Should I switch cartages?

[186thFCo]

Hello everyone,

I started shooting PRS this year as regional competitor. I have been shooting in the production division using an Aero Solus in 6.5 CM and it has been great but I'm at the point where I want to order a new barrel so I have one ready for next season. My question is, is there any advantage or enough of an advantage if I switch from a 6.5mm to a 6mm? Something like the 6GT. I've shot my buddies 6GT and its nice, but I have never used it in a match. I like my 6.5CM and other than the barrel of the factory Solus being too short IMO it has done very well with factory Hornady 140gr ELD-M's. There are a ton of people at the matches that are shooting 6mm's and I have asked this question and the answers I normally get is that the recoil is less so it is easier to spot your misses but at the same time the 6mm's have less splash.
Also, I wanted to mention that even though I have used factory ammo this year I am set up to reload so I'm not counting the need for making my own ammo as a disadvantage, other than I haven't had any issues finding match ammo in stores for my rifle. Also I don't want to use I 6mm CM, 1000 round barrel life doesn't make sense to me.

Thanks in advance, Josh

 

[OREGUN]

Careful what you believe. 6CM will go over 1000 rounds, easy. I recently retired one at 2700 and another has 1700 with no signs of slowing. It’s a no brainer if you don’ t want to waste training hours reloading.
6 MM will improve your scores and if you don’t mind reloading, BR, BRA, or Dasher is what you want. It’s retarded easy to load for, to shoot, to see impacts and to have dope that compares with everyone in your squad so you can become a wind call scavenger and avoid thinking for yourself.

25x47 is the new hotness with recoil somewhere between 6CM and 6.5cm. Might be worth looking at depending on where you shoot….big country on windy days or golf-course ranges that have no wind?

 

[186thFCo]

Careful what you believe. 6CM will go over 1000 rounds, easy. I recently retired one at 2700 and another has 1700 with no signs of slowing. It’s a no brainer if you don’ t want to waste training hours reloading.
6 MM will improve your scores and if you don’t mind reloading, BR, BRA, or Dasher is what you want. It’s retarded easy to load for, to shoot, to see impacts and to have dope that compares with everyone in your squad so you can become a wind call scavenger and avoid thinking for yourself.

25x47 is the new hotness with recoil somewhere between 6CM and 6.5cm. Might be worth looking at depending on where you shoot….big country on windy days or golf-course ranges that have no wind?

I shoot in the New England area. I just went out to MKM and did the Pro Match there last weekend but that is the furthest I have been west. Catskill NY at Sheepdog has some crazy wind that will switch on you in an instant.

I have seen talk about the 25cal's recently. What kind of performance are people getting out of the 25x47?

 

[JLandis]

25 Creedmoor seems to be making an appearance as well. Least in the Kansas/Oklahoma area. Less recoil of 6.5, easier shot spotting than 6mm.

 

[OREGUN]

The 25s have astonishingly high BC but there are fewer bullet choices. I think they really shine as winds go up (say above 12 mph) and when terrain dictates shooting into high wind gradients (over canyons, for example). In terms of a 10 mph wind that’s switching from 11 to 2, you still have to be able to sense and react to that change so if you can’t do that, or until you can, it won’t matter what bullet you shoot. 25CM and 25x47, like 6.5CM, .260 REM, and 6.5x47, and 6CM and 6x47, and for that matter, 6BR, BRA and Dasher, are all variations on the same theme. You can read a million opinions on how one is better than another. The point is, pick the size bullet you want to use and then the chambering that gives the best performance. Any of them can win matches.

The recoil advantage, bullet selection, and ease of load development in the small 6s (6BR based chamberings) far outweighs any perceived disadvantage in splash for most shooters.

Given your region, I’d stick with one of the easy button 6mm chamberings until I was winning matches on the regular or until I was thinking about shooting matches out west. But do as the spirit moves you. Ultimately what you train with and how you train will dictate your performance more than which cartridge you choose.

 

[ToddKS]

25 Creedmoor seems to be making an appearance as well. Least in the Kansas/Oklahoma area. Less recoil of 6.5, easier shot spotting than 6mm.

25GT as well. I just got my 25GT barrel but have not had the chance to shoot it yet.

 

[Jefe's Dope]

6 Dasher now that Alpha makes brass and MDT makes a follower that helps w/ the gap in the .308 mags. Other than that, 6GT for similar reasons except no spacer needed in the mags. I think 6 Dasher is easier to find load for but 6GT isn't far behind. I load for speed now, 6GT, and really don't worry about finding a "node". Most of the work has already been done for you and there's a lot of load data available to work with.

 

[GeoDude]

Are you a big dude? And will your buddy let you run his gun through a small local match? Morgan King runs a 6.5 and he kills it.

 

[ToddKS]

Hello everyone,

I started shooting PRS this year as regional competitor. I have been shooting in the production division using an Aero Solus in 6.5 CM and it has been great but I'm at the point where I want to order a new barrel so I have one ready for next season. My question is, is there any advantage or enough of an advantage if I switch from a 6.5mm to a 6mm? Something like the 6GT. I've shot my buddies 6GT and its nice, but I have never used it in a match. I like my 6.5CM and other than the barrel of the factory Solus being too short IMO it has done very well with factory Hornady 140gr ELD-M's. There are a ton of people at the matches that are shooting 6mm's and I have asked this question and the answers I normally get is that the recoil is less so it is easier to spot your misses but at the same time the 6mm's have less splash.
Also, I wanted to mention that even though I have used factory ammo this year I am set up to reload so I'm not counting the need for making my own ammo as a disadvantage, other than I haven't had any issues finding match ammo in stores for my rifle. Also I don't want to use I 6mm CM, 1000 round barrel life doesn't make sense to me.

Thanks in advance, Josh

I made this same switch (6.5 CM to 6 GT) back in 2020. I definitely found it easier to shot the 6 GT successfully vs. the 6.5 CM.

I like the 6 GT because it does not require mag spacers and it will work with a variety of powders. Varget is my preference, but if that becomes scarce I can use H4350 or 6.5 Staball with good results.

The downside is you are realistically giving up the factory ammo option. There is loaded ammo available, but it has to be ordered. You can't just walk into any store and buy it like you can the 6.5 CM.

If you want to change calibers, and you can fund the transition, now is the time. Components are readily available. Buy enough brass, primers, powder and bullets to load 2000 rounds of the new caliber. There is risk of components becoming scarce again with the election coming up.

 

[The4GunGuy]

I switched from 6.5 CM to 6mm BRA 3 years ago and glad I did...much less recoil, I run slow (2780) and get 3,000 rounds out of a barrel...If you're gonna reload, BUY POWDER NOW...there is a shortage of nitrocellulose and it's only being used for gov't contracts for a long time to come, so powder will be very scarce.

 

[Dead Eye Dick]

I'm no pro, but do a lot of shooting. I swapped out my 6.5 barrel to 6GT to match my other centerfire precision rifle. (for economy of effort, loading enough cartridges for two separate rifles, when going to a match is twice the work. Now, just load enough 6GT for one rifle and done).

Point, I find that the GT is much easier to keep on target. Even with rifles as light as mine (18-11) with a good brake, recoil does not exist. The 6.5 is easier to spot hits on targets, but in my case, I have to hit them first, then I can worry about where I hit them.

Still own an RPR in 6.5, nice rifle to have around. We put a carbon barrel on it and a lightweight buttstock, did some other work, and Brenda adopted it and loves it.

For competition use, I don't think you will be unhappy with one of the 6's.

 

[Ronn]

Hello everyone,

I started shooting PRS this year as regional competitor. I have been shooting in the production division using an Aero Solus in 6.5 CM and it has been great but I'm at the point where I want to order a new barrel so I have one ready for next season. My question is, is there any advantage or enough of an advantage if I switch from a 6.5mm to a 6mm? Something like the 6GT. I've shot my buddies 6GT and its nice, but I have never used it in a match. I like my 6.5CM and other than the barrel of the factory Solus being too short IMO it has done very well with factory Hornady 140gr ELD-M's. There are a ton of people at the matches that are shooting 6mm's and I have asked this question and the answers I normally get is that the recoil is less so it is easier to spot your misses but at the same time the 6mm's have less splash.
Also, I wanted to mention that even though I have used factory ammo this year I am set up to reload so I'm not counting the need for making my own ammo as a disadvantage, other than I haven't had any issues finding match ammo in stores for my rifle. Also I don't want to use I 6mm CM, 1000 round barrel life doesn't make sense to me.

Thanks in advance, Josh

I’m in the same boat, shooting a 6.5 creed thinking about moving to a 6gt. I feel like shooting a 6.5 creed is like having an easy button though, there’s been a few matches where the wind picked up and I was easily able to make impacts on some of the longer targets. Even the skinnier targets where more experienced shooters were struggling. I’m worried that if I move to a smaller lighter round that I’m going to have to fight the wind more. I also hate shooting with muzzle breaks, I usually use a suppressor so that was one reason why I think moving down to a 6mm might help with recoil. I’m still on the fence.

 

[Rio Precision Gunworks]

It likely won't matter too much if you switch from 6.5 to a 6mm. You'll pick up a few immediate points if your recoil management isn't that great with the 6.5. But after you get to a certain point, it's kinda a wash. Plenty of top guys have ventured back to 6.5 or to a 25 and still won matches with them.

As far as which 6mm, write them all down on pieces of paper, put them in a hat and pick one. They all basically do the same thing.

6cm isn't too terrible on barrel life, however it can be less consistent on barrel life. I've burned out more than a handful 6cm and it's ranged from 900rnds to 2500rnds. Where most of the other 6mm don't have that kind of swing in barrel life.


The best course of action is to spin up two barrels. A 6.5cm and a 6mm whatever. See which you prefer and if you like them both, use the 6.5 at matches that average further distances or have more wind.

 

[kthomas]

Go for a new cartridge if you want to try something new. Don't get a new cartridge if all you are seeking is more hits at a match.

6.5 Creedmoor is a fine PRS cartridge, it's won it's fair share of competitions, and going to a 6mm isn't going to be a needle mover.

However, if you want a new cartridge for the sake of trying something different, by all means. Lots of great 6mm cartridges out there. I love my 6BRA, it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot.

 

[Hecouldgoalltheway]

I burned up my 6 creed barrel in about 1,400 rounds, give or take 20 rounds. I know a handful of people who are going from a 6mm to 6.5cm for prs just because it is so easy. Long barrel life, dirt cheap factory match ammo everywhere that will shoot as well as you can, and can be purchased for less than you can buy the components. You'll never be upset that you have it when the wind kicks up, and you'll probably never wonder if you hit the plate. If you have good fundamentals and are already set up with a 6.5cm, I'm not sure what you'd actually stand to gain by going to a 6mm other than a slight reduction in recoil.

 

[Niles Coyote]

I assume you have lots of brass... my vote is to stay with your 6.5 and load those 140's down to mid to low 2600's. You'll be in the same recoil energy as the 25's and with the longer flight time you may see more than 6mm's do running 200fps faster.

 

[FieldGaugeFailure]

Also, I wanted to mention that even though I have used factory ammo this year I am set up to reload so I'm not counting the need for making my own ammo as a disadvantage, other than I haven't had any issues finding match ammo in stores for my rifle.

Are you experienced at reloading, or are you just setup this year to reload? If you're new/just getting into reloading, I would avoid making the move for competition and just continue shooting factory until you get a lot of batches/testing under your belt.