6 x 204 versus 6.5 x 204 hunting and target out to 350 yds.

[Silver Bullet]

Great board. need some help.

planning new Douglas air gauged barrel 1x8 twist 4 groove 20" - 26" .625 dia. for target
and hunting including deer out to 300-400.

presently shooting heavy varmint rifles in 260 rem, 6mm-250, 6.5TCU bull barrel. and 223.

any suggestions appreciated. actively reloading since 1970.

Thanks
Dave

 

[Titan700]

Following

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Not sure youre gonna have enough with those cases at 400yd

 

[Chuckw]

I killed my last two mature whitetail bucks with a 6tcu which will be very similiar to the 6x204. They were both killed with the 80gr sierra blitz bullet at 225 and 275 yards. I think with a proper bullet the 6x204 should take you to 350yds but i might opt for the 6.5 with 123 amax if hunting were involved. I have a fast twist blank on order and intend to play with the 105 amax some. If that doesnt work out the new 95gr tipped matchking might.

 

[fredo]

Have a couple hundred rounds thru my 6x45AI, out to 700yds. Capacity is maybe just a smidge less than a 6-204. From what I've experienced, I wouldn't hesitate to kill a deer @ 350yds with it. Unfortunately, ran out of time to do so this season!

About to work up a load with a 95VLD & hope to see 2800 from my 22" barrel. That'd prolly be what I'd use for open field shooting. For hunting in the woods, an 80TTSX @ 2950...

Good luck & have fun with your build! Looking forward to see how a 6-204 shakes out!

 

[Travelor]

Actually it should be called a 6x222 Mag as he parent case for a 204 is a 222 Magnum.

Just my thoughts.......

Merry Christmas and enjoy your new blaster.

 

[swd]

The 204 is pretty significantly improved over the 222 Mag case. Like Fred said, load it with 95 VLD's and go huntin'. I've killed a few deer with 6x45 and 95 Partitions. Go with at least a 9" twist so you can shoot 95 Sierra Match Kings, .500 BC on the new tipped version.

 

[Chuckw]

I have pushed the 95 mk to 2950 comfortably in an 8 twist 22" 6tcu before i rebarreled to a 10 twist. It shot extremely well but that bullet was HORRIBLE at killing! I am anxious to see if the tipped mk is an improvement in that department. I just dont see how it couldnt be!

 

[CJ6]

You are already shooting the 6.5 TCU, I don't think you'll see much improvement (a little in velocity) or accuracy wise over what you have vs. the 6.5x204 or 6.5x222 mag et al.

 

[fredo]

I have pushed the 95 mk to 2950 comfortably in an 8 twist 22" 6tcu before i rebarreled to a 10 twist. It shot extremely well but that bullet was HORRIBLE at killing! I am anxious to see if the tipped mk is an improvement in that department. I just dont see how it couldnt be!

Sir, would you mind passing along load info? I'd LOVE to see that speed from mine!!!

I'm also skeptical of an SMK "pencilling" thru a critter. Hopefully, a 95 hunting VLD will offer more adequate & repeatable expansion, at modest impact speed. Will be testing on some chucks, come spring...

 

[Chuckw]

I have pushed the 95 mk to 2950 comfortably in an 8 twist 22" 6tcu before i rebarreled to a 10 twist. It shot extremely well but that bullet was HORRIBLE at killing! I am anxious to see if the tipped mk is an improvement in that department. I just dont see how it couldnt be!

Sir, would you mind passing along load info? I'd LOVE to see that speed from mine!!!

I'm also skeptical of an SMK "pencilling" thru a critter. Hopefully, a 95 hunting VLD will offer more adequate & repeatable expansion, at modest impact speed. Will be testing on some chucks, come spring...

All i will say is thay imr8208 is your friend with bullets above 80grs. H322 kills withe the lighter stuff. I pushed the 80 berger to 3200 in a 26" barrel and the 85 sierra to 3100! One of My hunting loads right now is the 85 sierra at 3050 in a 22" barrel.

 

[muleystalker]

Actually it should be called a 6x222 Mag as he parent case for a 204 is a 222 Magnum.

Just my thoughts.......

Merry Christmas and enjoy your new blaster.

The 6x222mag is the 6x47 rem.

 

['Freak]

Compared to its 222 Remington Magnum “parent” case, the 204 Ruger case is shorter in neck, has a ~ .1” longer body with a tad less taper, and it has the 30° shoulder. It's sorta like comparing the parent 222 Remington case to the 223 Remington case.

 

[5spd]

6x204 (6x47 or 6x222) should have no issues at 300- 400 yards on coyote to deer as well as any small varmint.
I built a 6x45 just for that in 2011. Furthest antelope were at 344 and 405 yards, both 1 shot kills w/a 95g nosler HBT at 2532 fps.