First rifle, .223 or 6BR variant?

[WillEver]

I'm putting together my first non-AR centerfire rifle, and this will be my first rifle reloading experience as well (I've loaded for my pistols for about 15 years) I have an action, stock, trigger, and just need to buy the barrel.

I'm considering either a .223, or a Dasher/6BRA. Is there any reason I should lean one way or the other? Assume I have components for either, so that's not an issue. Is one any "easier" to get started with?

 

[Dgd6mm]

First, which boltface do you have?
To answer your last question, I believe the .223 would be the easy button for a newbie in reloading. Plus they are a lot of fun and have decent range accuracy and ability if you build a decent one.

 

[JSH]

I'm putting together my first non-AR centerfire rifle, and this will be my first rifle reloading experience as well (I've loaded for my pistols for about 15 years) I have an action, stock, trigger, and just need to buy the barrel.

I'm considering either a .223, or a Dasher/6BRA. Is there any reason I should lean one way or the other? Assume I have components for either, so that's not an issue. Is one any "easier" to get started with?

You have an action, do you have bolt beads for 223 and 6BR?

 

[Dgd6mm]

My Nucleus actions have both boltheads.

 

[dthomas]

It really depends on what you want to do with the rifle.

 

[WillEver]

Ahhh, I forgot about the bolt head. My action (Zermatt Origin) came with the .308 size bolt head, but the .223s are in stock, so that wouldn't influence me either way.

 

[WillEver]

It really depends on what you want to do with the rifle.

Get started learning to reload, work on shooting technique at longer ranges than my 22lr.

 

[padom]

For your first centerfire and first rifle reloading, I would say straight 6BR. Super accurate, easy to reload for, zero issues shooting to 1000yd..

The beauty of the Origin is at any time, as long as you have a barrel vice and action wrench you can screw that 6BR barrel off and screw on any other barrel. You can swap to a .223 bolt head and screw a 223 on... Fast and easy. For prefit shouldered barrels on a Origin, a Viper barrel vice is all you need. You want to spend more, get a SAC.. Zermatt sells an action wrench.

 

[LVLAaron]

223 / 6BR

 

[WillEver]

I can't find 6BR brass anywhere. But Alpha Dasher and BRA don't seem difficult to find...

 

[padom]

I can't find 6BR brass anywhere. But Alpha Dasher and BRA don't seem difficult to find...

Peterson Brass 6mm BR Norma Unprimed Box of 50 - Graf & Sons

Only available at Graf & Sons. All 50 count listings of Peterson Cartridge casings come in one of their plastic ammo boxes. Made in the U.S.A. Match-Grade is a standard that must be held throughout the entire process of manufacturing some of the most consistent, accurate, and durable brass...

www.grafs.com

 

[LuvDog]

Since it seems like you have ARs, then go with 223 since you probably have plenty of brass already.

How long is your range?

 

[WillEver]

I have a couple boxes of Lapua .223 brass that I squirreled away. I don't know much about Peterson, is it the equivalent of Alpha?

I really hadn't thought a 6BR. The lack of Lapua brass, and the other variants seem more popular.

 

[padom]

I have a couple boxes of Lapua .223 brass that I squirreled away. I don't know much about Peterson, is it the equivalent of Alpha?

I really hadn't thought a 6BR. The lack of Lapua brass, and the other variants seem more popular.

Peterson brass is top notch. Dont hesitate for a second

 

[WillEver]

I'm just curious, why a BR over a Dasher or BRA?

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Dasher! little more velocity. can use for hunting big game in most states!

 

[Bill Norris]

I'm putting together my first non-AR centerfire rifle, and this will be my first rifle reloading experience as well (I've loaded for my pistols for about 15 years) I have an action, stock, trigger, and just need to buy the barrel.

I'm considering either a .223, or a Dasher/6BRA. Is there any reason I should lean one way or the other? Assume I have components for either, so that's not an issue. Is one any "easier" to get started with?

Two things come to mind.

(1) Safety First. Go back and re-read the manual.

(2) Expense. Getting into the more accurate side of hand loading cost. The rabbit hole is deep.

 

[SecondsCount]

I am not a traditional competitor so take my opinion for what it is worth. Most of my shooting is paper targets at 100 yards, and steel targets from 100-1K yards. Occasionally, I will shoot an informal competition or go varmint hunting.

I have a 6BR and several other 6mm variants but shoot a 223 more than all of them combined. With a 1:7 twist, I can load everything from a 50 grain bullet all the way to a 90. Most of the time I am shooting a 75 ELD or 77 SMK, and get sub 1/2 MOA accuracy without trying hard with Lake City brass that was free. Lapua brass is more consistent but not enough to make a difference for what I am doing.

 

[JB10]

I would just go with a 223 for now. Learn ins and outs of reloading techniques that shows you changes in groups. Then when you get that down good id go 6br. I have one 6br now but dont shoot it much. In the future i will build a 6br repeater, just dont know when. And no lapua brass to speak of. Should have bought the 6 boxes that sat on sportsmans shelf for 3 years with dust on them...

 

[Webster]

I'm putting together my first non-AR centerfire rifle, and this will be my first rifle reloading experience as well (I've loaded for my pistols for about 15 years) I have an action, stock, trigger, and just need to buy the barrel.

I'm considering either a .223, or a Dasher/6BRA. Is there any reason I should lean one way or the other? Assume I have components for either, so that's not an issue. Is one any "easier" to get started with?

I don't know the bolt face diameters off hand for the 223 and 6BR. I have a 6BR and a 6BRX. They have the same bolt face diameter as the 700 Rem. If you want better accuracy I would get a 6BR or 6BRX. The 6BRX is the easiest case to form of all the improved versions. Same ballistics as the Dasher. Just load and shoot. The 223 would always have cheap brass available and 22 bullets cost less than 6MM. I have heard some people say getting Lapua 6BR brass may be a little hard. Don't know if it's true. I have a life time supply of Lapua brass. I have a brass head diameter chart. Will try to find it and add to this post.