I'm at a point that I need to re-barrel my favorite rifle...a 243 win. I don't believe I'll ever recreate the shooter that this one was (1's and 2's). My internet reading has hyped the 6mm SLR and I was wondering if the new caliber investment is really capable of duplicating my trusty 243 (out to 600)?? Anyone make a similar decision and been pleased with their investment?
6mm SLR....worth the investment?
- Thread starter Stickler
- Start date
luckyshot52
Gold $$ Contributor
You might consider the 6xc. Using Peterson small primer brass I think it would be closest and very accurate.
XTR
F-TR obssessed shooting junkie
Been a number of threads.
You have experience with the 243. The 6SLR is going to load and shoot almost exactly the same but with a 30* shoulder and a long neck. My fired 6SLR brass has w/i .2gr water capacity of my new WW 243 brass.
If you run new brass over a mandrel before you load then the only added step with the SLR using WW is to run it in the FL die then over the mandrel. If you use Lapua you will need to turn the necks because the thick brass in the shoulder will give you a donught at the neck shoulder junction.
The 6CM you have to fire form, it doesn't get the longer neck, but has a bit more capacity.
The other 6s have somewhat less capacity.
I haven't shot mine a ton. I built it with the idea I'd use it in some PRS type matches and never have. I found it easy to get a load that would shoot under ½ MOA with 107SMKs and 105 Hunting VLDs running in the range of 3050±. For a rifle with a 25x tactical scope with a heavy reticle, a 25" barrel, being shot off of a Harris bipod that was about all I needed.
I think it is what the 243 should have been. There are some who have successfully campaigned them in various competitions. It is very popular among some of the 1000 yard sling shooters.
You have experience with the 243. The 6SLR is going to load and shoot almost exactly the same but with a 30* shoulder and a long neck. My fired 6SLR brass has w/i .2gr water capacity of my new WW 243 brass.
If you run new brass over a mandrel before you load then the only added step with the SLR using WW is to run it in the FL die then over the mandrel. If you use Lapua you will need to turn the necks because the thick brass in the shoulder will give you a donught at the neck shoulder junction.
The 6CM you have to fire form, it doesn't get the longer neck, but has a bit more capacity.
The other 6s have somewhat less capacity.
I haven't shot mine a ton. I built it with the idea I'd use it in some PRS type matches and never have. I found it easy to get a load that would shoot under ½ MOA with 107SMKs and 105 Hunting VLDs running in the range of 3050±. For a rifle with a 25x tactical scope with a heavy reticle, a 25" barrel, being shot off of a Harris bipod that was about all I needed.
I think it is what the 243 should have been. There are some who have successfully campaigned them in various competitions. It is very popular among some of the 1000 yard sling shooters.
+ 1 on this. Maybe a bit hard on Winchester to expect this design way back in 1952, but as a modernised version Winchester could have introduced it alongside the original at a later date as a parallel design called the 243 Super or somesuch. This cartridge would certainly have been a much better use of Winchester's money and design team than the silly 243 WSSM. (Yes, I know it has its fans, but they're few and far between - I'm certainly not to be found amongst them.)
Back in the early 50s, the 30-deg shoulder would have caused production problems, but that issue has long since been overcome.
I said the above but I really like mine and after spending the money on a reamer wouldn't think of going to a .243 now.
Varied history with mine so far though.
1st shooting 30" Brux 1/8 barrel with the 105/107gr class bullets, won a 3-day match down in Florida that started with 2700 rounds on the barrel. That was shooting N-165 powder, 3150-ish fps with 105/107gr bullets.
2nd, shooting "door prize" 30" button rifled barrel, was gone at 600 rounds, was shooting N-160/H-1000. Not sure whether it was the powder or the barrel.
3rd barrel, tried a Brux 1/7 barrel for the Sierra 110's. Never could get them to shoot. Had a few other 105/107gr bullets blow up, wasn't pushing them hard but lost points if the bullets don't get there. Pulled it after about 300 rounds N-165, still looks new.
4th barrel, another Brux 1/8 just put on last month, haven't had a chance to get out and wring it out yet.
Varied history with mine so far though.
1st shooting 30" Brux 1/8 barrel with the 105/107gr class bullets, won a 3-day match down in Florida that started with 2700 rounds on the barrel. That was shooting N-165 powder, 3150-ish fps with 105/107gr bullets.
2nd, shooting "door prize" 30" button rifled barrel, was gone at 600 rounds, was shooting N-160/H-1000. Not sure whether it was the powder or the barrel.
3rd barrel, tried a Brux 1/7 barrel for the Sierra 110's. Never could get them to shoot. Had a few other 105/107gr bullets blow up, wasn't pushing them hard but lost points if the bullets don't get there. Pulled it after about 300 rounds N-165, still looks new.
4th barrel, another Brux 1/8 just put on last month, haven't had a chance to get out and wring it out yet.
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urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
Has anyone tried resizing 243 Peterson brass to 6SLR?
I haven't. I have 700 pieces of Win. that I keep going thru. Haven't lost a primer pocket yet, 47+/-gr N-165 and the primers come out still with rounded edges. Some I have 16 firings on. I think I've trimmed 2 times on that group of 100, 30deg shoulder really helps there.
There was a node up around 48.5 gr N-165 that put me around 3250fps but the case is about to run over and a lot of powder crunching going on. I didn't loose any primer pockets there either but it wasn't worth the hassle of trying to get that much powder in the case. Not sure what it would do to barrel life.
carlsbad
Lions don't lose sleep over the opinions of sheep.
I have a 6 slr reamer, gauges, and dies. Built one and it was a real winner. then I had problems with it that I later figured out were caused by too tight neck clearance.
Now that I am less averse to turning brass, I go back and forth between selling it and building it again with better brass.
Now that I am less averse to turning brass, I go back and forth between selling it and building it again with better brass.
I've been shooting it since it first came out as the 6SuperX. Currently running a 32" 7.5 twist Brux w/SMK 110 bullets and Lapua brass. It is my "go to" 600 yd. rifle for important matches. It will shoot clean with boring regularity if the nut behind the trigger is screwed on properly.
I hope this helps,
Lloyd
I hope this helps,
Lloyd
I have also been shooting them for a while, think I might have had the 3rd of 4th chamber in the country and I cant imagine ever going back to the 243. Full case of N160 or N165 behind a 105vld is money. If you really want to see something special fill the case up with Norma MRP and stick a 115gr Dtac in there and launch it out of a long barrel, dont worrie the readings on your crony is correct.
Yes. It has the same shoulder thickness as Lapua so plan on Turning the donut out of the bass of the neck.
1's and 2's wow! I'm thinking to get you there you will have to look at the 6PPC...
LOL
....I know, I know. It does sound extreme but it was what it was. I do have a 6PPC Sako that almost shoots as well but does not buck the wind as well. I'm guessing that, according to the reamer prints I've seen the "no-turn" cutters are made for the thinner necked brass. I to would like to use the Peterson SRP brass.I hate to neck turn and was thinking of sending my smith a custom reamer to size the chamber for the Peterson brass. Any thoughts on this? The "select" Peterson 243 brass I just received is very consistent on the neck walls and run out.
....I know, I know. It does sound extreme but it was what it was. I do have a 6PPC Sako that almost shoots as well but does not buck the wind as well. I'm guessing that, according to the reamer prints I've seen the "no-turn" cutters are made for the thinner necked brass. I to would like to use the Peterson SRP brass.I hate to neck turn and was thinking of sending my smith a custom reamer to size the chamber for the Peterson brass. Any thoughts on this? The "select" Peterson 243 brass I just received is very consistent on the neck walls and run out.XTR
F-TR obssessed shooting junkie
Get a 21st century neck turner and you can do about 100 cases an hour. I finally broke down and used the one I've had for yrs on some brass this winter while there was 2 feet of snow in my yard. Got carried away and did 300 new Lapua cases for my 308 that week. (don't tell anyone)
http://www.xxicsi.com/neck-turning-lathe-complete.html
I don't think you can get out of turning for the thicker brass, the problem is the very thick neck shoulder junction gets pushed into the neck when you push the neck back.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
So these guys are using 260 Peterson and not getting a donut. I assume because 260 has the longer neck the thick spot is lower down.
urbanrifleman
Site $$ Sponsor
It is pretty obvious someone needs to make native 6SLR brass.
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