Opinions Please on Case Selection

[Tim_in_TN]

Fellow shooters, I have a dilemma, I have been chosen mentor by a friend to help him choose the "just right" case for 600 yd bench rest and 1000 yd F-Class unlimited. The rifle will almost always be shot at 600 yds but the friend will want a case to be able to shoot at 1000 yds occasionally. I have a switchbarrel custom and shoot a 12 twist 6BR that I don`t consider as effective at 600 as the 6.5/284 barrel I have. The 80 gr bullets are to easily effected by conditions. We have it narrowed to the standard 6BR with a 8" twist or the 6 Dasher with 8" twist. If there are better options please chime in as all comments are welcome. I am very new to 600 yd benchrest so all help is appreciated. I have a barrel ordered in 6mm and a 8" twist but I will be shooting at 600 exclusively, any opinions there welcome also.

 

[Cheechako]

Tim

There isn't any "just right" case for 600 yards BR, 1000 yards, and F Class. It is always going to be a compromise. Your friend has to decide which discipline he wants to compromise on and choose a rifle and cartridge that will favor the discipline he does not want to compromise. For 600 yards in good conditions there is no better cartridge than a 6PPC in a 12 twist shooting 70 grain BT bullets. For 600 yards in the wide range of conditions you're likely to encounter at tournaments there is no better cartridge than a 6 BR in an 8 twist which will allow you to shoot any of the bullets available. For 1000 yards and F Class the 6 BR and/or Dasher are only marginally competitive unless you are an experienced, above average shooter. I know this statement will pi$$ off a lot of BR and/or Dasher shooters but results from actual competition will proove me right. The minimum I would recommend for those two disciplines is one of the mid-sized 6mm like the 6XC. Much preferred for less experienced shooters would be the 6.5/284. For a compromise you'll have to pick. JMHO

Ray

 

[Forum Boss]

Here are some numbers from the JBM Ballistics program,one of the most reliable) that can put things in perspective:

WIND DRIFT at 1000 yards,10 mph crosswind), Std. conditions at 1000' altitude

6.5-284, 142 SMK, .595 BC, 2950 fps. Drift = 66.00"

6mm Dasher, 105 Scenar, .530 BC, 3030 fps. Drift = 72.4"

6mm BR, 105 Scenar, .530 BC, 2900 fps. Drift = 77.4"

The numbers will steer you to the 6.5-284. You have to balance the ballistics benefits of the 6.5-284 against burning a lot more powder, dealing with increased recoil, replacing barrels more often, and compensating for brass that is somewhat less consistent than 6BR Lapua brass. And, many people think it is easier to get a 6BR to shoot really tight groups at 600 yards than a 6.5-284.

I think it comes down to how often your friend will you REALLY be shooting a match at 1000 yards.

The 6XC, or something similar, is establishing itself as an effective cartridge at 600 AND 1000, at least with the high-power crowd. Rumor has it that Lapua will be releasing a new competition/BR cartridge in the next year that will be bigger than a 6BR and smaller than a 6.5-284.

 

[Tim_in_TN]

Thanks, anyone else please join in, but these are great tips already. It has settled me down to do the std 6BR for my barrel that is on order. I bought 500 cases from Frank who advertised them here and got them turned already, man that was fun..........This means I am set up for the smiths chamber dimentions already with brass on hand. I think the friend is thinking 6BR also after I called him and read the responses. He knows the virtues of the 6.5/284 but is not interested in the required maintenence. He is rebarreling a 7mm/08 to the 6BR but hates to leave the 7/08 is there any need to encourage to rebarrel back to 7/08. What is the barrel life, better than 6.5/284 but less than 6BR.

 

[jb1000br]

Here is how i would decide:

1000yds 25% or less, straight BR
1000yds 50%, dasher
1000yds more than 50% 6.5-284

YMMV,
JB

 

[Tim_in_TN]

The cartride has been chosen. With the help from this knowledgable base. The std 6BR. Thank you all.