Long range hunting and target rifle!

[matt_3479]

If you have read my posts recently i have been asking a lot about different calibers to use for long range hunting and shooting. Most people tell me to go somewhere in the 6mm or 6.5 area.

Now after long thoughts i dont know if i need that much gun. I currently own a 7mm rem mag, 300. wsm, 30-30 win and a 22LR. i need something for in between. I do a lot of yote hunting and want a gun for varmints. I though about it and my longest possible shot would be around 1000 yards. Now i WILL NOT be shooting at that distance unless its target practice or for fun. I want to be shooting around 500-700 yards comfortably and then just for fun shoot further. I found a good deal on a 243. win and was debating. But then i decided i would rather buy a new one or custom it.

My question is do i actually need the 6mm or 6.5. Does it really give that much more over a 243. win or 243. ackley improved. I WILL NOT be doing competitions. This rifle will be for my pleasure only. I was strongly leaning towards a 243. win or 243. ackley improved either fully custom or on a rem 700 action, with a Krieger or Hart barrel, a Macmillan A5 stock, and possibly a Jewell trigger. I have witnessed first hand a 243. win take a mule at just short of 400 yards and drop him in its tracks, and a 243. ackley improved take a pronghorn at 627 yards.

for my intended purposes (coyote hunting within 400 yards most likely) and target shooting between 500-700 yards) is the 6mm or 6.5 really that much better then a 243. win or 243. ackley improved?

 

[4xforfun]

The 243 is a 6mm. The 240 wby is a 6mm.

The 264 win mag is a 6.5 mm. The 260 rem is a 6.5 mm.

The 284 win and 280 are 7mm.

 

[angus-5024]

the 6.5 will always out preform the 6mm. That being said, if I were in your position with the iitch for a 6mm, I would get a 6mm (.243,6-284,6mm Rem,6BR). I personally have a .243 and like it alot, even though it is a BLR. you have the 6mm itch. scratch it. I have alot of itches, but my wife only lets me scratch every couple years.

 

[JARHEAD1371]

Take a look at the 6.5 WSM or 6.5 SAUM. Matched with a 26"-30" barrel you will see some impressive results. Also check out Manners stocks if you don't (or can't) wait for the McMillan. And it's hard to beat a Surgeon action.

 

[Booney]

The 6-284 is just as easy to load as the 243 winny and yes it is that much better if you are going to to a custom you might as well get more out of it than the standered 243 not saying that a bad round it great but if im going to take the time a build a custom might as well do it right. The 6mm-284 Is 400ft plus or minus faster pushing a 107smk And 250 to 300 feet faster than the 243AI and you dont have to fire form the 6-284 like the 243AI all you have to do is neck down 6.5-284 brass. So faster and now wasted barrel life,but a man wants what a man wants so pull the triger and dont look back its all good shooting. good luck

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

Booney, Your saying a 6mm-284 will push a 107 matchking around 3800 fps. That is one I have never worked with but that seems really fast. Sounds like a barrel burning machine to me. I like the 284 case but never did one in 6mm.

 

[liltank]

Well here is my .02. So take it for what its worth. I really like the idea of benchrest 6mm's. This would be the 6XC, 6mm Dasher, 6mmBR. Let me explain why and then you can draw your own conclusion. These calibers were developed for maximum accuracy and efficiency in the cases that were developed. Originally they were specifically designed for short range competition from 300 to 600 yards. It has come to my attention as of this weekend confirming my suspicions and read knowledge that they can also be effectively used to 1000yrds. There have been world records set by the 6 Dasher, 6XC, and 6BR at 1K. With that said another advantage is barrel life. Where you might get 1500 to 2000 rounds of effective accurate barrel life from a .243 Win, .243AI and much less with the 6mm-06 (800-1000rnds), 6mm-248(500-800rnds). Another viable option that is going to hang with these calibers is the 6mmx47 Lapua(2000-2500rnds).

The less powder the less bore erosion you have the better your barrel life. The aforementioned 6mm-06 and 6mm-284 are what we call overbore calibers holding excessive amounts of powder causing extreme heat. In a tight bore, you wear your throat down at an accelerated rate. Some on here could give you more realistic numbers for accurate fire, but I have a feeling I am somewhere close.

The Dasher, XC, and BR are all top performers on a competitive level. I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with some of the guys using the 6mm Dasher. It is an improved version of the BR and produces 100 to 150 fps. One shooter said that having that extra 100 to 150 fps really makes a difference and can mean the difference between a 10x or a score of lesser value. I was seriously considering a BR for short shots, but now I am thinking the Dasher may be the way I want to go. I have been bitten by the 1K comp bug, so now I have to figure my next move.

You already own one of the top performers at this type of shooting that will perform with authority at the distances you would like to hunt and post nice targets at 1K. That would be the 300WSM. It was nice to see a bunch of them there and I own one. This caliber is really making a statement in benchrest competition and the hunting world. 500-700 yards is a chip shot for that caliber (not necessarily for the shooter, still need to practice).

So now that I have talked your ear off and really well over explained my way of thinking, I would choose the 6XC, 6Dasher, or 6mmBR due to their inherent accuracy especially at said ranges and will be able to push a heavy enough bullet to knock down coyote size game or less down at your presribed range with half the powder usage of the .243 and like cartridges.

Tank

 

[joseph]

So now that I have talked your ear off and really well over explained my way of thinking, I would choose the 6XC, 6Dasher, or 6mmBR due to their inherent accuracy especially at said ranges and will be able to push a heavy enough bullet to knock down coyote size game or less down at your presribed range with half the powder usage of the .243 and like cartridges. QUOTE by Tank

I agree with Tank, but add the 6mmBRX. How about using a Savage Target action which I did. With this set up you could get another barrel and be able to have a switch barrel rifle.

This rifle has shot a couple of 5 shot groups at 200 yds. in the low .3s. (no wind). Almost all the other groups have been 1/2" or less.

My new long range popgun. - Georgia Outdoor News Forum

http://www.6mmbr.com/6mmbr.html

joseph

 

[4xforfun]

The Dasher, XC, and BR are all top performers on a competitive level. I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with some of the guys using the 6mm Dasher. It is an improved version of the BR and produces 100 to 150 fps. One shooter said that having that extra 100 to 150 fps really makes a difference and can mean the difference between a 10x or a score of lesser value. I was seriously considering a BR for short shots, but now I am thinking the Dasher may be the way I want to go. I have been bitten by the 1K comp bug, so now I have to figure my next move.



Tank

The Dasher is NOT an improved 6 BR. It is a wildcat based on the 6 BR. You can not fire standard 6 BR rounds in a Dasher. You must first make a false sholder by first necking the case up to 257 or 264 and then neck back down to 6mm just enough for the case to fit in the chamber. Some guys just load thier bullets way long without making the false sholder, but the firing pin strike will slide the bullet in some.

Don,t get me wrong. The steps it takes to make a dasher case are very simple and strait forward. And they shoot!!!!

 

[joseph]

The 6mm BRX is much easer to make. The chamber is bored then the 6mmBR is fired in the BRX chamber and then the 6mmBR dies are used for sizing and no neck sizing is needed either.

joseph

 

[liltank]

The Dasher is NOT an improved 6 BR. It is a wildcat based on the 6 BR. You can not fire standard 6 BR rounds in a Dasher. You must first make a false sholder by first necking the case up to 257 or 264 and then neck back down to 6mm just enough for the case to fit in the chamber. Some guys just load thier bullets way long without making the false sholder, but the firing pin strike will slide the bullet in some.

Don,t get me wrong. The steps it takes to make a dasher case are very simple and strait forward. And they shoot!!!!

I wasn't sure of the steps, but the parent case is the same. Thanks for the heads up. I like the BRX also. Sounds like you get about the same as the dasher with less work, but either way... I like what either case offers. I did take a look at the case making process and looks simple enough. They have good articles on it on 6mmbr.com.

Tank

 

[4xforfun]

If I am not mistaken, the brx is the same as a dasher, but with a 35 degree sholder insted of a 40 on the dasher. I believe the steps are the same to form the cases. I have a friend who shoots a brx in 1k and we had this exact conversation last week. But have one of those memory thingies....the forget thing.......ummmm....er........what were we talking about again?

 

[Greywolf18]

the 6.5 will always out preform the 6mm.

That's not true, it also depends on what bullets you are shooting. I always thought this as well until I started looking into a varmint rifle to shoot VMax's. According to Hornady's website the

6.5mm 95 gr VMax
BC - .365
SD - 195

6mm 75 gr VMax
BC - .320
SD - 181

6mm 87 gr VMax
BC - .400
SD - 210

Since then I changed my mind and trying to decide between 6x47 Lapua, 6mm, 6mm AI, 243, 243 AI, etc. Going crazy trying to decide!!! lol

 

[liltank]

That's not true, it also depends on what bullets you are shooting. I always thought this as well until I started looking into a varmint rifle to shoot VMax's. According to Hornady's website the

6.5mm 95 gr VMax
BC - .365
SD - 195

6mm 75 gr VMax
BC - .320
SD - 181

6mm 87 gr VMax
BC - .400
SD - 210

Since then I changed my mind and trying to decide between 6x47 Lapua, 6mm, 6mm AI, 243, 243 AI, etc. Going crazy trying to decide!!! lol

Just follow the thread man... just follow the thread!!

Tank