Long Range Varmint Calibers

[AckleyImproved]

Hi

What are peoples thoughts on long range varmint calibers? Lets say 800yds.

I know the 6mmBr is very capable... but what about the likes of the 243AI, 6mmAI, 6-284, 6.5-06, 6.5-284 or even the wssm's!

I might chamber my 6mmbr with a different twist.... or just build another rifle.

Thanks
AI

 

[Forum Boss]

Ah, methinks you liked that yellow rifle. But don't get too carried away. A .243 AI burns a LOT more powder, has much shorter barrel life. According to QuikLoad, a standard 6BR case burning Varget will drive a 75gr Vmax at .243AI speeds--3285 fps from a similar 29" barrel. Using Norma 203B, it will drive an 87gr Vmax at 3100 fps out of the same barrel, based on QuikLoad predictions. The advantage of the .243AI is pushing a higher BC bullet out to 800-1000. We think you'll be happier with a 6BR or a Dasher. Richard Schatz was getting over 3000 fps with Clinch River 106s from his Dasher, and he's won a number of competitive varmint matches with it. Slightly less drop at 600-700 yards is not going to make the difference between a hit and a miss if you have a good rangefinder. Less windage can be an advantage, and there the VLDs can surely help if you miss a wind call. But if you feel the need for speed, by all means investigate the big 6mms. We think they're fun and that's why we feature one this week. But when common sense prevails a 6BR or 6 Dasher will probably do what you want, with double or even triple the throat life.

 

[AckleyImproved]

Hi

Thanks for your responses......

I think a dasher maybe the go!!! Even with the fire forming.. it will get the same if not better barrel life than a 243AI!

What sort of accuracy does a Dasher shoot fireforming?? Can I still hunt,not as long range of course) or just blast them down the range wasting?

No neck turn .271 dasher shooting 75's and 87's.......12 twist???? or not fast enough? What velocities does the dasher get with these bullets?

Moderator.. when you say a decent rangefinder.... would the Leica 1200 be fine enough?? Going to order one in the next few days!

Thanks for your help people....

AI

 

[Changeling]

Moderator summed it up about as well as i have ever heard, but if you would like to see something "Really Interesting",backing up moderator), take out your reloading manuals and look at the ballistic tables. Look at your favorite bullet/BC at 6BR velocities and then go up the scale to see what you would gain at say another 300 fps,might not be attainable) velocity with a higher capacity case out to say 500 yards, longer if you like!
Rather startling isn't it?
What are the old sayings: "you can't kill them deader than dead", my favorite, "You have to hit them before anything happens", get the drift?
Changeling

 

[aussie]

Moderator,
Not disagreeing with your arguements but with 760 or AR 2209 ,H 4350) my .243 AI will drive the 75 gn V Max at 3670 FPS out of a 26 inch barrel without pressure signs .

 

[RSchatz]

Ackleyimproved;
I haved seen 3518 fps with the 75 V-Max and WW748 sparked by CCI 450's out of my 14 twist 6 Dasher. This is a Hart barrel cut to 24".
The 87 V-Max out of an 8 twist 26" barrel have seen 3250 fps with Varget and CCI 450's.
I have killed hundreds of prairie dogs while fireforming my Dasher cases.
In a 223 Ackley I found that I was able to fit my improved charge into a new,nonimproved) case with a long drop tube and had great accuracy with 60 fps less velocity then when using improved cases. Great way to fireform.
I have not tried this yet with the Dasher.
Good luck with your project,

Richard Schatz

 

[aussie]

Have seen the same thing with my .243AI . Fireforming loads and fireformed loads can be similar without any danger signals so far . Don't seem to get the same velocity consistency or accuracy when fireforming in my rifle though .

 

[Stormbringer]

At 800 yards and beyond I would look to a different caliber than the 6mmBR. I decided on the 7mmSTW and purchased a used Remington 700 Sendero SF. I shoot the 120 grain ballistic tips and Vmax into 3/8" groups with RL 22 and velocity is in the 3700fps range. This rifle has no brake but recoil is very manageable.

I shoot the rifle at rock chucks when they are at out at 700 yards and beyond.

Mike.

 

[Lapuatom]

I use a 243 in an A bolt,24"Shaw bbl.,46gr IMR4350, .005jump using a 75gr.VMax.3630 through the screens.No pressure signs,feeds and extracts smooth. Sub 1/2 when I do my part.Wicked deadly on any varmint that pokes his head up.

 

[ollie]

I have been useing a 22-250AI and have connected at 758yds. Now i have a 6x47lapua and have had some good luck with it.
Ollie

 

[shooter65]

223AI shooting 75 gr. Amax.good to 1K.

 

[Ackman]

For shooting live varmints at long distance, you want bullets that'll do something when they connect at whatever speed they're going when they get there. The 6BR is a great cartridge but not what you want for long distance varmints unless you just want to punch a hole in them. The 6BR is easy on barrels, however my first .243AI has about 1500+rds and it's not gone, still shoots well.

A .243 AI burns a LOT more powder, has much shorter barrel life. According to QuikLoad, a standard 6BR case burning Varget will drive a 75gr Vmax at .243AI speeds--3285 fps from a similar 29" barrel. Using Norma 203B, it will drive an 87gr Vmax at 3100 fps out of the same barrel, based on QuikLoad predictions. . .

Those aren't .243AI speeds. A 243AI shoots 70's at about 3800 through a 25-26" barrel. The 6BR case does NOT equal a .243AI. It just doesn't.

 

[stosh]

Just built one for that purpose, I chose the 6x47L, 1-10 twist barrel, shoots in the .2's at 275yds. Shooting 88 gr Berger FB,3400fps at 600yds it is still modocking at 2600fps! No fire forming just one pass thru the forester 6x47 die to get the 6.5 brass to 6mm and load.,I chose a tight neck so I have to turn my necks but youo don't have to do that). Have not had an opportunity to use on PD's but bagged 8 chucks with it last summer, longest shot was 300yds. Love it!

Stosh

 

[6BR]

For shooting varmints from 0 to 600 yards, the 6BR is KING. For shots from 700 to 1000 yards, I would say 6x284, 6MM AI, 243AI, 6x47 Lapua, 6.5x284, 6.5x47 Lapua would be excellent 700 to 1000 yard varmint rigs. I would say the 6.5x284 with a 140grn A-Max would be your best bet for 1000 yard varmint killing. However, the 6BR is very capable of killing small varmints at 1000 yards.

 

[alf]

Not that long range shooting ever goes out of style, but did anyone notice this thread is just short of 4 years old ???

AL

 

[6BR]

Who cares, it looks like it's got some legs and it's a great topic.

 

[dennisinaz]

Why did you go and spoil it for us???

 

[jerrschmitt]

It may be an old thread but I'm new to 6BR shooting and found it very timely. I've been using the 243, 22-250 and .222 on prairie dogs for the last 40 years and upgraded,to some, maybe)to a .223 a few years ago. My local gunsmith has been after me to build a 6 BR for some time now so I've been doing some research. As luck would have it, a 6BR showed up at the local gun show last weekend and the price was right so it followed me home.

I loaded up some 65 and 75 VMAX over 28/H322 and took them out back to my range. The 65VMAX load all stayed under 1/2 inch while the 75 VMAX loads wouldn't stay inside 3 inches. This rifle has a 14 twist barrel. When it warms up a little, I'll do some more playing with it, but it looks like my .243 will still be my long range gun until I put a 10 twist barrel on.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I favor a 6CM and a 115 DTAC, PD killing at 600 yards is great antelope too. Deadly accurate to 1000 yards.

 

[LWolken]

The 6mmbr is great for high volume shooting. The problem with the 243 ack is that it burns alot more powder like 43 grns vs 30grns for the 6mmbr. The 243 ack gets hot fast and no matter what you shoot at 1000yds it will take more than one shot to get it done. The only thing good I can say about the 243 ack is that it will put the smack down on dogs and rabbits at long range where the br just knocks them over. You're gonna dial something so whats the difference for 9 moa for 243ack and 13 moa for the br. at 600yds I have both and like them both but I think the br shoots better and doesn't have the short barrel life nor the fire forming that the ack will require.

Lance