Hunting With A 6BR?

[yukonal]

Are any of you guys hunting with one?

I'm thinking of putting together a new rifle. For hunting from mule deer sized game, on down. I'd like to hear your impressions of the caliber, and it's affect on game.

I'm thinking McMillan A3

Kreiger 8 Twist--don't know how long

Surgeon, or Defiance--don't know which one.

Berger 105's

If you guys can help me out with the barrel length, and choice of actions (please be specific Make and Model), I would appreciate it! I'll also be shooting paper out to 600.

 

[Cort]

I love my 6 BR. However, I do not consider any 6 mm as adequate for mule deer. Yes, I know many have been shot with a .243 but I wouldn't use it as my first choice. My general recommendation for hunting larger game is at least a .25 caliber, or larger. I really like the 7 mm family and would quickly choose a 30-06 for your purpose. I think the 30-06 is the most versatile cartridge in the U.S.A. (and I don't own one).

Good luck in your decision.

Cort

 

[boltfluter]

Works great on coyotes or anything smaller. Would probably be O.K. on deer if you picked your shots, and limit to 200 yds. or less. Just my .002. Paul.

http://proprecisionrifles.com/

 

[areaone]

It would work, lots of game killed with a 243 or 6mm rem., BULLET selection and reasonable range dictates succes. Go to Bergers ballistic program and determine energy at whatever yds you are comfortable with. I have shot antelope and deer with the Sierra 85 gr HP with good success, look at Nosler accubond or Partition, Barnes or the the Berger Hunting bullet.. 85+ grains will work. Hit in the heart lung area will kill em. hit in the gut area with a 6br wont work, but then a gut shot with a 300 win mag will not work either. Shoot a 6br with one of the above mentioned bullets,or try all of them thru a 2x4 at 350 yds, look at the entry and look at the exit, you will see what I mean.
I have a Stiller TAC30 with a A3 stock, like them both, Defiance is also an excellent ., I also have a Surgeon RSR also a fine action. McMillian or Manners are excellent stocks. PM me if you are wanting a Mcmillan A3..NEW, I may be able to point you in the right direction.

 

[Coleridge]

Not sure about Mule Deer but I've killed several deer (whitetails) with the 6BR. Know some other guys that have killed several deer with 6BR as well. With good shots, it works every time. A larger caliber will make up for marginal shots better (mostly because of superior penetration), but if you make & take good shots, I think you will be satisfied.

I have a similar build as you are talking about. It has a 26" Kreiger & the Remington "varmint/sendero" contour is about perfect for the A3. With NF scope & badger rings the weight without bi-pod is 12.5# on a set of bathroom scales.

It's fun shooting large animals with small guns but if I were going after a trophy animal, I would take something bigger. Not because a smaller cartridge wont work, but because you may have to pass on a half azz shot opportunity waiting for the "right" shot/angle.

 

[John11-87]

Out of my 6 brx I shoot a berger 105 hunting vld and would not worry at all taking a shot on a whitetail to 500 yards. I took 3 does this year with mine 388yds, 450 yds.and 290 yds the furthest one ran was 25 yards. I belive with the accuracy this caliber provides good shot placement is easily attainable and with good shot placement (and proper bullet) you have nothing to worry about. The only downside I would say is the feeding part of it. You may wish to have more than one shot just in case. In my experience the 6 br brx or dasher isnt the easiest feeding round. Just my .o2

John

Rifles are
Savage PTA with pacnor 8 twist 28 inch heavy palma contour
And
Remington 700 SA with pacnor 8 twist 26.5 inch heavy palma contour

 

[yukonal]

Not sure about Mule Deer but I've killed several deer (whitetails) with the 6BR. Know some other guys that have killed several deer with 6BR as well. With good shots, it works every time. A larger caliber will make up for marginal shots better (mostly because of superior penetration), but if you make & take good shots, I think you will be satisfied.

I have a similar build as you are talking about. It has a 26" Kreiger & the Remington "varmint/sendero" contour is about perfect for the A3. With NF scope & badger rings the weight without bi-pod is 12.5# on a set of bathroom scales.

That's so close to what I'm looking to build, it's scary. What's the muzzle diameter on that barrel? Any idea on the weight of the barrel before you screwed it on? Thanks.

 

[jerrschmitt]

As in most hunting, bullet selection is a prim consideration. I would forget the Berger bullets and look to the Sierra Gameking or Hornady hunting bullets.

The 6BR is bullisticly similar to the old 250-3000 in that you can launch an 87 grain bullet at 3000 FPS. Many White tails have fallen to the old Savage and should be expected to suffer a similar outcome when faced with a 6BR.

Bullet selection and shot placement are critical with both rifles and the main reason that the 250-3000 fell out of favor.

ETA: Here's a story from a year or so ago.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php/topic,3755138.msg35897798.html#msg35897798

 

[yukonal]

As in most hunting, bullet selection is a prim consideration. I would forget the Berger bullets and look to the Sierra Gameking or Hornady hunting bullets.

Good advice, thanks. And thanks for the link to your successful deer hunt. Congrats on yor 6BR kill.

 

[John11-87]

As in most hunting, bullet selection is a prim consideration. I would forget the Berger bullets and look to the Sierra Gameking or Hornady hunting bullets.

The 6BR is bullisticly similar to the old 250-3000 in that you can launch an 87 grain bullet at 3000 FPS. Many White tails have fallen to the old Savage and should be expected to suffer a similar outcome when faced with a 6BR.

Bullet selection and shot placement are critical with both rifles and the main reason that the 250-3000 fell out of favor.

ETA: Here's a story from a year or so ago.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php/topic,3755138.msg35897798.html#msg35897798

How come you would forget the bergers? Did you have a bad experience with them? Or is it Price? Quality? Accuracy? Just curious.... I use seirra and hornady hunting bullets as well as bergers in other calibers and normally get good results with all...

 

[darrenk75b]

I have a 6BR that has take an antelope using the 105 Bergers Hunting VLD. My rifle is a Stiller Predator (I like the Stiller action as it uses the mini M16 extractor - seems to eject more reliably than a Remmy factory one). 24" 1:8 twist Kreiger Rem Varmint Contour with an AICS DBM in a Manners MCS-T stock. Here is is before I put it in another molded-in MCS-T

FWIW, the Berger was devastating. Made complete soup out of the vitals

 

[cmillard]

i would not hesitate one bit to take the shot with my 6BR and 105 bergers. i know that where i aim, i will hit. i am a fan of mcmillan stocks--i have an A-2 on my .300, but, you should give mcrees precision a try. no bedding to worry about, just torque down action screws and you are ready to go.

 

[shooter63]

it can be done a long ways off but buck of a lifetime at nearly dark angel shot id rather have 7mm or anything that would go from 1 end to other sounds awful but good shots dont always present themselves just my experiences in these mtn.thanks shooter63

 

[jerrschmitt]

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php/topic,3755138.msg35897798.html#msg35897798

How come you would forget the bergers? Did you have a bad experience with them? Or is it Price? Quality? Accuracy? Just curious.... I use seirra and hornady hunting bullets as well as bergers in other calibers and normally get good results with all...

My only experiance with Bergers has been on paper and one prairie dog hunt. They were very accurate but did not expand on prairie dogs. That was a few years ago and they may be just fine for deer. The 100 grain Sierra Gameking and 87 grain Hornady Interlock have performed very well for me on deer.

 

[John11-87]

I agree with you on the bergers 105 hunting vld not expanding in small critters but I dont believe they are more of a "big game" bullet. (hogs, deer , coyote, antelope) they work for small stuff you just can expect a "explosion" like a barnes varmint grenade, v max, or similar. The first doe I took woth my savage 6 brx this year was a complete passthru at 388 yards. The bullet entered the rib cage left a hole the size of a dime, oblitherated the lungs,.and left the ribcage leaving a hole the size of a quarter. I was kind of dissapointed but none the less the deer went about 15 yards and fell was dead. My second doe I harvested came out at about 290 yards and stood for a second just slightly quartering away when I touched it off. The bullet entered her right shoulder and literally exploded inside (look like a blender was turned of inside) then passed thru leaving a golf ball size hole in front of her left shoulder killing her instantly. I think if the bullet would have hit both shoulders it would have stopped but by just clipping one it passed thru with ease but the massive damage goes to show that if you connect solid with bone the bullet will perform like berger says. Great now I got deer fever again.... Just got over that.

Sorry for being longwinded
John

 

[M700]

Yukonal - you've seen the video of a young lady taking a cow elk cleanly, with one shot from a .243 Win/105 AMax at 688 yards?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY0w1c-gf18&feature=player_embedded

I think that pretty well answers the question if it can be done. Depending on the specific loads in question, the 6mmBR may not produce quite the velocity of the .243, but they're close enough to draw some favorable conclusions.

BTW - I've had excellent results from the 115 gr Berger VLD from my .25-06 on three mule deer. Good bullet for deer sized game. Works well on coyotes too, with plenty of expansion.

 

[yukonal]

Yep, John posted that on another forum. But--it's still a good reminder of what a 6mm can do at range. And I'm only looking to build a 600 yard toy.

As far as Bergers performance on big game, I've heard alot of good stuff. I wouldn't be afraid to shoot stuff with a 6BR at all, but I never have. I'm hoping we hear from more guys that have put a few on the ground with it!

 

[alf]

6 Dasher, quit avoiding the obvious......




;D

 

[ReedG]

I can't imagine a mule deer or smaller animal that cannot be reliably put down with a good shot from a 6BR. Having said that, in response to the original question, if all you are going to use this new rifle for is hunting (you did not mention target shooting or competition) I believe there are better calibers you could use: .270WCF, .264WM, 7mm (asst. choices), etc. Even 6.5x47 or 6x47, .25-06 ... there is a long list of good ones.

Though the 6BR is more than capable with right shot at the right time, for pure hunting there are others which are better.

 

[sniper15545]

I shoot a 6br on paper only but I am sure it would be okay on mule deer if you pick your shot. Mine is built on a Savage model 10 action that I sent to SSS in Ohio and had timed and trued. I then ordered a barrel from Jim Briggs (Northlander) ordered a 26" CBI barrel and a B&C Medalist A2 stock which I love and its shooting .17" groups.
If I were building it in a hunting version I would use the same action with A DurMaxx stock and the CBI barrel and probably would not bother timing and truing the action as it is not needed for a hunting gun. You can pick up a Savage action for around $300.00 and do the work to it yourself.