Questions & thought's on 6mm for BR and prarrie poodles.

[budlight]

I've been researching ideas about what to make in 6mm. This weekend I bought a nice .243 Rem 700 just for the action.

Good Grouper has already told me his thoughts on the 6mm Dasher. I have also looked up infor on the 6mm BR, 6mmXC, and I've kind of ruled out the short barrel life 6mm-06 idea.

28 or 30 inch barrel and since it's going to be less of a paper gun I was going for the 1-10 twist and the 90 ish plus or minus 5 grain bullets. Also my max distance planned is sub 600 yards. I was told by a gun smith that The 6XC using the 22-250 type case was the best comprimize for Horse Power and long shooting strings required for PP hunting.

The choices other than the inherent accuracy of some of the BR cases really comes down to case volume. From a low of @30 gr 6mm BR to 40 grains in the 6XC to @50 in a full size .243

[MachV]

When I think of prairie dogs the 223 comes to mind.Cheap, available everywhere,barrels last forever and they dont heat up very fast!
You did however ask what 6mm round for dogs under 600 so why not a 6-223?Have used 55grainers in the 243 and made some great vidio and the 6-284 will reach way out there but have wondered if the 6-223 wouldnt get it done with a minimum amount of fuss?
It would be interesting to hear what other doggers think would be the best alaround 6mm round for less than 600yards.

[Mysticplayer]

If you like the idea of a 6mm BR case, then the good old 6BR is plenty for what you want to do. 87gr Vmax, Benchmark/Varget and you are good to 750yds.

The 223 with a faster twist is also a great option. Easier on the shoulder and pocket book too. Look at the 75gr Amax, 77/80gr Nosler/Sierra. They will work just fine out to the ranges you want to shoot.

Jerry

[budlight]

223's just don't make red vapor and neither do the heavy bullets in 243 or any heavy bullet in any caliber for that matter. Unless your shooting the super magnums. I shot a 22-250 26 inch bull barrel for years untill I figured out that .277 cal. was a very impressive gopher gun with 100 - 110 grain bullets going 3500 - 3600 fps. It's problem is barrel heat and rate of sustained fire.

The BC of 87, 90, 95 grain 243's would make them acceptable if driven fast enough out of a 28 - 30 inch barrels to be very lethal in the 200 - 500 yards that I normally shoot at.

[Alucard]

If you want a devistating .277 cal cartridge, have a look at the .270 Allen mag of Kirbys. That will make the "red mist" out of gophers and prairie dogs!

Also, I don't think that you can beat the .243 Win in the 6mm category for destruction on little fur bearers. Get a 70 gr TNT, and top load the sucker, and you will get all the "red mist" that you want. If you want to stick with the .224 cal, you could always get a .22-250 Rem re-chambered to a .22-250 Ackly or step up to the .220 Swift. If the .220 still doesn't have what you are looking for, you could get that rechambered to the .220 Swift Improved. I know a guy who was getting 4700 fps + with 35 gr Bergers out of his Improved.

If you are looking for outright accuracy, there is nothing wrong with the 6mm BR. Plenty of power of gophers and prairie dogs, plus great long range accuracy.

But, ultimately, go with what your budget affords you.

[Waltech Jim]

Budlight,

I would be more inclined to go with the .243. You know.....you can load the big ones down, but you can't load the smaller ones up.

The 87 V-max is one of the best, (if not THE best) but a little heavy for my liking. I shot this on pds for a couple of years in a heavy Rem 600. I went to 58-70 gr. pills to reduce recoil and increase visual effects. The "trade off" was worth it to me. IMO you should plan on a muzzle break.

Jim

[budlight]

[ QUOTE ]
Budlight,

I would be more inclined to go with the .243. You know.....you can load the big ones down, but you can't load the smaller ones up.

Jim

[/ QUOTE ]

Jim - My very thoughts when it comes to power. That's why I first considered the 6mm-06 60 grains of some slow powder should really get some 87 -100 grain bullet moving. But I've already got a 29 inch barrel 270 AI that can really move 100 grain bullets.

The idea of tiny goups on paper also appeals to me and it seems to me that on a national level it's only being done with 6mm XC and the smaller cases. Your limiting yourself to the 1-8 twist and only shooting 100+ grain bullets. I've not heard how 243's do with 1-10 twist lighter non match bullets and 30 inch barrels.

I don't really think that a little 6mm needs a muzzle brake when it's got a big barrel. I don't have one on my 458's and they shoot just fine!