243 Rechamber...looking for suggestions

[littlebass]

I have a Savage 10 Predator Max 243 (10 yrs old) with around 2,500 rounds through it that's started to show signs of chamber/barrel wear. Has always been a 1/4" rifle with handloads (yes crazy accurate and consistent) for a factory rifle. Last couple of years it's still holding 3/4" but nothing like the bugholes it used to shoot. I'm going to use this as an excuse to rebarrel/rechamber it in something else... just for fun. Plan on going with a MDT XRS chassis, Shilen prefit barrel. I'm thinking some folks from this forum may have converted a 243 over the years and I'm looking for suggestions. Enjoy shooting out to 500yds, mainly used for hunting whitetail, pigs, varmints etc. Leaning towards something fun and still in the 6mm class.

 

[Bat Rastard]

I don't have one, but the 6GT looks really good on paper.

 

[Kurz]

There are several 6mm (243) cartridges available currently. Without exceeding the case volume of your .243 Win., I suggest, from personal experience:

6XC (Tubb)

6x47 Lapua

Both are known for their accuracy potential, high quality cases are made by more than one manufacturer.

One which is only slightly different is the wildcat 6mm x 250 Savage made from Lapua .22-250 cases which is the one I started with years ago before the newer designs became available.

Enjoy!

 

[NZ_Fclass]

Unless you feel the need for some exotic wildcat,,,,there's not much wrong with the 6mm Creedmoor. And it fits your bolt face and magazine.

Don't ya'll shout at me!

 

[DiRTY DOG]

243 AI.

 

[Rubberduckie]

Look for components first. Brass mainly. I'd like to do a 6mm remington ackley. But on a long action. 6 creed should be easy to source. I just did a 6 bra barrel from urban rifleman. But I already had brass and dies.

 

[littlebass]

I am definitely considering the 6 Creed just based on brass availability.

 

[STOMP442]

I will always suggest the 6XC when given the opportunity. Very efficient, very accurate and quality factory brass available.

 

[762plinker]

6.5x47 pretty simple a factory round for years
very accurate
parts and dies available
nice varity of bullets available

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

I Like, the 6 XC TUBB, Version One, W/ .104 FB and, a 1-7.5 or 1-8 Twist,.. very much !
Forster Dies and Norma Brass, made IT,. a "NO Brainer" for Me !
Shoots everything from, 80 grain Varmint Bullets to, the 108 gr. Elite Hunters, into,.. "BugHoles" !
Almost 40% better, Barrel Life than, the OLD .243 Win.
IF, you can 'make do" with, a little Less Velocity it's,.. the Winner,.. IMO.
IF needing MORE speed, the 6 SLR is, Sweet !

 

[urbanrifleman]

Based on brass availability I would say hands down 6xc. In a post apocalyptic world, Tubb will still have brass.

I can make you a barrel. I bet you will like it.

 

[B23]

I have a Savage 10 Predator Max 243 (10 yrs old) with around 2,500 rounds through it that's started to show signs of chamber/barrel wear. Has always been a 1/4" rifle with handloads (yes crazy accurate and consistent) for a factory rifle. Last couple of years it's still holding 3/4" but nothing like the bugholes it used to shoot. I'm going to use this as an excuse to rebarrel/rechamber it in something else... just for fun. Plan on going with a MDT XRS chassis, Shilen prefit barrel. I'm thinking some folks from this forum may have converted a 243 over the years and I'm looking for suggestions. Enjoy shooting out to 500yds, mainly used for hunting whitetail, pigs, varmints etc. Leaning towards something fun and still in the 6mm class.

There's nothing wrong with any of them and going right back with another 243 certainly wouldn't be a bad choice but if you want something a little different but still easy and with plenty of options the 6mm Creedmoor, IMO, is the next best option.

 

[spudgun]

I like 6 CM, built one at of a old worn out Savage .308. If you keep your FPS under 3000 you should get about 1,100 rounds before you shoot out the throat of the barrel. On my 3rd barrel now. Took the old one and had it rechambered and re crowned. Bty, 500 yds is nothing to get a good group. Mine is 3" at 600 and 6.6" at 1K

 

[DiRTY DOG]

Savage did something right with those model 10 Predator Max-1s, they can shoot!. I also had one in 243, wore it out, and now it's a 6.5x47L.

 

[Walt Krafft]

6XC get a Tubb spec reamer. 22-250 brass is easy to form and pretty plentifull.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

@ Walt,..
I'm pretty sure that, the Tubb Spec'd, 6XC Version One, was Designed for, Norma Brass.
I scrapped, the Idea of Forming 6 XC from, run of the Mill, Rem / Win .22-250 Brass,.. very quickly !
I believe that, THIS was, a "Big Problem" in the Early days of this Cartridge Design, HENCE WHY, Tubb sells Norma Brass for the 6 XC ( dimensioned Perfectly, IMO ). The Version 2 Design, was corrected by some to, accommodate/ FIX, the .22-250 Brass "Clickers" and Hard Bolt Openings ,.. IIRC.
There was a LOT of, .22-250 Brass "Variations" ( Base Dia. and Neck thickness issues ) So I, "saw the Light",.. Quickly.
Norma Brass / Forster Dies, WAS the E-Z Button for Me and, the group's produced from this Combo ARE, excellent.

 

[urbanrifleman]

@ Walt,..
I'm pretty sure that, the Tubb Spec'd, 6XC Version One, was Designed for, Norma Brass.
I scrapped, the Idea of Forming 6 XC from, run of the Mill, Rem / Win .22-250 Brass,.. very quickly !
I believe that, THIS was, a "Big Problem" in the Early days of this Cartridge Design, HENCE WHY, Tubb sells Norma Brass for the 6 XC ( dimensioned Perfectly, IMO ). The Version 2 Design, was corrected by some to, accommodate/ FIX, the .22-250 Brass "Clickers" and Hard Bolt Openings ,.. IIRC.
There was a LOT of, .22-250 Brass "Variations" ( Base Dia. and Neck thickness issues ) So I, "saw the Light",.. Quickly.
Norma Brass / Forster Dies, WAS the E-Z Button for Me and, the group's produced from this Combo ARE, excellent.

And David had ZERO NOTHING to do with the "fix" 6xc 2, which caused all this confusion to this day.

It was almost like someone was trying to sabotage his cartridge.

I agree the new Peterson brass is the way to go, but my buddy takes 22-250 Win brass, runs it through the Tubb 6xc die, loads it and shoots it in his TUBB 6xc chamber and it works flawlessly.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

@ Urban,..
YES Sadly, the 2 Versions of the 6 XC and the CONFUSION between them, HAD a Lot to do with, the 6 XC's lack of, Popularity.
That and, the introduction of, Hornady's,.. Barrel Burning,.. 6 Creed.
Yes, the Older Winchester Brass, seemed to "Work" OK, for forming, the 6 XC but IIRC, Rem Brass would not.

 

[Bill Norris]

There's nothing wrong with any of them and going right back with another 243 certainly wouldn't be a bad choice but if you want something a little different but still easy and with plenty of options the 6mm Creedmoor, IMO, is the next best option.

OR, if you want a little more horse power than the standard .243 will afford for the heavier class bullets go with the .243AI with 1 - 7.5 Twist and shoot the 115 gr. bullets with ease and accuracy. H-4350 or H-4831 will get it done for you.

 

[B23]

OR, if you want a little more horse power than the standard .243 will afford for the heavier class bullets go with the .243AI with 1 - 7.5 Twist and shoot the 115 gr. bullets with ease and accuracy. H-4350 or H-4831 will get it done for you.

For me, If I'm going to go bigger then the standard 243, 6CM, or any of the others that are all very similar, I'll skip past improving something and just go right to the 6-284.