6mm Rem vs 6mm Rem AI

[P72]

How much can be gained with the 6mm Rem AI over the 6mm Rem?

What action length should be used?

I am about to kick off my next rifle project. My goals are to launch the 87 Hornady VMax at over 3300 and also use 105 Amax and 107 Sierra MK bullats.

Any comments would be welcome

 

[Steve Blair]

I have owned four 6mm Remington rifles but no 6AI. So, I cannot comment on the performance increase.

As to action length, it depends upon what bullets you will shoot. If you are intending to shoot short, varmint-type bullets, a short action will do. If you want to shoot long, 105-115 class bullets seated out, a long action is the better choice. I have both for the respective applications.

It sounds like a long action with a .090-110" freebore will do what you need.

 

[zipollini]

Might want to take a look at these

http://www.angelfire.com/nd/243ackleyimproved/

http://www.angelfire.com/sd/6mmackley/index.html

http://www.angelfire.com/sd/6mmackley/images/6mm3dcase_2.jpg

Now compare case capacities

6cm - 55gr
6 slr - 54gr
6 rem - 54.9gr
6 AI - 60gr
257 roberts - 54.6gr
243win - 54gr

 

[Steve Blair]

Now compare case capacities

6cm - 55gr
6 slr - 54gr
6 rem - 54.9gr
6 AI - 60gr
257 roberts - 54.6gr
243win - 54gr

My two 6mm varmint rifles have case capacities that average 57.7 and 56.9 with Remington and Winchester brass, respectively. I have not measured cases fired in the F-Open rifle. It was chambered with a new reamer and may differ from the previous one.

 

[Elwood]

I'm pretty sure you will be able to achieve your goal of 3300 fps with the 6mm Rem, but you will absolutely smash it with the 6mm AI.

 

[pdog2225]

I'm now on my second 6AI. The first was on a R700SA receiver,and I had no problems. The first one I did not know exactly what I wanted and had a Shilen 12T 28" barrel. I now had this big case capacity and the max bullet weight I felt I could use was 87gr. It was a great barrel and wonderfully accurate but I wanted to shoot the 107smk to shoot way out there.
This 2nd rifle of mine is a savage mdl 12 with a Shilen 8T 26" (started out as a .243 8T and had a 6AI reamer run into it). I'm happy with this combination because this past spring I was able to easily hit several prairie dogs beyond 1000yds. The powder space is large enough for the slow burning powders needed for the heavier bullets. I may make another one. Pd2225

 

[AndyW]

You will JUST get the 87 Vmax to feed out of a short action with a Wyatts box without having the bullet pressure ring below the shoulder/neck junction. With the 105-107's you'll need to go LA.

I believe the AI version of the 6mm has 11% more case capacity.

You should be able to realize 3450+fps with the 87 Vmax out of a 26" barrel.

With the 3 barrels i've had the powder of choice for the 87 grain Vmax was RL22

 

[tiny68]

I have a 1:9 twist 6AI that Dave Tooley built me a few years back on a Rem 700 SA. However, I use it as a single shot with no issues. Forget about feeding from the mag. It shoots the 105/107s extreme well and I can get 3350 fps all day long with my RWS brass I made from 7x57 mm parent RWS. However, I my gun loves the Berger 95 VLDs and I run them at 3400-3450 fps with amazing results. You can easily reach 3600 fps with the 87s and the 6AI. It is the most accurate gun I own. If I every meet Dave face-to-face, but if I do I want to thank him again. Heck of a gunsmith.

The velocity all depends on what life you want out of your brass. With RP brass I could only get 4-5 firings with warmer/hot loads before the primer pockets got loses. This RWS stuff is rock hard and I have +15 firings on my original 20 brass I prepd and I run it wide open.

If you only need 3300 fps with the 87s, you only need a std 6 mm Rem. I have a 28" Shilen 1:12 twist on one of Savage long action. I usually stick with the 75 VMax at 3600 fps. This is my coyote gun. It is a amazing within 300 yds. I have shot the 87s a few times and could easily reach 3450 fps. However, if I slowed down to 3350 or less with my 1:12 twist - the bullets went side ways.

At least go with a 1:10 twist, but a 1:9 will work for the 107s with the speed of a 6AI. If I wanted to shot 107s in a std 6 Remmy, I would probably step down to a 1:8.

Luck with your 6 build. Been in love with a 6 Remmy for 30 years and have owned 5 or 6 and still have 3 between the 6 Remmy and 6AIs.

Tim

 

[lawtoona]

This is an old thred I know but has anyone tried out the 110g SMK out of the 6mm AI yet? If so what kind of velocity, and group size are you getting?

 

[bobcat93]

I know this is off topic..but has anyone used this on deer in the woods. I never have only 30-30 and hand guns..
The 6mm rem is definitely a interesting cartridge to me..

I thought 6mm AI may be perfect light recoil for the wife..(she doesnt know she is going to deer hunt yet) and give a little more thump on impact..
Seems like with that large case capacity its going to cook the throat fairy quick..and isn't realy all that efficient..like a brush fire to roast a marshmallow..

So many choices..
I'm good with any AI cartridge after owning a 223 improved..now I have a real world under standing of what AI is realy all about..it should just be standardized..hahahaha so superior..(simply my thought and crazy useless opinions)
And by now there may be something more efficient..
Like a 6mm 221 fireball improved..that's what I've been thinking..

 

[Loudenboomer]

Many years ago I rechambered a heavy barreled Ruger M77 .243 to 244 Ackley improved (6mm AI). I had no chronograph but my gun thrived on hot loads of 4831. Accuracy was always best with top end loads and was very good for a stock heavy barrel rifle. Pushed hard it would stabilize the 107 SMK bullet just fine. It frustrated me but the consistently most accurate was the lowly Hornady 100gr Hornady spbt seated just off the lands. I made a ridiculously lucky long shot on a fox with that rifle and took a lot of ribbing from my hunting buddy witnesses

 

[jfjohn77]

I know this is off topic..but has anyone used this on deer in the woods. I never have only 30-30 and hand guns..
The 6mm rem is definitely a interesting cartridge to me..

I thought 6mm AI may be perfect light recoil for the wife..(she doesnt know she is going to deer hunt yet) and give a little more thump on impact..
Seems like with that large case capacity its going to cook the throat fairy quick..and isn't realy all that efficient..like a brush fire to roast a marshmallow..

So many choices..
I'm good with any AI cartridge after owning a 223 improved..now I have a real world under standing of what AI is realy all about..it should just be standardized..hahahaha so superior..(simply my thought and crazy useless opinions)
And by now there may be something more efficient..
Like a 6mm 221 fireball improved..that's what I've been thinking..

Since this is for your Wife and she doesn't know she is going hunting, I ask if she has ever hunted? I only ask this because if not, she will most likely not be making long distance shots. In my opinion she might be better suited with a .257 Roberts known for light recoil and very good knock down at reasonable ranges (250 yds). You have heavier bullet selection and If you want more "thump" go with the AI version which Ackley himself said was the most efficient of his improved cartridges with one the highest % gains.

 

[GT Accuracy]

How much can be gained with the 6mm Rem AI over the 6mm Rem?

What action length should be used?

I am about to kick off my next rifle project. My goals are to launch the 87 Hornady VMax at over 3300 and also use 105 Amax and 107 Sierra MK bullats.

Any comments would be welcome

OP, If you're going with a custom action and like flirting with high pressures / extreme velocity, you will be able to get close to 3900 with the 75 gr vmax and over 3600 with the 87 gr. I achieved both in very fast brux barrels a few years ago. 14 twist on the 75 gr and 12 twist on the 87.

Either way, get your

 

[Plumsask]

I currently shoot the new Sierra 90 gr. TGK
In my 6 AI, 26" 1:8. 53.0 gr. H4831sc gives low es sd and yields just a touch over 3500 FPS with no pressure signs. Very accurate.


QUOTE="Greg Taylor, post: 37732644, member: 272582"]OP, If you're going with a custom action and like flirting with high pressures / extreme velocity, you will be able to get close to 3900 with the 75 gr vmax and over 3600 with the 87 gr. I achieved both in very fast brux barrels a few years ago. 14 twist on the 75 gr and 12 twist on the 87.

Either way, get your[/QUOTE]

 

[bobcat93]

Since this is for your Wife and she doesn't know she is going hunting, I ask if she has ever hunted? I only ask this because if not, she will most likely not be making long distance shots. In my opinion she might be better suited with a .257 Roberts known for light recoil and very good knock down at reasonable ranges (250 yds). You have heavier bullet selection and If you want more "thump" go with the AI version which Ackley himself said was the most efficient of his improved cartridges with one the highest % gains.

 

[bobcat93]

Haha..shes a shooter and has hunted and trapped with her father..the most amazing woman I've ever met..and she was fortunate enough to put a ring on my finger..lucky girl..hahahaha
I haven't shot either of those cartridges..I love the 25-06
So the 257 Robert's has less recoil then the 6mm rem

 

[lancexxx]

6mm ack with 85gr. sierra hp. Good on deer

 

[jfjohn77]

Haha..shes a shooter and has hunted and trapped with her father..the most amazing woman I've ever met..and she was fortunate enough to put a ring on my finger..lucky girl..hahahaha
I haven't shot either of those cartridges..I love the 25-06
So the 257 Robert's has less recoil then the 6mm rem

No, I'm not saying that it has less recoil. But that it would have more knock down due to heavier bullet selection.

 

[Rsadams]

We have had a rifle chambered in 6mm Remington as long as I have been alive , i am 52 btw.... It was my grandfather's deer rifle here in S texas.... I put a new scope on it last year because I had I spare take off... it put 3 touching at 100 easy as pie using factory ammo.. I love that round and yes an 85 gr bullet shoots well and with good placement it will drop one of these small white tails.. It doesn't get shot much , never has... It's an old 600 with maybe 3 boxes fired through it... If I go deer hunting this year which I normally don't but I might this coming season I will be taking that rifle over a safe full of rifles chambered in a bunch of calibers everytime...

 

[Trebor Snave]

I do probably 95% of my hunting with a 6mm Rem Ruger No. 1. That rifle sees maybe 10 rounds fired per year; not exactly worried about burning the throat out. Perfectly adequate for deer and antelope out as far as I want to shoot.