Skip to content
Lindcott Armory

Rifle · CIP

6mm PPC

Also known as 6 PPC · 6mm 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

Buy this cartridge

Buy at Rivertown

Buying from Rivertown

Partner link
VelocityBeing verified
EnergyBeing verified
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

Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 6mm PPC. Parent case: .220 Russian.

Performance

Best for Withheld until verified
Best for Withheld until verified
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
Measuremmin✓
Bullet ⌀ 6.170.243 ✓
Neck ⌀ 6.650.262 ~
Shoulder ⌀ 10.950.431 ✓
Shoulder angle 30°— ✓
Base ⌀ 11.260.443 ✓
Rim ⌀ 11.300.445 ✓
Belt ⌀ n/a
Rim thickness 1.500.059 ✓
Neck length 7.610.300 ≈
Case length 38.481.515 ✓
Overall length 53.342.100 ~

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

Verification

Being verified

Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.

Suitable powders

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

N120IMR 8208 XBRNorma 201N130H322Norma 200Vihtavuori 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.

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

Firearms chambered in 6mm PPC

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

Barnard Barnard P .308 Win 28-inchKelbly's PandaPacific 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 PPCReloading7 suitable powders — cross-referenceFirearmsFirearms in 6mm PPC

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, Norma 201, N130, among 7 suitable options.

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 →