What twist rate does 6mm PPC use?

6mm PPC typically uses a 1:14 twist rate.

What bullet diameter is 6mm PPC?

6mm PPC uses a 0.2429″ (6.17 mm) diameter bullet.

Is 6mm PPC still in production?

6mm PPC is active; typical availability is limited.

What is 6mm PPC used for?

6mm PPC is primarily used for competition, target, varmint.

What is 6mm PPC based on?

6mm PPC is derived from the .220 Russian case.

What are the best powders for 6mm PPC?

Reloading powders commonly listed for 6mm PPC include N120, IMR 8208 XBR, H322, Vihtavuori N133.

Rifle · CIP

6mm PPC

6 PPC6mm PPC-USA

The gold standard of benchrest accuracy for three decades.

Caliber: 0.2429″ · 6.17 mm
Introduced: 1974
Case: Rimless
Parent: .220 Russian
Primary use: Competition, Target, Varmint
Status: Active

Velocity3,100–3,400 fps

Energy1,325–1,743 ft·lb

Typical grains68 · 70 gr

Identity

Introduced: 1974
Type: Rifle
Origin: United States
Inventor: Dr. Louis Palmisano & Ferris Pindell
Manufacturer: Lapua (brass)
Standard: CIP
Status: Active
Availability: Limited

Build

Case capacity: 28.5 gr H₂O
Twist (typical): 1:14
Primer: Small Rifle
Case type: Rimless

Pressure & range

Max pressure: 58,700 psi
Eff. range: 500 yd
Max range: 1000 yd
Recoil: 5–8 ft·lb

Ballistics

Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–1000 yd

Open in Ballistic Compare ↗

By real loads: 2,950–3,300 fps · 17 loads
Parent case: .220 Russian

Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).

Performance

Best for TargetNorma OTM Benchrest70 gr · OTM · 3,300 fpsBuy now →

Buy links open 6mm PPC ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

CIP TDCC · approximate

Measure	mm	in	✓
Bullet ⌀	6.17	0.243	✓
Neck ⌀	6.65	0.262	~
Shoulder ⌀	10.95	0.431	✓
Shoulder angle	30°	—	✓
Base ⌀	11.26	0.443	✓
Rim ⌀	11.30	0.445	✓
Belt ⌀	n/a
Rim thickness	1.50	0.059	✓
Neck length	7.61	0.300	≈
Case length	38.48	1.515	✓
Overall length	53.34	2.100	~

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 6mm PPC is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 17 active loads across 12 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 17 →.

Brand	Load	Grain	Bullet	FPS	ft·lb	BC
Norma	OTM Benchrest	70	OTM	3,300	1,692	—
Sellier & Bellot	OTM Match	70	OTM	3,300	1,692	—
Sako	OTM Benchrest	70	OTM	3,300	1,692	—
Lapua	OTM Benchrest	70	OTM	3,300	1,692	—
Hornady	Match	68	BTHP	3,150	1,498	—
Winchester	Match	68	BTHP	3,150	1,498	—
GECO	Standard	70	FMJ	3,100	1,493	—
GECO	Match	70	HP	3,100	1,493	—
Fiocchi	Standard	70	FMJ	3,100	1,493	—
RUAG Ammotec	Swiss P Match HP 68gr	68	HP	2,950	1,314	—
Sellier & Bellot	FMJ 68gr	68	FMJ	2,950	1,314	—
ELEY	Benchrest HP 68gr	68	HP	2,950	1,314	—
Federal	Gold Medal Match 68gr HP	68	HP	2,950	1,314	—
Black Hills	OTM 68gr	68	OTM	2,950	1,314	—
Norma	Match HPBT 68gr	68	HPBT	2,950	1,314	—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

4 reloading powders listed for 6mm PPC, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

N120 IMR 8208 XBR H322 Vihtavuori N133

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Powder $/lbCharge (gr)Bullet $/eaPrimer $/eaBrass reusesBrass $/ea

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in 6mm PPC

7 models in the database chamber 6mm PPC. Browse all →

Borden Rifles Borden Timberline 6 BR 28-inchCooper Firearms of Montana Model 57 BenchrestCooper Firearms of Montana Model 57 ClassicBarnard Barnard P .308 Win 28-inchBAT Machine BAT Model SPacific Tool & Gauge PTG Bat Action 6 PPC 28-inchStolle Stolle Panda .308 Win 29-inch

Lineage

Immediate parent

.220 Russian

Family TreeOpen 6mm PPC in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads17 factory loads for 6mm PPC↗Reloading4 suitable powders — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in 6mm PPC↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Developed in 1974 by Dr. Louis Palmisano and Ferris Pindell from the .220 Russian case (itself necked from 7.62x39mm). The 6mm PPC won more benchrest world records than any other cartridge in history — it dominated 100-yard and 200-yard group competition from the mid-1970s through the 2000s. Lapua began producing premium brass that set the standard for case consistency. CIP standardized it as the 6mm PPC-USA. It remains the cartridge that defined what extreme accuracy means in a rifle.

FAQs

What twist rate does 6mm PPC use?: 6mm PPC typically uses a 1:14 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is 6mm PPC?: 6mm PPC uses a 0.2429″ (6.17 mm) diameter bullet.
Is 6mm PPC still in production?: 6mm PPC is active; typical availability is limited.
What is 6mm PPC used for?: 6mm PPC is primarily used for competition, target, varmint.
What is 6mm PPC based on?: 6mm PPC is derived from the .220 Russian case.
What are the best powders for 6mm PPC?: Reloading powders commonly listed for 6mm PPC include N120, IMR 8208 XBR, H322, Vihtavuori N133.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 17 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →