Range Report 6mm experience-.243 and 6mm remington

[Rthur]

I would like to hear experience with these two rounds. I'm looking to build a rifle for my wife and looking for some info on these (.243-6mm Rem) in particular. Average barrel life, brass availability ect.

thanks Rthur

 

[kraigWY]

Re: 6mm experience-.243 and 6mm remington

I built a 243 Win on a Model 70 action for my wife. I had the action laying around, put on a douglas premium barrel and a new Winchester M-70 stock.

I wanted to try it out before I blued it. I shot it at a target I'd been shooting my 45-70 on, first three rounds after sighting it in were smaller then a one shot group from my 45-70.

Told my wife it wasn't any good and I'd have to make her another one (with plans on keeping this one my self). That was a no-go. She was watching me shoot it.

First three rounds she shot was one each at my 100, 200, & 300 yard gongs. She hit all three. Her fouth and fifth round brought home a deer each.

Outstanding little hunting rifle for deer/antelope. Mild shooter (my wife had broken her back and has three rods between her shoulder blades).

I put a 4X leopold scope and mounts. That was about 12 years ago. She shot it last week and the zero hasn't moved.

I reload, but if one didn't, the 243 W would be a better round for finding ammo, at least around here anyway.

 

[Captain Kirk]

Re: 6mm experience-.243 and 6mm remington



A few good articles here is you havnt already seen them. Most of the answers you will get here will be biased towards the 243, including mine

. I hear many talk about very short barrel life out of the 243 and the likes, I run 115 DTAC BN coated bullets exclusively and am sitting at around 1800 rounds out of a custom barrel and it shows no sign of falling off. Barrel life depends a lot on how you shoot, but velocity does play a role. Brass for the 243 is easier to find as well.


6mm Remington

243 Win

 

[Rthur]

Re: 6mm experience-.243 and 6mm remington

Thanks for the info gents. The performance of both is very close. I was wondering if the longer neck design on the 6mm might be a little easier on the throat. If I could get your load data Capt. that would be great.(velocity included)
thanks

Rthur

 

[zipollini]

Re: 6mm experience-.243 and 6mm remington

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rthur</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I would like to hear experience with these two rounds. I'm looking to build a rifle for my wife and looking for some info on these (.243-6mm Rem) in particular. Average barrel life, brass availability ect.

thanks Rthur </div></div>

Rthur - The 243-6mm Rems are considered barrel burners. They have a case capacity equal to the 6.5-284 at around 54gr. Take a look at these articles on the 6XC. Same ballistics, longer barrel life (XC has a case capacity of 48.3gr), easy mag feeding, great brass (Norma), one hell of a pedigree, etc.

http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/6xc/

http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/6xc-for-competitive-shooting/

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2009/09/normas-6xc-delivers-outstanding-performance/

Match grade loaded ammo available - http://www.davidtubb.com/6xc-precision-ammo-50-rounds

All the reloading dies - http://www.davidtubb.com/6xc-seating-die?&search_id=69175

 

[Ouch!!]

Re: 6mm experience-.243 and 6mm remington

They say the 6mm rem ai has really good barrel life compared to .243 if your looking for a great hunting rifle I think a .243 is good and well played shots put deer down easily. Shooting wise its a very awesome cartridge for tactical matches etc etc.

 

[supratt96]

Re: 6mm experience-.243 and 6mm remington

I currently have a Cooper M22 in 6mm Remington and had a Remington 700 VS in 6mm Rem many years ago. I still regret to this day ever selling it.

While I love my 6mm Cooper (which to be honest, I bought largely out of nostalgia), I would still advise anyone debating between the the 6mm Rem and a .243 to go with the .243.

Here's why:
- Both are extremely accurate and have similar performance. In actuality, the 6mm Rem has a slight advantage in velocity, but only if the action/throat/magazine it is used in is long enough to accomodate the longer 57mm case (vs 51mm case for the .243) without having to deep seat the bullet. A standard short action rifle may not allow the 6mm Rem to truley shine. This is why I went with a single shot Cooper for mine.

-Factory loadings for the 6mm Remington are very limited. I would only recommend it to shooters who reload.

-No premium brass available for 6mm Rem, although I have found Remington brass to be acceptable. Plenty of premium brass available for the .243.

-I have heard that the 6mm Rem is supposed to be easier on barrels due to the longer neck, but not sure I buy that. Seems more theoretical than proven. I have about 500 rounds through my Cooper and can detect no measurable throat erosion yet, but I have been pretty gentle with it. As previously mentioned, barrel wear will vary greatly depending on how the rifle is used and the intensity of the loads. In my opinion, in regard to deciding which chambering to go with, I would consider barrel life to be a draw.