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Another .243 vs 6XC vs 6mm Creedmoor discussion

copperking81

I'm putting together a 6mm rifle that will mostly be used for long range target and prairie dog / varmint hunting. Not competing yet, but may down the road. There is a TON of information on the web regarding the .243 vs 6XC vs 6mm Creedmoor debate and I'm trying to make sense of it all. Below are all the factors I'm considering in my decision and I've attempted to rank each chambering relative to each other in each category. I *think* what I've outlined is right but by all means, correct me if I'm wrong (or validate that I'm right!)

With this information in mind, I'm curious what everyone's thoughts are on just how much meaningful difference there is between each in...
  • Max velocity
  • Barrel life
  • Case efficiency
Are they all a wash against one another in those categories or are there material differences worth considering?

I'm leaning towards .243 Win only because at this point, I can't see that there is that significance of a difference between the three in those categories... but I may be wrong!

----------------------------------

Max Velocity Potential - highest to lowest
  1. .243
  2. 6mm CM
  3. 6Xc

Barrel Life - best to worst (if all things were constant)
  1. 6XC
  2. 6mm CM
  3. .243

Case efficiency and maintenance (i.e. least amount of wasted powder burn, overbore, trimming, work, etc) - best to worst
  1. 6XC
  2. 6mm CM
  3. .243

Max case volume
  1. .243
  2. 6mm CM
  3. 6XC
Brass Availability - I need large primered brass - I'm probably missing some, feel free to add on
  1. .243 - everyone makes it
  2. 6mm CM - Hornady, Lapua, Peterson, Nosler, Starline
  3. 6XC - Norma, Peterson (I've read they do but don't see it on their site)
 
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It's a pointless subject. You're talking about 3 rounds that are nearly identical in performance. 243 Win being the largest by a little. Why talk max velocity and then turn around and ask about barrel life? You get one or the other. Load your rounds accordingly.

I chose the 6mm Creedmore because Lapua makes SRP brass for it which means ultra long case life at max velocities.

I would throw plans for a 6XC out the window first because Lapua does not make brass for it.
 
Ledd Slinger said:
It's a pointless subject. You're talking about 3 rounds that are nearly identical in performance. 243 Win being the largest by a little. Why talk max velocity and then turn around and ask about barrel life? You get one or the other. Load your rounds accordingly.

I chose the 6mm Creedmore because Lapua makes SRP brass for it which means ultra long case life at max velocities.

I would throw plans for a 6XC out the window first because Lapua does not make brass for it.
Click to expand...
Good points.
Why doesn't anyone blow x47 cases into XC? Minor push.
 
Milo 2.0 said:
Good points.
Why doesn't anyone blow x47 cases into XC? Minor push.
Click to expand...

6.5x47 brass is too short to make 6xc from. It can be done, but I’d be concerned about carbon building up in the part of the chamber neck before the free bore. You would need to be religious about maintaining the length of your brass.
Norma and Peterson are good brass options available off the shelf. Alpha is even better. There’s no reason to form 6xc from something else when it’s available from the factories.
 
the 243 and the xc arent really in the same league. I have a small sample size but same barrel length working loads are 250+fps apart.
Both within a grain of pressure signs.
h4350 in xc rl26in 243 but 4831sc was near 200 more also.
My XC is more accurate.
 
Out of those choices I would have the .243. You can buy from domestic brass to Lapua. You can load from relatively fast to slower burning powder which would definitely lengthen barrel life depending on the powder you choose. Good speed and accuracy.
 
First, I think your assessment was done well and is a succinct view of your question as asked. However...

CF2209 said:
Go with a Dasher, you will never look back.
Click to expand...

I think this suggestion bears a lot of merit for some additional scrutiny. It's an excellent long range benchrest cartridge so it should be an excellent prairie dog cartridge. The accuracy potential is beyond reproach because of the results in competitions. The powder consumption is minuscule by comparison to the others yet the performance is better by comparison, maybe not in velocity but in brass life and barrel life. Brass is available from several of the top makers and usually found available at a reasonable price. Dies are equally easy to find and in a couple different variations suited to your needs and wants.

It's a great choice especially if you consider some volume shooting at prairie dogs.

Enjoy the process!
 
Shawnba67 said:
the 243 and the xc arent really in the same league. I have a small sample size but same barrel length working loads are 250+fps apart.
Both within a grain of pressure signs.
h4350 in xc rl26in 243 but 4831sc was near 200 more also.
My XC is more accurate.
Click to expand...

I had a 6XC and it could hit 3000 fps in a 22" barrel with 105gr Berger bullets using RL17. Never tried to push it harder than that. I know the 243 Win is a bigger faster case, but considering the bullet weight and short barrel length I had in the 6XC, I would say that it's at least in the same "league" as the 243
 
The XC is just a better mouse trap ; ) Especially for us who were on board with it before the big "Creedmoor" theatrics! I load for 243 and XC and my XC is by far more efficient. It will push a 105 hvld easier with better case and barrel life. Just my .02$

Dan
 
dantiff2 said:
The XC is just a better mouse trap ; ) Especially for us who were on board with it before the big "Creedmoor" theatrics! I load for 243 and XC and my XC is by far more efficient. It will push a 105 hvld easier with better case and barrel life. Just my .02$

Dan
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more. The XC is by far one of the easiest cartridges to tune that I have ever messed with and incredibly efficient for the performance you can get with it. I have nothing against the .243 other than they are like butt holes.....everybody has one.
 
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