Going to pick up a donor rifle this weekend. Choice depends on bolt face. I want it for shooting 100-200-300 score matches, and 100-200 group. Under this criteria, would you pick a 223 to be converted to 222, or a 308 to 6 BR. Always wanted a deuce, but the 6 BR looks interesting and I already have 4 22 cals. What say you??

I have been there and done that however it was long ago. These days many shoot the service rifle in 223 here in CT in position matches.

Back then most shot the 30-06 which was not necessary for our 200 yds but the service cartridge.

I chose the 243 as I wanted both a long range varmint round and a heavy barrel rifle for our target shooting. It worked out well with reduced loads for target. I wore the barrel out on that rifle and bought a 6mm Rem. International chambered 40X. That rifle was even better because it was heavier and had a better stock for target shooting.

For yourself you should go to the matches your interested in and find out what they are shooting and why they made that choice.

Let that influence your decision.

While I liked my old 222 that I got back in 1953 (60 years ago!) it may be obsolete now in terms of being so close to the 223 anyway.

Here is my 40X match rifle shown with a test scope. We shoot the matches with irons.

Our range these days.

If you are shooting NBRSA or IBS score use a 30BR. If shooting group use a 6PPC. You could use the 30BR for group also. Many do.

Doc, you guessed it. NBRSA, IBS. Been doing fairly well with a cooper 21 in 223. I have shot some 30 BR and discused the merits with quite a few people. The score shooters definitely have the advantage with the 30 but the 6 mil guys do pretty well. Been trying to stay away from the PPC mainly due to the amount of work in the brass, and the fact that most first timers with them have had a quite large learning curve. Plus the fact if going PPC I would rather go with a BAT action instead of a donor 700. Not too sure I really want a full blown bench gun which is why I thought a deuce or 6 BR would keep me at least somewhat competitive for the few registered matches I would partake in, otherwise it is mostly for fun and our local clubs that run monthly group and score matches.

Of the two, I would do a 6mmBR, again.
I have a lot of fun with my 30BR for score shooting as well but for a no fuss competitive cartridge, 6mmBR.

I think if you build something besides a 6ppc you'll regret it. Considering recoil of a 68 grain bullet vs. 125 grainer, accuracy potential of a 6 at 300yds over a .22 caliber, the fact that most load information has long been established, you're pushing uphill if you start with something else. Get one chambered with something around a .272 neck and there isn't much prep work beyond running the brass through a 6mm expander, and fire forming.

I understand building something that might be multi-purpose, but a tweener is seldom as good as something built specifically for the job.

JMO but your approach is flawed from the start. If you are really planning on shooting score and group matches I would NEVER use a donor action for competition, start with a BAT or Panda and chamber in 6ppc or 30BR.

For informal target plinking or varmint use I love and have both the 222 and 6BR on donor actions.

I agree with this but think never is closer to the truth rather than "seldom".

Rifles, for BR competition, are rarely suitable for multi discipline use. Don't see many AA Fuel dragsters on the Sprint Cup circuit.

The scoring advantage of a 30 over a 6mm Anything is huge. However, the 30 is somewhat more difficult to shoot consistently. If shooting for score, I would not even consider a 22.
If I wanted to buck the ppc trend for group shooting, I would be inclined to go with a 223 rather than a 222 if using a small bolt face. A 6BR can work quite well as well and a good one is definitely capable of accuracy under .2 moa. The odds are somewhat against being able to do this on a factory action, mind you. GD

This is my pre-64 Model 70 in 6mm Walker International set up as an across the course gun. The metal work was by the late George Fullmer, a nationally known benchrest gunsmith in Oakland, CA, Schneider barrel, McMillan stock, Redfield Palma rear sight and Tompkins front sight with spirit level. The barrel has a good deal of use left in it, but I am selling it and my other rifles at a price which reflects only the value of the action, sights and stock. $1200 plus actual shipping costs to your FFL dealer.

I also have a 40X Remington in 6mm-.250 converted to detachable magazine to allow scope use across the course. I have other rifles in .30-'06, .308, and 7mm-08.

At age 75 I am no longer into competitive shooting and am selling off my match rifles. I am in West Tennessee and the rifles can be inspected by appointment. (731)247-3204

PM me, should you be interested.

Bill Warren

Eddie,
You are funny!! But you are so correct.

Absolutely go 6PPC. No learning curve and brass forming is just too simple.

Why don't you tell that to the newby to 6PPC that blew up his panda action and barrel fire forming. 2 Grand down the tube in 1 pull of the trigger.

What did he do wrong?

Stuck a bullet instead of wax or COW on top of a judicious load of blue dot . Damn lucky he didn't get hurt.

Glad he's ok, but tellyour friend how easy it is to simply fill a case with 133, cap it with a bullet , and yerk the trigger rather than look for new natural selection accelerants.

That does seem like a procedural, rather than cartridge, problem.