6mm vs. 243 vs. 6.5x284 vs. 6mm br

[codybrown]

Looking for options for target shooting out to 1000 yards. The local range only goes out to 100, but there's a range about an hour from my cottage that goes to 1000. Turns out a buddy of mine goes there frequently, and I believe that I'm going to start going with him. That being said, here's my options. Feel free to weigh in and suggest others.

I currently have the 6mm and a few 243's already, looking at possibly buying a 6.5x284. Not against buying another gun, and have wanted a 6.5x284 for awhile. I'd be open to another 6mm or 6.5mm caliber as well. Just found a 6mm br as well so I figured I'd throw that in the mix too. From the research I've done so far, it looks like this one would give me the best barrel life. Will it run out of steam though at longer ranges?

The 243 I would use is a varmint special that regularly shoots under 1/2 moa 5 shot groups with a load that I've worked up for another rifle. I believe it will shrink with some more load development. I have a spare HS stock and a triggertech trigger I'd swap out the factory stuff with.

The 6mm is a Ruger M77V tang safety that I've had for about 5 years and have never shot. I also have the duplicate rifle in 243 and it shoots about the same as the Remington 243.

The 6.5x284 is one that's in the classifieds. Built off a Remington 700 action with a 24.5" 1-8 twist barrel in a HS stock.

My concern with the guns I already have are the twist rates being fairly slow. I haven't manually checked them, but I'm guessing that they're 1-10 twists.

Thoughts?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Sell or trade around and get some type of 8tw 6mm rig- br based or x47 or even creedmoor.

 

[codybrown]

Sell or trade around and get some type of 8tw 6mm rig- br based or x47 or even creedmoor.

Keeping the rifles I currently own. The 6mm br I found is a Savage lrpv so I believe it's a 1-8 twist.

 

[gman47564]

for shooting a 1000 yards the br will do it but that's pushing it... your 10 twist 6mm wont stabilize the heavy bullets that shine at a 1000... plus the wind pushes the 6mm around pretty easy... the 6.5x284 will scream its way out there with authority... but somewhat shorter barrel life... but barrels are like doritos… they will make more... I shoot all you've mentioned and I would drag the 6.5x284 for the 1000 yard line

 

[Rust]

I'll preface this by saying I've been shooting a 6.5 X 284 for years and have found it to be extremely accurate to 1,000 yards. It shoots better than I do. That said barrel life is poor, lucky to get 1,200 rounds down the barrel (shooting twenty round strings) before serious erosion and fire cracking.

If I were to start again I'd consider something like a 6 X 47 which velocity wise should equal what the 6BR can do without pushing it as hard, good brass, easy conversion from 6.5 X 47, plenty of good bullets, small primer.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I'll preface this by saying I've been shooting a 6.5 X 284 for years and have found it to be extremely accurate to 1,000 yards. It shoots better than I do. That said barrel life is poor, lucky to get 1,200 rounds down the barrel (shooting twenty round strings) before serious erosion and fire cracking.

If I were to start again I'd consider something like a 6 X 47 which velocity wise should equal what the 6BR can do without pushing it as hard, good brass, easy conversion from 6.5 X 47, plenty of good bullets, small primer.

They last at least double that without the 20 shot strings. The 6x284 not so much. Ive had some still shoot like new at 2500. I have had some since before lapua made brass and always thought of a 6.5x284 to have exceptional barrel life

 

[Adam in WI]

The 6x284 not so much.

How much could a 6 expect to go if treated nice?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

How much could a 6 expect to go if treated nice?

1500-1800 if not pushed hard. Longer if moa accuracy is acceptable like shooting steel

 

[std7mag]

Of the guns you currently have, the 243 Varmint special, and the Ruger 77V are your best options.

Do you handload?

If you do, i recommend RL26 with a 105gr Match bullet for the 243.
Hornady told me flat out their 105gr Match would not stabilize in a 1:10 twist barrel.
I tried anyways. Had no issues with stabilization.

Shoot what you have & learn if you like it, before jumping in with specialized equipment.

 

[WyleWD]

Keeping the rifles I currently own. The 6mm br I found is a Savage lrpv so I believe it's a 1-8 twist.

On that LRPV in 6br...…. Try it before you buy it, and KNOW its history and round count. Also, Savage made those in 12tw for a while too. Buyer beware. JME. WD

 

[codybrown]

The br seller says approx 200 rds trough it an that it's a 1-8 twist. Hard for me to try it out since it's online in a different state. He sent me a pic of a group from 200 yards.

I do handload, and I was thinking about trying some of the heavies in my current guns. I'm not against buying another rifle if it would be better suited for the job.

 

[JEFFPPC]

The br seller says approx 200 rds trough it an that it's a 1-8 twist. Hard for me to try it out since it's online in a different state. He sent me a pic of

Looking for options for target shooting out to 1000 yards. The local range only goes out to 100, but there's a range about an hour from my cottage that goes to 1000. Turns out a buddy of mine goes there frequently, and I believe that I'm going to start going with him. That being said, here's my options. Feel free to weigh in and suggest others.

I currently have the 6mm and a few 243's already, looking at possibly buying a 6.5x284. Not against buying another gun, and have wanted a 6.5x284 for awhile. I'd be open to another 6mm or 6.5mm caliber as well. Just found a 6mm br as well so I figured I'd throw that in the mix too. From the research I've done so far, it looks like this one would give me the best barrel life. Will it run out of steam though at longer ranges?

The 243 I would use is a varmint special that regularly shoots under 1/2 moa 5 shot groups with a load that I've worked up for another rifle. I believe it will shrink with some more load development. I have a spare HS stock and a triggertech trigger I'd swap out the factory stuff with.

The 6mm is a Ruger M77V tang safety that I've had for about 5 years and have never shot. I also have the duplicate rifle in 243 and it shoots about the same as the Remington 243.

The 6.5x284 is one that's in the classifieds. Built off a Remington 700 action with a 24.5" 1-8 twist barrel in a HS stock.

My concern with the guns I already have are the twist rates being fairly slow. I haven't manually checked them, but I'm guessing that they're 1-10 twists.

Thoughts?

Shop around find a bench rifle built on a tried 700 action . Install a new barrel in 6 br or one of the improved version such as 6brx, 6 dasher, 6bra .....pick one no difference performance wise in any of them but they give a nice boost over a sraight 6 br. Even better find a used 6ppc on a Panda action, Kelblys will open the bolt face for about 75.00 , install new barrel your good to go.I often see used PPCs with high round count barrels that can be bought for around 1400.00. Much better long term investment than a used recovery rifle.

 

[codybrown]

Install a new barrel in 6 br or one of the improved version such as 6brx, 6 dasher, 6bra .....pick one no difference performance wise in any of them but they give a nice boost over a sraight 6 br. Even better find a used 6ppc on a Panda action

Will these carry enough power to be competitive at 1k?

 

[lawman29]

Will these carry enough power to be competitive at 1k?

What type of competition?

 

[Laurie]

Will these carry enough power to be competitive at 1k?

It depends on the use and on the conditions. The 6mm BR and improved variants still do well in BR in 'quiet conditions' because their inherent precision and crucially reduced disturbance on the bags allow very fast and precise shooting of a short string.

Shoot F-Class and with the possible exception of a flat calm where half the field shoot possibles, the ballistically superior 6.5s, 7s and 30s leave the sixes way behind because of the length / time of the shot string and opportunity for small wind changes to be missed and/or large changes to be wrongly read.

Where I shoot F (the UK) we alongside the Canadians and one or two others pair-shoot, ie two - or in many club matches three - shooters are squadded together and shoot in turn at the target. A 20-round score shot match relay can easily last 40 odd minutes with manual target marking, maybe half that on electronics, and the wind can be different for every shot. Nobody seriously shooting the discipline even at club level shoots the smaller sixes these days at 800 yards and beyond and precious few do so at 600 yards.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

My choice would be,..the 6 SLR with, 110's -115's twisted properly,.. SWEET medicine for, 600 to 1,000 with, light recoil !
Try some VV N-165 in a 6 SLR and your Barrel should last better than most, long range, Cal's ( probably, 2,000 accurate shots ).
A good 6.5-.284 , 6.5 PRC or,.. 7mm -08 improved with, a Brake if,. WIND is, a concern.

 

[Lone Hunter]

While looking you might also want to look at the 6XC. It will reach 1000 and is pretty accurate. It will also keep you from having to buy different caliber bullets since you already have the 6 mm's. Check it out.

 

[Laurie]

Yes, the 6SLR and XC are both fine cartridges. I've used one (the XC) and have the other (SLR). Neither is consistently competitive in 1,000 yard F-Class in our (UK) wind conditions and form of shooting though. Even my 6mm loving old friend @VinceB

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/?s=vince+bottomley&submit=Search

who shot 6mm SMACK (Swiss Match Ackley), 243AI, 6XC, 6Dasher et al in F-Class now largely restricts his sixes to BR and has returned to F/TR for gravel belly shooting (more level playing field than Open he reckons).

 

[codybrown]

So the consensus is a 6.5 will perform better in the wind at longer ranges, as well as having decent barrel life. Best barrel life would be with the 6br or assorted other flavors, but long rang performance suffers if it's not calm.

 

[JEFFPPC]

Will these carry enough power to be competitive at 1k?

Google Williamsport 1000 yd Rifle then go look at the results and see what wins most often