6mm Rem AI speed with 95 to 105 grain bullets?

[John from MN]

Have a fair bit of experience slinging lighter bullets with the 6mm AI and 14 twist barrels. Thinking I might have to try an 8 twist and must admit I really don't know what to expect from it at reasonable pressure from a 26 inch tube. Care to share your experience and maybe a favorite load?

 

[JBT47]

With Reloader 26, probably in excess of 3300 fps.

 

[John from MN]

Thanks, fellas. I'm currently leaning towards the 243 Win AI, but it will be a couple weeks before I have time to chamber the barrel.

Just thought I would see what the difference between the two boils down to.

 

[js2013]

With 105-107's out of a 26" tube I'm getting 3200fps with no pressure signs using RL22. I really like the 6 Rem AI (it shoots and it's a really cool looking cartridge). Some folks say, all thing being equal, barrels last longer with the 6RemAI than the 243AI. I like the longer neck compared to the 243. Brass isn't as easy to find as 243 though.

 

[SBS]

fyrewall, I'm loading 48.5 gr. IMR 4831 in my 6AI with the 87 V-Max, getting 3500 fps out of a 30" Sav. tgt. bbl. rechambered from a 6BR (8Tsist), with accuracy in the low to mid 3/s, 80*F when tested. Went up to 49 gr. (3570 fps) without excessive pressure signs, but toned it down a little, expecting it to be warmer out in the PD towns. Win. brass and 210M primers. As usual, your results may vary. Along with js2013, I like the longer neck.

 

[Racebannon3855]

I have not tried the 105s yet. My 6AI has a 28" PacNor with 1:8 Twist and I am using the 115 Berger VLD Hunting. With 7828 SSC or RL-25 and a CCI Mag primer I top out around 3125. Gre-Tan bushed the firing pin and primers hold up great, bolt gets sticky before primers look bad. My hunting load is just over 3000 fps.

My rifle accepts the 115 VLD at a longer overall length than manuals show for the 240 Weatherby so I will not list my load data. Powder charges are in the range of the 240 Weatherby. I shot a 179# buck at 366 yards and a 120# doe at 322 yards. Both shots were heart/lung and both bullets exited. As it worked out the 115 at a little over 3000 matches the varmint hunters reticle in my 6.5-20 Leupold so I have not tried any other powders. When I do my part I can shoot 1" groups on my 250 yard range.

My cousin shoots the 105 Berger in his 240 and they don't exit and really come apart so I tried the 115. With the 115 there is less blood shot meat and a pass through so I am a happy meat hunter.

Good Luck with the 105s!

 

[B23]

With Reloader 26, probably in excess of 3300 fps.

QL agrees with you and shows RL26 being one of the top performing powders. QL shows 3400-ish with a Berger 95 and 3300-ish with a Berger 105.

 

[TAJ45]

Just to add empirical data, a good Bud had multiple 243AI and 6mm AI rifles during the Glory Years of pdog shooting. All top of the line bbls, actions, well smithed - the 6mmAIs always outlasted the shorter necked, 243AIs, even with the extra pwdr capacity of the 6mm. We both agree that there is something to the "Convergence Point" theory.