I do most of my hunting with a Blaser K95. It is a break open single shot, with interchangeable barrels, a short, light, very accurate hunting rifle.

Now, Blaser is chambering for the 6XC cartridge and I am really considering buying one, given the reputation this cartridge has for accuracy and long barrel life.

I would be using it for Alpine Chamois mostly (<90lbs), and will never shoot over 550-600 yards, and had thought of 105gr A-Maxes as a first option.

I do not read more about this petite and nice looking cartridge, and would like to hear about you experiences with it.

Thank you in advance,

BBerg

I have one built off of a Winchester 770 action (an older, bargain version of the post-64 win). After fireforming Winchester 22-250 brass, I threw together some loads with 107 SMKs. If the 5, 5-shot groups that I've fired, none were greater than 0.4", with the smallest group being in the uppper 0.2's.

I REALLY like this round so far. I've had a number of 6mmBR's, and for what I do, I think the 6XC will trump the 6mmBR. The 6mmBR has a bit more accuracy potential, but the reliable feeding of the 6XC is more important to me in a hunting rifle. I've been strongly considering pulling apart my remaining 6mmBR and making a lightweight 6XC.

For what you are describing, the 6XC sounds perfect.

strictly my layman's opinion, to be taken w/ a grain of salt. the 6XC is roughly a "short" .243 that has about 7 g less volume than the .243 win case. the advantages it is designed to provide, longer barrel life, less case stretching, etc., make more sense in high-volume target shooting than for hunting. for a Blaser hunting rifle, I'd just assume use a .243 case for the 105 A-Maxes, and at least a 1-9" twist barrel (does Blaser offer that fast a twist in the .243? thats a consideration too).

all that being said, the 6XC seems to be a great cartridge, and I end up liking just about anything that starts with the 22-250 case. if you don't mind the more limited availability, etc., go for it.

thank you, darrenk75b!

n8dawg6: Blaser's 6XC is 1:8". 243WCF is 1:10". I do not mind the more limited availability, etc., in fact I don't mind since I am looking for something a bit more special than a 243...

the twist rate alone would be a good reason to go with the 6XC then.

Those 7 grains less than a 243 make the 6XC that much more enjoyable to shoot. A number of people extoll the fact that the 6XC is very easy to load for, and thus far my experience is proving this out.

I love the 6mms, and I've had at least one 243, 243ai, 6mmBR, 6x47Lapua, 6x45, but I think the 6XC is becoming my favorite.

I built my 6XC when brass & dies were tough to find..Tubb was building the only dies out there...brass was reformed 22-250...my first die set was from Lee...now they are quite popular...brass is still Norma & Tubb's Norma stamped...I use an 8 twist Pac Nor 27" heavy varmint tube..s/shot Savage action..4200 Tactical 6-24 scope...strictly a table gun for LR p/dogs weighing in at +16#..great accurate cartridge..easy to load...H4895...H4350 & V100 are my powders..much more effiecient than the 243 Win burning 8-9 more grs of powder...

My furthest whitetail kill:
6BR, 105 Amax, 2850mv, 400 yds, LRF, double lunged broadside, golf ball sized exit, deer hit the ground after stumbling 20-25 yds, dead.

I'd happy punch any deer to 600 yds broadside thru lungs w/said AMax via an XC FWIW.

I love 6.5s, but concede if never shooting anything larger than deer/hogs, a 6XC WILL be a Top Contender in 8 twist of course.

A 243 will do as well, but the XC Brass like a 6x47 Lapua will not need the trimming over time and accuracy is BR grade.

I love my 6XC. Plan on rebarreling my 260AI into 6XC at some point in the near future.





Kimber 84M Montana (previously a 7-08) with a Broughton 1:7.3" twist barrel chambered in 6XC. I had the gunsmith recontour the barrel so that it matched the factory barrel through the shank, but tapered to .6" at 24". It's topped with a Nightforce 2.5-10x32 with Zero Stop in Nightforce Ultralight rings on top of a Talley 20MOA base. Weighs 7lbs on the nose (minus the bipod).

Latest range reports and bullets? Seems you were planning on DTACs?

115gr Bergers. Shooting great. I'll have to get some target pictures sometime, but I love everything about the rifle--cartridge, the way it handles, optics, etc.

I am going to send it to Eddie Fosnaugh soon for a paint job and I may swap the scope out for the new 42mm NF and put the 32mm on my AR.

Next we look forward to some field pics - sure you have some hogs and deer that might fear Bergers. What's your speed on latest loads btw? Figure 2850-2900?

If the industry would push the XC w/rifles/ammo, etc. I'd not want for another 243. If it happened, the 6 bore would likely get the appropriate twist, well at least an 8, but sounds like a little faster might be desired or needed if going up to the 115s.

Nice set up.

Clark's 6XC is about model-perfect IMHO as a hunting rifle/cartridge combo,and if Kimber would offer the Montana in 6XC and 6.5 Creedmoor I would have no choice but to jump on them like flies on a picnic roast...I ain't easily impressed but that would be more than a guy should be expected to resist.

Unfortunately I haven't shot anything but paper and steel with it. I'm hoping to change that sometime soon, but we'll see. Hunting opportunities have been pretty limited this last year.

As to speeds, I'm just shy of 2800fps with the 115s. I could probably push them harder, but they shot good at that speed.

How does the 6 xc compare to the 6 creedmoor?

Bb

6 of one, half dozen of the other as far as I can tell.

Pat would be the one to ask though...

http://24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/7614882/Re_Tooled#Post7614882

Dan, I get first dibs when you sell that rifle. In all actuality, I've been considering selling my Stiller-based 6mmBR and building a 6XC almost exactly like yours

I don't have a single complaint about the way this one turned out. I've built a few rifles that I wouldn't change a single thing, and this is one of them.

Darnit Darren! Lol. Maybe when Darren sells it I will have some dough!

Bobin, I echo your sentiment. FORTUNATELY, Rifle companies seldom build what us Loonies want, they are afraid to 'Improve' offerings w/state of the art cartridge designs An accurate 243 would serve well, but the major arms mfg shy from faster twist barrels to spin the heavies.

2800 is not a bad thing w/a 115, should drop deer all day to 500-600 yds if expansion is present. A 105 Amax will if the 115s wont, they should fly 3000-3100. Agree - no need to 'hotrod' a round when your speeds are plenty and accuracy is there. Brass lasts longer anyways.

Enjoy the rifle and update us as you get more range results. Thanks.

Well, finally I finally got my 6XC barrel.

I mounted one of the new Leica ER-i scopes in 3-12x50 and have been to the shooting range twice. Norma showed much lower loads than QL, so for precaution's sake I followed Norma's advise with the result that the first loads were too low so, sooting the cases, so I did not experiment much.

I am loading 105gr AMaxes on Norma brass, with CCI Br-2 and Norma URP powder and so far so good... Without any fiddling, the Amaxes at 3,010 fps print nice triangles, with a 0.6" or smaller, center to center spread.

I am quite happy with this gentle little cartridge and I hope to shoot some does with it before the end of the season, whenever the nasty weather we have here stops.

Best regards,

Alvaro

You guys are getting me pumped. I have a 7.5 twist, 6mm Bartlein blank on order. Plans are for a 6XC. Already have a 243, but I like to try different things.

The other important part of the design was to mag feed using ar15 platform magazines that David Tubbs uses in his Tubb 2000 rifle. The mag feed element was an essential part of the design for use in rapid fire strings of
cross course competitions. The 6xc upped the ante over the .223 in bucking wind at the longer distances

I'm doing 243AI right now on LH Sako 591 action and it has been awesome! But just as soon as the tube starts to wobble I am going to give the 6XC a go.

Trying new things is keeps it all so much fun.

did I write all that schitt above? guess I was jonesing for an XC at the time. still makin do with the pedestrian .243 ...

Never had a 243 shoot like a BR, but EVERY 243 shot sub moa by a good margin. In fairness, not had a custom 243. If building, the XC will be less hassle keeping brass trimmed, but no doubt a 243 is a great round as is, not great on bore life, but easy on the shoulder and high on performance.

Twist is key, too bad every 243 does not have a 9 minimum and 8 preferable ROT.

Factory rifles and ammo in XC and perhaps 6 Creedmoor would be nice to see.

Can't see ANY advantage to having an XC over a .243 in a hunting rifle. Brass is hard to come by and expensive, no loaded ammo, dies are frightfully expensive and hard to find and any accuracy advantage it has is going to be hard to notice in a hunting platform. Only thing I can see is the cool factor. Might have one if it were on a varmint rifle but can't see it on a sporter.

You forgot about running long bullets while still having the cartridge fit into a 2.800" magazine...

Spot on.



A 243 fits fine in a short action with hunting bullets.

A 243 (AI) fits fine in a 2.8" box with A-Maxes and BTHPs just fine, too.





243 all the way for me. It's just too damn simple and good.

Tanner

Yep.

105 VLDs and Hybrids work fine in a short action 243 as well.

I've never owned a 6XC, so I can't comment there....

The 243 is my favorite cartridge. Factory 700's and 77's will easily kiss a 105 before you reach mag box limits. They'll spin 'em too. The Ruger American Rifle will also do the same with its detachable box and is a fun, affordable toy.

Throw a SWFA 6x on top of a 243 RAR and buy some 105's. The results will be more impressive than the $700 you have invested in the platform.

My factory Ruger would not stabilize 105 Scenars, let alone 115 Dtacs. There is a reason cartridges like the Creedmoor and XC were developed. They are shorter cases that still perform yet you aren't fighting mag constraints.

You guys are lying to yourselves if you don't think a 6XC -or- Creedmoor offer nothing on a 243.

I'm not saying either cartridge doesn't, I'm just a 243 fan. I know that Ruger of yours would stabilize the 105 A-Max.

I'm a Creedmoor fan. In fact, I'm having a 6.5 screwed together right now. I choose the Creedmoor over the 260 this time because I truly believe it's a better case design.

So how does a Ruger factory barrel not stabilizing certain bullets have anything to do with mag constraints?

Creedmoor case fan here too. But in a hunting rifle, where one might want to use factory ammo.....or not worry about losing 90 cent a piece brass in the snow, a 243 works excellent.

Did you bother reading prior posts?



A. A ruger has a longer mag box than the 700, so you probably can load longer in a 243. That being said, you are assuming the throat is correct, and you still have that pesky factory twist to contend with that won't stabilize 105's. I have tried it, groups go to schit after 100 yds.

B. I am building my 6XC on an M700, not a Ruger, so the magazine is shorter.

C. Find me a 7.5 twist factory 243.

D. What if you can hit the lands yet barely fit the round in your mag and your throat starts backing up? Do you turn your repeater into a single shot?

There is a reason the 6.5 Creedmoor was developed, to allow more latitude than the 260. Same concept with the 243 vs. Creedmoor -or- XC.

Laffin.... I guess all the 105s I stabilized out to 1000 yards with Remington factory 243 and 6mm Remington barrels were imaginary. Oh yeah, the 243 loads all fit in the magazine just fine.

You really need to shoot more and run your mouth less.

Never seen a Ruger not pinhole the 105's thus far cited(A-Max,Hornie HPBT's,Skinners and Berger). I'd be curious to know the powder(s) used and the muzzle velocity,at which stabilization was compromised? New one on me.

A) Never seen a Ruger or Remington not kiss 105's,in their OEM form.

B) An OEM Remington 2.8"-ish box will do it all and easily,especially when throating to one's whim and brandishing that finite control.

C) I'd not care to go 7.5" in a .243"...especially for a [bleep] SMK.

D) Very easy to add COAL or setback,again as per whim. If you are building,a DBM can often be a nice thang for many Blood Sport applications and you can get to 2.98"+ on a S/A 700 very easily there.

I concur that the Creed is yet another Goat [bleep]. The larger vessel will always make greater velocity,at like pressure levels and will reward one with diminished wind drift,which don't hurt equations outside a Tunnel.(grin)

A SAAMI 243Win is a very tough one to whoop,due it's Precision,Fun,Logistics,Ballistics and Pile Driving Ass...in no particular [bleep] order.

She's a Giant Killer.

Funny thing is, I shoot every weekend. Probably why I am not scared to rely on reality, not what I read.

105's will shoot fine out of my 9 twist Ruger at 100, started spraying at 200. 95's shoot tight all the way to 500. Granted, my 243 has been shot a lot, so maybe the throat is touchy. That being said, a fast twist is never a bad idea.

So by your own words, a 243 would work fine in a Ruger due to the extra magazine length.

Try an XC if it excites you, but for a hunting rifle it offers absolutely nothing over a properly built (and even a number of factory) 243s.

Yes, Rugers are actually where it is at with regards to a good magazine length. But, Rugers are heavy, I don't like their ring system, I don't like their bottom metal, and there is dick for aftermarket accessories. That is the reason my next build is going on an M700.

I will probably sell my Ruger 243...

I hear ya on the DTACs. Silly to build a gun around them, especially with the 105 offerings currently available. The additional velocity of the 105s make up for the scant BC advantage of the 115s....and I'll take the better terminal performance of the Scenar, VLD, or Hybrid over a Matchking anyday. Looks like you have had good luck with the Horny HPBTS too...and there's always the Amax. The 115 Bergers are a waste as well, considering the 105 Hybrid has essentially equal numbers, but can be run faster and with less seating depth sensitivity.

If you don't have an action already in hand, you might try a Remington factory 243 before you go to screwing on barrels. I suspect you will be pleasantly surprised!

I am going to rebarrel my 22-250AI which is on an M700 -or- buy a TAC30. Haven't decided...I already have a 6mm blank on order. Funny thing is, I haven't decided on 6XC, but it is in the running.

Never be in a hurry to make bad decisions.(grin)

No, I made a good decision this time...ordered a Bartlein instead of a Pacnor.

Curiously enough...just got done not long ago,shootin' video of a PN at the 900yd line.

Purty good stuff and then some.(grin)

Just picked up a Brux 6mm #3, 8 twist from Bugholes. He might have a few left if anyone is looking.

Interesting thread, opinions make me smile so I'll share mine. I am a big 6 fan. Have several little 6's, 6BR, 6mm, 6mmAI, 243 and am now the proud shooter of the little 6XC custom. I'm building another 6AI currently, waiting for my smith to get her done. I think Tubb covers it well and I believe the XC will out perform the 243 all day long once get 90 gr. and above. For a performing cartridge the XC in all accounts the beats the 243 BUT having said that, if you want an all around rifle to go hunting or carry in the field the 243's the one. When in New Zealand on a Chamois hunt don't look for 6XC ammo, the Kiwi's will laugh at you.

Very [bleep] interesting and indeed funny,on multiple levels.

I shoot some .243" in 243Win,243AI,6mmRem,6mmRemAI,6-284 and 6-06AI. Added capacity,at like pressure,means more speed...even for things weighing better than the "magical" 90gr threshold.

In fairness,the 6mmRem and 6mmRemAI's are the far most Goat [bleep] of the offerings,due their case capacity to COAL relationship.

Still hearin' good thangs in regards to the 243Win.

Hint.

You've used both quite a bit....which Hornady 105 do you prefer on game at 243 velocities?

I'm sure you've answered this already, but I don't recall reading it.

I've no qualm either way and would be happy to allow logistics to dictate the nudge. The HPBT is slickerier and that cain't hurt the equation.

For some reason,lotsa folks in these parts is slingin' them very boolits and I've yet to hear anything but accolades from all parties,for all pursuits. Been lotsa bone busted and Critters crunched,both near and far(10' to 1000yds+).

I'm purty much in HPBT Mode,though I've lotsa 'Max in the larder.