6mm AI, 6-284, or 6.5 WSM

[arnygollott3]

I want a good paper puncher that can double as an occasional medium game rifle (coyotes, deer)

Not looking for advice on components so much, really need advice on cartridge selection...I will be shooting the heavier, higher BC bullets for whatever I finally decide on.

Looking at 6mm 115 Dtacs for paper and 90 grn Scirrocos for hunting.

Looking at 6.5mm 140 Bergers for paper and 140 Accubonds for hunting.

I want a FAST catridge, I baby them at the range, NEVER heating a barrel, slow and deliberate!

I know they are (can be) barrel burners!

Please advise, all info and opinions will be appreciated!

 

[BlackHawk95]

Of all the rounds you mentioned, you forgot .243AI.

Thats what Id build, and I have one also. To me, it has the best balance of speed and barrel life, I would be much easier on the barrel than the other rounds.

I primarily shoot the 115DTAC and run one of two loads, one is 3150fps and the other is 3070. and both shoot extremely well. I like mine so much, I dont think Ill ever not have one. And the DTAC is an easy bullet to get to shoot well and at the higher speeds.

If your thinking of going to a 6.5. I would look into 6.5x47 or .260 Rem.

 

[mj2evans]

I shoot a 243AI from Shilen and its great with 105 AMax (cheap bullet too, relatively). Under .5 MOA all day and some in the 0.3MOA if I do my part. Only about 120 rounds down the tube so no comment on barrel life so far I am very happy. I had orginally looked at 6mm but what I was told was you really cannot get the heavy bullets to top speed in a short action (bullet eating powder space).

 

[arnygollott3]

Thanks for the advice...but I am likely going on a Long Action anyhow to maximize case capacity...

By the way, the new Savage Short Action DBM has an internal space of 3.05" which is pretty generous for a Short Action...I have one of those handy too.

I had considered the 243 AI...very nice and very proven...but I want the extra SPEED!

 

[BlackHawk95]

I too shoot my .243Ai out of a long action.

Well, If you really need the speed and are willing to give up a little more throat life, Then I would go 6-284. and use vv n-165 or 170 or re-25.

 

[MarkS]

arnygollott3,

I would go with the one that has the best brass, that would be the 243AI on the low end and 6-284 on the upper end, both are made by Lapua. 6mm rem cases and the wsm case are not as good. Then there as a 6 rockchucker ( 6mm-06) and the 6 M4 ( 6 -7mm mag), barrel like would suck with these two.

Mark Schronce

 

[SEB-USA]

6-284 or the 6.5SAUM

 

[BlackHawk95]

6.5SAUM,, that one sounds mean!!

 

[arnygollott3]

Looking at the hunting duties this rifle might see...

6.5 caliber 130 grn Swift Scirroco leaving the muzzle at 3250 FPS with a claimed BC of .571 would make for an impressive bean field gun on Whitetails, Wild Pigs, and the occasional Coyote. Any real world BC numbers on these particular bullets?

I am drawn to the 6.5 because it will offer a good bit more down range energy on target for these occasional hunting trips.

Thanks for the input so far...keep it coming!

 

[dc45]

6.5 caliber 130 grn Swift Scirroco leaving the muzzle at 3250 FPS with a claimed BC of .571 would make for an impressive bean field gun on Whitetails, Wild Pigs, and the occasional Coyote. Any real world BC numbers on these particular bullets?

I have used the 130 g 6.5 Sirocco for several years (hunting, mostly) in 6.5/284. I load mine to 2950, which gives very good accuracy in my rifle. The predicted drops (Exbal using .571 BC) and observed range data correlate precisely to 600 yards, which is as far as I have range tested this rifle. I have managed to recover a couple of bullets from under the hide on the far side of mule deer, and they look just like the pictures in the advertisement.

HTH,

David Smith

 

[CJ6]

What length barrel are you going to put on ? If you're going to use a 27" or less then the 6AI is a better choice. When you get to 28 or longer (30" + is better)the 6-284 REALLY steps up. The 6.5 WSM (Leopard) is also good BUT your adding recoil to the mix.

 

[arnygollott3]

Probably 26" barrel

 

[CJ6]

At 26" you're only about 75-100fps behind a 6-284 with a 6AI, @ 28" it's 200+-fps @ 30" its almost 300fps difference. Burning the extra powder in the 6-284 with such a short barrel just doesn't make sensce ( I have a 24" 6-284 lesson learned)and 1with a 29.5 and a 25.6 (setback) along with the 26' 6AI and the 32" 6.5 Leopard

 

[arnygollott3]

This rifle will have a Muzzle Brake no matter what configuration I finally decide on...and I may just stretch it out...I don't want to leave TOO MUCH on the table in terms of speed if I am burning all that damn powder anyways...

CJ...can you please fill me in on the 6.5 WSM (Leopard)...any other general info you care to share?

Load info...for paper...for hunting...?

Do you find it 'tricky' or 'difficult' to load for...?

What type of configuration are you using...action, barrel, stock...etc..?

 

[OKIE2]

I didn't see anyone mention the 6-wsm or the
6-6.5 rem mag what kind of speed do you get from these.

 

[Ironworker]

Yesterday with my 26" 6x284 and a 53.6 grs of Re#17 my rifle produced 3693 pushing a 87gr V-Max. So don't throw in the towel on the 26" BBL yet. Re 17 is some awesome powder !

 

[arnygollott3]

Thanks for all the info and posts..keep them coming.

Ironworker, that RE17 looks promising, I read some of your other post on your results...looks good so far.

I am especially interested in 'heavy' 6mm bullets like 105, 107, and mostly 115 Dtacs.

 

[264WSM]

Looking at the hunting duties this rifle might see...
6.5 caliber 130 grn Swift Scirroco leaving the muzzle at 3250 FPS with a claimed BC of .571 would make for an impressive bean field gun on Whitetails, Wild Pigs, and the occasional Coyote.
I am drawn to the 6.5 because it will offer a good bit more down range energy on target for these occasional hunting trips

with the 6.5wsm I had best results with 120gr ballistic tips for whitetails. I made a 608yard 1 shot instant kill with one. It may or may not exit at normal ranges, 300yards, etc, but kills with authority and does huge amounts of internal damage. I have also taken lots of deer with 140 bergers in 6.5-06 ackleys with great results. I would not spend extra money on bonded bullets but would choose between those two, the 120 ballistic and the 140 berger. Which ever shot best. The 140 berger may not hold together at the speeds that the 6.5wsm produces at the upper end.