Sako A2 as 6mm Deer Rifle

[SmokinJoe]

Have a Sako A2 sitting around in slow twist 22BR that I haven't found a good use for. Love my A1 in 6X45 but would like to have a little more umph so thinking of rebarreling the A2 to 6GT or 6X47L. Would appreciate any thoughts from the group on which way to go. Got lots of 6mm bullets so wanting to stay with that bore size.

 

[Clancy]

Lapua GT will be here in a less than a month.

I have both and have shot both, and I like the GT as much as the 47, and that was with Alpha brass. With Lapua in the GT, I think that’s the clear winner.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

The 6 XC case, Feeds & Fits, very Well, in Short actions and has enough H P to, drive the 108 gr. Berger Elite Hunters to 3,000 FPS or, the 95 gr Classic Hunters to, 3,100+
Both Bullets do Well, on Deer / Antelope and the 6 XC IS, an Accurate Cartridge ( Well Designed ) with a NICE Long Neck ( Keeping Bullet Out of, the Doughnut area ) and, 30* Shoulder, Using, about, 3-4 grains of Powder, LESS than, the 6 Creedmoor.
Love mine with, the 24", 1-7.5 Twist Bbl. and .104" Freebore.
Forster makes Dies and Both,. Peterson and Norma, make, reasonably priced, fairly Good, Brass.
Oh,.. And it's NOT, a 'Barrel Burner" like some of the Other,.. 6 MM's
Definitely worth consideration, as a Hunting / LR Target Cartridge, in Short actions.

 

[Oso]

If its a deer gun and where you hunt is a road trip then there is something to say about popular commercial calibers. Have you ever been at deer camp and someone left home in a hurry to beat traffic and to avoid a lecture from his wife. Of course he has a rifle in a special one-off cartridge, but his ammo is sitting on table in entryway back home...

Based on your mention of 6x45, I assume you aren't necessarily needing long range hunting (+500 yards) or shooting large body prey. If you are looking for more giddy up than a 6x45 or 6TCU then you might consider a 6ARC. Pretty close to 6BR velocity, with the added benefit of being able to easily source ammo off the shelf.

Otherwise, why not simply go 6BR. You have brass laying around from the 22BR that are easily converted / necked-up. Don't get me wrong... if you are looking for any excuse to scratch a new caliber itch then I have no room to talk

 

[nockhunter]

6br, my son whacked two deer this year with one. Barnes 112 match burners did the job on both. One a head shot the other high shoulder, both under 100y.

Mike

 

[SmokinJoe]

The 6 XC case, Feeds & Fits, very Well, in Short actions and has enough H P to, drive the 108 gr. Berger Elite Hunters to 3,000 FPS or, the 95 gr Classic Hunters to, 3,100+
Both Bullets do Well, on Deer / Antelope and the 6 XC IS, an Accurate Cartridge ( Well Designed ) with a NICE Long Neck ( Keeping Bullet Out of, the Doughnut area ) and, 30* Shoulder, Using, about, 3-4 grains of Powder, LESS than, the 6 Creedmoor.
Love mine with, the 24", 1-7.5 Twist Bbl. and .104" Freebore.
Forster makes Dies and Both,. Peterson and Norma, make, reasonably priced, fairly Good, Brass.
Oh,.. And it's NOT, a 'Barrel Burner" like some of the Other,.. 6 MM's
Definitely worth consideration, as a Hunting / LR Target Cartridge, in Short actions.

Understand what you are saying, I have a 6-250AI varmint rig. My concern with that long of cartridge would be restriction on seating depth. I was gifted a 6-250 Redding type "S" FL die awhile back and considered that caliber, too, but again concerned about OAL restrictions in the Sako A2.

 

[SmokinJoe]

If its a deer gun and where you hunt is a road trip then there is something to say about popular commercial calibers. Have you ever been at deer camp and someone left home in a hurry to beat traffic and to avoid a lecture from his wife. Of course he has a rifle in a special one-off cartridge, but his ammo is sitting on table in entryway back home...

Based on your mention of 6x45, I assume you aren't necessarily needing long range hunting (+500 yards) or shooting large body prey. If you are looking for more giddy up than a 6x45 or 6TCU then you might consider a 6ARC. Pretty close to 6BR velocity, with the added benefit of being able to easily source ammo off the shelf.

Otherwise, why not simply go 6BR. You have brass laying around from the 22BR that are easily converted / necked-up. Don't get me wrong... if you are looking for any excuse to scratch a new caliber itch then I have no room to talk

Thought about the 6ARC too, but rifle is 308 BF so wanting something with that head size. 6BR would be okay but have read of feeding issues with the short case. Is that not a problem?

 

[Oso]

I don't have a 6BR so no hands on experience. I understand the logic behind the 6GT slightly longer case to resolve feeding issues from magazines really related to PRS style shooting. I have read a fair amount of comments in threads that the "feeding issue" for BR case is not as big a deal as it is made to be. Hopefully, some hands-on shooters can provide some more meaningful feedback.

In the meantime, you might do a search for threads related to 6GT vs 6BR.

 

[Gabe22BR]

6x47L don’t look back !!!
We have one in our “thinning the heard group” , that just flat out shoots!!! H4350, some of those Bart’s gunginr’s… it’s a hammer, bout all I can say. No need to ruin those primer pockets, stay where the accuracy is., I believe his barrel is 22” light Palma

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Understand what you are saying, I have a 6-250AI varmint rig. My concern with that long of cartridge would be restriction on seating depth. I was gifted a 6-250 Redding type "S" FL die awhile back and considered that caliber, too, but again concerned about OAL restrictions in the Sako A2.

I dunno if, THIS "Help's",. But,..
My 6XC Load with, 107 gr. SMK's Lightly "Jammed", in a .104 Freebore Chamber, has a total COAL Length of, 2.687 to 2.690 inches Long and Fits / Feed's nicely, in my Rem 700 SS, short action.
As Does, my 108 gr Berg Elite Hunters at, a total COAL of, 2.725" ( .015 - .020 "Jump" ).
NOT familiar with, the Mag Box, Length of, the Sako A-2 action but, you might take a Vernier Caliper and Measure yours,.. IF, you think that, you "Might" like, the 6 XC for, your Uses. Good luck with, Your choice of Cartridges !
The shorter, 6 GT would probably, "Work" just as Well as,.. the 6 XC for, Deer / Antelope,.. IMO

 

[SmokinJoe]

If I measured correctly the magazine box is approx 2.85 long and a 6X47L case looks good in it. Will need a SS #4 sporter 1:8 barrel if anybody knows where I can get one. I have a good 6X47L no-turn reamer and gages already so that is where this project will head.

 

[nockhunter]

6x47L, 6mm-250AI, 6XC, 6creed, are all about the same size case. If one fits they all will fit. I think the A2's were chambered for the .308 length cartridges, if so you will be OK with any of the ones you are looking at.
I built a 1:12", 6mm-250 a few years back, loaded for coyotes and deer. Sierra 80g varm blitz for "yotes" and 85g Sierra HPBT game kings for deer. I haven't had a chance to bump one into either yet.

Mike

 

[nakneker]

Another 6x47 fan. Mine was easy to tune, really easy. Love the 6.5x47 case. Those A2 actions are beautiful!

 

[Jrjones]

243 Winchester or Ackley Improved would work good.