.243 Win or 6MM Rem?

[Zeke/PA]

The .243 Winchester is a really great round.
I own one that I built at Trinidad 50 years ago and I think that it is a superb Deer and varmint cartridge.
Reloads? Plenty of different bullets/powder combos to choose from.

 

[redneck2]

Between the two you listed, it's pretty much a toss up.

Me, I'd make it a 6BR, particularly if it's for prairie dogs. Easier on the brass, easier on the barrel. Ultra accurate and carries to 1,000 yards

 

[Offfhand]

Quoted from an earlier post on this thread:
"The 6mm is superior from a hand-loading standpoint in that it has a longer neck."
This is an interesting statement. Perhaps someone can explain why the longer neck makes the 6mm Rem. superior for handloading. Thank you.

 

[viking499]

From the two listed, I would pick the .243. I shoot 55 grain bullets in mine all the time when varmint hunting.

How about a 6BR?

 

[redneck2]

Or.....

http://www.varminthunters.com/forum/showthread.php?p=586681&posted=1#post586681

 

[CB900F]

Offfhand;

It's like this; When using a heavier bullet the bullet is of course longer for any given bore diameter. The .243 and the 6mm share the same bore size regardless of the nomenclature designating the cartridge. So, a cartridge with a shorter neck, seating a longer bullet, has the base of the bullet down in the boiler room taking up space that could otherwise be used for powder. Therefore, with the 6mm having a larger case anyway, and not having heavy bullets taking space from powder, it's easy to get more velocity with heavy bullets. Not at all unheard of to gain 200 fps over the 243.

When you do something like using the Speer #1217 90 grain spitzer, it's almost like finding another 50 horsepower in your car. That bullet in the 6mm can, depending on your gun and other variables, gain 300 fps over a 100/105 grain load from a .243.

900F

 

[morcey2]

If I didn't handload, it would be a 243 hands down. But, since I handload, I'm having a 6mm Rem built with a 1-8" twist barrel. I have brass and picked up two boxes of Federal premium w/ Nosler partitions on clearance a year ago for $9 per box. Couldn't turn it down.

Matt

 

[CB900F]

Morcey2;

You are gonna have some fun!

900F

 

[win71]

In 1976

My shooting partner and I bought Remington 700 Varminters. Mine in 243, his in 6 m/m. Previously I had a Remington 600 in 243 and with hand loads it really shot good. Hence my choice. My partner was under the mistaken belief that his new 6m/m had the same 1 in 12 twist as the 244. He knew he could get a tad more speed than I could.
End result, my 243 with 1 in 10 twist stabilized 60 gr. Sierra's good enough to shoot 5/8' groups at 200 yards. His 6 m/m with what turned out to be a 1 in 9 twist would not shoot light, as in 60 gr. bullets worth a darn. He could equal or beat my group sizes with 87 gr. Hornady's I believe. At the time we both had 4-12 Redfield scopes on almost identical rifles.

To answer your question now, for a dedicated light bullet varmint rifle and you can get a 1 in 12 twist I would go with 6 m/m chambering.

But I will never give up my almost worn out 243.

 

[notaglockfanboy]

I am a newbie here but if you decide to go with the 6mm Remington, shoot me a PM and I can supply you with a FL and seating dies for it. RCBS, they were given to me 15 years ago and I don't own nor plan to own a 6mm so they are just sitting on the shelf collecting dust. Hope it helps.

 

[OrangePwrx9]

I'd say buy the 6mm if you're a hand loader as you'll be able to tap its performance potential and find the accuracy sweet-spot. Also, once you have some brass, you won't suffer ammo availability problems.

If not a hand loader, get the .243 for generally good performance with good ammo availability.

The exception is if you find a good used Remington 788 in one of the two calibers. If you do, thank your lucky stars, buy the 788, treat it well, and live happily ever after.

Still kicking myself for passing up a NIB .243 788 some 28 years ago because I had the 6mm. 788s are shooters