Which 6mm for target shooting?

Single-shot or repeater? AFAIK, some on your list often have feeding issues.

Maybe check out the 6mm XC as well.

I'd go with the 6mmbr just because if it's popularity and availability. If I had to choose among the list. Otherwise I'd be on the .243 wagon. Of course, I can't shoot teen aggs anyway.

What kind of target shooting?
6mm Remington isn't a target cartridge. Varmints and deer. Isn't exactly easy to come by ammo and brass either.
6mm Creedmoor is virtually non-existent. Easily made out of 6.5 Creedmoor though.
Anyway, start here. http://www.6mmbr.com/index.html

Well, the 6mm PPC is very popular for obvious reasons, but I am also a fan of the 6mm Creedmoor and the 6XC. You will have to load for both but both of them have been excellent cartridges for me. I will say that the 6mm Creedmoor will have a bit longer barrel life than the 6XC so keep that in mind if that is a concern. 6mm Creedmoor is a rare animal but you can find reload data on it, Hornady brass can be bought directly from GA Precision, and Berger 105 Hybrids can work magic in this round. Some of my best groups have come from all of the above listed rounds. Let me know if I can be of any more help.

Years ago I built a custom 6mm PPC so that gets my vote. I would start with a top of the line barrel blank and have a competent smith chamber it in 6mm PPC using a tight neck. A good smith will whack an inch off each end of the barrel and use one piece to make you a neck gauge. Matter of fact a real good smith following making the barrel (threading and crowning) will use the reamer he just cut your chamber with and make you a cartridge gauge in addition to the neck gauge. I happen to like 6mm PPC but regardless of your choice you want a neck and chamber cut gauge. Also, when I made my choice there was no Creedmoore cartridge.

Per Sunray, you really want to visit 6mm Bench Rest for more advice.

The guy who helped me build mine and taught me was a fellow named James Messer out of North Carolina. He showed me how to true and blueprint the action. If you plan to buy outright I would consider a place like Kelbly's Range as they manufacture and sell some of best target rifles to be had.

Ron

SilentStalker said:

I will say that the 6mm Creedmoor will have a bit longer barrel life than the 6XC

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That surprises me. I have no personal experience with either, but AFAIK, the 6XC is known to be (relatively) easy on barrels. And my Google-fu tells me, all else equal, XC loads take a bit less powder than Creedmoor loads.

i have a 6x47 rem 40XB that shoots way better than i can, it,s old school now. i bought 200 rem 222 mag unfired cases and have not worked thru them yet and have increased that number by buying 222 rem mag cases at gun shows and other places. its to heavy for a hunting rifle, but its fun to play with. eastbank.

bikemutt said:

6mm BR
6mm BR Norma
6mm PPC
6mm Creedmoor

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I dont see a SAAMI standard . If buying a used rifle, i would want to know what reamer/drawing was used.

Dang, where's a pole when you need one...

243winxb said:

I dont see a SAAMI standard . If buying a used rifle, i would want to know what reamer/drawing was used.

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Good point and a good smith will provide that. When we built my rifle I was given prints of the reamer used. I learned quite a bit from Mr. Messer and it was through a NRA Rifle course offered through Montgomery Community College in Troy NC. Yes, you want a drawing of the reamers as that is your chamber. Matter of fact before I went I bought a set of Clymer 6PPC reamers and we never used them as Mr. Messer suggested we go with the tight neck. Pacific Tool and Gauge also makes some top of the line reamers. Again, you really need to find a real good competent smith to do the work and make sure they are very familiar with match target chambers. Also, unless you are content with an off the shelf rifle or one already out there prepare for a wait.

Ron

I just remembered: the 1000yd record was set by a 6mm dasher.

I like the 6mmBR but also the amazingly economic and simple 6x45.
6x45 won a lot of competitions before the BR and ppc became kings.
So I guess it depends on what level you expect to be at but for 100 and 200 yards scoring
there are many options some very affordable and super accurate too.

MrBorland said:

That surprises me. I have no personal experience with either, but AFAIK, the 6XC is known to be (relatively) easy on barrels. And my Google-fu tells me, all else equal, XC loads take a bit less powder than Creedmoor loads.

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You are correct. I got those backwards.

I have seen a dta 6 Creedmoor in action. It's a mean cartridge at 1000

300 yard max.......243 gets my vote. Why go with harder to find brass etc. Also in a pinch you could buy factory ammo.

Although I use a .243 Winchester I'd reckon the 6 BR, PPC or Dasher would be good for most target shooting. As someone suggested the 6mmbr site is excellent.



The .243 needs a decent 8-8.5 twist barrel to shoot the 107 gr. SMK's and the 115 DTAC, but even then it's difficult (for me) to hang with the 6.5's at 1000 yards. Most of my shooting is limited to 600 yards, occasionally get to shoot at 800 or 1000, and the .243 works well enough. I generally shoot lighter weight Berger flat base bullets up to 200 yards then the heavies from 300 out. It is a barrel burner though.

If you don't have a .243 win...........or even if you do..............why not a 6mm-223 (or close to that, a 6mm TCU)?

bikemutt said:

I really don't have anywhere to shoot past 300 yards.

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You actually do - I lived in the Renton, WA area until recently. There are places past Greenwater off HWY 410 that people shoot to 1400yd+, but you'll have to be willing to drive an hour each way. Its not too bad if you take friends and make a day of it. Even on the east side of the state, I have to drive 50min to my long range "spot".

National Forests are your friend. Find a good spot and don't tell anybody. PM me if you want help getting started

That said, this time of year any kind of shooting in the mountains will be a little "frosty". But if you have the gear, it can still be a good time. Make a weekend out of it.

I think 243win would be a good choice for something practical that performs pretty decently. That said, 6xc could be cool. Maybe check out 6x47 Lapua as well.

The 243 Win got about 1500 rounds of accurate barrel life when shot in high power rifle matches.

The 6XC burns about 10% less powder than the 243. I think its barrel would last about 1800 rounds for the same accuracy standards.

Since the br in 6br stands for "bench rest" I think that answers your question. PPC works better at shorter ranges.

You want to remember that all 6mm PPC is not created equal. From our friends over at 6mm BR: 6PPC Cartridge Guide

Currently most 6PPC shooters form their cases from Lapua 220 Russian brass. Both SAKO and Norma make factory-formed 6PPC cases, but these are not commonly used. The Sako 6PPC USA is slightly larger, and will not fit in most current match chambers. The Norma 6PPC brass is somewhat softer than Lapua brass. It works fine for varminting or fun shooting, but it will not hold up to the stout loads used in competition as well as brass formed from Lapua 220 Russian.

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I know way back when Ruger marketed a Model 77 MK II chambered in 6mm PPC as well as Sako I believe. When I was into it I was using Lapua 220 Russian and fire forming my own, much as described in the link. Enjoy the rifle as the cartridge is just plain fun to shoot and load. Great that you are getting 200 rounds of brass and the dies as this way you know you have dies which will make ammunition which will chamber in your rifle. Enjoy!

Ron