but it was running 3200 plus a tad..

They really should of chambered it in a long action...What were they thinking...LOL

I have used 48 grains of rl22 and easily get 3200+ out of a 26inch barrel. I run the same load with 95SMK's and they bug hole nicely. Never did try RL19 or 17 for that matter but both have peaked my interest now.

I actually must confess to not shooting the 6mm too much these days. It is just predictably accurate, easy to shoot and bugger all challenge...and every time I shoot it I wonder why I don't more often. Go figure.

Dont overlook H-100V. Shoots great in mine with 95 Ballistic Tips, great velocity and accuracy. Doesnt seem to be a popular powder, so you can probably still find it if you are looking to try something different.

I have a first year produced Remington Mod.7 in 6MM. Since day one I've loaded either 100 gr NPT or 100 gr RPSPCL. I use Remington brass and IMR 4350 with 43 grs. No case problem but losts of dead deer and coyotes.

95gr Nosler bt or 100 partition w/ 48 gr RL-22. Best load for 3 6mm rem 's I own. I don't bother with lighter bullets.

Ruger #1B 1976 Liberty model
48 gr of RL22.

3248 fps average and 1.25" at 300 (yes 300) yards.

Fortis, I reckon it was you that put me onto that load. It has served me well, thank you.

mine is an aftermarket barrel on a long action...I really thinks that makes it a dramatic step up in potential being able to seat bullets way out there, especially like the 75 HP or 75 V Maxes...

real cool pic by the way...