Suggestions on a 6mm-6.5 build

[Scalloper]

I own a model 70 Coyote Lite in .243. I like the comfort of the rifle but its not accurate enough with the factory pipe so I am going to do a build off this action. I will be using this mostly for hunting coyotes over bait at 200yds to maybe 600yds if I can get (minute of coyote) in the winter in cold conditions. I do reload. I have considered a few calibers like 243,243 AI,6.5cm,6.5 prc. I may also consider others. Any recommendations?

 

[B23]

If you want to keep the option of ever shooting factory ammo, you'll need to go with something in a standard chambering, but if you're ok with factory ammo not being an option the choices are nearly endless.

I'm not that familiar with the action length on this particular gun so if COAL is any kind of a limiting factor, I'd probably go with the 6mm Creedmoor and I'd use at least a 10 twist barrel. I'm a big fan of the 6-284, it gives you better performance than the 243AI but without the need to fireform, it'll work in a short action, and brass is easy to neck down from its parent case the 6.5-284. My 6-284 is built on a SA Rem 700, it's a coyote killing machine and one of my most favorite rifles. Barrel life will be a bit less than something like the 6mm Creedmoor but the 6-284 shoots a bit faster than most other wildcat 6's too.

For hunting coyotes I don't really see the need for a 6.5 caliber so unless you plan to use this gun to hunt game animals with I think I'd skip anything 6.5. Also, the 6.5PRC uses a magnum size bolt face and your gun has a standard size bolt face so you'd have to get a different action if you wanted to consider the 6.5PRC, but like I said, you don't really need a 6.5 anything to kill coyotes so I'd stay with something 6mm.

Even though I'm a big 6-284 fan, for an all around 6mm that does everything well and has good brass as well as some really good factory ammo available for it, I'd probably push you toward the 6mm Creedmoor, but if you want a more hot rod 6, my 6-284 always puts a smile on my face.

 

[bsekf]

6x47L or 6.5x47L

 

[74Bronco]

6mm slr, 6mm comp, 243ai,
6mm slr if you have a bunch of 243 brass already and dont like fireforming.
if you want over the counter ammo 6 creed.

 

[Dgd6mm]

If I needed a new barrel, and I was already shooting a straight .243. Well I would probably go back to a .243. Is your barrel wore out? Or is something else going on?

 

[Hondo64d]

I own a model 70 Coyote Lite in .243. I like the comfort of the rifle but its not accurate enough with the factory pipe so I am going to do a build off this action. I will be using this mostly for hunting coyotes over bait at 200yds to maybe 600yds if I can get (minute of coyote) in the winter in cold conditions. I do reload. I have considered a few calibers like 243,243 AI,6.5cm,6.5 prc. I may also consider others. Any recommendations?

Just for coyotes up to and including deer, I’d go with a .22 Creedmoor or 6mm Creedmoor with ample twist rate for up to and including 88gr ELDs or 108 gr ELDs respectively. If any chance of shooting stuff bigger than deer, I’d go with the 6.5 Creedmoor, twisted fast enough for up to and including 147gr ELDs.

John

 

[HTSmith]

If I needed a new barrel, and I was already shooting a straight .243. Well I would probably go back to a .243. Is your barrel wore out? Or is something else going on?

For hunting use the old 243 Win doesn't give up anything to the new kids IMHO. You already have the dies and probably powder that works. No need to change unless you just want something different. (And yes that bug bites us all once in a while)

 

[10XSHOOTER]

Look at the .243 30* shoulder. a little more umph! Feeds great out of magazines. 1-8 twist barrel or 1-7 if you want to shoot the Sierra 110MK.
Straight .243 with faster twist barrel will work also. Heavy bullets

 

[Scalloper]

If I needed a new barrel, and I was already shooting a straight .243. Well I would probably go back to a .243. Is your barrel wore out? Or is something else going on?

Just a typical factory pipe thats a 2-3" at 100. My 300 RUM with a Krieger barrel shoots a bad load tighter and a great load .5". I have messed with that barrel enough I am going custom.
I like the 243 but I also want a faster twist so I could use heavier bullets for the occasional deer hunt. But the primary goal is to shoot distance on cold days.

 

[golong]

Sounds to me like you already have brass for the .243. Given what you are looking to do with it, I don't see a good reason to move away from it. If you were going to shoot more, go longer distances, or bigger game on a regular basis, the 6.5 Creedmoor is where I would head simply because of better barrel life over 6mm and more knockdown. Other 6.5's are good as well, but brass may be a bit harder to come by (although 6.5 Creedmoor brass has seen some dry spells over the years as well).

 

[Dgd6mm]

7.5 twist will run a 115.

 

[jepp2]

I have considered a few calibers like 243,243 AI,6.5cm,6.5 prc. I may also consider others. Any recommendations?

It always costs me more to start loading for a new caliber than I expect. Is that important to you?
Availability of high quality brass is important to me, how important is that to you?
Without knowing the answer to those 2 questions, it's hard to make a recommendation.

If you are going to rebarrel you existing rifle, will the new barrel contour fit your stock?

Just a typical factory pipe thats a 2-3" at 100.

Sounds like you have other things impacting accuracy beside the factory barrel. If those things do exist, just changing the barrel might not achieve your goal on accuracy.

Just some things to consider.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Stick with the 243 or go 243ai. If you need new brass go creedmoor either 6 or 6.5

 

[Scalloper]

I also have alot of components for a 22-250. I did consider a 22-250 AI with a fast twist to handle heavier bullets.

 

[hunter67]

Stay 243 but if your itching for something new then 6mm CM. Weve been pounding rock chucks in the high country out to 600 with ease.

 

[B23]

I can certainly appreciate wanting to use what you already have, but for me, there is so little gained by "improving" the 22-250 or 243 that it just isn't worth the trouble of fireforming. If you want more case capacity to shoot heavier bullets or you want to shoot any bullet faster, just go to something with larger case capacity and save yourself the time of fireforming.

Whenever I start with a newly built or even just a rebarrel, I always use fresh new brass. I'm not a big fan of using old brass in a new build or even new rebarrel.

If you're considering a 22-250AI maybe take a look at the 22 Creedmoor instead, they're pretty much ballistic twins but the 22CM will save you the fireforming step. If you want a little more case capacity to shoot the "heavies" in a 22 cal consider a 22-243, it's a straight neck down and works well for the heavies in 22 cal.

 

[Dud]

You need 6GT.

Just kidding, I would stick with 243 probably, just look at the effect of different bullet weights at your 600 yard range, pick the hunting bullet that you like the best and get a barrel with the right twist and chambering for it.

 

[MislMan]

I’d do some checking into cold weather ballistic performance for the calibers you may be interested in. Some may be affected by primer size or preferred powders at low temps.

 

[fantastic]

I would suggest a 6.5-284 or 6.5 PRC, Would be a good mix from your 223 to your 300.

 

[Scalloper]

I’d do some checking into cold weather ballistic performance for the calibers you may be interested in. Some may be affected by primer size or preferred powders at low temps.

That was the reason I mentioned the intended use so some may advise on better cartridge loads best for my application.