6mm BR vs .243 Win
- Thread starter gilles
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Gilles,
That is a good question that has been asked by many shooters. David Tubb's answer was to "split the difference" between the .243 Win and the 6mmBR with the 6XC, a cartridge that's sort of an Ackleyized 6-250, and very similar to the 6x47 Swiss Match from RUAG.
Basically the 6BR enjoys these advantages:
1. Burns much less powder, typically about 30 grains vs. 45 grains.
2. Better brass. While Lapua and Norma .243 brass is very good, it is not as consistent as the 6BR stuff. Also the 6BR brass uses small primers and small primer hole like the 6PPC. There is plenty of evidence that the small primer system produces a more accurate round.
3. Barrel life. A 6BR can easily go 3000+ rounds if you mind barrel heat and clean sensibly. The .243 Win cartridge is somewhat overbore and barrel life is significantly less. David Tubb found it offered no real advantage over the smaller 6XC cartridge, when used with his 115 DTAC bullet. A little more velocity yes, but much more recoil, less accuracy and shorter barrel life.
4. The 6BR has much less recoil. From a good rest, you can shoot the cartridge free recoil. Very hard to do with a .243 Win. And the rifle slams around much more.
But for long-distance hunting, where energy on target is important, there's nothing wrong with a .243 Win. And .243 AIs have been used with some success at 1000 yards.
That is a good question that has been asked by many shooters. David Tubb's answer was to "split the difference" between the .243 Win and the 6mmBR with the 6XC, a cartridge that's sort of an Ackleyized 6-250, and very similar to the 6x47 Swiss Match from RUAG.
Basically the 6BR enjoys these advantages:
1. Burns much less powder, typically about 30 grains vs. 45 grains.
2. Better brass. While Lapua and Norma .243 brass is very good, it is not as consistent as the 6BR stuff. Also the 6BR brass uses small primers and small primer hole like the 6PPC. There is plenty of evidence that the small primer system produces a more accurate round.
3. Barrel life. A 6BR can easily go 3000+ rounds if you mind barrel heat and clean sensibly. The .243 Win cartridge is somewhat overbore and barrel life is significantly less. David Tubb found it offered no real advantage over the smaller 6XC cartridge, when used with his 115 DTAC bullet. A little more velocity yes, but much more recoil, less accuracy and shorter barrel life.
4. The 6BR has much less recoil. From a good rest, you can shoot the cartridge free recoil. Very hard to do with a .243 Win. And the rifle slams around much more.
But for long-distance hunting, where energy on target is important, there's nothing wrong with a .243 Win. And .243 AIs have been used with some success at 1000 yards.
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