6 mm PPC
Encyclopedia
The 6 mm PPC or 6 PPC as it is more often called, is a centerfire
rifle cartridge
used almost exclusively for benchrest shooting
. At distances out to 300 yards, it is one of the most accurate cartridges available. This cartridge's accuracy is produced by a combination of its stout posture, being only 1.23 inches (3.1 cm) long, and aggressive shoulder angle of 30 degrees compared to a 30-06
's 17 degrees.
which is in turn based on a .220 Russian
. The standard bullet diameter for 6 mm caliber
cartridges is 0.243 inches (6.2 mm), the same diameter used in the .243 Winchester
and 6 mm Remington
cartridges. To obtain maximum accuracy, bullet weight and form are matched to the rifling twist rate of the barrel. Typically, 68 gr bullets are used in barrels with twist rates of 1:13 (one twist for every 13" in the barrel), while 1:15 barrels can accommodate lighter 58 or accurately. The cartridge developed enough acceptance that rifles chambered for it are available commercially.
from .220 Russian brass (7.62 x 39 mm can also be used, but .220 Russian brass is usually higher quality and thickness, since it is designed to operate at higher pressures). The .223 inch (5.56 mm) neck of the .220 Russian is expanded to .243 inches (6 mm) by running the case through a full length sizing die for 6 mm PPC. Next the case is trimmed, loaded, and fire formed
by loading and firing the round through a 6 mm PPC rifle. Recently, Lapua, Norma
and SAKO
have begun making 6 mm PPC brass.
As with other cartridges used in competition, precise handloading, a good rifle, and lots of practice make it possible to shoot very small consistent groups
, with 5 or 10-shot groups with center-to-center measures of under 0.2 in (5.1 mm) at 200 yards.
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 AR15 rifle platform. 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. Others are the 6.5 CSS marketed by CompetitionShooting.com, the 6.5 PPCX developed by Arne Brennan and optimized for 100-108 grain 6.5mm bullets, and the 6.5 BPC developed by Jim Borden and Dr. Louis Palmisano and optimized for 81-88 grain 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 grain 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.
In January 2010, Les Baer Custom discontinued offering the Alexander Arms 6.5 Grendel which is a trademarked brand and requires payment of a royalty fee for use of the name and announced the release of the .264 LBC-AR with brass manufactured by Hornady and ammunition loaded by Black Hills Ammunition. The .264 LBC-AR chamber is designed with a .295 neck like the 6.5 CSS and uses a 1 degree throat design like the 6.5 PPCX.
Centerfire ammunition
A centerfire cartridge is a cartridge with a primer located in the center of the cartridge case head. Unlike rimfire cartridges, the primer is a separate and replaceable component....
rifle cartridge
Cartridge (firearms)
A cartridge, also called a round, packages the bullet, gunpowder and primer into a single metallic case precisely made to fit the firing chamber of a firearm. The primer is a small charge of impact-sensitive chemical that may be located at the center of the case head or at its rim . Electrically...
used almost exclusively for benchrest shooting
Benchrest shooting
Benchrest shooting is a sport in which very accurate and precise rifles are shot at paper targets from a rest or bench from a sitting position. Benchrest shooters are notoriously detail-oriented and constantly trying to further the accuracy potential of the rifle through experimentation. Nearly...
. At distances out to 300 yards, it is one of the most accurate cartridges available. This cartridge's accuracy is produced by a combination of its stout posture, being only 1.23 inches (3.1 cm) long, and aggressive shoulder angle of 30 degrees compared to a 30-06
.30-06 Springfield
The .30-06 Springfield cartridge or 7.62×63mm in metric notation, was introduced to the United States Army in 1906 and standardized, and was in use until the 1960s and early 1970s. It replaced the .30-03, 6 mm Lee Navy, and .30 US Army...
's 17 degrees.
Background
The cartridge is a necked-up version of the .22 PPC.22 PPC
.22 PPC is a firearm cartridge used primarily in benchrest shooting. It was designed by Dr. Louis Palmisano and Ferris Pindell in 1974 and was originally a wildcat cartridge until 1987, when SAKO, a Finnish firearms manufacturer, began producing commercial .22 PPC rifles and ammunition...
which is in turn based on a .220 Russian
.220 Russian
The .220 Russian cartridge was developed in the late 1950s for deer hunting in Russia. It is a 7.62x39 cartridge necked down to hold a 5.6mm bullet. It was later adopted by Finland, and by around 1965 was being produced by SAKO and Lapua. When it was introduced to the United States, Sako, and...
. The standard bullet diameter for 6 mm caliber
6 mm caliber
This article lists firearm cartridges which have a bullet caliber between and .*Length refers to the cartridge case length.*OAL refers to the overall length of the cartridge.All measurements are in mm .-Pistol cartridges:-.24in :...
cartridges is 0.243 inches (6.2 mm), the same diameter used in the .243 Winchester
.243 Winchester
The .243 Winchester is a popular sporting rifle cartridge. Initially designed as a varmint round, it is now more frequently used on medium to large game such as whitetail deer, mule deer, pronghorn, wild hogs, and even black bear and caribou...
and 6 mm Remington
6 mm Remington
The 6mm Remington was introduced by Remington Arms Company in 1955 as the .244 Remington. It is based on necking down the .257 Roberts. Originally intended as a Varmint and predator cartridge, the .244 was never factory loaded with bullets over 90 grains. Rifles marked .244 Remington have a 1 in ...
cartridges. To obtain maximum accuracy, bullet weight and form are matched to the rifling twist rate of the barrel. Typically, 68 gr bullets are used in barrels with twist rates of 1:13 (one twist for every 13" in the barrel), while 1:15 barrels can accommodate lighter 58 or accurately. The cartridge developed enough acceptance that rifles chambered for it are available commercially.
Handloading
The parent cartridge for the 6PPC is the .220 Russian, which in turn derives from the 7.62 x 39 mm. Brass can either be purchased, or formedWildcat cartridge
A wildcat cartridge, or wildcat, is a custom cartridge for which ammunition and firearms are not mass produced. These cartridges are often created in order to optimize a certain performance characteristic of an existing commercial cartridge.Developing and using wildcat cartridges does not...
from .220 Russian brass (7.62 x 39 mm can also be used, but .220 Russian brass is usually higher quality and thickness, since it is designed to operate at higher pressures). The .223 inch (5.56 mm) neck of the .220 Russian is expanded to .243 inches (6 mm) by running the case through a full length sizing die for 6 mm PPC. Next the case is trimmed, loaded, and fire formed
Fire forming
The term fire forming in firearms refers to the process of reshaping a metallic cartridge case to fit a new chamber by firing it within that chamber...
by loading and firing the round through a 6 mm PPC rifle. Recently, Lapua, Norma
Norma (company)
Norma Precision is a Swedish manufacturer of ammunition located in Åmotfors, in the province of Värmland, just 20 km of the Norwegian border. It is commonly referred to as simply Norma.- History :...
and SAKO
SAKO
SAKO, Limited is a Finnish firearm manufacturer located in Riihimäki....
have begun making 6 mm PPC brass.
As with other cartridges used in competition, precise handloading, a good rifle, and lots of practice make it possible to shoot very small consistent groups
Accurizing
Accurizing is the process of improving the accuracy of a firearm or airgun.For firearms, accuracy is defined as the ability to hit exactly what one is aiming at...
, with 5 or 10-shot groups with center-to-center measures of under 0.2 in (5.1 mm) at 200 yards.
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 1998 Arne Brennan conducted a theoretical study of calibers and cartridge cases and expanded the PPC family with the 6.5 PPC for the AR15 rifle platform. 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
6.5 Grendel
The 6.5 Grendel is a proprietary intermediate cartridge developed in 2002 by Arne Brennan . This cartridge is an improved version of the PPC cartridge family designed by Dr. Lou Palmisano and Ferris Pindell in 1974. The first 6.5mm member of the PPC cartridge family was created in 1984 by Dr...
was marketed by Alexander Arms LLC. Others are the 6.5 CSS marketed by CompetitionShooting.com, the 6.5 PPCX developed by Arne Brennan and optimized for 100-108 grain 6.5mm bullets, and the 6.5 BPC developed by Jim Borden and Dr. Louis Palmisano and optimized for 81-88 grain 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
.30 Walker
The .30 Walker is an intermediate cartridge developed by Mark Walker of Houston, Texas. This cartridge is an improved version of the PPC cartridge family...
- a .30 caliber version of the improved PPC optimized for use with 110-118 grain 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.
In January 2010, Les Baer Custom discontinued offering the Alexander Arms 6.5 Grendel which is a trademarked brand and requires payment of a royalty fee for use of the name and announced the release of the .264 LBC-AR with brass manufactured by Hornady and ammunition loaded by Black Hills Ammunition. The .264 LBC-AR chamber is designed with a .295 neck like the 6.5 CSS and uses a 1 degree throat design like the 6.5 PPCX.