In the beginning.

[chimera15]

I am sure that this subject has been covered many times before, but I am new at this.
I have shot a 6mm remington for years and used to be satisfied at 400 to 500 yards on ground hogs. That isn't much fun anymore. I have started researching 1000 yards and at this point I am totally confused. I want to stay with the 6mm bullet, mostly because that is what I have. Where do I go from here? 6mm AI or 6mm BR. I have to shoot an explosive round even at 1000 yards. What used to be open farm country is now crowded with new homes that city dwellers have built on little 3 acre plots. I can't afford to bounce bullets, I even stopped shooting my 22. My goal is to shoot 1000 yards and be safe. Can someone help me find information to guide me on this journey. I must make decisions that are right. I am disabled and live on a limited income, so what I do has to be right the first time.
I also need to build something that will last. I used to have deep pockets, not anymore.
Thanks

 

[Chuckhunter]

Chimera15 Depending on the twist of your barrel, the standard 6MM Rem is more than adequate to shoot 1000 yds. If it's a nine twist you should be able to stabilize bullets up to 107 Gr's. If it's a ten twist the 87gr. V-Max should work fine out to about 700 yds. The most economical solution for a re-barrel would be another 6MM Rem on an eight twist barrel, since you already have the brass and dies. As far as explosive bullets, someone else will have to answer that question for you because I believe that most frangible bullets come in the lighter weights and really shed velocity quickly beyond 500yds.

 

[MarkS]

chimera15,

for 1000 yds, I would look at the 6AI or 243AI with 8 twist barrel. It would shoot up to a 105 gr bullet. But I like the 87 Vmax for varmints. I have friends that have kills at 1000yd with the 87 vmax in a 6mm Rem. But with the 6AI & 243AI you will pay the piper for the speed in barrel life.

I have had the AI before and done well, but I now use a 6BR and have kills out to 620 yds. And have seem kill out to 750yd with BR. All shot with a 70gr Blitzking. I am running it at 3500 f/s with a 12 tw barrel.

I would say go with the 6BR 14 to 12 tw barrel shooting light bullets.

If your 6mm has any life in it, try the 87 Vmax in it, and I think your 6mm will shoot the 105 Vmax, but not the VLD bullets.

Mark Schronce

 

[LHSmith]

chimera----it sounds like you live in area that has been transformed much like mine.
I can only speak, however, as to the practicality of my situation.
That is, I would not feel at all comfortable in shooting long range for the simple reason that with all those houses come people, and you just never know where they might be. Secondly if I didn't own or lease the property on where I hunted, I would not want to put that landowner in any legal jeopardy......as in my state, PA, we are losing huntable land rapidly.... some of this is through the actions of a few careless individuals.
Ten years ago I could shoot grounghogs from my front door, now I just head to the local ranges to shoot cardboard hogs.

 

[chimera15]

I have about a square mile that is safe. Family farm. I just need to know that the bullets I launch don't bounce. Would I be waisting my time and money building a gun on a 700 remington action? I can't afford a good action right now. What would I need to do to the 700 to make it accurate at 1000 yards?

 

[LarryDScott]

You have an excellant action to work with. Use an 8 twist barrel if you intend to stick to the 6MM family. That way you can shoot all bullet weights. Have the face of the receiver trued, lugs lapped, screw on a quality barrel, bed all this in a wide forearm stock, and be forever happy shooting GHs. Larry in western Ky.

 

[OldDoug]

I am shooting a trued 700 Rem,not blueprinted) PacNor 6mm 1x10" in a skim bedded HS Precision stock. Has a 2lb trigger and 8.5x25x50 Leupold VH reticle. I have killed dogs past 750 yards with it. Towards the end of of our last day, I tried a dozen shots at 1000-1050 yards. Wind was 25-30 mph from the left. I came within 6" of several dogs. 87 VMax with 41gr IMR 4064.

Remember, if you are going to shoot long range, you should have a spotter. If you are with several other shooters who are working between 200 and 500 yards you may not be in compatible environment. Longer range means fewer shots as optimum med and long range shooting area may not be available.

I am going to kill a prairie dog at 1000 yards this June.

Old Doug

 

[patchhound]

I really think safty IS the big factor you got to keep in mind. No bullet I ever used over 87grs stoped in the dirt and even they will pop up and zing down the praire now and then. If you got people down the road I`de be a bit nervous launching a 105 at 3200+ and damn sure nobody`s around before I shot anything! I use a 162Amax @3000fps to drop stuff WAY out there but in Wyoming you can do that but still I got to know whats down the road and not do it if any risk is there. Just my .02.

 

[chimera15]

Safety has always been my concern. I shouldn't own a gun if I don't know where the bullet is going and what is behind my target. There are already too many stupid people with guns out there. I used to reload the 243 with a 60 grain HP and close to the max on power just so I knew that the bullet wasn't going any where past the ground hog. I am sure it scared the neighbors when it went off, but it was safe. I have hunted since I turned 7 and I am ashamed to say that I know very little about guns. This is a very hard and frustrating experience for me. I think that I have found some people on this forum that are very knowledgeable. I just hope that you guys don't get tired of my questions.

 

[patchhound]

Sorry if I sounded a bit safty happy but I do think its the first factor one should be thinking about. There are places I won`t shoot the 7mm but I`ll use the 6br w/ lite varmint bullets ONLY. I mostly want to aviod the chanch of any damage to structure or the chance of someone on the other side of the hill. You really got to be carefull w/ heavy match bullets because they will retaine most of their weight and ricoche a long distance. The only dumb question is the one you did`nt ask.