Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats 6 X 47 Lapua vs. .243AI

I'm in the decision process on a "Barrel & Blueprint" of a Remington 700 SA. We plan on using an 8 Twist barrel for use with 90-115 grain 6mm/.243 bullets for a sporter/varmit rifle that would be used off of a rest or bags.

My choice will be one of the above cartridges. Particularly interested in the 6 X 47 Lapua because of the small primer case and 30 Degre shoulder.

Thanks,
Ennis

I don't have too much to add except I like the idea of burning less powder. I've got a 6BRX (6BR with shoulder blown forward 0.100") which will be close to the 6x47 and really enjoy it. Shooting 105gr Bergers and Amaxes.

Barrel life should be better with the 6x47 as a result of burning less powder. For high round count varminting that might be a consideration.

Brass for forming both is available from Lapua, so quality isn't a consideration there, but the 243 brass is cheaper.

I went with the 6XC after the same delema. 6lap brass is tough to locate right now. 6XC holds 3 grains more then the Lapua but 7 grains less than the a standard 243. Easier on barrels then the 243AI brass. XC can be made from anything 22-250 up to 308 easily. Lapua makes 308 Palma brass with the small pocket. Should not have the ignition problems once formed down to XC.

I thought they were having trouble lighting up with the small primers? Maybe that was only with the old 308BR cases though????

Suffice to say, the popularity of the 6BR, 6.5x47L, and 6mm version of the L, seems to indicate little problems w/ignition.

I Do believe if you wanted ABSOLUTE reliability in worst case - i.e. very cold temps, the larger primer ctg's may be theoretically and perhaps in real world, better.

IF only the gun mfg's would make 8" ROT 243s, it would question the build of say a 6BR, 6x47L, etc. as THEN you could shoot ALL wt. bullets, and if accurate, it would be cheaper burning up a factory tube. Brass stretch, life, and accuracy may be enhanced w/OTHER 6mms.

I am like Clark98 - and have LOVED many 6BRs I have owned.

70s at 3400+, 95s at 3k, and 105 at 2850 have done all I need in a 6mm (inc. deer to 400 yds), but that is just me.......and case life, powder consumption, bbl life, and accuracy are w/o peer IMHO vs. the larger rounds.

What might be a good plan, get a good shooting 243, wear it out, then bbl in 6BR, and half into it's life, say 2k rounds, re-chamber for a larger round cleaning up the throat and get the last use out of that chosen round.

Then one might get a 'sampling' of 3 rounds to compare.

I have enjoyed 243s, but never found a 6BR lacking and usually found them preferable for MY type of shooting.

No matter which 6 you choose, odds are you will enjoy it during it's productive bbl life

Good call right there...I've been shooting my XC for about 1 1/2 years. Amazing little cartridge..I run a 7.5" twist Bartlein 5R. It likes the 105 scenars real well at 3100fps. I just use Norma brass and have had good consistency with it. Some of it has 10 firings and still going strong.

What about a 6-250? Lots of 22-250 brass out there for forming, and I think Lapua is going to be running some soon?

Of your two I like the Lapua myself...

I do think the Lapua vs. 243 AI is more efficient, and if wanting the ultimate long range 6mm, might try one if Lapua would mfg. brass, but they have said NO many times for whatever reason. Not a big deal, but if I can K.I.S.S. and not form brass nor use one w/a diff headstamp, I will ...hence the BR. Still have a few new boxes of BR from long ago, stuff lasts a LONG time

True a 6/250 would nigh duplicate the 47.

in all reality, most will not wear out a BR, 47'or a .243AI chambered barrel hunting.
6BR, 6x47L, 243AI. All use Lapua brass. So thats a plus in my book
All will work, all will kill deer. How fast you want to run and how much powder do you want to burn?

I still surmise the 47 Lapua is the best compromise of velocity, powder capacity. Mate it to a 8 twist and you are good to go.

ML

ML, true in a hunting rifle, if not on prairie dog mounds

The 47 surely can stretch the trajectory for longer shots requiring less clicks or eliminating some of the error in range estimation or holdover.

If arms/ammo mfg. loaded 6x47 Lapua w/8 twist, the 243 would not be needed....