6br alternatives

[Paul Janzso]

Hi Paul
That seems like the one to go fore.

Any more coments on the 6.5's

Cheers
PJ

[jlorimer]

Hi Matt, as requested here is my opinion on 6MM.

First off 6MM BR The best of all, in it's original form. Good barrel life, and excellent accuracy. Modified forms, great - but barrel life?

6MMX Been there, done that. Great cartridge, really liked shooting it, but barrel was definitly gone at 2286 rounds, didn't match 6.5's after 600m.

6MM Ackley improved, what a beautifull thing to shoot. Water line equal to any cartridge at the QRA QUEENS. Equaled top score at 1000yds, after getting my act together, and took out 3 aggregate 3rd badges, when I didn't have my act together. But after 546 rounds, the barrel ,she don't look too good. I wouldn't trust it to hold together in another OPM.

I have finally given up on 6MM, except for the 6BR in it's original form, which I consider has it all. I have now gone over to the 6.5 Swede Ackley Improved, and hopefully, I will be staying with that calibre, for some time.

In my opinion, the 6MM is great, but at a price, no sooner does one get used to shooting it ,then it is time to rebarrel and start all over again. I hope my .02 cents worth is of some assistance.

[Tony Z]

edited 20/4/06

[AlanF]

Pest Bird,

It seems that most who stick with using 6BR do as Tony recommends and have a bigger calibre for the longs. There is also 7mm - there are 2 F-Open shooters I know of using .284, and they're showing a lot of promise at the longs, although there's still a question mark about barrel life. The .284 would be better behaved on the front rest than the big .30s, and not too far behind in performance.

However, for a new shooter who doesn't have plans for multiple rifles, you have to look at 6.5mm first - some say they're fussy to tune, others complain about the short barrel life, but the fact is for F-Class, 6.5mm is the calibre by which the others are judged - both here and overseas it is far and away the most popular calibre. Also there is a big choice of popular chamberings, ranging from .260 Rem up to 6.5/06. And the lower capacity cases have a very repectable barrel life.

Yes I have a 6.5, but am trying to give you genuine advice here. If you only want one all-round rifle I believe they are hard to beat. As far as which chambering to go for, mine is 6.5-284, but I never get to fill the case, so perhaps something a little smaller such as 6.5x55AI is a good compromise, although you also need to consider availability (and making) of brass for the less common varieties.

Best of luck with your project.

Alan

[bully_eye]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but it is relevant. I'm having a 6.5/284 built at the moment. I hear talk of the various 6.5mm chamberings being problematic in regards to getting them to shoot well- usually being compared to 6mm's. Just interested in what problems people encounter. Matt P told me he had unexplained elevation with his 6.5/284. Any other thoughts> Wont change my mind as the project is underway and the first lot of brass turned- just interested in what people have to say who have experience shooting the cartridge.

Michael

[AlanF]

Michael,

In my brief experience, when I've had bad elevation shots (of around 1 MOA from the group) there have been clear reasons, usually either copper fouling, or conditions such as a variable fishtail wind. The more experience I get, the more I believe that certain conditions (particularly head and tail winds) effect elevation substantially. Not sure why - maybe its a combination of the relatively light, but high BC projectiles used in 6.5mm. I'm wondering if its mostly this vulnerability to wind conditions that gives the 6.5 a reputation for unexplained elevation problems.

But don't worry about whether you've made the right choice of calibre. You'll be coming home from the range with a smile on your face most days - the 6.5-284 is a very competitive cartridge !

Alan

[Tony Z]

edited 20/4/06

[RAVEN]

Humm interesting comments on 284W Tony Z Has anyone else had this problem with 284Win
What type of action does this rifle have who was the smith that did the chamber?

[RAVEN]

And another 6mm variant


http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek060.html

[Cameron Mc]

Just for something a little different, at Saturday avo club shoots I use 6mm PPC out to 600yds. Around 70g projectiles and 14" twist barrels. Cheap to run and keeps my concentration high regarding the wind.

Past 600 and comp. shoots I like 6mm BR and 6.5-284. With these two cartridges I have found keeping on top of powder fouling (2208/09) to be very important.

With that said, the 6BR is a mighty cartridge.

Cameron

[Dazza]

Hi Cameron

I also use a 6PPC for F-Class, it doubles as my benchrest rifle. Shot a 97 at 600yds with it at Castlemaine in their recent OPM using 70grn Sierra matchkings.

Was at the range last thursday trying out 70grn Sierra blitzkings and they seemed to shoot a bit better. Was able to compare it with a friend's 6BR using 105 Scenar's at 600yds, and it wasnt too far behind in windage. The Blitzkings are definately better in the wind than the Matchkings. Might try a few Nosler 70grn Ballistictips as their BC is higher than the Blitzkings.

I'm about to get Pro-Cal to chamber up a 1-8" Maddco in PPC with a 0.100" throat, just to try the heavier projectiles. ADI lists a load for the PPC with 107's on their website. If this "experiment" doesnt work out, I'll get the barrel re-chambered for a 6BR........ At the moment its a cost saving experiment as I already have dies and heaps of brass for the PPC.

Darren

[Cameron Mc]

Darren
I am using 68g flat base projectiles at present. I am suprised how well they do at 600. I am thinking of trying 70g Noslers, they should go ok.
It will be interesting to know how the fast twist PPC goes. I have built a couple of F Open rifles on ex BR rifles. It is too much of a waste to put the PPC barrels and custom dies away in a corner.
Let,s know how the project goes.

Cameron

[Matt P]

Tony Z
Somewhere you mentioned a 2209 load you use for your BR, I think it was 33gn with CCI450's. What velocity do you get and what ES, did it shoot better than 2208?? BTW how did you get 33gn of 09 in a BR case ??

Thanks Matt P

[Tony Z]

edited 20/4/06

[RDavies]

What about a 6.5mm Dasher for short ranges (300yds) I was thinking that a 6.5mm Dasher would have a similar expansion ratio to a 6PPC and might be very accurate with medium weight flat base bullets at 300 yds and with slightly heavier boat tails at 500yds. Has anyone had any success with the 6.5 Dasher? What about a 22 Dasher with 90gn VLDs at longer ranges. Has anyone had tried these combinations?