recommendations please

[John S]

My son has recently expressed an interest in shooting some competitions. I'm gonna take his Remington 700 .243 hunting rifle and build something around it. I've been watching some of the videos on youtube about blueprinting the action to the barrel and since I'm gonna re-barrel his gun might as well do it right. He loves shooting the .243 and I know a lot of folks are shooting the 6mm instead, I know they shoot the same projectile but there's slight difference in the case (shoulder maybe?) 243 brass is easily obtainable whereas 6mm not so much. Does anyone have recommendations on blueprinting the action? The videos that were most impressive to watch were by a guy with the last name of Suarez I do believe but I can't seem to find a good phone number or website for him, the only other one I've watched was by they guy from Montour County Rifles up in PA, but he's not taking any new work orders right now. What are the pros/cons of the 6mm vs the .243? I'm gonna re-barrel the gun so I can get pretty much whatever twist rate I need to stabilize the +100 gr bullets with the higher bc for the long distance game. I've heard good things about Benchmark but am certainly open to suggestions on others as well.
Thanks in Advance. If anyone wants to keep replies behind the scenes to not ruffle any feathers as far as recommending one gunsmith over another in an open forum feel free to e-mail me at dutchdog102569@gmail.com

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Whats wrong with a 243? Good or cheap brass. Endless list of bullets. Can win matches at 1k- its a complete pkg. dont know what 6mm youre speaking of otherwise- theres a 6br, dasher, brx, slr, etc. they are all good too. Read around a bit and youll get a feel for what you wanna do and what to build

 

[John S]

Whats wrong with a 243? Good or cheap brass. Endless list of bullets. Can win matches at 1k- its a complete pkg. dont know what 6mm youre speaking of otherwise- theres a 6br, dasher, brx, slr, etc. they are all good too. Read around a bit and youll get a feel for what you wanna do and what to build

I just know there's a lot of 6mm guys on here, I have no idea which 6mm...as you listed there's several. I ain't got time to be trying to figure all that out that's why I'm thinking about just staying with the .243.

 

[savagedasher]

I just know there's a lot of 6mm guys on here, I have no idea which 6mm...as you listed there's several. I ain't got time to be trying to figure all that out that's why I'm thinking about just staying with the .243.

First his age. And do you reload ? Larry

 

[John S]

First his age. And do you reload ? Larry

He's 13, but a VERY small 13 yr old...most folks think he's like 9 or 10. I do reload and already have the dies for the .243. I also have dies for a .308, but he really likes his .243. I don't need to be able to shoot a nickle at 1,000 yds but would like him to be able to shoot a sub MOA group at 600. He picks off clay pigeons at 220yds right now with pretty much 100% regularity using the 20" youth sporter barrel and a 3 x 9 Nikon. He's expressed the interest, I just wanna provide viable equipment to afford him every opportunity. If at some point in the future he decides it isn't for him we can always sell it and recoup at least some of the investment.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Id go with a straight 243. You have dies, he likes it, you can get cheap brass or the best brass. Go with an 8 twist barrel and shoot the 105 class bullets sub moa out to 1000yds easily. Tons of data available. Its just an easy ctg to grow with then as he learns more he can decide if he wants something different. Nice heavy varmint taper barrel and like a mcmillan f class stock and he'll be set up perfect

 

[savagedasher]

He's 13, but a VERY small 13 yr old...most folks think he's like 9 or 10. I do reload and already have the dies for the .243. I also have dies for a .308, but he really likes his .243. I don't need to be able to shoot a nickle at 1,000 yds but would like him to be able to shoot a sub MOA group at 600. He picks off clay pigeons at 220yds right now with pretty much 100% regularity using the 20" youth sporter barrel and a 3 x 9 Nikon. He's expressed the interest, I just wanna provide viable equipment to afford him every opportunity. If at some point in the future he decides it isn't for him we can always sell it and recoup at least some of the investment.

I work with my grandkids . They shoot and hunt. Two are girls . Myself if I was going to build a gun it would be a 6MM BR 8 twist straight 1.250 28 or 30 inches Defiantly with a brake. The BR is easy to tune .Low recoil .That is very important . If you want a tuner brake . Hit me back on my email.
Larry

 

[savagedasher]

I work with my grandkids . They shoot and hunt. Two are girls . Myself if I was going to build a gun it would be a 6MM BR 8 twist straight 1.250 28 or 30 inches Defiantly with a brake. The BR is easy to tune .Low recoil .That is very important . If you want a tuner brake . Hit me back on my email.
Larry

I have some 6 MM stuff laying around I donate . You can send some money to the site in your and my name. Larry

 

[slm9s]

Most hunters who say 6 mm are referring to the 6 mm Remington...

 

[savagedasher]

Most hunters who say 6 mm are referring to the 6 mm Remington...

My reference above said BR but thank I'm not always perfect Larry

 

[rocketron]

the rifle should be built geared for the competition he wants to shoot. you will put good money after bad if you don't.

 

[LHSmith]

the rifle should be built geared for the competition he wants to shoot. you will put good money after bad if you don't.

^^^^^This^^^^^ Rifle "Competition" can take many forms, much dependent on what region of the country you live. There are "club shoots"---informal shoots at local clubs mainly for fun and tend to have their own unique rules- these typically may be running deer shoots or egg shoots, gong shoots. Typically you compete against those living in close proximity to your community. Then there is "registered" matches that are conducted by clubs using the same set of rules as set by a larger established organization with regional and/ or national coverage through print or web media.These commonly take the form shooting from a bench over sandbags/rests aka Benchrest, from the ground using rests or bi-pods (F-class), NRA silhouette, NRA High Power shot from various positions without the aid of rests.
As with most sports, practice makes perfect. A .243 has a very short barrel life. I would first determine which discipline to compete in and research the cartridge best suited for that discipline.

 

[dkhunt14]

I see you are from Missouri. Talk to Dusty and have him build you a gun. There are lots of good 6mm cartridges. If interested in 600 or benchrest the 243 is not a good choice. A 6BR would be better. Matt

 

[akajun]

Im gonna buck the crowd here and say dont build anything. You live in Missouri, contact the CMP or sign up at USrifleteams.com on the National Match side of that site and get a number for a NRA highpower Junior program in your area. I run the one for Louisiana, we supply the kids with National Match ar's, ammo, coats, basically all the equipment needed, they just need to show up and pay their match fees. Im sure missouri has a similar program.
If you cant find a Junior Club or he does not want to shoot highpower, build him a .223 bolt gun or buy him a ar15 .223 varmint rifle with a 20 or 24" barrel from RRA, Bushmaster, Armalite, or DPMS. Most modern ar's are sub moa at 600 ( made high master with a basically stock RRA shooting 2,3 and 600yds) .223 is a lot cheaper to shoot than a 6mm anything, the barrels last longer, and since he is so small the recoil will be easier on him.

 

[watercam]

+1 for .223/5.56 to start. Frankly he would get a lot from a .22 rimfire. There is an F-class for smallbore now. Technique issues will be more apparent in smallbore (especially out at 100/200 yards), there is still some wind reading to deal with and there will be more kids his age involved I'm betting. Also cheaper to get started than building a centerfire. There must be clubs in your area with junior programs.

 

[riflewoman]

Since you reload, I'd opt for a 6XC or similar. The 243 is strictly a slow fire cartridge and even then it will still erode barrels quickly. The slightly smaller 6mms will shoot as well if not better.

 

[Rpbump]

The 6br is easy to load, exceptional accuracy, and low recoil. Buy a used Rem or Sav action, a varment thumbhole stock, and have a decent barrel chambered and installed. A 1" dia barrel, Boyds stock, and suitable action would not cost an arm/leg and using 80 to 95gr bullets will provide much enjoyment for years.

Rpbump

 

[dkhunt14]

The 6BR has a lot going for it. Good brass, easy to load, great accuracy, barrel will last way longer then a 243, Less powder, almost the same velocity as a 243 with 12 or so grains less powder. Matt

 

[John S]

Is 6BR brass hard to come by?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

6br brass and dies are plentiful