<22" Barrel 6mm's - real world experiences??

[idaho1]

I am wanting to do a rifle build in 6XC for comps, plinking at long range and varminting. I have been thinking of using a heavy contour in the 20-22" length rather than the 26+ I am accustomed to.
I am looking info/impressions on this. I have read some on shorter magnums but don't find many experiences in the smaller calibers.
.243, 6XC, 6x47, heck even 6.5CM and .260 info would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[shadydiesel]

Tagging this. In process of gathering parts for my own 22" 6mm match rifle.

 

[Pinkycatcher]

I've got plans to build a do-all rifle in .243 with a 16" bbl. Hodgdon lists data for .243 in a 15" pistol barrel. The difference of those 9 inches (24 to 15) seem to be about 200 fps IF done with the right set up, say H4895 with 95gr bullets. Which while a good chunk, for hunting or distances out to say 400 yards, should be good enough. A 16" model 7 in .243 with a folding stock are my end goal, put a 4-16x on top of it, or maybe even a little bit less.

 

[XLR]

My current comp rifle is a 22" 6x47 Lapua. I run the 105 gr Berger Hybrid at 3040 fps over 39 grains of H4350. It is a semi mild-load so it will work no matter what the conditions or heat. I have not felt that the shorter length has hindered its long range capabilities. I had great success at the OPPS long poke (1365 yards?) this last weekend in 20+ MPH winds. The shorter length is definitely more handy for dynamic situations.

Rifle specs: Chassis: XLR Tactical Lite Carbon, Stiller Specter receiver, 22" Bartlein barrel, Badger micro FTE brake, Steiner 5-25. Total weight as show: 14 lbs 0 ounces.

Thanks, Kyle ~ XLR

I am wanting to do a rifle build in 6XC for comps, plinking at long range and varminting. I have been thinking of using a heavy contour in the 20-22" length rather than the 26+ I am accustomed to.
I am looking info/impressions on this. I have read some on shorter magnums but don't find many experiences in the smaller calibers.
.243, 6XC, 6x47, heck even 6.5CM and .260 info would be helpful.

Thanks

 

[tt66]

My .243 Win started out as a 26" Remington VLS, I sent it to Russell at Scout Supply Co and he trued everything up, set the barrel back and rechambered it, cut the barrel to 16.5" and threaded. It is in a Bell & Carlson stock that is skim bedded. with PTG bottom metal. I was afraid by shortening the barrel I would not be able to shoot the 105's so I stocked up on 87 VMax's. To my surprise, it is shooting the 105's really well. I have not been able to get close to the same accuracy yet with the 87's.

For the 105 A Max's, my best load is 38.2gr of IMR 4350, seated .015 off the lands.

I got the rifle back right before Christmas and with the weather that we have had, I have not been able to stretch its legs yet to see what it will do at distance.

 

[idaho1]

XLR.... That is one sweet stick. Obviously a shooter. Is the proof barrel all that you hoped it would be?

 

[bbcellars]

I have a 20" 6 Creedmoor that Marc at Spartan Precision built for me. Pushes the Hornady 105's at 3015fps...I love it...

 

[nashlaw]

I have a pair of 20" .243s. I have only shot one enough to say much about accuracy. It is a Rem 700 in a Manners T. It is a hammer with 43.0g of H4831 and 105s. I have not done any long range work with it, but accuracy is around .5" at 100 and I see no reason for it not to do well on out there. Twenty inches is great for handling and saving a bit of weight on an M40 contour. Balances well with a sniper fill stock.

 

[canuckr]

I'm running a 22" mcgowen barrel in 243AI on my savage, I am pushing 105 Amax's at 3140, I was just over 3000 with the matrix 117vld's

 

[6brshooter]

Not 22", but my 243ai in a 24" pushes 105 hybrids at 3200 with 47.0 gr h4831sc. With 45.5gr h4350 and same bullet it was stacking up 1/4" groups at 3290. I say was because once it got above 65* that load started to leave very slight ejector marks. Bolt opened like butter on the t3 but 243 Winchester brand brass is like finding hens teeth. Plenty of lapua and nosler brass but don't really want to trash my win brass and rework loads on 4 243 & 243ai rifles.

 

[bbear]

22" Bartlein 6mm creedmoor and 42.2 of h4350 get me 3050fps with 105 hybrid Shot plenty of sub 1/2" groups with it at 800 and in. Taken it out to 1100 and will go further this spring/summer.


3 shots at 800

 

[idaho1]

NIce stuff here! Confirms my suspicion the 26" is not sacred.

 

[Captain Kirk]

NIce stuff here! Confirms my suspicion the 26" is not sacred.

Not at all. A 20" 6mm tube can still get you to 1400 yds supersonic with the right load. I have been running a straight 243 for years as a primary match round, first with 26", now I run a 24" barrel. I shoot with a few guys that have 20" 243s, you loose more elevation than wind, and the velocity you loose with a few inches less barrel can be made up by driving them a little harder.