6mm vs 6.5mm

[eddief]

Out to 800 I like the 6mm vs. the 6.5mm. I just switched back from 6.5 to 6mm. My reasoning was looking at it over all costs. 6BR brass is cheaper than 6.5x47 brass, bullets are cheaper and powder goes further. Most of my competitive shooting is at 600yd and in. Scores at those distances were really a wash. Shooting the 105's out of a 6BR is just plain fun. Low recoil and minimum rifle upset in the bags.

Yes, barrels don't last quite as long with the 6mm, but the off set in bullets, brass and powder savings make up for it. I do have the advantage of chambering my own barrels so that saves $250 when re-chambering.

If I was shooting out to 1000yd in competition a lot, I would look real hard at the big 30's with the great bullets available.

 

[rcerro]

6.5 saum 4s. Call G.A.P. Drink the Koolaid!http://forum.snipershide.com/snipers-hide-bolt-action-rifles/185807-new-gap-extreme-hunter-6-5-saum.html

 

[Raptor]

I had a 6BRX and really liked it but I don't feel its any more accurate than my 6SLR. I "KNOW" damn well that the BRX will "NOT" run with the 6SLR shooting the heavier bullets.

As for barrel life I shoot H1000 in my 6SLR and Varget in the BRX and my 6SLR is at 2800rds with a set back and still shooting from .7 to 1.3"s at 300yds off the hood of my pickup when I do my part. I am shooting a tad over 3000fps with the SLR in fact I use the same exact data for both rifles out to 1200yds. But my BRX is at max load with Varget and the SLR is just a soft load.

 

[Nomad47]

Raptor, what was the round count when you set the 6SLR back? Did you always shoot H1000 in it? I'm shooting IMR7828ssc in mine. I am considering H1000 in mine but I wasn't sure the case could hold enough.
And would you mind telling me your load, speed, and barrel length?

 

[Raptor]

I set it back at around 1800rds. I started shooting H1000 after I set it back. Before that I used 43.5grs of H4831SC and really liked it but I had read about H1000 I thought I would give it a try. I am using 46.5 to 47grs with the 107MK. My barrel is only 23.5"s so I don't think I would gain much by going up any more. My smith is shooting a couple of grains more and he is pushing his into the high 3100+ range maybe even 3200. He has shot his out to a mile shooting against my 284 and did damn well with it too!!

I believe mine is running around 3050fps with the 107s if my memory is correct. That might have been the 43.5 H4831SC load to I just don't recall right now. My BRX was right at that with a 28" barrel.

My reason for going to the H1000 was that I had heard so many good things about barrel life and wanted to give it a try. The one thing I do notice is that the barrel does NOT get as hot as fast when shooting with the H1000. I believe my smith uses a drop tube to get his in the case. I got out of the BRX and pulled the barrel and will re chamber it to the SLR when this one goes south. Brass is cheap and you can use the same loads fire forming as the formed case plus it shoots just as well fire forming as it does with the formed cases. What's not to like!!

 

[Nomad47]

Agreed, Raptor. Like I said, I'm running 7828 now. I'm at a comfortable 3160 fps out of a 28" barrel with 105s.
But I may try H1000. I was thinking 46.5 to 47 grains would be a full case in the SLR. Your smith must be using a really looooong drop tube.

 

[Raptor]

I agree with you. I seem to feel like I am crunching powder at 47grs with the H1000 but I will check and see for sure what his exact load is. As I recall I was sort of taken back by what he said he was using for a load but damn does it shoot!!

 

[tiny68]

Certainly doesn't apply to allow shooting disciplines, but I still found this an interesting read.

http://precisionrifleblog.com/2013/12/17/best-rifle-caliber-what-the-pros-use/

Luck, Tim

 

[DOGCAPPER]

6-284...9 twist 80-90 gr VLDs...FORGEDABOUT THE BARREL Treat it like brass....Get a new as needed..LT

 

[Bob3700]

Raptor,

Have I got this right. You gave up on your BRX in favor of the SLR?

I presently shoot both and wonder why you would go to the SLR exclusively. THey are both terrific cartridges by the way.

My BRX shoots a 107 SMK at 3020 fps using 33.5 gr of Varget. So far, I have shot out a bbl and a 1/2 using the same 100 Lapua cases.

Why would you want to shoot the same velocity using 10 or more grains of powder in the SLR? Doesn't seem to make sense to me.

Agree that the SLR is very accurate. That said, the recoil seems higher and over a days shooting, the BRX is just more user friendly.

I like the SLR for heavier bullets or higher velocity. I shoot the 115 gr bullets at 3050 fps out to 1K and love the performance.
My only concern for the SLR is bbl life. With the increased amount of powder for the bore size, unless you are using H1000, I can't see a bbl life any longer than 2000 rds.

Just some of my thoughts and experience. You have picked two great cartridges. I just don't think you can beat a 6 BR improved out to 600 yds. If the wind is cooperative, you can stretch that to 1K as well.

Bob

 

[Raptor]

Bob, I can't argue with one thing you have said. Your reasoning is very sound!! However I do a lot of long range shooting, mostly over 600yds. I also shoot tactical matches in the summer whenever possible. The BRX is a fine and very accurate round but I had feeding problems with it. (The main reason I went with the BRX over a Dasher) I know some guys are doing "OK" with them out of the AI mags but I have a 260 with the AI mags and not sure how well I really like the mag system.

Like I said earlier most of my shooting is in the 600 to 1200+ range and I also live in SD where the damn wind blows all the time!! I really want to shoot some DTACs in my SLR if I can ever find any. I "DO" shoot H1000 in my rifle and like I said earlier it really likes the H4831SC but I have had good luck with the H1000 and it shoots well to so I have stayed with that for the barrel life. I also think the BRX is maxed out with a 107 and marginal at 1000+yds where I can push the SLR harder if I need to. I had a 6XC and loved it too but like the BRX is a tad light for really reaching out like I like to do.

Before you tell me I need to go to a 30 or 7MM if I shoot that far, I have a 284 and love it!! I have shot it out to a mile and it was scary accurate at that range. As I posted above my smith has shot his SLR out to a mile also and he and I were the only two to hit the target out to a mile that day. So I guess that sums up my reasoning on getting rid of the BRX and keeping the SLR. My SLR is just as accurate for what I do, feeds great out of a mag and has the potential to push the 115s faster than the BRX. I don't think the BRX will get anymore rounds than the SLR esp since I was using 33+grs of Varget.

 

[Bob3700]

Raptor,

Got you. I didn't think of feeding issues as I only shoot HP Prone and all my rifles are single shots. The BRX would definitely have issues from a magazine as they are oh so short.

Am in the same boat with the DTACS. Best darn bullet I have shot in the SLR and can only hope that they will be available once more. Got a bunch on order, just waiting for SSS to get them in. Every bbl I have chambered up in SLR shoots excellent scores at 1K with that bullet, much better than any of the 105-107 gr bullets.

I have a 6.5x284 that I acquired a couple of years ago. Am still waiting for it to out perform the SLR at 1K (with the DTACS) and have yet to see it.
The SLR is a pretty impressive cartridge. I need to test some of that H1000 and see if any of my bbls will shoot little knots with it. Right now, H4831sc is the ticket but I don't think it is very kind to bbl throats!

RGDS

Bob

 

[wwbrown]

Certainly doesn't apply to allow shooting disciplines, but I still found this an interesting read.

http://precisionrifleblog.com/2013/12/17/best-rifle-caliber-what-the-pros-use/

Luck, Tim

The analysis would have made more sense if they stated the total number of competitors that used each caliber, barrel, bullets etc instead of just showing how many of the top shooters used a particular caliber. For example if 4 times as many people used 6 mm bullets than all others combined you would expect to see more 6 mm bullets being used by the top shooters.

I have no bone to pick in this fight I just did not like the analysis on the linked page.

 

[MarkS]

Take a look at the records holders in IBS with 6BR and 6BR IMP. Start with Mike Davis shooters http://www.daviscustomrifle.com/Record_Rifles.php. Sam Hall has more records from other smiths. Terry Brady has a many. Rodney Wagner crushed the LG small group 0.349" shooting a Dasher. I have 3 myself with a 6BRX.

In NBRSA, I am not sure how many. I know Richard Schatz has many at 600 and 1000yds, shooting a 6 Dasher, Bob Hoppe is another. All of these are World Records not match wins, there are too many to count.

Mark Schronce

 

[mikecr]

None of that blog correlates with IBS formats, equipment lists, or results.
How does anyone assemble "cartridges the best precision rifle shooters are using" without consideration of IBS results(which represent PRECISION atleast)?

Let's keep in mind: A truth passes all tests

 

[MarkS]

Mike,
IBS or NBRSA does not show what was used to set the records. I just know the guys above and what they shot. Most of the record listed above have been broken or retired, the current records are listed. I have started a new post for records shot with 6BR's and 6BR IMP.

I don't how to get a overall list of "cartridges the best precision rifle shooters are using"

Mark Schronce

 

[Raptor]

Nomad47'
What twist and barrels are you using?? What is your loads with the DTACs?? I went through several 6.5x284 barrels before I gave up on them. You need to try a plain old 284, they are hammers!! Thanks!!

 

[Nomad47]

Nomad47'
What twist and barrels are you using?? What is your loads with the DTACs?? I went through several 6.5x284 barrels before I gave up on them. You need to try a plain old 284, they are hammers!! Thanks!!

I previously owned both a 284 and a 6-284. But I have since gone with just 6mm's. They are two 6XCs, a 6SLR, and a 243AI. And I only shoot 105 Amax and 105 Berger Hybrids in them, both hBN coated. All the barrels are 28" 8 twist.

I'm shooting RL-17 in one 6XC, IMR7828ssc in the other 6XC and the 6SLR, H4831sc in the 243AI. But since I'm temporarily out of H4831sc, I'm trying H1000 in the 243AI. And I will be trying H1000 in the 6SLR.

 

[mikecr]

I don't how to get a overall list of "cartridges the best precision rifle shooters are using"

There isn't one that I know of. It would have to be assembled using available equipment lists for matches.
My point is, IBS & NBRSA should be considered in the scope of such a study.

The last assembling of statistics I've seen for 1KBR here in the USA, which was normalized to percentage in placement, clearly showed 30cals performing best overall.
This, not out of precision or popularity, but because of wind.
That was a few years ago.

 

[MarkS]

Mike,

I don't how to get a overall list of "cartridges the best precision rifle shooters are using"

There isn't one that I know of. It would have to be assembled using available equipment lists for matches.
My point is, IBS & NBRSA should be considered in the scope of such a study.

The last assembling of statistics I've seen for 1KBR here in the USA, which was normalized to percentage in placement, clearly showed 30cals performing best overall.
This, not out of precision or popularity, but because of wind.
That was a few years ago.

Looks like that has changed, see my post http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3833415.0;topicseen

Mark Schronce