6 SLR or 243??

[Ksmirk]

Evening fella's! kicking around a build mostly for just range time but would like to try my hand at some of the precision rifle shoots... here's my dilemma sort of, I've got a mess of 243 items from my old rifle but I was shooting Retumbo powder under a 107SMK and with the 27" barrel was getting 3050FPS and it would stay cool for awhile, only thing I would need to do different from what I see is a new reamer and dies. My load was 49.1gr of the Retumbo and I've got at least another 4# so was curious if I could get around 3000FPS from the SLR or 243 from a 24" barrel? I don't have quick load and I know I could get there with another powder but would more than likely toast my barrel much quicker I'm guessing.

From what my thoughts are is just go with a straight 243 and use what I have! thinking it's going to take a 26" barrel to get the velocity since the Retumbo is such a slow powder but that combo was awesome. I guess I'm just looking for some folks opinions as I don't think I would be hurt either way. Fella's what are your thoughts? Later,

Kirk

 

[XTR]

Can't figure out how to copy the thread URL in the silly Apple browser..

Go to the next page and read the "my new 6SLR" thread. There is a lot if discussion of loads in there. I'm still just beginning to play with mine. . I've just worked with H1000 so far. I think 2900s are going to happen without much problem.

 

[Ksmirk]

Thanks I appreciate the direction, I'll be following your post! Later,

Kirk

 

[XTR]

Now that I have my reamer I think I will build a 6SLR hunting rig. It should make a great light recoil white tail rig for 105s or 90s.

 

[Preacher]

The 6 SLR is the only reason to like a .243 case....
Just to many good things about it, not to like it over the other...

 

[Ksmirk]

Oh I can't argue with ya there! that longer neck like a 6mm but just wondering if I can get the velocity with the Retumbo powder... I see folks are getting good results with H1000 and truth it would be nice to be able to go with a 24" tube so if I decide to add a break it won't look like a Palma rifle some days it would be nice to have Quick Load to play with numbers but wouldn't use it enough to justify the cost. Later,

Kirk

 

[fredhorace77]

IMO, from what Uve stated as intended use I'd definitely go with the 6SLR.

 

[XTR]

Maybe I missed it, but what is the intended use?

 

[Ksmirk]

Most of the time will more than likely be range time and the other trying to give a few buddies fits with this PRS got introduced to it last year and my 243 didn't have a mag so didn't play much but the bug sorta but me as I've enjoyed the LR stuff for a rather long while now. The 243 I built would shoot lights out but a 27" barrel and a couple of other things it found a new home late last year SO looking to build another with a bit more direction at a certain sport.

I am playing with a 6mm Fat Rat and while it will impress all the work and cost of brass I really don't feel like spreading it around the field so hence thinking back to the 243 as it has enough HP to push the 105-107gr bullets at a reasonable velocity and I still have a mess of loading items, thinking either the 6SLR or 243 I'd not be hurt other than a new reamer, dies, and powder to go with the SLR.

That's my reasoning in a nut shell as screwed up as it may sound reason I posted the question to get some other opinions. Later,

Kirk

 

[tonysnoo]

I'm pretty biased toward the SLR. I haven't shot retumbo, but its easy to get mid 3100 with 7828 and its easy on brass and I assume the barrel. That is with a 28" so I suspect a 24 might still get you 3000.

What's the worst thing that can happen.... you don't like it and you send a 243 reamer down the chamber.... too easy to try.

 

[1shot]

Ive been shooting it since it was named a different cartridge. N-160 for 105's and H-1000 or N-165 for the 105's. Both shoot unbelievably tight. This was all done with a 1-8 Broughton bbl. I'd love to give them a try in a canted land bbl, but the bills come 1st. I hope this helps,
Lloyd

 

[Ksmirk]

Thanks for the advice fella's! honestly I doubt I'd go wrong either way but just seeing the thoughts of everyone. The two rounds are very close to each other but like I said don't know if I could get enough of the Retumbo in there and 24" barrel is sounding like it may be a stretch! My Krieger 1-8 would make the 107SMK's poof over 3100fps well not everyone but 2 of 5 normally and it's node was the 3050fps my reasoning to shoot for the 3000+fps. I think I'm going to get away from research for a couple days and come back fresh, going to spend some time with a couple other calibers and some crony time I think this is the hardest part to figure out BUT at least I've got in narrowed down to two lol Again thanks for the advice and if anyone is shooting a 24" tube and the SLR I'd love to hear your results. Guys have an awesome weekend! Later,

Kirk

 

[Nomad47]

Sounds simple enough to me...... If your 4 pounds of Retumbo doesn't get the velocity you want, just buy some H1000 or IMR7828ssc. The cost of 4 pounds of powder is less than EITHER the reamer or dies.

 

[Cakes]

I'm like Tony... pretty biased for the SLR. Have a load of .243's and needed a change albeit slight. Not a 24"tube but 30" and on my 3rd barrel averaging 1500/barrel worked very hard in f-class. Have no complaints using H1000 and 115's or 4831sc & 4350 with 107's. All loads very accurate @ 600. Explored 7828 which showed much promise but only have so much time and also shoot a Dasher and .284 so the son-in law gets my SLR and pet load of 107's with 4350 or 4831sc. The 107's never went "poof" at 3150', almost 2000 of them. Slightly more accurate now that they are pointed. Have fun! Eric in DL

 

[MOShooter]

I'm up to 2970 with H4831 in my 24" SLR. It appears to be the bottom of a node. Not sure how much more I can get, Cci primers where just starting to flatten out. I haven't pushed H1000 very hard yet. I'm picking up a 8# of RL26 on Monday. From what I've read it a big velocity getter in the 243 case. I'll post some info as I get it.

Scott

 

[Ksmirk]

Nomad I like your way thinking! Later,

Kirk

 

[XTR]

My personal opinion is that the 6SLR is what the 243 should have been.

When you consider that most people don't just load brass out of the bag/box, they at leasto run it over a mandrel, the the 6SLR requires no more prep than a 243, you just can't buy loaded ammo, it's a no brainier for me.

As for velocity, I don't know exactly how many rounds I've fired since I started shooting FTR a few yrs ago, but I buy primers by the case of 5K, and I'm in my 3rd case of large rifle primers and my second case of small rifle primers in the last 3 yrs. I've chased velocity, and chased it hard. These days I don't discount it , but I will take an accurate load over a fast one every time, at 600 yes the difference in 2900 and 3000 with a 105 or a 107 is 5" in elevation and less than an inch in a 10 MPH full value wind. Really not worth quibbling over

 

[Nomad47]

Thanks, Kirk.
By the way, I only have four rifles - all are .243 caliber and two are 6SLR.
Another by the way - a 6XC die screwed out .122" makes a 6SLR die.

 

[Ksmirk]

I dug around and the retumbo isn't far of H1000 so might make me happy thinking just go with the 26" tube as my old 243 I could still spot hits a 200 without a break and the more I read about the SLR and read in the posts looks like a win/win, now the fun part of gathering up goodies to build the thing BUT the hard part seems to be done now... thanks fellas! now time to get with Manson about a reamer soon as I figure out where I want to be.

Glad to hear on the dies! I've yet to really beat the bushes to find them yet but that gives me an option. Later,

Kirk

 

[Judd]

Whidden makes 6SLR dies and in my opinion there is no finer die out there than the Whidden FL bushing dies. The trouble you might run into is if you want a Wilson inline seating die...now that is the unicorn in this deal. Someone was gracious enough to make me one or I was fixing to rechamber to something else. Sure am glad I didn't.