Better 6mm (not 243W) for hunting? Which one?

[StraightShooter77]

6 GT is a great caliber to consider. Lots less barrel wear and tremendous accuracy! We have several Impact 737 barreled actions ready with 6GT barrels now....just sayin!

If you'd like help kicking ideas around to determine what direction to go, call the guys at Straight Jacket Armory (307) 707-3181

Barreled Actions Archives - Straight Jacket Armory

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Good Luck!

StraightShooter77

 

[Sid Post]

Just a question. are you sure that it isn't a 275 rigby also known as the 7X57 Mauser?

I own a 26 inch 257 Rob AI. It uses the 7 mm mauser cases just necked down and fire formed

Ackley originally spec'ed his cartridge trimmed back a little. When it was SAAMI'ed, it used straight 7 Mauser brass with a simple neck down and fire formed case.

 

[mervgriffin]

You want 1,200 foot pounds of energy on target for deer size game. Muzzle brake a rifle built around a cartridge that can deliver that at the longest range you will shoot. Get closer when possible. Be humane and responsible .

 

[Sid Post]

You want 1,200 foot pounds of energy on target for deer size game. Muzzle brake a rifle built around a cartridge that can deliver that at the longest range you will shoot. Get closer when possible. Be humane and responsible .

Definitely humane and responsible shooting though, with feral hogs I'm about as discriminating as I am with mice and rats as they really need to be controlled to minimize severe financial damage.

And yes, I generally use a muzzle brake right now if not a suppressor.

 

[diamonddave2]

I know you kind of want factory ammo but I'll throw this cartridge out there, i built a 6x.204Ruger. Im shooting 87gr VMAX at 2950 FPS and 95gr SMK's at 2950 fps and taking rock chucks out past 800 yards with it. Its a hammer and so fun to shoot, almost no recoil. I loaded some 80gr Badlands Bulldozers up and 3200fps is where I hit pressure, Im going to back it down to about 3100-3150fps for antelope this year. Going to try the newer 90gr sierra game king also, its the same BC as the 95gr SMK. Its easy to load for, a straight neck up on the brass, load and fire. I just use a reading 204 Full length bushing die with the appropriate bushing, and a Forster 204 Micro seating die with a 6mm seating stem. I have killed deer out to 500 yards with the 95gr SMK and the 95gr Berger so far. Another cartridge that would be close would be the 6x45AI, they are a lot of cartridge for their size and no more recall then a .223, brass is everywhere and a little Lee or RCBS press can be had for 30.00 to 50.00 dollars. Barrel life is great and its cheaper to shoot than all the other cartridges, it uses way less powder. And recoil is almost nonexistent.

Almost sounds like a 6 TCU....

 

[Scott E Ames]

My favorite .243 caliber for hunting is the 243 WSSM. I have an old A-Bolt that shoots .5 MOA and has taken game up to 300# all over the world. It shoots the 95 gr Partition at 3150 fps and flattens animals like cutting the strings on a puppet. Factory ammo is no problem when there isn't a pandemic.

 

[N8iV Warrior]

Just buy a 240 Weatherby mine is shooting 105 grain Berger VLD's at 3352 FPS excellent and flat shooting for deer and antelope animals.

 

[gearguywb]

Hard to beat the 6.5CM for all around use

 

[freddiej]

The only suggestions I have are;
243 win, you had one and it is as good as it was then.
6mm/244 Remington, it's a great cartridge
Have you looked into the 6MM ICL?
I know you do not like the short mags but.....
243 WSSM is a great one if you load it like you were going to use it for target. I have a friend with one and it is hard to beat. last suggestion is the 6MM SAUM

 

[Sid Post]

I have a Remington 7SAUM but, it is too much for me right now. I thought about a 6.5x55 Swede but, I think it is too much right now as well.

That gets me back to the 6mm and quarter bores to keep recoil light in a light rifle with effective humane uses. I don't want another 243Win. A handload only option isn't a good idea right now either.

Some of the newer 6mm PRS/BR cartridges are tempting though with limited factory support. I am a little bit more attracted to classic cartridges and the 'scratch an itch' options which sort of had me sidetracked with the 6mm Remington and things like the 257 Roberts.

 

[JMW67]

I have a Remington 7SAUM but, it is too much for me right now. I thought about a 6.5x55 Swede but, I think it is too much right now as well.

That gets me back to the 6mm and quarter bores to keep recoil light in a light rifle with effective humane uses. I don't want another 243Win. A handload only option isn't a good idea right now either.

Some of the newer 6mm PRS/BR cartridges are tempting though with limited factory support. I am a little bit more attracted to classic cartridges and the 'scratch an itch' options which sort of had me sidetracked with the 6mm Remington and things like the 257 Roberts.

the 257 Roberts is a mighty fine round but handloading may be part of it seems ammo is not always available

 

[Sid Post]

the 257 Roberts is a mighty fine round but handloading may be part of it seems ammo is not always available

One of the benefits of the 257 Roberts is that people aren't hoarding it where I live.

I have some Remington and Winchester brand factory loads available locally! Sometimes it helps to be an unpopular cartridge with all the local 'experts' around here (meaning geographically, not the forum) who are hoarding the more popular options.

 

[JMW67]

sounds like a very cool answer to your question and when you heal up it can be loaded to very near the 25-06 level

 

[muleystalker]

Almost sounds like a 6 TCU....

Its defiantly in the same class of cartridges, different parent brass, a little bit of case capacity difference but either one is a fine little "big" cartridge that loaded with the right bullets punches above its weight class. It especially is performs well when throated for the 90-95gr bullets with the higher BC. And the little monos perform well also. With the right choice of bullet its a little hammer on deer and antelope. And they are so fun to shoot, very addicting.