The Gay Tiger is tempting me from shooting straight with 6BR.

[4O6shootist]

It really comes down to what bullets you want to shoot at what velocity. If you're planning to shoot 109s or lighter, I'd go 6bra in a 28in tube. This will allow you to rub 2800ish and not be dangerously close to pressure. Want to run 110-115gr bullets at the same lower pressure 2800-2850 range, run a 28in 6gt.

I do feel that raw accuracy edge goes to the br variants. When they're really tuned we'll, accuracy at distance in minimal winds is in the 2s and 3s, 10 shot groups. The gt is just slightly bigger. I however did have one 6gt kreiger tight bore that shot 108bt for in the 2s and 3s very consistently at 400-500y on paper. However don't use a tight bore 6mm, for any these cartridges that are not strictly bench use, carbon rings and fouling can become a problem really quick without religious aggressive cleaning. 237 bore all the way.......

 

[Alaskaman11]

6 Dasher > Gay tiger!

 

[45-90]

I just shot my 6 Dasher yesterday.
Fireforming hybrid cases.
107 SMK, varget, and hybrid cases 3060 fps ave. 11 shots. Change powders and it will do 3200 fps with 105 gr.
Run fast or run slow the 6 dasher is very accurate, even fireforming hybrid cases.

It's more accurate than I can shoot.
And works with 55 gr to 115 gr over 3000 fps, liking the 58 gr vmax at 4100 fps..
A very versatile and accurate cartridge, with alot of combinations.

 

[grassassin]

ELR is an actual game/sport/whatever - for centerfire, it's generally regarded as "longer than PRS distances", starting at something like 1500 yards and moving out from there. The reason you got the "6mm for ELR?" thing is that a 6mm of most flavors is going to struggle there - if anything, because lack of energy on target is going to limit your ability to even know you hit the target. If they don't have flashers, it's totally possible to hit the target and no one can tell.

I've hit a target at a mile with my 6GT multiple times - and the only way we knew from the firing line was that we could barely hear the impact.

That's not to say you can't go give it a whirl, and have some fun at it - especially in a casual setting, just like you can drag race the ol' Camry and have some fun with that, to

A bit of miscommunication on my part. When using the term "ELR" I mean reaching out toward the maximum range of a cartridges' ability to remain somewhat predictable. Going forward I will keep in mind that the meaning of "ELR" has become more concrete in terms of a fixed distance (i.e., greater than ~1500 yds). Learning the nuts and bolts of a discipline is often as much about what to call the nuts and bolts as screwing with the nuts and bolts themselves.

 

[grassassin]

View attachment 8675823

 

[TheOE800]

View attachment 8679343

 

[grassassin]

I really like the GT.. I’ve developed some fantastic rounds using my 550 Dillon and using volumetric powder throw with 6.5 Staball… no trickling for me!!! So if a round can use Staball I’m in… photo is a 20 rounds group out of a Faxon barrel on a day with 15 mph wind… minimal load development. I’m taking a hard look at the 25GT as well now… alpha makes brass and seems you can get the 135s up to 2700 fps out of a 26” barrel with Staball… or going 25 Creed. But that’s a problem for future me. ATM I’m loving 6GT. 6BR will be great as well, but I hate tricklers….

I planned on using Varget for 6 BR, but in the event that I get tired of trickling in the future are there any ball powders that work well for 6 BR?

 

[grassassin]

Okay folks, it’s time to bring to a close the whirlwind of anxiety that erupted after my moment of weakness, when the Tiger tempted me away from my intended partner, the steadfast 6BR.


First off, a massive thank you to everyone who chimed in with their wisdom, experiences, and opinions. Shooters generously shared their knowledge so I feel compelled to share what I have learned.

We had advocates for the traditional, tried and true 6 BR, reminding me of why I chose this cartridge in the first place:

Ease in load development
Long barrel life
No fire forming

Then the siren song of the Gay Tiger. Ah, the allure of something newer, perhaps a bit more... flamboyant, promising:

An exciting future with hotter velocities
More versatility in terms of bullet weight
Availability of factory ammo
Ability to use standard 308 mags
Wider variety of powders

And let's not forget the proponents of the 6 BRA and 6 Dasher – the slightly wilder cousins of the 6 BR. "Have you considered her slightly spicier relative who really knows how to dance (handle higher velocities, higher bullet weights) but is also presentable to the parents (brass life, barrel life, ease of load development)?"

The volume of sensible, informed yet conflicting advice from different shooters highlights a basic truth, whether you're choosing a cartridge or a wife: there are many excellent options out there but there is no “perfect.” What works well for one person and their specific goals might not even be the best, but as many here pointed out, there are more important things than obsessing over the minutiae of cartridge selection, like a good training regimen, quality reloading components, etc. Hell, a great reticle is probably vastly more impactful to shooting well as the slight advantage one of these cartridges may provide over the other.

As one shooter put it, as long as you can get Lapua or Alpha brass and run Bergers around 2800 fps it doesn't really matter for PRS. I am still developing my eye for spotting bullet trace, so I am not trying to go anywhere past 2800. More like 2700 if that velocity range provides a decent node.

Since 6 BR, 6 BRA, 6 Dasher, and 6 GT all fit the bill for the above requirements in brass, bullets, and velocity, I am going to just call it. I already told the fine folks at MPA that I am sticking with my original choice of 6 BR. Was that my final decision, they asked. Yes.

I could spend a lifetime, or at least way too much time, agonizing over specs, comparing ballistics, and considering anecdotes and still wonder if I made the "perfect" choice. After weighing the pros and cons of each from a purely logical perspective, the BRA or the Dasher appeal to me the most. But here's the lesson for me, the universal truth that applies equally to rifles and relationships: At some point, you just have to make a decision and commit.

You've done your research, considered the advice, and weighed the pros and cons. Fretting forever about whether the grass is greener on the other side is a recipe for analysis paralysis and a lonely, cartridgeless existence. So, after much soul-searching and late-night spec checking I've realized that my initial commitment to the 6mm BR was a sound one. No more cartridge selection jitters.

Ultimately, the success of any marriage, er, cartridge selection, isn't solely about the initial choice, but about the effort you put in after the commitment. It's about learning her quirks, finding the right load, and building a strong, reliable partnership.

So, I'm committing to the 6 BR. I'm ready to embrace her for who she is, work through any... feeding disagreements... that may arise, and build a beautiful, accurate future together.

Thank you all again for your advice during this moment of last-minute cartridge jitters. Through this thread I have also learned what is the diameter of 6 BR case flash holes, a more accurate definition of ELR, and that Hornady brass is shit and will get you made fun of in the SH. Now wish me luck!

P.S. To the Gay Tiger and your tempting ways: Perhaps we'll meet again in the future, when I'm ready for a second... rifle, of course. Don't tell my BR.

 

[4O6shootist]

I planned on using Varget for 6 BR, but in the event that I get tired of trickling in the future are there any ball powders that work well for 6 BR?

Stabal 6.5 works for heavies, gonna be starting around 37.5 and work up to 39-40gr. I'm sure stabal match would work starting around 31gr and work up.

Ball powders are known to have high temps instability, where as the stabal line is a lot better but not quite as good as most extruded. Those are the two I would recommend trying for all weather loads.

 

[CK1.0]

IMHO 6BR or 6GT do the same things, so pick whatever seems easier for you with what stuff you already have.

6BR is slightly more efficient, but limits one on powder choice and on how heavy they can go with projectiles. 6GT is more versatile since you can use more powders and go up to 115s if one chooses.

Seems like even though 6GT is newer, brass seems easier to track down, while 6BR brass can be more elusive.

Just pick one, either one will work.

 

[VikingSinEater]

I planned on using Varget for 6 BR, but in the event that I get tired of trickling in the future are there any ball powders that work well for 6 BR?

Staball 6.5 has a very similar burn rate, but it does much better when loaded to nearly case full. It is a ball powder but I have found it to be pretty temp stable. Maybe gain 20 FPS going from 60 degree morning to a 90 degree afternoon. I would def try it out, but I do not have a 6BR atm.

 

[JR1200W3]

I've shot SB65 in a BR. Agree with everything in the above post. 28" Bartlein. 300yd groups.

 

[Dead Eye Dick]

I suspect that so much of these threads comes down to “use xx round because”. The because is because its my favorite or its what I use.

I have a lot of experience with the BR series of rounds. And, I might say, not particularly fond of them. Dropped them in favor of the TCU cartridges in handgun silhouette. They worked, and were not a problem in single shot bolt handguns, but fat and lazy and shot out my elbow and destroyed targets.

So, is this any reason to discourage others from using them in Precision Rifle? Probably not. But, the GT seemed to make more sense. Why? feeding from standard mags, enough powder space to push heavy bullets, but in the sort of “Goldie Locks” range of being just right powder capacity and case length and barrel life.

Enough sense, that moving one rifle back to an even larger round, the infamous 6.5 Creedmoor makes even more sense. Never been unhappy with the 6, it shoots with light recoil, does a nice job with wind resistance and is fairly miserly with powder. Unfortunately it likes premium gas (Varget) and Premium oil (Berger Hybrids). Still, I will always keep “Ole Hobbes” a GT. My experience with the 6.5, stuff something in it that burns, and stick something out front that has some lead and guilding metal around it and it will shoot just fine.

So, as always, I say, try to find some buddies who own rifles in the various rounds one is considering and ask to shoot them. While not a perfect review, it gives an idea.

 

[VikingSinEater]

And if you don't like 6BR for whatever reason, you can just change out a barrel.... and shoot something else. The ARC CDG action that that MPA comes with is a great action and it's on a good chassis, so... shoot away and if you ever want to change... you can (unlike me... who always seems to just make another rifle...)

 

[steve123]

I have a lot of experience with the BR series of rounds. And, I might say, not particularly fond of them. Dropped them in favor of the TCU cartridges in handgun silhouette. They worked, and were not a problem in single shot bolt handguns, but fat and lazy and shot out my elbow and destroyed targets.

How'd you hurt your elbow?

I used to use Contenders in 7TCU for Silhouette but if I had to do it over again I'd go for 6mmBR with a 7.5 twist/115's and a bolt pistol, or heck a easy neck up to 25/6mmBR.

Fortunately had no wrist or elbow problems.

 

[Dead Eye Dick]

How'd you hurt your elbow?

I used to use Contenders in 7TCU for Silhouette but if I had to do it over again I'd go for 6mmBR with a 7.5 twist/115's and a bolt pistol, or heck a easy neck up to 25/6mmBR.

Fortunately had no wrist or elbow problems.

This is a very old picture. (With my 7TCU which was, in those days the money gun, shot more clean scores than all the rest of our handguns combined). Getting back to the subject at hand, The way I shot, as the handgun recoiled, my elbow took all the recoil. Until I switched to the TCU, I had to wear an elbow brace.

(Not that fat anymore either. And we totally rebuilt that range, had it looking very nice, then lost the blasted lease . ).

 

[lash]

Ah, the Creedmoor position.

 

[carbonbased]

Ah, the Creedmoor position.

< snort > wahahahaha!!

 

[steve123]

This is a very old picture. (With my 7TCU which was, in those days the money gun, shot more clean scores than all the rest of our handguns combined). Getting back to the subject at hand, The way I shot, as the handgun recoiled, my elbow took all the recoil. Until I switched to the TCU, I had to wear an elbow brace.

(Not that fat anymore either. And we totally rebuilt that range, had it looking very nice, then lost the blasted lease . ).



View attachment 8680952

Fun times back then!

In my mid 60's now I look back at all the different types of rifle and pistol matches I've tried with a great big smile!
It's weird how fun shooting steel is, especially knocking them off a stand, or getting that falling back flat reaction, like in Field Target airgun matches.

The last few years we started a airgun Silhouette match off bucket and shooting sticks. Not easy hitting a 1/5th scale chicken at 80Y with a pellet going 811 fps having a G1 BC of .032.