With a pocket full of 5 round detachable box single stack mags, I see the T3 in 6mm Rem as a fine general purpose, jackrabbits to rockchucks to coyotes to mulies kind of rifle.
Just leave it at 243 and I'd agree with you. I think the 24s are going to see a major uptick in popularity as the general population ages a bit more. Flat shooting, light recoil, great bullets--what's not to like?
".243 Win For Tactical Comps We asked GA Precision's George Gardner why he chose .243 Winchester for his Tactical Comp Gun. He replied, "Why would I run anything else? Think about it. I'm sending a .585 BC 115 at 3150 fps--that'll shoot inside the 6XC and .260 Rem with ease. I'm pretty sure I have found the Holy Grail of Comp Rifles. There are no brass issues like you can get forming .260 brass. I don't have to worry about doughnuts, reaming necks--none of that. And the choice in brass is great too--run Lapua if you want max reloads and great accuracy. Run Winchester if you're on a budget, and so you won't cry if you lose some cases in a match. I can get 10-round mags, and feeding is 100% reliable, since the case is identical to a .308 except for the neck. Accuracy-wise, I don't think I'm giving up anything to the .260 Rem or the 6XC." We then asked George if he'd considered using a .243 AI instead: "Yeah, the cases look cool with that 40� shoulder, but I think the standard .243 feeds a little better. And I don't think I really need the extra performance of an improved case. Run the ballistics for my load--115 moly DTAC at 3150 fps. You've got less windage than a 2950 fps 6.5-284, with cheaper brass, cheaper dies, cheaper bullets, and less recoil."
dave
dave thanks for that...guys I can't speak to pressures and what it takes to get that velocity of 3100-115.The author emphasized he was trying to get an "easy" 2950-3000 fps from the case. I don't remember the barrel length...
keith, ye you are likely right. The author was a match shooter.He stated he was not leaning on it hard at 2950-3000.But he had a lotta barrel there....
I looked at the 6mmSLR, but went the 6mm Crusader. Bring on the 6.5's boys. The Crusader is a hammer that cannot be ignored.
I am a die hard .243 guy that pushes the 115's to 3,000fps with ease.
Not sure why I thought I needed to FF something and have to dedicate more time to reloading, but from what I have done so far with the Crusader it looks as I will not have any regrets what so ever.
Hoping to run against the 6SLR at the next Varmint Match we shoot by not sure they will have it finished up.
I will most likely only run 115's, but maybe 105A Max for deer hunting. Another I know runs the 6Crusader with 105's and is getting 3350fps without much effort at all.
I am a bit interested in this......something very low recoil yet fully capable of great accuracy at "long range".....
Great possibilities as a LR varmint target round and with plenty of punch for varmints/deer without kicking the hell out of you.
115 6mm VLD's etc at 3100 fps seem like a very good combo for varmints and targets;cases very easy to form,dies available...great accuracy from what I read...kinda like a scaled-down 6.5/284(?)
Surely someone here has used it and can comment...all input welcome!
Bob, Good subject; I'm interested in much the same thing.
Just guessing here, but I would have to believe the George Gardner quote was from before he developed the 6mm Crusader, basically a 6mm AI with a 30 or 32 degree shoulder and a slight taper (don't hold me to it). Asked my gunsmith the same question about most bang for your buck in a SA 6mm, since he has had the 6x284, the 6 AI and the 6x47 Lapua AI, and he said for the best velocity/bbl life combo with bullets of 90gr. or less go with the 6mm AI. I fully intend to take his word for it, the man knows much more than I do, but hell, lots of you folks here know more than I do. Just though I'd contribute.
A 6AI would be the biggest 6 I'd do, the 284 will fry a throat quick, and the 22/284 quicker yet. Performance comes at a price, one is $$, the other is time and hassle. Having a lathe or smith who can swap barrels in short order helps.
A 95-115 at these speeds sure gives one a flat shooting deer killing rifle w/reach and at low recoil.
Not a thing wrong w/a good 243 or 6Rem, but having used both of those and the 6BR, the longer neck and sharper shoulder of the latter 2 have no downside if they are feeding fine.
The 243 may not be quite as efficient, but they always feed slick, esp. in the two Sako's I ran - an AII and L579. A custom likely would esp. impress though one must ask how often they will shoot it, and need to trim brass. I never minded it, but would consider some of the newer rounds as worthy of strong consideration.
The 6 Rem I had was a Ruger 77V, chopped at 21", that old Tang model would put 5 bullets using 97gr VLD Hammett bullets into one ragged hole using FC brass, BR primer, and H450 (disc.). It really impressed me as having an edge in accuracy, though I never shot a heavy bbl 243, all mine have been sporters.
If you can call a round sexy, that pic above by Aalf sure looks nice!
Bob - no doubt a 6mm given today's bullets, is better than ever when looking for a do it all paper thru deer round, think you'd be mighty pleased, but figure you'd enjoy it so much, you'll either leave enough shank for a set back, or just buy 2 bbls at one, chamber both, index the spare, and be ready for a swap
Having loved and owned my share of 6mm's, 6.5s and a few 7/08s and 7 Mags, the 6mm's no doubt offer the least recoil, and flat accurate shooting, and when doing your part, deadly outcomes when using proper bullets, or just selecting shot placement with consideration for construction. I have killed deer using 70 TNTs from 6BRs and 243s only b/c that's what my rifle was then sighted for and I wanted to use it for a hunt, and understood I would only fire if I had the shot I wanted. Neck and lung shots were deadly, but I have done the same with 95 BTips, and 105 amax's whether lung/neck with both, or even a head shot w/amax not wanting to wound a deer at close range in the woods at dusk.
The 6s are a fantastic choice and you can't go wrong with an accurate one! Bore life goes up w/bore size as you know, but I always enjoyed the 6's more than larger rounds, and I think even more than 22s, though I have yet to try say a 22BR or 22-250/AI w/fast twist using 75-80's, etc. Odds are they would impress also, but bore life may suffer further. Not sure all states are '22 cal deer legal' either.
I'd go 243AI myself for the easy route--short neck or not (it hasn't seemed to ever hinder the 300WinMag). Gives enough room to seat long bullets in a short magazine.
No doubt, it's nit picking talking these 6s like comparing the 6.5s in 47, 260, or Creedmoor. All work and well in accurate rifles.
On seating depth, I say who cares if a bullet goes deep in the case, if it's accurate, it's not a big deal. In the field, odds are most would not be able to shoot the difference in any of them.
dave thanks for that...guys I can't speak to pressures and what it takes to get that velocity of 3100-115.The author emphasized he was trying to get an "easy" 2950-3000 fps from the case. I don't remember the barrel length...
I was right at 3k with 115's out of a 26in Schneider 243 match rifle. It was not near max velocity. That gun is SOOO easy to shoot and that bullet has worked great on deer out to just shy of 600, that I will be rebarreling a hunting M7 with a med. contour twisted for that round....
I had a CATBIRD (6MM-270 Winchester) built for me 2 years ago and use 105gr Amax handloads.My gunsmith here in Dallas has built several of them for dawg shooters and have confirmed kills out to 1250yds.I've shot deer,hogs and varmints with it and I'm very pleased with it.I've never chronoed it but he tells me it's faster than a 240 Weatherby which he owns and shoots.
Saw an interesting magazine cover the other day at Wally World. Believe it was Outdoor Life. Had an article in there about their 1000yd project gun. It was chambered 6mm Creedmoor. 105 AMAX at a tad over 3000.
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