Which Cartridge - For My Needs?

[Phil3]

I looked at the cartridges recommended and am more clear on what my work best for me.

22BR: The 22BR is a 6mmBR case necked down for 22 bullets. The 6mmBR site says this. “The primary reason to shoot the 22BR vs. the 6BR is the extra velocity available from very light bullets. You can push the 52gr match bullets to 3700 fps and the 40gr Sierras and Noslers past 4000 fps. That kind of speed makes varminters smile--22-250 velocities with less powder and better accuracy. What's not to like?”. I don’t hunt, and not sure what extra velocity is going to get me at 100 yards. I would expect reduced barrel life vs the 6mmBR and more susceptibility to wind.

30BR: This one was more recommended than anything else and the reasons for it doing so make sense. But, the more I think about it, I feel I may be put off by the recoil. I want to get a high score and tight groups, but I am a casual shooter and the fact that one slightly larger holes eeks itself into the X ring is not that important.

308: Call me a wimp, but while I can handle the 308 recoil, why should I? Longer barrel life is one reason, but every one of those many thousands of rounds is punching me harder than I personally care for. A muzzle brake can help, but then more noise.

260 Remington: One person suggested the 260 Remington, but its strength is way beyond even my longest distance of 300 yards, and while recoil is less than the 308, so is barrel life.

6.5 x 47: One person mentioned the 6.5 x 47. I don’t know why, but I have a soft spot for this one. It can also run through a magazine if I decide to use that, which I know rules out some others here.

6PPC: It was mentioned that prepped brass can be purchased and while I don’t mind doing a fair amount of brass prep, it does seem that this cartridge requires a fair amount of work. I also honestly have to wonder if it is just too specialized.

222: I could not find much about this, other than sort of a faster 223 with higher velocity.

223AI: I question whether the extra velocity will be of much benefit for my shooting distances. The extra powder won’t help barrel life.

223 Remington: I have no real complaint with this cartridge, the one I have. I just wanted something different and with potentially higher accuracy.

6mmBR: This one appears very hard to beat. Recoil = low to modest. Accuracy pretty much second, but close to the 6PPC. Easy to load for. Minimal brass preparation. I expect I can get very good accuracy out of standard Lapua brass, not wasting barrel life on fire-forming rounds. Barrel life is the only downside, but not that bad. Will work well at pretty much any distance I can access while giving up little. Can't use a magazine without some work, that may not even be that reliable, but for now, am fine loading one round at a time at the local range.

Phil

 

[Toby Bradshaw]

I have a couple of 6BRs with 1-9 and 1-10 twist barrels for 95gr bullets (VLD and FB). I like the 6BR a lot, for many of the reasons that you state. If you're shooting at 100-200 yards almost exclusively, a 1-14 twist with 62-68gr bullets will produce fairly low recoil and tiny groups.

The .222 actually gives up some velocity to the .223 in exchange for a longer neck. A .222 shooting 40-52gr bullets will use 20% less powder than the 6BR and produce at least 30% less recoil, with equal or longer barrel life. A fine choice if a good .222 becomes available.

Unless you NEED a magazine, look for a rifle with a solid-bottom custom action with your preferred bolt/port/eject configuration. For a casual right-handed shooter, RBLP no eject is a good choice.

 

[GSRswapandslow]

223AI has a lot more going for it than just velocity! You basically eliminate the need to trim cases, too! It's an accurate round, it's CHEAP round to load, and you can down load it back to regular 223 velocities and still reap the benefits of the AI conversion.

Barrel life is still WAY WAY WAY WAY higher than most other rounds, brass can still be had for cheap, bullets (although still spotty) are coming back in stock, bullets are cheaper than the 6, 6.5, 7, and 30's, there's less powder loads than the other rounds listed....

223ai deff isn't the end all, be all....but it's a damn fine round that everyone should have in their arsenal.

 

[krktractor]

6.5x47 would be an excellent pick most will live 2500-3000 rounds unless you gas them up to much accuracy is excellent and its easy to load for I have one and have shot every powder and bullet through and had a worst group of 3/4 moa mild recoil and excellent case life also of there are others with these good qualities also

 

[GSPV]

What you need to know about the 222 is

: It ruled the 100-200 benchrest world before the PPC came along.
: It still holds the world record group.
: The best brass in the world, Lapua, is readily available. No forming required.
: It shoots powders that are readily available.
: Reamers and high quality dies are readily available.
: It has the lowest recoil of any cartridges mentioned and is a pleasure to shoot.
: The only thing that's going to beat it for barrel life is a 30 BR

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2012/07/tripledeuce-net-websit-for-222-remington-shooters/

An alternative that hasn't been mentioned is the 220 Beggs. It has all the virtues of the 222 except:

- It has higher velocity at the expense of lower barrel life and slightly more recoil. Still better than a full 22 PPC, much less a full 22 BR.
- Reamers and dies are not as readily available.
- Information isn't as broadly available. However, very high quality information is available from Gene Beggs. He's a great guy.

- I thought enough of the little Beggs that I'm having one built right now for UBR matches. It should be a hoot.