Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Why do you prefer a .243 over a 6MM?

You know what sounds real sweet is the 25-284 wildcat, 25-06 performance in a cartridge that, well, it looks like a cartridge. I've been listening to E and others, and that round sounds like a blast to reload for and shoot. I actually like the wsm's, but I just am not liking the wssm's, sounds crazy, but I dont like the looks of the cartridge, it just seems too fat and short.

Aggie,

You just gave me a revelation! That must be what is wrong with me. I'm too much like the WSSM. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Too short and too fat! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> The women all seem to go for the .30-06 guys. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Travellingman: Kilometres. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> We went metric and decimal years and years ago. I was lucky. I grew up during the English Imperial measurements/metric conversion period so I can generally handle both. One needs to when dealing with old codgers in the building trade who didn't bother to learn the new system <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

It has always been a thorn in my behind that the cartages based on the 308 case out performs all the ctgs that I have used based on the 7X57 case. This is especially true for factory loads and even the load manuals show this too. The 7x57 case holds more powder than the 308, so I figure that for some reason, the 308 is loaded to a higher pressure and never did know why. Were I choosing between these two, I get the 6mm for that extra case capasity. One thing that has helped the stuff I shoot with the 7x57 case is the Reloader series powders. R-19 and 22 livened up my 257 R and 7X57 to be right respectiable. dingus

Hey dingus, as to why the 7X57 is light loaded by the factories. Can you say Spanish Mauser? Can you say Remington Rolling Block? See, I knew you could. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />


BCR

Lindzsay, Could not remember if it was you or the Ozzies that did metric measurements and miles for the roads. Always screwed me up when I was there. But then, thats not real hard to do. :-) TM

Thanks Boggy,

A 7x57 fully loaded in a modern rifle and using the same
bullets, powder, brass, primers etc, will be faster than the
7mm-08 in its allegedly better 08 case, just as the 6mm Rem
will outpace the .243 Win. More capacity = more velocity.

As for accuracy, it's hard to tell as there are too many
variables rifle-to-rifle within the same production run, much less
from brand-to-brand.

1b

9 3 guy, that gave me a good chuckle also. I like the wsm's, but man I am having a real hard time liking the wssm's, they just seem too short to me, but hey, nothing against anyone who does like them.

The .243 is the more popular cartridge not because it is inherently better, but because by the time Remington pulled its head out of its ass, the .243 was too far ahead to catch.

All that said, the 6mm is a better cartridge, and not because it can get slightly more velocity. Among the commercial ammo companies the .243 is notorious for producing pressure variations when the throat gets a little worn. Just why this is nobody knows, but its the main reason .243 factory loads and published handloads are slower than 6mm loads. It isn't the case capacity; the difference there is almost nothing, a grain or two depending on case thickness.

I got this information from interviews with folks at various ammo, powder and bullet companies. Typical was a conversation with the head of rifle ammo for one of the Big Three companies a couple years ago. According to him, the .243 with 100-grain ammo is one of the weirder cartridges on the list. The problems tend to go away with lighter bullets, but with deer loads, pressures can wander all over the place, both up and down, especially with some wear in the throat. The same strange things don't happen with the 6mm.

But by the time this was discovered (by modern pressure equipment) the round was far too popular. So we still have lots of rifles chambered for it, and lots of factory ammo. But the 6mm is indeed a better designed.

As for the 6mm being too long for a short action: Huh? The base of the average 100-grain spitzer is just about exactly level with to the bottom of the neck when seated to the SAAMI overall length of 2.825 inches.

MD

If I didn't handload, I would opt for the .243. but I do handload, so I shoot the 6mm ( actually AI'd ). It's fantastic with 70 gr BT's. But am currently working with 55's.

Owned about 5 243's over the years, also owned about 8 6mm's over the same period, have NO 243's at present, but still have a 6mm. It's a better cartridge to load for, and brass always seems to last longer [at least in my experience] The ballistic advantage is small, but there. As far as accuracy goes, I have always had less trouble with the 6mm, but the 243 will respond in most cases, just a little more "fiddling" to get consistent accuracy. A shooter of factory-only ammo is probably better off with a 243, but the reloader is better off with the 6mm. JMHO, Eagleye.

According to John Lacy's book, Remington actually considered naming the 6mm Rem, 6mm Rem Mag, and a few barrels were stamped that way in early 1962. It appears that some 700s escaped with the word "Mag" X'd out on those barrels.

Jeff