6mm for deer and target suggestions

[BobT]

I have a ton of virgin 6.5 Grendel brass that was left over from when I sold my 6.5 Grendel upper. So that's also a consideration, or perhaps do somthing with this barrel and get a new upper for the 6 arc.

You can use that Grendel brass for a 6mm Grinch.

 

[Orr89rocz]

6 GT sounds nice and hornady is gonna make factory ammo, might be nice option to plink with occasionally

 

[Kracken McGraw]

6 GT sounds nice and hornady is gonna make factory ammo, might be nice option to plink with occasionally

Really, why not?
It’s the new kid in town. It is supposed to not need case trimming very often also.

 

[STOMP442]

6GT is also a good one. I have one of those as well but I haven't killed anything with it yet. I am getting 2895fps with Berger 109s out of a 22" Bartlien built on a Rem Model Seven Action.

 

[K22]

Why complicate things?

If you are set on a 6mm, the 243 Win with 85 Sierra BTHP will do everything you need done with the added advantage of a legacy cartridge, i.e. plenty of proved load data and availability of components. I've taken a lot of deer with the old 243 Win and never lost one to it.

The only uncertainty, at least in my experience, is shots at beyond 300 yards which is one of your criteria. I will let other chime in on that since I have never taken a deer beyond 185 yards with any caliber.

 

[farmerjohn]

that's one of the main reasons I asked the question. I didn't want a barrel burner like a 243ai, or 6 creed. Id be fine with 2000 plus rounds. Think maybe some more researh on the 6xc is in order.

If I were starting over today I would have to try that 6xc, and not build the 6 creed that I have now for hunting deer, I don't need two 6mm's that run within 200fps of each other......John

 

[okie]

If I were starting over today I would have to try that 6xc, and not build the 6 creed that I have now for hunting deer, I don't need two 6mm's that run within 200fps of each other......John

i built a 6x47L--3 actually. I wish they were all 6XC's---if I live long enough to rebarrell them, i will go to 6XC

 

[Kevin1990]

Why complicate things?

If you are set on a 6mm, the 243 Win with 85 Sierra BTHP will do everything you need done with the added advantage of a legacy cartridge, i.e. plenty of proved load data and availability of components. I've taken a lot of deer with the old 243 Win and never lost one to it.

The only uncertainty, at least in my experience, is shots at beyond 300 yards which is one of your criteria. I will let other chime in on that since I have never taken a deer beyond 185 yards with any caliber.

Valid point, I just felt that I could give up some velocity for extra barrel life as well as powder consumption. The more I think about it the less likely I am leaning towards a 243 win or 6 creed. With something like a 6gt 6 dasher, 6brdx, I'm losing velocity no doubt, but I'm saving alot of barrel life and probably 10-13 grains of powder per shot. That being said I'd have more energy on target with the 243 win. My brother also has used one now for 10+ years on whitetail, I can't ever recall him ever losing one.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

i built a 6x47L--3 actually. I wish they were all 6XC's---if I live long enough to rebarrell them, i will go to 6XC

Is the reason to skip the case forming, or more case capacity?

 

[okie]

Is the reason to skip the case forming, or more case capacity?

yes, case forming. should be simple but for some reason on 2 sets of dies i ruin about 2 out of 10. i researched this plenty and basically gave up...
since then peterson made some and theyre great.
that tubbs brass was cheap and plentiful a while back---im not sure now...
i doubt peterson ever makes more...???

 

[Kracken McGraw]

yes, case forming. should be simple but for some reason on 2 sets of dies i ruin about 2 out of 10. i researched this plenty and basically gave up...
since then peterson made some and theyre great.
that tubbs brass was cheap and plentiful a while back---im not sure now...
i doubt peterson ever makes more...???

I use a Redding body die first that reduces the neck some first before going to the sizer die.

 

[okie]

I use a Redding body die first that reduces the neck some first before going to the sizer die.

thats what i needed-i just bought a bunch of peterson. its sad that i dont get to shoot much now...probably last me and my kids forever...lol

 

[K22]

Valid point, I just felt that I could give up some velocity for extra barrel life as well as powder consumption. The more I think about it the less likely I am leaning towards a 243 win or 6 creed. With something like a 6gt 6 dasher, 6brdx, I'm losing velocity no doubt, but I'm saving alot of barrel life and probably 10-13 grains of powder per shot. That being said I'd have more energy on target with the 243 win. My brother also has used one now for 10+ years on whitetail, I can't ever recall him ever losing one.

You do not have to be concerned about barrel life for 243 deer hunting rifle. I had over 3,000 rounds through my old Rem 700, and it still shot in the 1 moa range, more than enough precision for a deer rifle.

Furthermore, if you do not shoot sustained fire sequences, the barrel will last out your lifetime and probably beyond as a deer hunting rifle. It's the heat built up more than anything else that erodes the bore. The cold barrel shot is the money shot in most hunting situations. For range practice, allow the barrel to cool before taking the next shot. You will save wear and tear on the bore but more importantly this will give you a better idea of your rifle's cold / cool barrel potential.

If you select the 85 Sierra BTHP bullet as your hunting bullet, you can expect about 3,100 f/s (24" barrel) which is quite flat shooting. This bullet has always produced excellent terminal performance for me on deer with proper shot placement which might be said for any other cartridge / bullet combo regarding shot placement.

For a deer hunting rifle, I would not let 10 to 15 grains of powder savings be the deciding factor. Most deer hunts involve an investment in time, travel, auxiliary equipment, etc. which clearly offset any savings that might be realized for a few extra grains of powder.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

that's one of the main reasons I asked the question. I didn't want a barrel burner like a 243ai, or 6 creed. Id be fine with 2000 plus rounds. Think maybe some more researh on the 6xc is in order.

Kevin,..
Click on Daily Bulletin "Here" at Accurate Shooter Site and look on, the Left Side of, Page FOR,.. 6 XC Info
It's, a good place, to Start.

 

[ELR LVR]

So I'd like to have a barrel chambered before deer season, and then after ill probably shoot paper and steel with it also. I'm pretty set on a 6mm. Id like the easy button for reloading as far as finding a good load and keeping it tuned. I was thinking 6br, but I wanted a little more juice, as I may possibly have shots at 350-375 yards (absolute max.) I was thinking along the lines of a 6xc, or a 6BRDX. Any other suggestions? I have a lot of cci450s Id like to use and 6br lapua brass, but if something will do the job better ill get set up for that, plus who wouldn't want another cartridge in the stable?

Thanks fellas.

6 Dasher
243 AI
6x284 _will do everything out to 1000 yds
(can get over 1000 ft lbs with a 115 at 1000 yds
Mine drills right through 1/4 steel at 600 yds FWIW)

 

[Kevin1990]

Kevin,..
Click on Daily Bulletin "Here" at Accurate Shooter Site and look on, the Left Side of, Page FOR,.. 6 XC Info
It's, a good place, to Start.

Just took a look at it, and have been researching. I think I might go that route. First custom rifle I ever had was a 6 creed with a Northland shooter supply criterion barrel and I got that to shoot without a ton of effort. And ever since then all I've ever really shot was 30br, 6br, and 223rem. And all have been so easy to tune, I just wanted something in that "easy" category. Judging by the past threads I've read, not too many people have trouble with the 6xc, plus I'll get a little boost in velocity over the BR variant. Don't mind my rambling, just trying to talk myself into it, haha!

 

[Dgd6mm]

6XC

 

[Clancy]

When I read these threads, I wonder how we ever got away from Pauly’s first Centerfire in…. What was it? 1808?

 

[HandgunHTR]

Just took a look at it, and have been researching. I think I might go that route. First custom rifle I ever had was a 6 creed with a Northland shooter supply criterion barrel and I got that to shoot without a ton of effort. And ever since then all I've ever really shot was 30br, 6br, and 223rem. And all have been so easy to tune, I just wanted something in that "easy" category. Judging by the past threads I've read, not too many people have trouble with the 6xc, plus I'll get a little boost in velocity over the BR variant. Don't mind my rambling, just trying to talk myself into it, haha!

From what I have read and from talking to the friends that I have that have built one of the variations of the 6BR (6BR, 6BRA, 6 Dasher, 6XC) they are all very easy to load for and all perform extremely well. I honestly don't think you can go wrong as long as you use a good barrel and a good smith chambers it.

 

[JFrank]

Myself, I like the 40 degree shoulder angle of my Dasher, = hardly ever trim brass
105 gr bullet traveling 2900 fps with very little powder consumption and plenty of punch down range, heck I have a friend that hunts black bear with his Dasher.

Go figure..