6mm Rem or not

[Caterpillardoc]

I have the opportunity to pick up a Remington 700 VRL in 6mm Rem at a good price. I am currently shooting Tactical matches to 1000 with a Rem 700 in 308 and would like to get something in 6mm. If I get this rifle will I be happy? I'm concerned with getting quality brass. I know I can form from 257 Roberts or 7 x 57. I've never done this and don't want to get the rifle if it will end up being a lot of work and trouble. Too much brass lost at matches. Would it be practical to rechamber?

 

[civil82]

I believe that the twist rate of the factory rifle will limit you more than availability of "quality" brass if you intend to shoot heavies at 1,000.

 

[ShootDots]

I believe that the twist rate of the factory rifle will limit you more than availability of "quality" brass if you intend to shoot heavies at 1,000.

What Civil stated is absolutely true... A "standard factory" 6mm twist rate is 1 in 10.. This is fine for projectiles up to 100 grain (flat base or "mild" boattails)... However, your HIGH B.C. 105 thru 108 grain bullets will not be stabilized in that "slow" of a twist. A 1-8 or even a 1-7.5 twist is the ticket for these long range pills.. So if you want to buy the rifle at the right price, plan on changing the barrel..

 

[rmist]

Are you talking about a VLS ?? I have the Rem VLS in 6mm Rem...it is a factory barrel with 9 twist. But still the 100 gr bullets are abut the max as stated above.

 

[ShootDots]

Are you talking about a VLS ?? I have the Rem VLS in 6mm Rem...it is a factory barrel with 9 twist. But still the 100 gr bullets are abut the max as stated above.

I have not bought a factory rifle in so long, quite frankly I don't know what is out there. But the 6mm's I used to buy were all 1 in 10 from the factory... Why would they change down to a 9 twist?? If I were "running the show" at Remington, I would make an 8 twist as standard..

 

[CatShooter]

Are you talking about a VLS ?? I have the Rem VLS in 6mm Rem...it is a factory barrel with 9 twist. But still the 100 gr bullets are abut the max as stated above.

I have not bought a factory rifle in so long, quite frankly I don't know what is out there. But the 6mm's I used to buy were all 1 in 10 from the factory... Why would they change down to a 9 twist?? If I were "running the show" at Remington, I would make an 8 twist as standard..

Winchester makes their 243 with a 10" twist.

Remington makes their 243 and 6mm Remington rifles, with a 9-1/8" twist, and have done so for ~50 years.

8" would be too fast for those that shoot light bullets at woodchucks - not everyone wants to shoot heavy bullets. Many 6mm Remington custom rifles are built with 10" or 12" twists.

The 9-1/8" twist will shoot the 105 A-Max...

 

[ShootDots]

Would it not make sense to make an 8 twist as standard and have a 1-12 twist in some varmint rifle or as an "option" in any of their 6mm offerings? A 1-12 will stabilize the 85gr varmint bullets just fine.. However, ANY projectile for "Big Game" hunting is fine with a 1-8. AND for some "tactical / long-range" use, it would be much better served with a 1-8.

 

[CaptainMal]

Thought they were 9 1/2 " twist but no matter. They are less than 10 and the 9 1/8 is maybe correct.

I have two and have had more. Love the cartridge. Never been excited about the factory barrels. They are, at best, just sub-moa barrels from my experience. If properly bedded and load-tuned, they are great hunting/informal rifles. My old 600 is still one of my favorites.

Now for any kind of serious or even slightly less than formal target - forget it. It would be like using my Ram Ecodiesel as a race car. It would make it around a track in the back of the pack.

 

[Caterpillardoc]

Thanks for all the replies, very helpful. It is the VLS with 9 1/8" twist rate. I'm thinking it should shoot as well as a comparable Rem 700 in 243. The only down fall I see to the 6mm is the cases. Seems like 6mm may have a slight advantage with case capacity. If I do get it, my plans would be to shoot heavier bullets to 1000 - 1200 yards.

 

[jonbearman]

The only problem with shooting as it is ,would be availability of brass right now. I haven't seen any for sale in forever unless someone on here or another board could help you out. The other thing you could do is call jim at northland shooters supply and he can explain a remage system for the Remington rifles which will make changing a barrel a snap. And no gunsmith needed,only a few tools which would cost about 100.00 and your set. His number is:1-763-682-4296

 

[222 rem]

I Have a 788 in 6 rem with a tired barrel, when I get around to ordering a new tube it will be in 6 ai throated for the short magazine of the 788.

 

[olympian]

Get it and enjoy shooting it. Winchester or Remington brass will work fine even if you need to do some forming from other rounds and try the hornady 105s and Sierra 95 MK. You will enjoy it a lot more than that 308. A straight 6mm Remingtion is a great round.

 

[Caterpillardoc]

I bought the rifle and it came with 140 Remington cases. I've got 6mm dies now and ready to load some rounds up with 105 Hornady's. I've also have a Vortex Viper 6-24x50 scope on order and should have it together with a good load ready for spring matches.

 

[CJ6]

Something else to think of is the COAL with the 6mm when used in a S/A Rem. The 6mm case is longer than the 243Win, and when you use a standard Rem magazine you're going to be limited to bullets of 88-90 grs or less without seating the heavier bullets too deep and giving up case capacity (a Wyatts box or a L/A would mitigate this). As for brass I've used "old"Herters (Norma) and Winchester with great results.

 

[sbhooper]

I have no problem with my 6 mm and 100 grain Hornady bullets in the short magazine. I load them to right at 3000 fps with Reloder 22. The 105 could be problematic, though.

 

[rmist]

I load mine fairly long (95gr VLD's and 95 gr Sierra BTHP's) and I put in a High Score single shot follower. No issues at all !! I really do like the 6mm Rem !!
Rmist

 

[CJ6]

I have no problem with my 6 mm and 100 grain Hornady bullets in the short magazine. I load them to right at 3000 fps with Reloder 22. The 105 could be problematic, though.

I prefer not to seat below the NK/Shoulder jct. Now your really getting into the powder capacity of the case. Answer.... shorter case, longer action, single load, shorter bullets (lighter) or a combo thereof.

 

[AckleymanII]

9 1/8" will for sure stabilize the Berger 105 NON hybrid bullet, also in a 243 Rem 700 also. Hint, use Retumbo with fed 215's, work up a load for your rifle. I saw a guy at the rifle range shooting the 243 VLS shooting this combo at 300 and it was impressive to say the least.