6mm PPC

Last updated • 5 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
6x38mm PPC
6mm PPC.jpg
6mm PPC
TypeRifle / Competition
Place of originUSA
Production history
DesignerLou Palmisano / Ferris Pindell
Designed1975
Specifications
Parent case .220 Russian (5.6×39mm)
Case typeRimless, bottleneck
Bullet diameter.2430 in (6.17 mm)
Neck diameter.262 in (6.7 mm)
Shoulder diameter.431 in (10.9 mm)
Base diameter.441 in (11.2 mm)
Rim diameter.445 in (11.3 mm)
Case length1.515 in (38.5 mm)
Overall length2.100 in (53.3 mm)
Rifling twist1-14"
Primer typeSmall rifle
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/typeVelocityEnergy
60 gr (4 g) HP3,300 ft/s (1,000 m/s)1,452 ft⋅lbf (1,969 J)
70 gr (5 g) SX3,250 ft/s (990 m/s)1,641 ft⋅lbf (2,225 J)
Test barrel length: 24"
Source(s): Accurate Powder [1]

The 6mm PPC (Palmisano & Pindel Cartridge), or 6x38 PPC as it is more often called, is a centerfire rifle cartridge used almost exclusively for benchrest shooting. [2] It is one of the most accurate cartridges available at distances of up to 300 meters. [3] [4] This cartridge's accuracy is produced by a combination of its stout posture, being only 31 mm (1.22 in) long, and aggressive shoulder angle of 30 degrees. [5] Its primary use has been benchrest shooting matches since the 1980s.

Contents

Background

The cartridge is a necked-up version of the .22 PPC which is in turn based on a .220 Russian (5.6×39mm). [5] The standard bullet diameter for 6 mm caliber cartridges is .243 inches (6.2 mm), the same diameter used in the .243 Winchester and 6mm Remington cartridges. To obtain maximum accuracy, bullet weight and form are matched to the rifling twist rate of the barrel. Typically, 68 gr (4.41 g) bullets are used in barrels with twist rates of 1 in 13 inch (1 in 330 mm), while 1 in 15 inch (1 in 380 mm) barrel twists can accommodate lighter 58 or 60 gr (3.76 or 3.89 g) accurately. The cartridge developed enough acceptance that rifles chambered for it are available commercially. [6]

Converting cases

The parent cartridge for the 6PPC is the .220 Russian (5.6×39mm), which in turn derives from the 7.62×39mm. Brass can either be purchased or formed from .220 Russian brass. Recently, European cartridge manufacturers Lapua, Norma and SAKO have begun making 6mm PPC brass.

During its early development, accuracy experts noted that perfectly concentric thicknesses of the cartridge neck were beneficial in aligning the bullet with the bore. Most 6PPC chamber reamers are ground with a tight neck section to create a cartridge with a concentric fit and consistent neck-to-chamber clearance. This contributes to the 6PPC's accuracy.

To convert an existing .220 Russian case, the case first is lubricated and sized in a 6PPC die. A pistol primer is then inserted into the case and the case is filled with fast-burning pistol propellant. Paraffin wax is then melted into the lid of a jar and pressed it over the neck of the cartridge to seal it. At this point, the case has been made into a blank cartridge. The case is fire formed in a 6mm PPC rifle, expanding the case powder capacity. The fire formed case is cleaned to remove lubricant and powder residue. The neck is then expanded to 6 mm and the case length is trimmed to 1.486 inches (37.7 mm), after which the neck is chamfered internally and externally. The case is once again lubricated and sized with a 6PPC full length die. The primer is decapped, the primer pocket is cleaned, and the case lubricant is removed. At this point, the case can be loaded. Prior to loading, competitors may also turn the neck walls of their case to a uniform given thickness. This increases the degree to which the bullet is aligned with the bore of the barrel.

As is common with competition cartridges, precise handloading, a good rifle, and practice make it possible to shoot tight and consistent groups. Shooters have managed 5- or 10-shot groups with center-to-center measures of under 0.200 in (5.1 mm) at 200 yards (180 m). [7] [8]

Other developments

As with many competition rounds, variations develop and the PPC family of cartridges has served as the foundation for many. In the native 22 and 6mm calibers, there are numerous improved versions both with a shorter body to reduce powder capacity and longer body to increase powder capacity.

In 1985 Birgir Runar Saemundsson from Iceland designed the 30 PPC, by necking up the standard 6 PPC to shoot 308 caliber bullets. Bullets at that time were 125 grain Bergers, which proved to be too heavy. The lighter bullets of 105 to 115 grains (6.80 to 7.45 g) grains were needed. This caliber combination is very accurate for Bench Rest and Varmint for Score shooting.

In 1998 Arne Brennan conducted a theoretical study of calibers and cartridge cases and expanded the PPC family with the 6.5 PPC for the AR-15 rifle. As time evolved, the 6.5 PPC evolved into an improved case version like had been done for years with the 22 and 6 PPC. An improved 6.5 PPC variation branded the 6.5 Grendel was marketed by Alexander Arms LLC. [9] Others are the 6.5 CSS marketed by CompetitionShooting.com, the 6.5 PPCX developed by Arne Brennan and optimized for 100–108 grains (6.48–7.00 g) 6.5mm bullets, and the 6.5 BPC developed by Jim Borden and Dr. Louis Palmisano and optimized for 81–88 grains (5.25–5.70 g) flat base bullets. Brass for these improved versions of the 6.5 PPC cartridge is made by Lapua and Hornady.

In 2007, Mark Walker created the .30 Walker - a .30 caliber version of the improved PPC optimized for use with 110–118 grains (7.13–7.65 g) flat base 30 caliber bullets. The .30 Walker was created for benchrest score shooting and has yielded impressive results with performance close to the .30 BR. [10]

In January 2010, Les Baer Custom discontinued offering the Alexander Arms 6.5 Grendel which is a trademarked brand and required an insurance commitment until Alexander Arms released its trademark in 2011, and announced the release of the .264 LBC-AR as a wildcat without SAAMI specs as the Grendel has, but which takes nearly all of the same factory-loaded ammo that the Grendel can take. The LBC has a more shallow bolt-face than the standard-spec Grendel which removes 0.01 inches (0.25 mm) of steel from (weakens) the LBC's extractor claw, but makes the LBC bolt compatible with 7.62x39 AR15/M4 bolts and barrels. The LBC's bolt and barrel are both incompatible with the SAAMI-spec Grendel's bolt and barrel, and retailers are often passing the 264 LBC as a "Type 1 Grendel" and calling the original, trademarked Grendel a "type 2 Grendel," which is the SAAMI spec but with more powder capacity, longer cartridge overall length, bolt compatible with the SAAMI-spec, and usually no compound-angled throat but a 0.300 inches (7.6 mm) throat. The .264 LBC-AR chamber is designed with a 0.295 inches (7.5 mm) neck like the 6.5 CSS, but not a compound-angled throat like the SAAMI-spec Grendel, and uses a 1 degree throat design like the 6.5 PPCX.[ citation needed ]

See also

Bibliography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">6 mm caliber</span> Firearm cartridge classification

This is a list of firearm cartridges which have bullets of a caliber between 6 millimetres (0.236 in) and 6.99 millimetres (0.275 in).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildcat cartridge</span> Custom cartridge for firearms

A wildcat cartridge, often shortened to wildcat, is a custom-made cartridge for which ammunition and/or firearms are not mass-produced. These cartridges are often created as experimental variants to optimize a certain ballistic performance characteristic of an existing commercial cartridge, or may merely be intended as novelty items.

The .204 Ruger / 5.2x47mm is a centerfire rifle cartridge developed by Hornady and Ruger. At the time of its introduction in 2004, the .204 Ruger was the second-highest velocity commercially produced ammunition and the only centerfire cartridge produced commercially for bullets of .204 inch/5 mm caliber.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">6.5mm Grendel</span> Rifle cartridge

The 6.5mm Grendel is an intermediate cartridge jointly designed by British-American armorer Bill Alexander, competitive shooter Arne Brennan and Lapua ballistician Janne Pohjoispää, as a low-recoil, high-precision rifle cartridge specifically for the AR-15 platform at medium/long range. It is an improved variation of the 6.5mm PPC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">.220 Swift</span> Rifle cartridge

The .220 Swift (5.56×56mmSR) is a semi-rimmed rifle cartridge developed by Winchester and introduced in 1935 for small game and varmint hunting. It was the first factory-loaded rifle cartridge with a muzzle velocity of over 1,200 m/s (4,000 ft/s).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">.222 Remington</span> Centerfire rifle cartridge

The .222 Remington or 5.7×43mm (C.I.P), also known as the triple deuce, triple two, and treble two, is a centerfire rifle cartridge. Introduced in 1950, it was the first commercial rimless .22 (5.56 mm) cartridge made in the United States. As such, it was an entirely new design, without a parent case. The .222 Remington was a popular target cartridge from its introduction until the mid-1970s and still enjoys a reputation for accuracy. It remains a popular vermin or "varmint" cartridge at short and medium ranges with preferred bullet weights of 40–55 grains and muzzle velocities from 3,000 to 3,500 ft/s (915–1,067 m/s).

The 6.5×47mm Lapua is a smokeless powder rimless bottlenecked rifle cartridge that was developed specifically for 300–1,000 m (328–1,094 yd) competition shooting by ammunition maker Nammo Lapua and the Swiss rifle manufacturer Grünig & Elmiger AG in 2005. Other common names for this cartridge include 6.5×47mm.

The .264 Winchester Magnum is a belted, bottlenecked rifle cartridge. Except for the .244 H&H Magnum and .257 Weatherby Magnum, it is the smallest caliber factory cartridge derived from the 2.85 in (72 mm) Holland & Holland belted magnum case. It was introduced in the late 1950s and early 1960s with the .338 Winchester Magnum and the .458 Winchester Magnum as one of a family of short-cased 2.5 in (64 mm) belted magnum cartridges developed by Winchester based on the .375 Holland & Holland parent case. It was officially introduced to the public by Winchester in 1959. After many years of dwindling use it began enjoying a mild resurgence in popularity in the mid-2000s among long range rifle enthusiasts and reloaders due to the high ballistic coefficient of the heavier 6.5mm bullets and increasing popularity of cartridges such as 6.5mm Creedmoor, .260 Remington, 6.5 Grendel, benchrest and wildcat cartridges in 6.5mm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">.257 Roberts</span> Rifle cartridge

The .257 Roberts, also known as .257 Bob, is a medium-powered .25 caliber rifle cartridge. It has been described as the best compromise between the low recoil and flat trajectory of smaller calibers such as the 5 mm and 6 mm, and has more energy, but is harder recoiling, similar to larger hunting calibers, such as the 7 mm and 7.62 mm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">.22 caliber</span> Index of articles associated with the same name

.22 caliber, or 5.6 mm, refers to a common firearms bore diameter of 0.22 inch (5.6 mm) in both rimfire and centerfire cartridges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">.284 Winchester</span> US rifle cartridge

The .284 Winchester (7.21x55mmRB) is a rebated rim firearm cartridge, introduced by Winchester in 1963.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">6.5mm Creedmoor</span> Centerfire rifle cartridge

The 6.5mm Creedmoor (6.5×48mm), designated 6.5 Creedmoor by SAAMI, 6,5 Creedmoor by the C.I.P. is a centerfire rifle cartridge introduced by Hornady in 2007. It was developed by Hornady senior ballistics scientist Dave Emary in partnership with Dennis DeMille, the vice-president of product development at Creedmoor Sports, hence the name. The cartridge is a necked-down modification of the .30 Thompson Center.

The .22 PPC / 5.7x38mm is a centerfire rifle cartridge developed in 1974 by Dr. Louis Palmisano and Ferris Pindell, primarily as a benchrest cartridge. The cartridge is based on the 5.6×39mm case which is a necked-down version of the 7.62×39mm Soviet military cartridge. Several companies have made custom guns in this caliber, however no major companies did until 1993, when Ruger announced their No. 1 V and M77 varmint rifles in this caliber.

The 6×45mm is a rimless, bottlenecked cartridge based on the .223 Remington or 5.56 NATO cartridge necked up to .243 (6mm). The cartridge is also known as the 6mm-223 Remington or 6mm/223.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">.30-06 Springfield wildcat cartridges</span> Non-standard rifle cartridge

.30-06 Springfield wildcat cartridges are cartridges developed from a 30-06 Springfield "parent cartridge" through narrowing or widening the cartridge neck to fit a smaller or larger bullet in an attempt to improve performance in specific areas. Such wildcat cartridges are not standardized with recognized small arms standardization bodies like the SAAMI and the CIP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">6.5mm Remington Magnum</span> US rifle cartridge

The 6.5mm Remington Magnum is a .264 caliber (6.7 mm) belted bottlenecked cartridge introduced in 1966. The cartridge is based on a necked down .350 Remington Magnum which on turn is based on a shortened, necked down, blown out .375 H&H Magnum case. The cartridge was one of the first short magnum cartridges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">.300 AAC Blackout</span> Rifle cartridge originally designed for use in the M4 carbine

The .300 AAC Blackout, also known as 7.62×35 mm, is an intermediate cartridge developed in the United States by Advanced Armament Corporation (AAC) for use in the M4 carbine. The cartridge yields increased performance in shorter barrels and effective subsonic performance for silencer use when compared to 5.56 mm NATO. The .300 AAC Blackout uses standard 5.56 mm NATO magazines and components with the exception of the barrel.

The 7mm BR Remington / 7.2x38mm, commonly called the 7mm BR or the 7mm Benchrest Remington in long form, was an intermediate cartridge developed by Remington for the Remington XP-100 single-shot bolt-action handgun. The cartridge was developed for the Unlimited Class in the sport of Metallic silhouette shooting. Later it was introduced in the Remington Model XB-40 single-shot bolt-action rifle, which was specifically designed for the benchrest shooting community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">6mm ARC</span> American rifle cartridge by Hornady

The 6mm Advanced Rifle Cartridge (6×38mm), or 6mm ARC for short, is a 6 mm (.243) caliber intermediate rifle cartridge introduced by Hornady in 2020, as a low-recoil, high-accuracy long-range cartridge, designed for use in the M16 platform at request of a specialized group within the U.S. DoD for its multipurpose combat rifle program.

References

  1. "6mm PPC data" (PDF). Accurate Powder. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-08-21.
  2. Simpson, Layne. "The 20th Century's Top Rifle Cartridge". Shooting Times. Archived from the original on 2008-05-14. Retrieved 2007-05-14.
  3. Schoby, Michael (2007). Hunter's Guide to Whitetail Rifles. Stackpole Books. p. 18. ISBN   978-0-8117-3359-5.
  4. Shideler, Dan (2010). Guns Illustrated 2011. Gun Digest Books. p. 140. ISBN   978-1-4402-1392-2. It's winning all its matches.
  5. 1 2 van Zwoll, Wayne (2003). Bolt Action Rifles. Krause Publications. p. 637. ISBN   978-0-87349-660-5.
  6. Walter, John (2006). Rifles of the World. Krause Publications. p. 414. ISBN   978-0-89689-241-5.
  7. "2005 IBS GROUP RECORDS". International Benchrest. Archived from the original on 2006-05-12. Retrieved 2006-10-26.
  8. Warner, Ken (1986). Gun Digest 1987. DBI Books. p. 234. ISBN   978-0-87349-001-6.
  9. Lewis, Jack (2007). The Gun Digest Book of Assault Weapons. Gun Digest Books. p. 77. ISBN   978-0-89689-498-3.
  10. Walker, Mark. "30 Walker" . Retrieved 10 July 2013.