6 mm used and Abused

[Rustystud]

The 6 mm is the most versatile bullet diameter. It can be hot rodded from 3100- 3300 fps or run at 2950 to 3050. Yes, there are accuracy node in both ends of the spectrum. The difference is ecconomy. Less powder burn, lower velocities, better brass life without hotrodding will give you longer barrel life 3600-4000 rounds. You shoot more than 33 grains of powder your barrel will suffer the consequences.
The more Grains of powder and faster than 3050 fps and barrel life will be shortened exponentially to 600- 1600 rounds. Those are the 6mm facts of life.
I have shot a 6mmBR that was never run over 2950 4000 rounds (started with .2 moa and ended with .7moa). I have shot a 6mm/284 running at 3810 that lasted just over 600 rounds.

The 6mm BRX and 6mmDasher were designed with three things in mind: 1. Accuracy 2. Economy 3. Easy on the Shooter. If one wants or needs higher velocity go to a bigger cartridge.

Nat Lambeth

 

[rain164845]

Nat, what specs and loads were you using with the 6-284?
I have considered setting one up for deer with the 80 grain barnes running as fast as possible.
Seems like a heck of a deer whacker.
Thanks!

 

[AckleymanII]

I had a 14 twist Hart 6ppc that I shot 60g bullets in, Stolle Panda, short leade. At 8000 rounds down the tube, agg on eight 5 shot grups was .285 with various loads tweeking load for what was now bullet jump. At 10K, the barrel was retired due to the fact that I had abused the barrel on the last 2000 rounds(during one two week trip) on hot p.dog towns shooting 600 rounds inbetween cleanings vs the normal 300 rounds inbetween cleanings. 2230-S(fast lot of H335, out of military spec) was the powder shot for the last 9000 rounds of the barrel life. I just got bored and wanted to put on a different barrel, gave the barrel to the gunsmith.

6 BR using H335, put many thousands of round down the tube shooting 60g Bullets on dog towns. This barrel was a BR take off with a previous unknown history, Hart barrel, 14 twist. The barrel was re chambered, left 24" long, 60g Bullets at 3700 is a serious varmint round.

Ball powder is a whole lot easier on barrels vs H322, AA2015, and especially N-133.

The p. dog towns were so large, we carried a 6 gallon bucket full of ammo for each gun, packed in glad freezer bags, 100 rounds per bag.

Then I had a 6 BR reamer ran in 0.100 deeper than a 6BR(now the BRX). 39g of H335 with a 60g got me 3950 fps out of a used 24" MHV BR take off barrel, and that barrel lasted for about 3000 rounds of the fastest shooting you could imagine. We usually put down the rifle for another one when we could not see through the scope from barrel heat. This is an unbelievable accurate load out of a 6 BRX, and will get you to 450 yards with ease.

 

[Catfish]

I have 3 6-284. I have played a lot with 2 of them and both are tack drivers with 70 gr SMK bullets, but loose accuracy as bullet weight goes up. I just put one together with an 8 twist Shillen barrel and it should : do well with the 105 class bullets. I have really had no trouble with throughout erosion, but the new one has been carbon nitrited for longer life. If your wanting long barrel life get a 243. If you want longer life with high capacity cases do not shoot them with hot barrels. Cool them down after 2 or 3 rounds.

 

[nmkid]

I'm getting kind of tired reading about the 6-284. I just wish the 'smith would hurry up with MINE!!

 

[Frankr]

I always wanted a 6-284 but my neighbor had one and it lasted 800 rounds,my buddy had two of them and he also had a 6mm/06 he gave up on them he said he never got more than a 1,000 rounds out of them. But i had seen my neighbor's shoot like 1/2 groups at 300 yards. but they talked me out of one. I have had many 6BR's and 6 PPC's
I now have two 6XC's I don't know what kind of barrel life I will get yet, one has 1,000 rounds threw it, the other one is new. But they both shoot great and good Velocity 105's at 3,150 FPS and the new one I have got 3,100 from a 115 so good enough for me..after shooting them I don't think anymore velocity is needed. A friend and I were just talking on the phone tonight about how well the 105 VLD's performed at the range and on deer and that running them up to 3,300 to 3,450 out of a 6-284 was just a waste of a good barrel as the speed is not needed.Not to knock the 6-284 I just don't feel the extra speed they can produce is worth it. but I have always wanted one.

But the 6 bores are accurate and there are so many good cartridges to choose from you just have to pick one you like and shoot it. for me I'm sold on the XC Just about perfect and I can tell you the 105 VLD's are super deadly on deer.

 

[stacy]

I HAD A 6X284 THAT REALLY SHOT YRS BACK BUT I'VE SETTIED WITH THE 243 ACKLEYS NOW WITH GREAT RESULTS THEY FORSURE SMASH AS WELL AS MY 6X284 DOES WITH 87GR TOO 105GR PILLS !!!!!!

 

[Eric Leonard]

besides a 223 and a 6.5x47 the 6mm is about all I shoot anymore,,

6PPC
6BR
6BRDX
243Win

sometime this next year I hope to have my shot out 25-06 rebarreled again for the 4th time,,and I am planning on going with a 6mm-06 to shoot the 105 VLD Hunting bullet,,if someone would make a 130+ gr VLD .257 bullet I would do another 25-06 but the bullets just dont make sense,,