6mm or 6.5x47

[maltbuck]

Morning all.

I am currently considering putting a repeater (thus ruling out the 6mm BR) format rifle together for use out to a maximum of 800m but mostly 600m and less. Purpose will be a precision fun/low key completion rifle.

Due to time issues (work is such a pain!) I do not want to go down a fire forming route, but would be open minded to go down a single pass resizing route. Thus I am currently considering calibres such as the .243, 6xc, 6x47 lapua, or even the 6mm SLR, the bullet weight of choice will be 105 - 108.

My questions are:-

Can the venerable .243 still perform with these "modern" 6 mm versions?

Of the modern 6mm's which is the preferred choice?

With regard to the 6mm SLR, is winchester brass the only real option - I am a lapua/Norma fan?

 

Or do I simply go down the 6.5x47 route and use a 123 grain bullet, for simplicity and ease when coming to wind bucking ability?

 

Your thoughts much appreciated.

 

Regards,

 

MB.

[gbal]

Morning all.

I am currently considering putting a repeater (thus ruling out the 6mm BR) format rifle together for use out to a maximum of 800m but mostly 600m and less. Purpose will be a precision fun/low key completion rifle.

Due to time issues (work is such a pain!) I do not want to go down a fire forming route, but would be open minded to go down a single pass resizing route. Thus I am currently considering calibres such as the .243, 6xc, 6x47 lapua, or even the 6mm SLR, the bullet weight of choice will be 105 - 108.

My questions are:-

Can the venerable .243 still perform with these "modern" 6 mm versions?

Of the modern 6mm's which is the preferred choice?

With regard to the 6mm SLR, is winchester brass the only real option - I am a lapua/Norma fan?

Or do I simply go down the 6.5x47 route and use a 123 grain bullet, for simplicity and ease when coming to wind bucking ability?

Your thoughts much appreciated.

 

 

Regards,

MB.

Check out the Accurate Shooter 6br site

A fast twist 243 with heavy bullets (Dtac 115 for 1000y) will still outperform,or at the very least,not be outperformed by,the newer 6mms-and the same is true I think for the 6mm rem (a lttle more potential,and both can be Ackleyised,if you must).Absolute minimum of brass fuss-and Lapua.

6.5x47 will be a little better in wind-but here again,will do nothing at all a 260 rem will not do,at least as well ballisticallymaybe a tad better,,and the 260 seems well prefered for absolutely guaranteed magazine feeding in tactical mags etc.

 

The AS site will give the case (literally,and it isn't usually an improvement!) for the new contenders,but there is choice-whether based on fashion,or ballistic/ logistic /cost fact . Actual performance diferences within 6s and within 6.5s are slight/negligible in reality.

Gbal

[Sherlock]

Before you rule out the 6br - A good rifle builder can get them to feed from a mag ( using the right action of course).

 

 

 

S

[DaveT]

I believe that Baldie on this forum knows how to get the 6BR to mag feed...ask him before making a decision.

 

If you go 6mm SLR then Winchester brass is easiest as Lapua will require neck turning after reforming in custom dies (Redding make them) as the Lapua shoulder metal is thicker and becomes part of the neck.

 

I have 260 Rem and 6mm SLR ..... the 260 is my 'go to' gun ...I have a stalker and a target rifle in this calibre (both built by Baldie) and they are both as accurate as hell.

 

Can't see how you would go wrong with a 260 or a 6.5 x 47 and I understand there to be nothing much between them balistically.

[22/250 foxer]

Tikka m595 with 22/250 mag. You have a feeding 6br

[Jinks]

Before you rule out the 6br - A good rifle builder can get them to feed from a mag ( using the right action of course).

 

 

 

S

That is my rifle in the video, no modifications made by a rifle smith to get it to feed, just a bog standard 22-250 magazine

 

Cheers

 

Jinks

[6.5shooter]

Check out mike norris's video on youtube also for getting the 6br to feed!

[maltbuck]

Thanks for the replies so far.

The issue of feeding 6mmBR, seems to be a stumbling block unless you are using a Tikka action, and bearing in mind I will be coughing out for a borden or Bat, it is a risk I am not wiling to take. But thanks for the input.

If I was to go 6mm it would definitely be the 105-108 grain bullets, I would be using to maximise choice, and to avoid any oddities of the 115 grain, - mate of mine tried them and had a nightmare.

The 6xc would seem to be exotic with regards to brass - phoned around to day and no availability, and would have to rely on RUAG for orders, - so possibly a no.

6mm SLR very exotic and winchester brass???

 

This would seem to leave me with either the 6x47 Lapua, or the good old .243.

 

Or then again a 6.5!

 

Narrowing it down but further input would be appreciated.

 

Regards,

MB.

[brown dog]

6BR feed in AWs from my limited experimenting with dummy rounds.

 

I like the 6.5x47; there's something about it that just seems 'right'; so I'd be very tempted to go 6 x 47.

 

[The nutty part of my mind is whirring around the idea of the 6x47 launching heavy 6mm bullets from a very short (16") barrel]

[baldie]

6mmBr is no problem to make feed if the gunsmith knows what he is doing, not found an action yet that would,nt.

 

It sounds to me like the ideal solution for you would be either 6xc or 6x47 Lapua. Both feed easily and have a bit more grunt than a 6mmBr.

 

6mmSLR is a single feeder unless the short throated reamer is used for a specific magazine feed gun. There are three variations of reamer for it.

[gbal]

MB,

Ideas and opinions usually vary a little-and for a variety of reasons.I have read nothing so far that recommends any of the ballistically inferior but case rep exotic 6s to me-they are all not readily available,and take specialist tools /dies etc,and there is a seriuos issue about availability,compared to base line 243.I'd call them the 6WWYs-Why Would You.For a few afficionados (or posers) they have some kudos- I am guilty of having a 308x11/2 Barnes myself-and may have a niche,if you are David Tubb.

But they offer nothing else,and promise some pain at times.I don't see any case being made-just a claim that one or other is best

If magazine feed matters,its 243 all the way.Or 260.Both are top of the ballistic pile,no one is querying that.

The 6.5x47 lapua is a fine round,but not better.I'm not even sure it has the kudos it might have had,as it's now fairly standard among the relatively few shooters on here,but check what the US tactical guys are using-they are pretty savvy,and do a mix of upmarket plinking/competition shooting which has a fun element .

The 115 243 DTACs don't usually present with any problems if the rifle has the fast twist for them-but one hears of horror stories for everything-some not so well founded-mag feed in some 6s eg,but if you want to stay with 105 /107, which are fine to 600,then OK.

Nothing substantial has been said in favour of anything except the 6 or 6.5 Lapua,and the 243 or 260 .

Any of these four would be good choices-and as it's a custom build,you have a free choice.(though the 6BR is a lovely little cartridge,nicer to shoot-like the 30BR/Barnes!)

All four are pretty well fettled,and no vices/problems-I don't know about 10 shot mags for the Lapuas,if that matters-no doubt it can be done (£).It comes easy with the 243 and 260,as does just about everything else.

Gbal

 

ps I can't really decide either,and shoot a lot out to 1000+,and that doesn't help much.Current thinking is 6BR for calm days,as it's such a delight,and 260 tactical for when I can't hit with one shot! Two days at the ranges at weekend might change that,again.

 

Good news is,you can't really go wrong among these 5.Think more just what you want/do shoot-eg mag or single,( recoil-OK,mod is the answer,but 100+ 308 in two hours isn't as nice as 100 6BR!) and get the most reliable rifle configuration.Any cartridge of the 4/5 will be fine.

Gbal

[maltbuck]

Thank you Gbal for the common sense and sound advice approach, it is easy to get caught up in the latest calibre. And also thanks to you Baldie, especially regarding the 6mmSLR nugget, as other than the brass issue I.e. winchester it was proving tempting.

Regards,

MB

[baldie]

I use Remington brass in mine with no fuss Maltbuck. I,ve also formed, and neck turned lapua for it too.....it made no difference ! [6mmSLR ]

[gbal]

Thank you Gbal for the common sense and sound advice approach, it is easy to get caught up in the latest calibre. And also thanks to you Baldie, especially regarding the 6mmSLR nugget, as other than the brass issue I.e. winchester it was proving tempting.

Regards,

MB

OK,occasionally the 'latest' really does offer something a bit special (6PPC did).

You,or I rather,might make a case for the 243 being transformed by 58 g bullets-now a great varminter,and 115 bullets-a very good long ranger.These have changed the cartridge radically,from the competent 85-95 g deer cartridge,and anything said about the old version is out of touch/date.The two different loads for the 243 really make it two quite different rifles.

Both the 308 and BR families offer great cartridges across a quite wide range,well tried and tested,and minimum fuss.

Heavy 90 g bullets dramatically increase the 223 s range,as another example,and of course,improved powders can play a smaller role too.

Truth to suggest,for the majority of use,there are several options/choices,and pretty much interchangeable for terminal effect.Now and again a real gem comes along (6PPC for 100-200 precision).

There is no reason,within the sensible choices,not to indulge yourself,guided by a good smith,esp if it's a bit different.

Gbal