Dusty Stevens
Shiner
6 comp match?
Another .243 vs 6XC vs 6mm Creedmoor discussion
- Thread starter copperking81
- Start date
6 comp match?
No. The one with the ineffable name.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
6cm is comp match. Thought thats what you meant
Accurate Powder has info they are on line
Here's my 2 cents worth based on shooting, loading, and hunting with the 243 Win since the late 60's. There are certainly better cartridge choices for a strictly target rifle but if you're looking for a hunting cartridge the 243 is truly an all purpose cartridge very capable for taking white tail deer, varmints (ghogs), and predators. I know I've done it!
Here's a 243 secret - by using the 243 year around as your hunting rifle, i.e. varmints in the summer, deer in the fall, and predators in the winter - guess what? You will become very familiar with your rifle and become a better field shot. For those on a budget - it's the ideal hunting cartridge for the aforementioned game.
Here's another 243 secret - the Sierra 85 BTHP with moderate loads of IMR 4350 or IMR 4064 can be used for all the aforementioned game. Think about that - one rifle / one load for everything - talk about familiarity - you got it with this combo.
Here's another 243 secret - if you don't shoot max loads, let the barrel cool between shots, and clean properly the barrel will last a long time with regards to hunting accuracy. After all, it's the cold barrel shot that is the key when hunting. So don't play Rambo with it and it will last much longer than all the expert nay sayers claim. My Rem 700 with over 3,500 rounds can still hold a 3/4 inch five shot group at 100 yards.
Not a secret - vast assortment of rifles to choose from - components and factory ammo readily available. Oh, did I mention easy to load and capable of excellent accuracy. No need for wild cats and rare cartridges that create the statistical illusion of superiority - a 243 will get the job done just as effective IF you do your part - the latter being the key, not the cartridge.
PS: never hunted p-dogs but I understand that you can shoot almost constantly and have to shoot a lot from hot barrels. The 243 is probably not the best choice for this IF you are concerned about barrel wear BUT if you have multiple rifles it could work.
Here's a 243 secret - by using the 243 year around as your hunting rifle, i.e. varmints in the summer, deer in the fall, and predators in the winter - guess what? You will become very familiar with your rifle and become a better field shot. For those on a budget - it's the ideal hunting cartridge for the aforementioned game.
Here's another 243 secret - the Sierra 85 BTHP with moderate loads of IMR 4350 or IMR 4064 can be used for all the aforementioned game. Think about that - one rifle / one load for everything - talk about familiarity - you got it with this combo.
Here's another 243 secret - if you don't shoot max loads, let the barrel cool between shots, and clean properly the barrel will last a long time with regards to hunting accuracy. After all, it's the cold barrel shot that is the key when hunting. So don't play Rambo with it and it will last much longer than all the expert nay sayers claim. My Rem 700 with over 3,500 rounds can still hold a 3/4 inch five shot group at 100 yards.
Not a secret - vast assortment of rifles to choose from - components and factory ammo readily available. Oh, did I mention easy to load and capable of excellent accuracy. No need for wild cats and rare cartridges that create the statistical illusion of superiority - a 243 will get the job done just as effective IF you do your part - the latter being the key, not the cartridge.
PS: never hunted p-dogs but I understand that you can shoot almost constantly and have to shoot a lot from hot barrels. The 243 is probably not the best choice for this IF you are concerned about barrel wear BUT if you have multiple rifles it could work.
My primary Prairie Dog guns are a 5.56 Colt HBAR and a .204 Ruger. The 6mm, along with my .220 Swift, will be for long range shots done occasionally but throughout each day.
All accompany me to the Prairie Dog fields.
All accompany me to the Prairie Dog fields.
6 Creedmoor makes sense if you'll ever need or want factory ammo. It's widely available. 6XC if you want to be different. 6 Dasher if you're not intimidated by the forming process (or buy fro DJ's brass and skip the suffering). Or 6BRA if you easier brass and still reach the 105class node at ~2920fps.
There is no doubt that 6 Dasher or 6BRA give you the best raw accuracy potential.
The 243 is the best for hunting (factory ammo geared this way).
The 6 Creedmoor is the best for long range target/PRS/plinking (factory ammo geared this way).
6XC, while a great design, does not have the same level of support as the other two and could fade into relative obscurity.
243 vs 6 Creedmoor vs 6XC are splitting the hairs VERY finely. Go with whichever one gives you the warm fuzzy feelings inside.
There is no doubt that 6 Dasher or 6BRA give you the best raw accuracy potential.
The 243 is the best for hunting (factory ammo geared this way).
The 6 Creedmoor is the best for long range target/PRS/plinking (factory ammo geared this way).
6XC, while a great design, does not have the same level of support as the other two and could fade into relative obscurity.
243 vs 6 Creedmoor vs 6XC are splitting the hairs VERY finely. Go with whichever one gives you the warm fuzzy feelings inside.
Brass is the most important decision first. Fireform vs factory is a big deal and if you're worried about barrel life you'd have to scratch 1-200 rounds off your 243AI barrel for fireforming. Factory brass is just simpler and easier, so in my book that puts the 6XC and 6 Creed ahead of the 243AI. Then you're looking at large rifle primer Norma brass with the 6XC vs small rifle primer Lapua brass with the 6 Creed. Assuming your Savage firing pin can handle small rifle primers without piercing/cratering (don't know on that front) then in my book 6 Creed wins on both.
In terms of barrel life they're all pretty similar. More total powder volume = shorter barrel life, assuming equal pressure. So perhaps that means 6XC > 6 Creed > 243AI. However if you backed off pressure on the larger cases and ran equal velocity then it may be less of a factor.
Biggest thing you can do to drive up barrel life is run a moderate pressure load of a cool slow burning powder like H1000. However, that will be a full case of powder so the smaller 6XC isn't going to get you the same velocity the 243AI will. If your application requires 3100 fps from a 105 then you probably need to go to 243AI for the case capacity. If 2950-3000 is fine then you could probably do 6 Creed or maybe even 6XC.
If I were spinning on a new 6mm barrel (in something other than the 6 Dasher that I'm currently running) it would be a 6 Creed running H1000.
In terms of barrel life they're all pretty similar. More total powder volume = shorter barrel life, assuming equal pressure. So perhaps that means 6XC > 6 Creed > 243AI. However if you backed off pressure on the larger cases and ran equal velocity then it may be less of a factor.
Biggest thing you can do to drive up barrel life is run a moderate pressure load of a cool slow burning powder like H1000. However, that will be a full case of powder so the smaller 6XC isn't going to get you the same velocity the 243AI will. If your application requires 3100 fps from a 105 then you probably need to go to 243AI for the case capacity. If 2950-3000 is fine then you could probably do 6 Creed or maybe even 6XC.
If I were spinning on a new 6mm barrel (in something other than the 6 Dasher that I'm currently running) it would be a 6 Creed running H1000.
I should have differentiated. I'm talking about .243 Win (not AI).
Until recently I never shot mine much. Getting into reloading got me shooting it more and it's a little more useful since it shares some bullets with my 6mm RPR. I've really come to appreciate the muzzle brake. Could shoot it all afternoon. 
well for one…. 6XC is going to be a headache when you go to hunt for brass. The 6mm Creedmoor was designed in conjunction with the 105gr Berger Hybrid and it just out performs the 115 DTAC flat out. Even more performance can be squeezed out when you point your bullets.
I ran a 6XC for about a year and sold the barrel off to get a 6mm Creedmoor barrel after shooting a gas gun. Which at the time was not a good comparison but I saw the potential it had. Now its one of the most popular calibers out there and brass is easily attainable from a number of sources.
I ran a 6XC for about a year and sold the barrel off to get a 6mm Creedmoor barrel after shooting a gas gun. Which at the time was not a good comparison but I saw the potential it had. Now its one of the most popular calibers out there and brass is easily attainable from a number of sources.
Not sure I agree with this. I see more 6XC around these parts than 6 Creed. You can make brass from Lapua 22-250, or buy it, Alpha makes SRP now. One of our guys has a ton of firings on his 6XC-Lapua. The 6XC with a 115 DTAC is a pretty good combo, seen them impact past 1400y at matches, while Dasher 105/110 combo was well out of gas.
Of the 3 options provided, I would go 6XC (version2 reamer!)
If you want off the shelf match ammo go 6 Creamoor
If you are hunting, or just like simplicity, go .243 (hope you own a good trimmer
)
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I run 115 dtacs from tubbs factory ammo at 3050fps from a 26" barrel with a PVA 4 port brake, its a great round.
Training on a 308win and moving to a 6XC, i am able to see the holes appear on paper at 100 year and spotting for myself is a breeze.
Brass is a easy find norma brass, 22-250 brass. And i am pretty sure you can make 6mm creed into 6XC with a single pass.
Training on a 308win and moving to a 6XC, i am able to see the holes appear on paper at 100 year and spotting for myself is a breeze.
Brass is a easy find norma brass, 22-250 brass. And i am pretty sure you can make 6mm creed into 6XC with a single pass.
Where did you find all these tidbits of wisdom?
Saying the hybrid out performs the dtac is opinion.
I've shot XC for going on 3 yrs, brass was a heck of a lot easier to find on a regular basis than the 105 hybrid was.
And where did the 6 creed was designed in conjunction with the hybrid come from? I myself would surmise that when Hornady made the first 6 creed brass for gap, dollar signs were rolling in someone's head on potential bullet sales.
LA50SHOOTER
Sworn To Protect The Constitution.
https://www.brownells.com/reloading...105506.aspx?psize=96&avs|Manufacturer_1=norma
https://www.brownells.com/reloading/brass/rifle-brass/6mm-xc-brass-prod123780.aspx
6 XC brass isn't hard to find - took 4 minutes to find 2 brands in stock at 1 website.
https://www.brownells.com/reloading/brass/rifle-brass/6mm-xc-brass-prod123780.aspx
6 XC brass isn't hard to find - took 4 minutes to find 2 brands in stock at 1 website.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
Was talking to Tubb last night on the phone and I said I went to the 243 because I did not know he had a cartridge. I said I went to the 243 because John Whidden was beating everyone.
Tubb told me he beat Whidden last month.
243/105 hybrid 3350
6xc/115 3050
Tubb won. So, apparently they are comparable systems.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
I love my 243 with N160 and R16. I have made some people really rethink the 243, I would put my 243 against a Dasher. It will certainly shoot with my 6BR.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
The 115 DTAC needs a really long Freebore. If I were going to go 6XC just get EVERYTHING from Tubb. Brass, bullets, reamer, etc
Easy peasy.
Easy peasy.
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