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Help with 6mm offerings

Dildobaggins

Gunny Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 26, 2020
993
459
So I have a 6mm CM with a 24in light varmint barrel. When the barrel is toast I'm going to switch to a 308 win. I'm thinking of trading a buddy some work, and he has a kelby atlas tactical action he'd give me for it

I like the 6CM, all I do is shoot from the bench and prone, from about 1-500 yards for groups, but I'm regretting a few things. One being barrel and maybe wishing I went with a heavier contour. After about 5-8 shots I'm getting mirage, And wishing I got a 26" instead of 24".

I've looked through the forums at length and the 6GT and dasher interest me. All I can find on the 6GT is "6 gay tiger." Which doesn't really tell me much.

Im looking for a cartridge that will shoot 107 smk and under, want something easy to load for and tune, and isn't a complete barrel burner. Any suggestions? Or opinions on what your favorite 6mm cartridge is?

The dasher interested me too because its less powder. Less powder for me means money saved to shoot more.
 
Generally 2750 - 2850 depending on bullet selection, barrel length, and how hard you want to push it. More than enough for anything inside 1200 yards and probably one of the most decorated Benchrest (ie “grouping”) cartridges in existence.
 
6gt, 6BR, or 6 BRA. Gt can run in normal mags whereas BRA and BR you’d have to run special mags. BR will do like 2750-2800 with a 105, then add 50-100fps for BRA and another 50 for GT. GT and BR require no fire forming, BRA is easy fireforming. Helping my buddy fireform BRA I was lighting up a 2/3 IPSC in the head at 800
 
Glad I asked this. Any feeding issues with 6BR? Mdt looks to sell mags and primal rights has conversation kits.
 
Agree. 6BR is the ticket and no fire-forming like a BRA.

I run 108 ELDs at 2830 with 29.5 grs of VV150. Accurate out to 1250, low recoil, Lapua and other nice brass options, good barrel life, and easy to reload for what’s not to like.
 
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Agree. 6BR is the ticket and no fire-forming like a BRA.

I run 108 ELDs at 2830 with 29.5 grs of VV150. Accurate out to 1250, low recoil, Lapua and other nice brass options, good barrel life, and easy to reload for what’s not to like.
That would meet my arbitrary velocity needs as well. What twist barrel would you suggest for 108 and under? Also length?
 
AI mags with primal rights kits. Need to tweak the feed lips slightly and it runs perfectly with a 3 lug curtis custom.
 
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That would meet my arbitrary velocity needs as well. What twist barrel would you suggest for 108 and under? Also length?
Mine is an MPA 26” 1:7 they chambered for my Curtis. that length seems to be just right… maybe drop 25-30 fps per inch would be my guess if you went shorter.
 
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Mine is an MPA 26” 1:7 they chambered for my Curtis. that length seems to be just right… maybe drop 25-30 fps per inch would be my guess if you went shorter.
Also, just for clarification because I'm stupid, we are talking about norma BR not Remington correct?
 
Yes, 6 BR Norma. Go 1:8 or 7.5, depending on your alt/bullet choice.

ETA: 24" is fine, 26/28 is better to pick up a little speed if you're just off the bench/ground.
 
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I picked up a 6br norma barrel for my kids to shoot. My hope was long barrel life, easy load development and accurate. So far it's shot every load under moa and extremely light recoiling.

Shooting 109gr eldM at 2776fps. A very good ES and SD with great accuracy. I ran up to 2830fps, but I didn't feel like I needed to push it at that node. I haven't got out to verify drops yet, but the app said I should hit trans at 1300yds.
 
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I picked up a 6br norma barrel for my kids to shoot. My hope was long barrel life, easy load development and accurate. So far it's shot every load under moa and extremely light recoiling.

Shooting 109gr eldM at 2776fps. A very good ES and SD with great accuracy. I ran up to 2830fps, but I didn't feel like I needed to push it at that node. I haven't got out to verify drops yet, but the app said I should hit trans at 1300yds.
Wish I researched more before getting the 6cm. Those velocities with lower powder charges are more than sufficient for my needs. Glad they are liking it!
 
I ordered mag kits from HRD but still waiting for them. As far as feeding, I once had 9rds feed in a row but 2 or 3 is the norm. The 30gr of Varget and cci 41's plays really nice on the reloading bench.

Also running a 1:7.25 twist.

VideoCapture_20230114-174005.jpg
 
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Depends on what you want to do. I love my 6 BRA - it gets an extra 100 fps or so over the BR. I get 2940 fps with 30.6 gr of H4895 and 105 hybrids. Fire forming is not an issue. When I get a new barrel, I speed it up by fire forming - which doesn't take any special prep - just load a little lighter and shoot like you normally would. And fire forming rounds are startlingly accurate.

As an aside. yesterday I went out in BLM land to play with some new parts attached to my 37XC. We set targets at 1500 and 1900. I brought my BRA along to shoot a 6" popper that we set at 740 yards. That got boring quick, so we took it to the 1500 yard target and rang it with regularity. I've taken it to 1600 at the same location on a previous trip. If the ground backing the 1900 target would have shown any splash whatsoever, I would have lobbed a few its way, but it was wet clay and eating misses from my 375 (more than half the misses couldn't be spotted), so I didn't try.

Both the BR and the BRA are amazing rounds. I like the extra speed the BRA offers.
 
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Wish I researched more before getting the 6cm. Those velocities with lower powder charges are more than sufficient for my needs. Glad they are liking it!

I sold my 6CM when I got my BRA. It's night and day. I gave up less than ~125 fps, but it is far more consistent.
 
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I sold my 6CM when I got my BRA. It's night and day. I gave up less than ~125 fps, but it is far more consistent.
That's awesome man! Looking like I'm probably going with a BR. This was surprising to me with so many 6mm cartridges.
 
I would have gone BRA if I could have without the wait. I went BR because milehigh had one ready to ship.
 
You should consider cheap prefits if you shoot a lot. Currently, only dasher and GT from proof (ie the cheapest prefits). If it doesn’t matter to you, then 100% straight BR. 7.5 twist, 26” long. Its WAY better than 6CM for recoil, consistency, use of expensive components, barrel life, etc.


ETA: I have 6CM, 6BRA, and 6BR barrels. Get a 105 class bullet going ~2800 fps and really the only questions become how easy is it to get barrels and which case shape does it with the least amount of powder. BR and BRA use small primers so that’s a thing to think about if you don’t have any.
 
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You should consider cheap prefits if you shoot a lot. Currently, only dasher and GT from proof (ie the cheapest prefits). If it doesn’t matter to you, then 100% straight BR. 7.5 twist, 26” long. Its WAY better than 6CM for recoil, consistency, use of expensive components, barrel life, etc.


ETA: I have 6CM, 6BRA, and 6BR barrels. Get a 105 class bullet going ~2800 fps and really the only questions become how easy is it to get barrels and which case shape does it with the least amount of powder. BR and BRA use small primers so that’s a thing to think about if you don’t have any.
Thinking about calling James at NSS to see what he has. I'm consistently shooting my WOA 223 better than this 6CM that I got from NSD. I have an Arken sh4 on the 6 creed. Just for shits and giggles, I'm going to try the scope out I have on my AR and see if things tighten up, but at least for me anyway, it just seems hard to find a good shooting load for this 6CM.

Also, is the 6GT srp or lrp?
 
Gt is srp.

Run the numbers (drop/drift) for .223 bolt (75-88 grain bullets) and compare to br numbers (105s at 2800) at the distances you shoot. I think you’ll find that inside 700 yards or so, the .223 is just as good with even less recoil and cheaper reloading. I love my BRA but hey, components and barrels are expensive.
I'm pretty much exclusively shooting 55gr bullets out of the 223. I also have a 6.5 grendel, that shoots better or about the same as the 6CM as well. I just enjoy shooting different calibers. I'm not in competition. Just like different firearms. One day I'd like to try a PRS match though.
 
Br, bra, dasher, gt they're all at home with 105-110gt bullets from 2800-2950 depending on barrel length. I'm still waiting on my 22br barrel, kinda best of both worlds, cheap 88 eldm or 90smk between 26-30¢ a bulley atop 29-30gr of Varget going 2950-3000fps.
 
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Last question for everyone. NSS has the contur I want in 1-8 twist. For 108s and under id assume that's fine, since my 6CM has the same twist?

Also, 26" or 28"? Help me spend my money haha
 
8 would be fine for 105-108s, personally I prefer 7 for my confidence since it doesnt hurt anything and I like throttle back on speeds with my 115s and really lob them in there but if 8 is whats on the shelf and you want it now then go for it.
I like 26" since thats what my little safes and cases fit easily and 2" more means I have to tilt it back into a bunch of other crap going in and out the door. Some considerations are worth more than an extra 30 fps to me :ROFLMAO:
 
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8 would be fine, personally I prefer 7 since it doesnt hurt anything and I like my 115s but if 8 is whats on the shelf and you want it now then go for it.
I like 26" since thats what my little safes and cases fit easily and 2" more means I have to tilt it back into a bunch of other crap going in and out the door. Some considerations are worth more than an extra 30 fps to me :ROFLMAO:
Haha, I actually didn't consider that. Good call.
 
I shoot a br and my buddy shoots a gt. Mdt mags work flawlessly for me. I just switched to peterson brass from lapua so i lost some capactiy. Im shooting 109elds at 2720 and about the same with 110 atips. The gt is also incredibly easy to load for and opens you up to a lot of powder choices and faster speeds. I will say my new br barrel didnt require any load dev. Also no poi shift from 28.6g-29.7g of varget and 5 shot groups as small as i can hold. Even at 2680fps during break in the 1000y kyl rack wasnt hard. Any br variant or a gt is a easy button.
 
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NSS has some 6BR in MTU and bull contours.

Last question.
If you were just going prone and bench what contour would you spring for? I know it probably does not matter. It's going in a krg bravo chassis, so would the bull barrel have enough clearance?
 
I did a Remage to my Rem. 700 from 6.5 CM to 6BR and am very happy with it. Also used a Criterion barrel from NSS and put it in a KRG Bravo stock. As others have said, MDT magazines work just fine. Let us know how you like your build!
 
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I did a Remage to my Rem. 700 from 6.5 CM to 6BR and am very happy with it. Also used a Criterion barrel from NSS and put it in a KRG Bravo stock. As others have said, MDT magazines work just fine. Let us know how you like your build!
Thanks man! Going to order the barrel at the end of the week. How's it shoot?
 
26”
NSS has some 6BR in MTU and bull contours.

Last question.
If you were just going prone and bench what contour would you spring for? I know it probably does not matter. It's going in a krg bravo chassis, so would the bull barrel have enough clearance?
I like 1.25”x5” at the shank with a taper to ~.9” at the finished length. That’s Heavy Varmint, usually. MTU and M24/M40 are similar. Any of those will work. Of course, you could always go straight 1.25”. I doubt you will see a difference on target no matter what you do with any of those.
 
NSS has some 6BR in MTU and bull contours.

Last question.
If you were just going prone and bench what contour would you spring for? I know it probably does not matter. It's going in a krg bravo chassis, so would the bull barrel have enough clearance?
I would go mtu, heavy varmint or straight 1.2/1.250
 
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26”
I like 1.25”x5” at the shank with a taper to ~.9” at the finished length. That’s Heavy Varmint, usually. MTU and M24/M40 are similar. Any of those will work. Of course, you could always go straight 1.25”. I doubt you will see a difference on target no matter what you do with any of those.
I think NSS only has a light varmint contour, which I have? I'd like a little more weight. I'll check the measurement at the muzzle when I get home because I'm curious now. I feel like it's smaller than .9. I've always wanted a straight contour, but when I get it I don't want to it to be too front heavy or be thinking oh shit, this is TOO heavy.
 
if your open to other calibers consider a straight 223 shooting 75-88’s. My 223 has same ballistics as my 6br shooting 108s out to 1000 for wind but the 223 has less drop than the 6br.

223 has better barrel life, cheaper to shoot, there really is no downside. Unless your trying to burn up a stash of 6mm’s you already have.
 
So I have a 6mm CM with a 24in light varmint barrel. When the barrel is toast I'm going to switch to a 308 win. I'm thinking of trading a buddy some work, and he has a kelby atlas tactical action he'd give me for it

I like the 6CM, all I do is shoot from the bench and prone, from about 1-500 yards for groups, but I'm regretting a few things. One being barrel and maybe wishing I went with a heavier contour. After about 5-8 shots I'm getting mirage, And wishing I got a 26" instead of 24".

I've looked through the forums at length and the 6GT and dasher interest me. All I can find on the 6GT is "6 gay tiger." Which doesn't really tell me much.

Im looking for a cartridge that will shoot 107 smk and under, want something easy to load for and tune, and isn't a complete barrel burner. Any suggestions? Or opinions on what your favorite 6mm cartridge is?

The dasher interested me too because its less powder. Less powder for me means money saved to shoot more.
Pro tip on the Kelbly's. I love mine BUT, get the heavy duty bolt stop. It moves the bolt stop forward. It WILL aid in ejection on the BR. Kelbly's now offers a bolt with a plunger style ejector which I think would work better with BR sized cases. Kelbly's folks are the BEST they'll take care of you. Also, I own my own BR reamer and have experimented with different barrels. 8 twist is the way to go, 28". for the 90 to 105 grainers Slight accuracy edge, little easier to tune. It really doesn't have the boiler room for the heavy. You can run em, but it's pushing it. Step up to a Dasher, BRA, BRX if that's your intention. Solid choice on the Kelbly's and a BR.
 
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NSS has some 6BR in MTU and bull contours.

Last question.
If you were just going prone and bench what contour would you spring for? I know it probably does not matter. It's going in a krg bravo chassis, so would the bull barrel have enough clearance?
If you are worried about the balance hedge your bets and get the MTU. Thats what my first dasher was, and while it went in an acc, it was a wonderful contour, without any weights it balanced perfectly (in that different chassis). Its still fat as hell for a barrel nut contour but a little more centered mass.
 
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if your open to other calibers consider a straight 223 shooting 75-88’s. My 223 has same ballistics as my 6br shooting 108s out to 1000 for wind but the 223 has less drop than the 6br.

223 has better barrel life, cheaper to shoot, there really is no downside. Unless your trying to burn up a stash of 6mm’s you already have.
What is your 223 barrel length and load? And if the 223 matches 6br why aren’t more PRS shooters moving to 223?

I compete with a 223 in open class running 80 elds. There is usually on myself and maybe one or 2 more doing the same against the 6s etc.
 
I don’t have my data off hand but it’s around 25.4 n140, 75eldm, lapua brass, cci450, oal is around 2.5 just fits in a poly mdt mag.

The issues we are seeing as far as competition goes is not being able to spot impacts. Plates don’t move much past around 800 yards and seems to be harder to see misses in the dirt too.

If you run the numbers of a 75 eldm at around 3k and a 108 eldm at around 2880 it’s pretty much identical for wind and less drop with the 223.

Below is my actual data for my 223 and my 6br
 

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I don’t have my data off hand but it’s around 25.4 n140, 75eldm, lapua brass, cci450, oal is around 2.5 just fits in a poly mdt mag.

The issues we are seeing as far as competition goes is not being able to spot impacts. Plates don’t move much past around 800 yards and seems to be harder to see misses in the dirt too.

If you run the numbers of a 75 eldm at around 3k and a 108 eldm at around 2880 it’s pretty much identical for wind and less drop with the 223.

Below is my actual data for my 223 and my 6br
Interesting data. Have you found those box bc's to be accurate? In my experience the 75s are closer to 235-240g7 and the 108 is more 265-270 to 1k yards for matching drops to my known velocity.
 
No they aren’t perfect. I had to true the data to match. I don’t remember if I played with bc or velocity, it’s been a while.

But the above is the trued data for both my rifles.
 
I’ve got a box of Berger 80 vld I’m going to try after I shoot the last of my 80 elds. At $25 a box it’s hard to pass up the Hornady’s.
 
Anyone want to rent me out or sell some 6br norma go and no go guages? Haha
 
I shoot a br and my buddy shoots a gt. Mdt mags work flawlessly for me. I just switched to peterson brass from lapua so i lost some capactiy. Im shooting 109elds at 2720 and about the same with 110 atips. The gt is also incredibly easy to load for and opens you up to a lot of powder choices and faster speeds. I will say my new br barrel didnt require any load dev. Also no poi shift from 28.6g-29.7g of varget and 5 shot groups as small as i can hold. Even at 2680fps during break in the 1000y kyl rack wasnt hard. Any br variant or a gt is a easy button.
What is you overall length on these ? I just started shooting a dasher this week with the MDT mags and I was having feeding issue yesterday but I think it is because my OAL is to long an the rounds below were sliding forward and hitting the front of the mag
 
You should consider cheap prefits if you shoot a lot. Currently, only dasher and GT from proof (ie the cheapest prefits). If it doesn’t matter to you, then 100% straight BR. 7.5 twist, 26” long. Its WAY better than 6CM for recoil, consistency, use of expensive components, barrel life, etc.


ETA: I have 6CM, 6BRA, and 6BR barrels. Get a 105 class bullet going ~2800 fps and really the only questions become how easy is it to get barrels and which case shape does it with the least amount of powder. BR and BRA use small primers so that’s a thing to think about if you don’t have any.
At these lower velocities what is expected barrel life for the BR or BRA or Dasher? Should be greater than 6cm right?