6 mm PPC

Infobox Firearm Cartridge
name= 6 mm PPC


caption=
origin= USA
type= Rifle / Competition
service=
used_by=
wars=
designer= Lou Palmisano / Ferris Pindell
design_date=1975
manufacturer=
production_date=
number=
variants=
is_SI_specs=
parent=.220 Russian
case_type=Rimless, bottleneck
bullet=.2430
neck=.262
shoulder=.431
base=.441
rim_dia=.445
rim_thick=
case_length=1.515
length=2.100
rifling=1-14"
primer=Small rifle
is_SI_ballistics=
bw1=60
btype1=HP
vel1=3300
en1=1452
bw2=70
btype2=SX
vel2=3250
en2=1641
bw3=
btype3=
vel3=
en3=
bw4=
btype4=
vel4=
en4=
test_barrel_length=24"
balsrc= Accurate Powder [http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/PerCaliber2Guide/Rifle/Standarddata(Rifle)/243Cal(6.17mm)/6mm%20PPC%20page%20202.pdf 6mm PPC data from Accurate Powder] ] The 6 mm PPC (Palmisano & Pindel Cartridge), or 6 PPC as it is more often called, is a centerfire rifle cartridge used almost exclusively for benchrest shooting. [ [http://hunting.about.com/od/guns/l/aasttopriflecar.htm The 20th Century's Top Rifle Cartridge by Layne Simpson] ] It is one of the most accurate 300-yard cartridges available. [ [http://www.6mmbr.com/6PPC.html 6MM PPC -- The Benchmark of Accuracy] ] This cartridge's accuracy is produced by a combination of its stout posture [the body of the case is only 1.23 inches (31 mm) long] and aggressive neck angle (30 degrees compared to a 30-06's 17 degrees).

Background

The bullet diameter is standard for 6 mm caliber cartridges at .243 inches, the same diameter used in the .243 Winchester and 6 mm Remington cartridges. Bullet weights depend on rifling twist being used. Typically, 68 grain 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 60 grain bullets accurately. Factory ammunition for the 6 PPC is available from SAKO.

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 formed from .220 Russian brass (7.62 x 39 mm can also be used, but .220 Russian brass is usually higher quality). 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 6mm 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 0.200 inch at 200 yards (5mm at 180m). [ [http://www.international-benchrest.com/IBSRecords/05GroupRec.htm 2005 IBS GROUP RECORDS] ]

ee also

*List of firearms
*List of rifle cartridges
*6 mm caliber

References