243 win, AI, or 6mmXC

[CountryBoy]

I know this forum is not short on opinions, so I've got a question for you all.

I'm doing a custom hot rod build and putting together the punch list with my builder as we speak.

The question I'm facing is which of the chambers/rounds to go with. I've done quite a bit of reading, but here's the jest of it I think. Please correct me and please add your comments.

243 win - lot's of brass available, cheap to lapua. Popular and loads are well understood Heard of lots of case stretching reducing the life of the brass. Just go shoot it.

243 AI -Improved of the win version. Can take 5 grains or so more powder for improved performance and a little higher velocity (a little)- fire forming brass - rather be shooting.

6mmXC - Also Improved over the win version. Take 5 grains +/- less powder - improving barrel life. Still very high performance.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[jasonk]

Re: 243 win, AI, or 6mmXC

I went 243 for the just go shoot it factor. I want to shoot it in tactical comps and many have a 3000 to 3100 fps limit to save the steel, the std 243 will do that all while using easy to find brass and no FF.

 

[desertHK]

Re: 243 win, AI, or 6mmXC

Another vote for the regular 243. I love mine. If you can get a fast twist barrel and pushing the 115 grains bullets, you are GTG.

 

[rc2125]

Re: 243 win, AI, or 6mmXC

Went straight 243win here, very happy with that choice!

 

[aqualung]

Re: 243 win, AI, or 6mmXC

Mark,

Did you check out the 6mm Crusader from George over at GAP?

If this works, you should be able to follow the linky:

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1014170#Post1014170

Hope that this helps (Or just gives you even more to think about and re-consider)

Neil

Oh, just edited to say that I have a straight .243 with a 20" bbl on a rem 700.

N

 

[CountryBoy]

Re: 243 win, AI, or 6mmXC

More choices...thanks

Seriously...think the 243 win is the winner this time around - just shoot and go...

It's not like I'm making any real compromises...of what I've seen and what I've heard the 243 win is a shooter in a fast twist with the 115's you mentioned...

I'm not going to win against bench shooters, but I should be able to put holes next to holes in sub 1/5 MOA with the 243 win...

Mark
The Improved versions are indeed "improved", but maybe I can save these improvements for my next barreled action?

 

[scotharr]

Re: 243 win, AI, or 6mmXC

http://www.6mmbr.com/243Win.html

Sounds like you got all the quotes right.

Barrel life is the only real complaint about the 243WIN. The AI version can only make this problem worse with the extra powder.

Personally, I prefer the standardized 243WIN over a 6XC. Even if you shoot thousands of rounds per year, you are only going to save $200 or so going to an XC. If you don't shoot that many rounds per year, then the plain ole 243 seems like a no-brainer.

 

[knockemdown]

Re: 243 win, AI, or 6mmXC

+1 to the 'shoot it now' factor for a fast twist straight .243WIN...

 

[Mag 300]

Re: 243 win, AI, or 6mmXC

Disagree,
Shooting the 6xc in a surgeon and a Tubb

all the performance of the 243 greater barrel life and there easier on powder .
if you shoot a lot and want off the shelf rounds then go 243 if you want to as accurate as possible and reload then I would go 6XC all day long

That should stir the pot

Bill

 

[selfbowhunter]

Re: 243 win, AI, or 6mmXC

country,

i think your 1/5 MOA is a little optimistic in a tactical or hunting type rifle on a consistent basis and in that chambering. there are some rifles that will do it but it is not the norm. there are a lot of benchrest matches won with greater than 1/5 moa AGGREGATES where most everyone was shooting the PPC. i dont think anyone would argue the inherent accuracy potential of the PPC vs. the 243. KEEP IT REAL and you will be very happy with the 243.

chuck

 

[CountryBoy]

Re: 243 win, AI, or 6mmXC

Right...keep it real...Thanks Chuck...resetting expectations now...

I do reload...the only reason I shoot factory rounds anymore is when I can't find brass...

But I reload wsm and 308 comfortably with good results and good consistency...

Believe the 243 win has won this round...if something superior hasn't evolved over the xc when I burn up my first barrel, then I'll look into giving it a run....

Thanks for all the good input.

Mark