Which 6mm chambering?

[Bill2905]

I’ve been shooting and reloading the 223 Remington for a little over two years now and have learned a lot from it. I’m ready to try something different and am thinking about a new pre-fit barrel in a 6mm chambering to convert one of my Savage 10s. I have the tools and some experience with barrel swaps. My criteria are as follows;

Shooting activity: Paper punching from the bench
Range: Mostly 100-200 yds with an occasional trip to a 300 yd range
Recoil: Not much, .308 Win is too much for me over a range session
Reloading: Not finicky with lots of available bullets, brass, and published data
Factory ammo availability: Some availability would be good but not that important
Feeding: Mostly single shot loading
Shooting volume: 500 rounds per year

Possible candidates I have looked at are the 243 Winchester, 6mm Creedmoor, and the 6mm BR Norma.

It seems like the 243 is an all around good choice for what I want to do. I’m aware of the shorter barrel life of the 243 but maybe that’s a good excuse to start another project in a few years.

With all that said, what are the pros and cons of these options? What other chamberings would you recommend I look at?

Thanks

[Robinhood]

6 creedmoor, 6-6.5x47 lapua, on of the awsome 6br wildcats like the dasher, 7.5 or 8 twist for heavies. Because it is possible to run out of room with the 243.

[gbflyer]

I have a buddy with a 6mm Ackley Improved that is really impressive.

[Stumpkiller]

^^That; matching the twist to the weight you want to shoot. Or just the plain 'ol 6mm Remington. It has an edge on the .243 Win but, like the .260 Rem, Remington lost the momentum right out the gate and never knew what they had.

[Dave Hoback]

I’ve seen 243 do some amazing stuff. Check out what Rex Tibor thinks of it. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=tiborasaurusrex+243

[Robinhood]

Tiborasaurusrex shoots way out there with the 243. But he does not mention it in this. I was surprized.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-XpqTaOofw

[charlie b]

Since you are shooting shorter ranges I would agree with Robinhood and go with one of the smaller 6mm cartridges. I would also go with one that has factory made brass vs wildcats that need careful case forming. 6PPC or the 6mm Norma BR would be my choices.

If you don't mind a little forming (necking up) then the 6x45 would also be a good one as well. You could also use your existing .223 bold face and magazine without having any issues. Not as 'sexy' sounding when at the range talking about guns though :)

IMHO, the 6mm Rem, .243 and even the 6mmCM are a bit overkill for 300yd paper punching. If you were going to stretch out to 600yd then the 6CM would be a good one. Yes, the .243 is an excellent cartridge and if you were going to 1000yd I would consider it above the others. I would not like the barrel life but I don't want to buy a new barrel every year or two.

[Shortbox4x4]

Out of the cartridges you listed....I’d run the 6BR. Barrel life will be so much better than the .243win., 6mm Rem, 6CM etc...I’ve shot them all. Also vs. the 6 Dasher you don’t have to form cases at all. To me the Dasher can be temperamental with that really short neck but it is a shooter. The 6PPC would most likely need a different bolt head. The rim diameter is smaller than the others. It might not but I think it would make life easier.

I’m shooting a 6BRA right now on a rebarreled Savage 112 J series single shot. 107smk are coming out just under 2900fps and that’s out of a 26” barrel. You just shoot normal 6BR loads thru it and no difference in accuracy vs. the formed 6BRA case.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

[Dave Hoback]

Yeah, I guess given your listed ranges, the BR is a great choice. Forget any factory leadings for it a though.. but you reload, so no problem.

If off the shelf ammo was a big factor, 243 wins, followed by Creedmoor.

[stomp442]

For what you are describing to do there is really only one choice. 6mmBR. Simple, easy, amazingly accurate, and very easy on barrels with little to no recoil.

[justpassinthru]

6BR without any doubt.

[GrenGuy]

^^^ Bill, My position is similar to Yours. I completely agree with the above post. For 300yds or less, 243Win, or anything similar is way overkill. More than needed in recoil, and everything else involved. There is a reason why long range shooters go with 6mmBR, and/or its variants. For absolute accuracy at 300yds/less, it’s the 6mmPPC ??? But the 6mmBR is very close, but a lot easier.

JMO:rolleyes: best of luck

[tobnpr]

As has been said, 6BR dominates benchrest at that range.

[hamiltonkiler]

Why switch if only shooting 300yds?
Just wondering?


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[8mm RUM]

6mm/06 ai.
Never run out of brass...

[Bill2905]

Why switch if only shooting 300yds?
Just wondering?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just for something new to try. I'll still continue to shoot a lot of 223 but I have several of them and one isn't being used much.

[Uncle Grinch]

I would vote for the 6mm Rem or maybe bump it up to the 6mm Rem Ack. Easy to find brass and reloading data.

[mikeinco]

right when he said 308 was to much.


6mm/06 ai.
Never run out of brass...

[mikeinco]

no 6ppc dominated 300 and under.


As has been said, 6BR dominates benchrest at that range.

[mikeinco]

ok i see Two AND ONLY TWO ANSWERS.

6MM DASHER..s slightly blown out 6 br case. it dominates 600/1000 yards. would be easy to shoot at 100-300. factory brass is available. you could opt
out of the std 8 twist for lighter bullets for just 100/300.

ideal answer
6mm br plain and simple it is good out to 600 and will do well at 100-300. it has been used in 100/300 benchrest. 58 or so bullet ,24" bbl ,12 twist, bed it in a laminated stock and go to town. plastic stock and factory trigger will be the limiting factors.( do not go with a cheap bbl. the bbl and chamber are the core to accuracy)