Thoughts on replacing a 6mm Remington with what.

[Dusty Stevens]

It's really the same as a 243 WIN. Shot a 6mm Rem for 40 years. 243 and 6 Rem are barrel burners. You probably need a new barrel after every PD hunting trip. I paid $725 for my last barrel.

I dont think id call it the same

 

[Lone Hunter]

I have two 6XC’s . One with 7 twist, one with 7.5 twist. They both shoot 105-115 gr bullets very well. Recoil is very mild. Accuracy is great. One is a hunting rifle, the other paper and steel. My question is why do you want to buy different brass and dies if you already have the components to just buy another barrel? You don’t gain or loose much with the other cartridges. You need to go ahead and scratch the itch and get something new because you’ll never be satisfied until you do. There’s no need to agonize over, jump in and do it. That’s what I have always done and you need to jump on what you want while you can. You can regret it later but you’ll have a big smile anyway. Good Luck to You..

 

[243winxb]

Don’t require lots of trimming , Are easily obtainable in quantity, and Would be suitable for distance shots (75-95 grainers?)
Your thoughts along w/twist and bullet choice/ wt. please.

Easly filled by the 243 Winchester. Sierra #1530. Sorry, had too. If worried about barrel life, get it chrome lined or whatever the military does to the M16 barrels. 9 twist.

My throat is shot out after 1000s of rounds, still accurate, 1976, Rem 40x. 243. Could have the barrel set back.

 

[David Milisock]

Have you entertained the 6mm ARC? Round count 4,000 plus seems to be realistic. This chambering gives up surprisingly little to the 6mm Rem from my perspective.

I have been messing with a light weight CZ527 w a 22"barrel chambered in 6mm ARC & it is still my favorite field gun.

I have both 6MM ARC and 6MM Remington, they are both 6MM and that's as close as it gets.

Yes I run through barrels, about 2,500 rounds and it's time to replace but as a chuck gun it's years before I replace.

6MM Remington, 9 twist, 26" barrel, 75 grain Hornady VMAX, 3,900 FPS,
prints average 1 1/16" at 300 yards, 5 shot groups. My other one is set up for larger projectiles and 105 Speer run out a bit North of 3,500 FPS. No ARC or the 3 rifles I had in 243 could ever get close.

 

[David Milisock]

I’ve always had a fondness for the 6mm Remington with my old experiences with it and the Swift in the prairie dog fields for long range shots . The Swift shot 55’s and the 6mm shot 75-85grns. The Swift has Barrel burning hassles,stretching/ trimming hassles, and obtaining enough of them hassles. The only problem with the 6mm Remington that I can see is finding a quantity of cases as I like everything else about it. The question is what choices do I have for replacement? One thought is the 243 BUT.. it’s unkind with barrels like the Swift so a better choice please . Another choice is the 6BR which would be great BUT.. it’s difficult to get it to work in a repeat which is a must (!) .
My question is what choices can you give me that , Function in a repeater , Don’t require lots of trimming , Are easily obtainable in quantity, and Would be suitable for distance shots (75-95 grainers?)
Your thoughts along w/twist and bullet choice/ wt. please.

I have little experience with dog towns, chucks and crows yes, dogs no. However I've been running 6MM for 4 decades and my opinion in 2022 is that you have a few good choices in 6MM rifle builds.

Use bolt rifles. Light projectiles under -100 grain, heavy 100+ grains. Medium ranges 600 or less long ranges 600 plus. Only the fast builds in my opinion should be considered for regular pluss 1,000 yard work.

Fast, light projectiles, medium ranges, decent in wind shorter barrel life, 6MM Remington, 26" barrel, 9 twist.

Fast, heavy projectiles, good in wind, 1,000+ yards, shorter barrel life, 6MM Remington, 7 twist, 26+" barrel.

Slow, light projectiles, low wind, medium ranges, longer barrel life. Best choice 6MM ARC, 9 twist, 20" barrel. (500 + FPS SLOWER than a 65,000 PSI 6MM Remington load) An OK choice is the light projectile 6MM Remington build downloaded, but a waste of powder.

Slow, heavy projectiles, good in wind, 1,000 yards, longer barrel life. Best 6MM ARC, 7 1/2 twist, 24" barrel. (500+ FPS slower than 65,000 PSI 6MM Remington loads). An 9k choice would again be to download the 6MM Remington.

The 2 rifle process uses either 6MM Remington or the 6MM ARC. However you need the throats cut to match your desired projectile weight. One barrel/rifle can be used but accuracy will most likely be compromised.

The ARC will use 24+ less grains of powder and in a bolt rifle at SAAMI max compared to the Remington and will be very close to the 243 with about 20 grains less powder.

There are other cartridges that are close to the ARC but none commercialized that I know of. I don't know of availability but there are other 6MM Remington class cartridges. The 6MM 284, the 6-06, thec240 Weatherby to mention a few.

There is also the 243, I did not include it in the 6MM Remington class because it and a bolt 6MM ARC are so close, that if you don't own one the question that begs; is why would you buy one? I would use a 243 in an AR 10.

 

[AckleymanII]

Replace H4350 with AA2700 for much longer barrel life for varmints, check the heat index for AA2700. AA2700 is one of the coolest burning powders made.

In our 30" unturned blank, Hart 12T, 243 AI, 70g Noslers, 48.5g of AA2700, CCI 250, 3850 fps, we had .070 leade growth in 1800 rounds. Set the barrel back usually 1.5" on the first set back, 2-3"same on the third & 4th set back was a 6 BR, 12T shooting 60g Sierra's with AA2230 or H335. 14,000 + rounds on a barrel blank makes you feel like you got your money's worth.

 

[357Mag]

In 6mm it seems that I am leaning towards the 243AI and the 6XC . I think the 243AI would be the sensible one to go with. I’m wondering for a Varmint rifle for those longer shots the bullet choice,weight,range , the barrel length and twist .

gt -

Howdy !

For use on " Soybeanus Digestus ", I have had good results shooting the Sierra 6mm 95MK, and more recently the 95 T-MK. I like the idea of the more uniform tip featured on the T-MK, as opposed to the classic 95MK's ( sometimes ragged looking ) hollow point; althought the latter worked on groundhog just fine.

My rifle ( chambered in " DEEP 6 " previously described ) has a 29" SS Broughton 1-8 5-groove.
The combo has more than enough energy for a clean kill on groundhog @ 1,000yd.


With regards,
357Mag

 

[Webster]

In 6mm it seems that I am leaning towards the 243AI and the 6XC . I think the 243AI would be the sensible one to go with. I’m wondering for a Varmint rifle for those longer shots the bullet choice,weight,range , the barrel length and twist .

Do a search or PM 5SPD on this website. He probably does more PD hunting than anyone. Ask his recommendations and what he shoots. Many choices if you don't care on how many barrels you buy. I shot a 6MM Rem from 1969-2009. probably approaching 20,000 shots. It still shot 1". Cross-sectioned the barrel the first 3" of rifling were gone. 3"+ freebore.

Correction: The original barrel was replaced with a Douglas about 1975 by Nelson Berger, Walt's brother.

 

[uncle fester]

No one in my family has any interest in firearms at all so someone has to dispose of them and that has been discussed. I feel it’s prudent not to build rifles that are way out in left field but to build things that I will enjoy and hopefully will be able to move. There is a gentleman right now trying to sell fantastic packages at bargain basement prices and finding it very difficult to find buyers on this Forum that has over 63,000 potential customers. There are a lot of firearms people who don’t reload and, for example don’t even know what a 6BR or your lovely 6 PPC is .Try giving them a chance to purchase your GEM !! Not meaning to be a criticism but….it’s something that I am sure all of us have/will realize. I am looking for suggestions that I may not have thought of AND will be possible to interest a possible reloader when it comes time. I don’t own anything…. I’m just the caretaker.

You need a 6 ARC. While it may not overtake the 243 Winchester in total sales, it will be in the conversation.

Factory rifles + factory loads at Cabelas (in normal times) + good factory brass = a rifle that can be re-homed easily when the time comes.

 

[David Milisock]

You need a 6 ARC. While it may not overtake the 243 Winchester in total sales, it will be in the conversation.

Factory rifles + factory loads at Cabelas (in normal times) + good factory brass = a rifle that can be re-homed easily when the time comes.

Yes and no, assuming a new rifle purchase.

If I were getting a 6MM bolt gun for varmint and or deer the 6MM Remington is a very good top performer ballistically. It's a 65,000 PSI case and to get more performance you need to go way overbore, 6MM-06 and up. Factory ammo is a bit faster than the 243 but handloading really bring the juice.

If your goal is a lightweight 6MM bolt the ARC has many advantages but factory ammo is not available in bolt rifle performance levels that I know of.

If your goal is an auto loader then the 6MM ARC and sticking to factory ammo or 52,000 PSI handloads Is a decent choice.

 

[uncle fester]

Yes and no, assuming a new rifle purchase.

If I were getting a 6MM bolt gun for varmint and or deer the 6MM Remington is a very good top performer ballistically. It's a 65,000 PSI case and to get more performance you need to go way overbore, 6MM-06 and up. Factory ammo is a bit faster than the 243 but handloading really bring the juice.

If your goal is a lightweight 6MM bolt the ARC has many advantages but factory ammo is not available in bolt rifle performance levels that I know of.

If your goal is an auto loader then the 6MM ARC and sticking to factory ammo or 52,000 PSI handloads Is a decent choice.

I assumed he would be reloading to bolt gun pressures. That is what I do. While I am giving up some fps to my 6mm CM, I use a lot less powder and expect longer barrel life.

To me, the 6mm Remington is a dying cartridge with limited appeal to buyer when he re-homes the rifle. Factory ammo and brass is hard to find.

 

[Ray123]

If you're stuck on 6mm the 6 dasher has factory brass and detachable magazines that work with an aluminum chasis, mine is fairly heavy, but fast accurate..and with varmint bullets . My favorites are the .222 for normal ranges, and 308 Win for long range, to help spot impacts, and both have great barrel life. Going extreme range?...50BMG and a forward observer.

 

[urbanrifleman]

6xc and 6bra.

6xc with an appropriate freebore is hard to beat for just being easy and effective.

6bra is the most accurate cartridge I have tested and you can't make it not shoot, but the 6xc has a bit more speed.

Very interestingly the 22xc has shown itself to be my FAVORITE 22 hot cartridge. And you can use the same dies and brass as the 6xc. My customers love it.

 

[urbanrifleman]

In 6mm it seems that I am leaning towards the 243AI and the 6XC . I think the 243AI would be the sensible one to go with. I’m wondering for a Varmint rifle for those longer shots the bullet choice,weight,range , the barrel length and twist .

Shoot man if you have a Rem 700 or Savage I can get you into a nice 8 twist for little money. Heck I have 6xc 50 fb and 6bra 50 and 0 freebore in stock ready to ship. I think they are $269. And they do shoot.

 

[gtl1946]

Shoot man if you have a Rem 700 or Savage I can get you into a nice 8 twist for little money. Heck I have 6xc 50 fb and 6bra 50 and 0 freebore in stock ready to ship. I think they are $269. And they do shoot.

What is the 0 FB and 50 FB used for with an 8 twist?

 

[urbanrifleman]

What is the 0 FB and 50 FB used for with an 8 twist?

The zero is used for 55 to 60 grain bullets and the 50 is good up to about a 85 grain bullet. The eight twist that I sell shoot the light bullets just fine. But I do have 12 twists if somebody wanted one of those I would just have to make it

 

[darkangel_r2]

What powder and primers do you have? Unless you can find quality components

I’ve always had a fondness for the 6mm Remington with my old experiences with it and the Swift in the prairie dog fields for long range shots . The Swift shot 55’s and the 6mm shot 75-85grns. The Swift has Barrel burning hassles,stretching/ trimming hassles, and obtaining enough of them hassles. The only problem with the 6mm Remington that I can see is finding a quantity of cases as I like everything else about it. The question is what choices do I have for replacement? One thought is the 243 BUT.. it’s unkind with barrels like the Swift so a better choice please . Another choice is the 6BR which would be great BUT.. it’s difficult to get it to work in a repeat which is a must (!) .
My question is what choices can you give me that , Function in a repeater , Don’t require lots of trimming , Are easily obtainable in quantity, and Would be suitable for distance shots (75-95 grainers?)
Your thoughts along w/twist and bullet choice/ wt. please.

To address your criteria id say you should either go with 6 creed, 243, or 243ai. 243 will feed the best but the cases can grow on them because they have more taper and a shallower shoulder, 243ai will probably feed the worst but its the fastest cartridge and will have minimal case growth, 6 creed will fall in-between for feeding and growth while giving nearly identical performance to 243 for slightly less powder used. Also both of these can use small or large primers which is a plus. I'd expect barrel life to go from best to worst like this 6 creed, 243, 243ai. Overall Id suggest 6 creed.

Both 308 and creed family brass are easy to find or id be recomending 6xc instead. Staball 6.5 in 6 creed can power an 87vmax to 3500+ fps or a 95 tmk/mk to 3350+fps. Around that weight is probably the sweet spot. 8-8.5 twist.

 

[nakneker]

Hey Gasper,

Hope your doing well amigo. I’m huge fan of the smaller 6mm cartridges. The standard 6BR is hard to beat in so many ways and with today’s bottom metals and mags the feeding issues are a non issue now days. I’ve had heavy barrel 243s and 6mm Remingtons, multiple of each. They were accurate and did the job just fine but the 6BR or BRA make me smile more. I’m having a heavy barreled 6BRA built right now, mostly for the same purposes you are asking about.

Watching Urbanrifleman‘s videos with his Wilson barrels chambered 6XC makes me want one of those too. Probably one of the best values out there!

Thats part of the problem with 6mm cartridges, there are so many to choose from, it can give a guy a headache and most of them do a great job. Even with today’s brass shortages it seems you can find what you need for most of them. I look forward to seeing what you choose to do.

Sean

 

[urbanrifleman]

Here is really the crux of the question.

What bullet?
How fast?

I would start there.

The rest of the equation is barrel life, barrel twist, accuracy and velocity spreads. The 6br cartridges are by far the easiest to load for raw accuracy and low spreads. Others are close behind if you want to go faster.

 

[Webster]

Very true. There are so many heavy for caliber .224 bullets available these days that are worth a look at. If building around a Valkyrie, I would select the bullet I wanted to shoot first & then get the optimal/compromise barrel twist. Bullets 69 to 90gr are off the shelf now & the load data is extensive for short or long barrels. Just a thought....

Are Valkyrie ballistics about the same as a 223?