6mm improved

[holder75]

I bought a really nice rifle with a bat action and a 14 twist barrel. I don’t have any brass or dies. It’s a 274 neck. Should I stick with the 6mm improved or change it to a more simple cartridge like a 6-284. Just want to get some of you guys opinions

 

[B23]

I'm a big 6-284 fan and I've had one for years so that's what I'd pick. Lapua brass is top notch and a couple boxes of Lapua 6.5-284 brass necked down to 6-284 will, easily, last the life of the barrel. Super easy one pass through the die and ready to load not to mention no fireforming.

 

[boltfluter]

Are you sure on the 14 twist? If so, this would severely limit your options.

 

[1lessdog]

I have both a 22-6MM AI and a 6MM AI. The 6MM AI is so easy to load. I use the cream of wheat to fire form. I use 10 gr Red Dot then fill with cream of wheat then push case into a bar of soap and fire

You have a 6MM AI without any barrel wear.

 

[odie]

I have 2 6mm AIs. 1 with a 1 in 12 and the other has a 1 in 8. Both are extremely accurate and are great varmint rifles. The 1 in 8 is an absolute predator eliminating machine! Holyhell on coyotes with 87gr vmax. Love em.

 

[1lessdog]

I have both a 22-6MM AI and a 6MM AI. The 6MM AI is so easy to load. I use the cream of wheat to fire form. I use 10 gr Red Dot then fill with cream of wheat then push case into a bar of soap and fire

You have a 6MM AI without any barrel wear.

My 22-6MM AI is 1 - 14 twist and 50 gr Blitzking are not liked by Coyotes

My 6MM AI is 1 - 13 twist and loves 55 gr Blitzkings, The Coyotes dont like them either

 

[holder75]

As far as I can tell it’s a 14 twist. It appears to not have been shot very much at all

 

[Kittitas George]

I had a 6mm-AI built by Richard Franklin, the fire forming loads were very accurate, the gophers and prairie dogs didn't know the difference. With the component problems of today using Cream of Wheat and soap is very practical, but using bullets and gophers is more fun.

 

[AckleymanII]

I Have owned several 6 Rem AI's, 14 and 10T.

Real world results
70g Nosler ballistic tips
Rem and Win brass in formed cases
51.0-51.5g of Win 760
Rem 9 1/2 primer
Touch the lands
4100-4150 on 26" 14t Shilen with zero freebore

Same reamer used on a 26" Douglas ss match, 10T, Velocity at the bug hole node was 3985 fps with 70's, same brass, primer, and reamer used with 49.7g being the accuracy node.

Fire forming load in the 14T, shilen, zero freebore barrel was 39.0-39.5g of Win 760 with 70g Noslers, accuracy was around 3/8" in Winchester brass.

In formed cases, the 80g Sierra blitz BT loved R#19, cci 250, at 3800 fps in the 14T Shilen, 26".

Richard Frankliin used N550 with the 75g V max, but N550 is a shore nuff barrel eating powder. Franklin's velocity was in the 3850 fps area.

Since you have a chamber already, consider sticking with it, learn from your experiences with the case.

Many years ago, I shot out two 6-284's with 85g Sierra BTHP with IMR 4831 at a velocity of 3600 fps. Today, those velocity numbers with great accuracy could probably be improved on.

In the 6 Rem and AI with the 70's, AA2700 gives very long barrel life with Win 760 coming in a close second. In today's world, you use what you have.

 

[SeabeeKen]

244 AI is my next build once I finish the 6XC. I have a Ruger 77 tang safety action in 7x57AI just waiting for this project. The Krieger barrel is heavily fire cracked and Ive been thinking of replacing it. Already have the Manson HS gauges and will order my reamer from him also

 

[AckleymanII]

The 244 AI has a long neck, so watch that freebore amount on the Reamer order as it can be shorter, giving you longer barrel life. You can send Manson a Dummy round with the bullet seated how you like.

I shoot 60-80g bullets and have used reamers from .000-.020 freebore with the 80g Sierra bt Blitz's bullet shank seated right at the shoulder neck junction.

There is .014 coming off the case mouth, be sure to add this to your amount.