6mm for competition, why?

[627PCFan]

Im thinking about starting a new range only rifle and may want to compete with later. I have a 7mm Rem and a 6.5x55 Savage which I dabbled in Fclass about 6 years ago with. When I started looking at what everyone competing with this days 6mm's seem to be the common caliber out to 600. I know 7ms arent common because of the commutative recoil, but why would everyone opt for lower BC 6mm bullets when you could still run the slicker 6.5s?

 

[243winxb]

Why 6mm/243 cartridges

Match grade Target bullets that work with different rifling twist rates, for 100 yds to 1000 yards. Compare at Berger Bullets, the difference in bullet weight/length of 6 compared to 6.5 and twist rates.

 

[Bart B.]

The 24 caliber cartridges are popular for matches through 600 yards because they're easier to shoot precisely; less recoil during the time bullets are in the barrel.

6mm ones are no more nor less intrinsicly accurate than others.

 

[Hoser]

Depends on the game.

For 600 yard bench rest the 6 Dasher is king of the hill because it is incredibly accurate.

For PRS stuff, 6mms and 6.5s are king because of the lack of recoil and high BC.

For F Class (Open) most guys are shooting 7mm's for the scary high BC and better barrel life than the 6.5s have. Unless the rules (F-Class TR) require 308 or 223.

High Power most are using 6 and 6.5s for high BC and low recoil.

 

[Sunray]

Match grade target 6mm bullets wouldn't exist if it weren't for the Bench Rest guys. However, as mentioned, it's about felt recoil. 40 rounds of 7mm Rem Mag in less than an hour will hurt at the end. Even out of a heavy target rifle.

 

[Bart B.]

Match grade target 6mm bullets wouldn't exist if it weren't for the Bench Rest guys.

That's the reality for hand-made custom bullets made with those famous Rorschach custom bullet making dies in the 60 to 70 grain weights back in the 1970's. But not the heavier commercial ones made these days by Sierra and Berger.

Heavy 24 caliber super accurate bullets were finally made in the 1990's because 'twasn't until then that quality jacket material could be made uniformly in thickness for 90 grain and heavier 6mm bullets. Sierra was first but followed soon by Berger. David Tubb was one (possibly the first) of them using a .243 Win. case but soon switched to the 6XC round made from .250 Savage cases for better barrel life and less recoil.

Same problem befell 28 caliber bullets of 168 grains back in 1970; wasn't until the late 1980's that good ones were consistently available from Sierra. Ditto for 26 caliber ones that finally showed up in the early 1990's.