6x47 or 243??? help me decide

[wi50]

I've got all the parts pretty well done and here for a new 600 and 1000 yd F-class rifle. Richard Franklin's Lowrider stock, Lawton Machine 7500 dual port action, .473 boltface Jewell trugger. And a Satern 5C cut rifled barrel, 1 in 8 twist .243 cal to finish at 28".

I've read enough on here to make my head spin. Thank's for a great website.

What's wrong with the plain ol 243 winchester??? If I take good care of the barrel it should run a long time. I already have a .243 28" 1 in 8 tube for a Savage rifle I shoot. And have Redding/Forster bushing dies, and micrometer seater. The Savage gets shot a lot, practice, practice and shoot it some more. This new rifle is kind of reserved for matches, so barrel life isn't the biggest concern.

Will a 6X47 be a better choice for the application? Will barrel life really be that much more? Are there any "alleged" accuracy gains from one chambering to the other? I like to keep things SIMPLE, not fireforming and working brass, just load and shoot, and I really don't need to spend a wad of cash on different brass and dies, but if there is something verry wrong with the 243, then 6X47 it is.

Thank's

 

[Raptor]

I will jump in and toss out my two cents worth on your question. I have had numerious smiths tell me the shoulder angle of a .243 is not condusive to good barrel life. I have no proof of this so you can take it for what its worth.

I would look at a straight 6MM Remington and shoot the 115s using a good slow buring powder for better barrel life. It has a lot of the more desired features for better barrel life, better shoulder angle and longer neck. I am not familiar with your action to know if it will take the longer case or not. If not I would look at the 6x47 or maybe one of the "Reshaped" 243s that they are talking about on here. Good luck in your quest!!!

 

[WayneRichards]

wi50,
Since you have every thing to shoot a 243 go with it! Don't
think you'll find much difference in accuracy just shorter
barrel life! Cost of re tooling for the other cartridge is
another factor.
Wayne

 

[wi50]

thank's.

I've kind of decided to go with the plain ol 243 winchester. With slow powder and some care, it will probably run longer than expected. Then set it back once before the scrap yard.

 

[Forum Boss]

Based on Joel Kendrick's Shooter of the Year performance with a 6mm wildcat based on the 6.5x47 Lapua case, I think the 6-6.5x47 has a small, but real, accuracy edge at 600 yards.

At 1000 it may be a different story. The extra horsepower and case capacity of a .243 may well have an edge. Joel is running 105gr bullets. The 115s have a higher BC--that may be important at 1000, and a .243 may be a better vehicle for those long pills. But then you'll be competing against 6.5-284s and 7mms so the competition will be stiff. Wind reading skills will probably trump any slight chambering "edge" at 1000.

 

[Cheechako]

Wind reading skills will probably trump any slight chambering "edge" at 1000.

Mr Moderator,

I think you are wrong! Wind reading skills WILL trump ALL chambering edges at 1000 yards.

I used to shoot with an old guy from Tucson who is now deceased. He did everything contrary to conventional wisdom. Used only one or two wind flags. Pre-loaded all his ammo at home. Welded his powder measure at one setting and never changed it. Stuff like that. He was the luckiest guy I ever knew cause he always seemed to kick our butt.

When he decided to try 1000 yard benchrest he picked a plain old everyday boring 243 Winchester. His luck didn't abandon him cause he started kicking butt then too.

Ray

 

[BRhunter]

The 243 with a good barrel,goods bullets and a match chambering
will give you a great long range combination

Michel

 

[mysticplayer]

When we build a competition rifle, we can optimise every aspect so I don't feel that one case has any advantage over another.

The only thing a larger case will give you is the ability to go faster with the same weight bullet or move a heavier bullet at the same velocity.

Everything from the 6BR to the 6Rem has been used with success at long range. The key is the shooter, no more, no less.

The only unknown is how well that barrel will tolerate the heat of shooting a long relay. The smaller case will produce less heat per bang since it burns less powder. Does this matter?

Also, recoil. Most will not have any issue dealing with the recoil of a 107 or 115gr bullet going 3000fps so that issue is usually moot.

You already have experience and dies for the 243. I see little reason to go to another smaller cartridge. Personally, for 1000yd fclass, I really like what I am reading on the improved 243's. The 6mm bullets do give a bit up to the larger cals in raw BC values. Pushing them faster levels the playing field from a mechanical standpoint.

Jerry