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. 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. 6mm-06 loads in RED are maximum load(s) for my gun.

6mm-06 Loading Data

Updated 1/25/06

Test gun is a Thompson Center Encore with a Custom Shop (26" heavy tapered stainless) barrel. I purchased the barrel though Fox River Outfitters. Actual 6mm-06 data is very scarce. I found some in P.O. Ackley's Reloadng book and Handloader #185.  The 6mm-06 is very close in case capacity to the 6mm-284 and 240 Weatherby so I used data from the latest Hornady and Hodgdon manuels for the 6mm-284 and 240 Weatherby data from Barnes, Nosler, Hornady, Hodgdon, Speer, Sierra manuals. Cases were formed from Winchester 25-06 brass. Dies were hard to find and were going to be custom ordered until I found the CH Tool & Die web site. When I called them they had a set of dies in stock. Service was very prompt. When formed from these dies the run-out was less then .003. I also found that I could form the cases using a 243 Winchester neck die. After a little experimentation found that the run-out using the .243 Winchester dies was less than .002 and I could form a slight shoulder on the case to keep the brass from stretching. If I was going to start over I would try .270 Winchester brass to see if I could get a little bit more shoulder before firing. I did not neck turn the cases, just deburred the flash hole, and the case mouth, and loaded them after sizing the neck. Seating depth was measured with a tool from Sinclair. All bullets are loaded .030 inch off the lands. Actual lengths I loaded to are in the table below.

1/25/06 Added a hanger bar from Steve Stratton Custom to the barrel along with a forend from James Williams (Ole Georgia Jim). What a huge difference in how this gun tracks in the bags.   Some of the new accuracy numbers with the 70 grian Nosler and 70 grain Speer TNT have to be a result of these new additions.  Top load with the 87 grain Hornady Vmax was tested again and resulted in smallest group this rifle has ever shot.

WARNING: the OAL information below is for this gun 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.

To keep from heating the barrel up shots were fired with a one minute interval and at least 5 minutes between strings. Cases are on second firing and I am still using the .243 neck sizer die. Four loads were standouts:

For Varmint; the 55 grain Sierra Blitz King at 3884 fps, 70 grain Nosler BT at 3700 and 87 Hornady Vmax at 3400

For big game the Nosler 100 grain Partition at 3265 fps.

Note #1 - This Encore barrel has a 1-10 twist and will not stabilize the Hornady 105 Amax. I included this data because someone will no doubt have the correct twist to use this bullet or other bullets of the same weight.