6AI vs. 6/284 vs. 6-06

[TresMon]

Hi!

First post!

I'm rebarreling a great Ruger #1. I was given a BR quality 6mm 8 twist stainless barrel. I have been offered the use of a new 6mm-06 reamer free of charge,I'm a vetern machinist) But I'm not sure of the details of the mentioned wildcats, their pro's and Cons. I'm wanting to make a smoking hot 6mm 1000 yard rifle. The local range has started having 1000 yard shoots every Monday night.

So when you consider cost of dies, forming, reloading, barrel life, 1000 yard windage etc etc etc all in the mix, which round to go with?

Thanks!!
Tres

 

[Austin]

The 6mm-06 and the 6x284 are the fastest of the 3.The 6mmAI isnt such a barrel burner as the other 2.With the other 2 bigger rounds I dont know the barrel life but I expect it to be less even than a 6.5-06 or 6.5x284.Do what makes you happy

 

[TresMon]

Thanks Austin!

 

[TresMon]

What's your point gunamonth? It's my understanding that the quicker a missle,our 6mm bullet) gets from point a to point b the less time gravity & wind has to toy with it correct? Thus the higher velocity, higher .bc bullet will be the easiest for a new guy to compete with, yes?

 

[Flybuster]

Those cartridges gunamonth mentioned are inherently super accurate cartridges. The 6mm 284 seems like it would be the best of both worlds, if you like to burn your du-pont. Its a cool looker too, with plenty of velocity. I would'nt over look the .243 ackley improved, Lapua makes some good match quality brass for the 243. Accuracy is everything.

 

[Flybuster]

Good point. I personally would go with the 6mm dasher. If it were me. It burns less powder, its just plain efficient when compared to the 243. Less powder means less barrel heat, right? I guess that means you can shoot more peewee's before you stop. I think the dasher holds a 10shot world record now, shot in Montana,PA rules). It will be my next rifle.

 

[Austin]

Gunamonth your right.For a beginner a 6br and offspring are the way to go.But its a combo of things that can make a 243AI, 6mmAI,6x284,or a 6/06 shoot really good and get you a trophy or two.It just matters how much powder you want to burn.

 

[cyrano]

Out of the three cartridges you mentioned I have had experience with only one the 6-06. I personally get excellent accuracy with that cartridge but I am not a thousand yard match shooter. I have used it mostly for rock chucks out to five hundred yards. It is an easy cartridge to load for and brass is readily made from other cases such as 270 or 25-06. I have found little load data for this particular caliber so I started with the max load in a 6-284 and worked up.:wave:

 

[TresMon]

Perhaps more details would add insight. I'm new to this board, not precision shooting, competition shooting, nor shooting @ 1000 yards. I grew up shooting NRA highpower service rifle. I shot my first 1k yd.,NRA HighPower/Prone) match when I was 12. The only new part of this 1000 yard shoot for me is that I will not be hugged up to a NM M1A.

I'm merely asking which round, when one throws all the details into the pile, is the least pain in the neck! Ddetails such as "inherent accuracy" Higher velocity WHILE retaining good accuracy, the purchase/availibility of the various parent cases & cost of said case, ease or frustration of forming, barrel life, etc etc. I have no experience with any of the aformentioned when pertaining to hot 6mm wild cats.

For further clarification: this 1000yard weekly shoot is a club level match fired from prone, off of a human rest,me) not a f-class rig. I know 6mm-06 can hold minute of whistle pig @ 1000 yards. So it is by far more "inherently accurate" than the "shooter w/ sling in prone position" ""rest.""

So which of the HOTTEST of the 6mm's are the LEAST HEADACHE?

Thank you very much.
Tres

 

[ChuckMiller]

I own all three you mentioned, some serveral times over and I would say the 6-284. Tons of good 6.5-284 brass to choose from, one pass through a FL sizing die and go shoot. If you want to hotrod it, it won't trash the brass as quickly. Short powder column just another bonus plus the ability to run it in both a SA or LA, tons of die options. Will do everything the others mentioned will do and some they won't. It's still the king of the big sixes. If you're looking for economy, ie powder, barrel life, etc. go smaller as mentioned.

 

[TresMon]

Lynn,

Thanks again for your input. Good luck on the upcoming shoot! Do you have any suggestions for a reamer/freebore for the Dtac 115 & Berg. 107?

Thanks for everyone's input.

Tres

 

[TresMon]

I'm going to thread, chamber & install my barrel. I'm a full time precision machinist of about 13 years. Can I renbt the reamer you spoke of from someone?

Thanks!
Tres

 

[TresMon]

Lynn,

That is very gracious of you. Thanks so much. When ever I get off the overtime schedule @ work, i will take you up on the use of your reamer. It will be a little while before I have time.
Thanks again!
Tres

 

[Boatanchor]

TresMon,
Just a couple more things to think about. you mentioned in your first post that you had a stainless 1-8" twist 6mm barrel but you did not mention how many grooves, if it is a 5 or 6 groove barrel you can make anything you want out of it. on the other hand if it is a 3 groove you will be disappointed if you go with a 6mm-284 or a 6-06 because after a couple hundred rounds you will start to get bullet blow-up. I have a 6mm-284 3 groove with several hundred rounds through it and the only bullet it will shoot with out blow-up is the 107gr SMK. I also have a 6AI that is a 6 groove that has no problems with bullet blow-up.
My favorite 6mm right now is my 6BR Imp. at 1000yds it takes a few more clicks up on my scope but shoots a better group and I will get 4 times the barrel life,at least)

 

[Flybuster]

Boatanchor, why do you suppose that the groove number has to do with your bullets coming apart?