This data is being presented for informational purposes only. Care in reloading is a function of knowledge and skill. I suggest reading several reloading manuals before attempting reloading for the first time. I try to always consult at least 4 reloading manuals/sources before loading a cartridge for the first time. I found good data in the Nosler, Sierra and Hornady manuals and at 6mmBR.com. Top loads in any reloading data are just that, don't exceed. Always go with the recommended starting loads found in the manuals. With few exceptions my quest is for the load that provides: 1) top accuracy, 2) case life and 3) velocity. I consider them in that order. Sometimes I'm lucky and get all three. Loads in Green are the most accurate for this gun/bullet combination. Blue loads are potential hunting loads.  Loads in Red are maximum in this gun.

6mm Remington Bench Rest
Last data added 12/30/06

Gun "A" Thompson Center Encore with a Custom Shop (22" heavy tapered stainless) barrel purchased though Fox River Outfitters. Rate of twist is 1-10. Scope for the project is a Weaver KT15, using Weaver mount and Leupold PRW rings. Loads are assembled using Redding S type neck sizer (.265 bushing) and Bonanza benchrest seater.  All cases are Remington, weigh within 1.2 grains of each other, had the primer pockets uniformed and the flash holes deburred. H322 seems to be the velocity winner for the 55 grain bullets and accuracy good enough to make this a varmint hunting load.  Varget seems to be the varmint hunting winner for the 70 grain bullet.  The 34 grains of Varget is a maximum load in this gun with the 70 grain bullets. Temperatures for testing were from 55 to 75 F.

Gun "B" Remington 700 SA left handed action with a 25 inch Lilja #7 contour barrel, 1-7 twist, HS Precision stock, Shilen 2 ounce trigger. Scope is a Leupold 24X target model. A no turn reamer from Pacific Tool & Gauge was used. All gun work done by Blue Creek Tool. Loads are assembled using Redding S type neck sizer (.269 bushing for Lapua and .268 for Remington) and Bonanza benchrest seater.  All cases weigh within 1.0 grains of each other. Cases were initially trimmed to 1.550

Gun "C" Remington XP100 with a 15 inch Lilja 1-8 twist #5 XP contour. Barrel work done by Blue Creek Tool. Action and bolt work by George Kelbly in 1980. A no turn reamer from Pacific Tool & Gauge was used. Scope is a factory modified Leupold 4X (target turret) handgun scope in Leupold mounts and rings. Loads are assembled using Redding S type neck sizer (.266 bushing) and Bonanza benchrest seater.  All cases are Remington, weigh within 0.5 grain of each other, had the primer pockets uniformed and the flash holes deburred.

The 105-107 grain bullet loads in red were tried in the Remington 700. There are over "book" max in what data I have found in established reloading manuals.  This rifle is chambered with a long throat designed for the the 105 grain boat tail bullets.  Bolt lift, primer and brass condition indicated that these were safe loads in MY GUN ONLY.  I used the same 5 cases to load all the RL15 loads. Primer pockets remained tight.

What is not shown in the table is that I shot 10 different loads of RL15 spanning 26.0 to 29.7 grains with .2-.5 grains between each load.

Why did I try Reloader 15, Benchmark and BLC-2 in the Remington 700 since common wisdom indicates that Varget is "the" powder of choice?  Varget does not meter well in any of the three powder measure that I own.  All of the others are easier to use and so far RL15  and BLC-2 give comparable velocities.

WARNING: the OAL information below is for these guns only.

Overall cartridge length should be measured for each bullet you intend to use in your gun.  I measured the maximum OAL with a Sinclair OAL tool.  Most bullets are loaded about 0.030 off the lands.

 Loaded
OAL

The group below was shot with Sierra's "Accuracy Load" for the 55 Blitz King.  It was also the first group shot out of the Encore.