Input on a new 6mm build

Just a hunter

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Dec 4, 2019
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267
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NC
I am going to have my first custom rifle built and would like help from you guys. I'm looking to build a 6mm Remington. I like all the speed I can get without having to do any fire forming or anything special to my cases other than the traditional load work up so I really don't think I want to go the Ackley improved route. My thoughts are, find a Remington 700 long action or possibly a Bergara long action, stick a 26" barrel on it and a decent stock and see what that gets me. I'm thinking about 7.5 or 8:1 twist rate to stabilize the longer higher bc bullets. The rifle will be used primarily for whitetail deer in NC. Weight is not too high of a priority but I don't want to tote around an anvil either.

My questions are: Will that twist be too fast for lighter weight bullets if I decide to load some for different animals? Which barrel manufacturer do you guys recommend and why? Cut or button rifled? I like calibers that are "different" or not commonly seen but am I missing a different 6mm caliber that I should be looking at? I've looked at load data and I don't think the Creedmoor offers anything that the 6 Rem doesn't but I'm learning so if I'm missing something educate me. I think I would like to stick to a stock that resembles the traditional stocks that come on factory Remington 700's. In other words I don't think I need adjustable cheek piece, length of pull, etc. Recommendations for a stock?

If I am leaving something out, ask away and I appreciate the help.
 
For a stock it sounds like you might want the mcmillan remington sporter McWoody I have used a couple and really like the looks for a traditional hunting rifle look and I agree with you on your chambering choice the 6mm is a awesome round
 
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My apologies. I should have stated I would like to stay with a synthetic/fiberglass or something like that that is durable and not easily dinged or scratched. I do like the look of the stock you referred to though.
 
I am going to have my first custom rifle built and would like help from you guys. I'm looking to build a 6mm Remington. I like all the speed I can get without having to do any fire forming or anything special to my cases other than the traditional load work up so I really don't think I want to go the Ackley improved route. My thoughts are, find a Remington 700 long action or possibly a Bergara long action, stick a 26" barrel on it and a decent stock and see what that gets me. I'm thinking about 7.5 or 8:1 twist rate to stabilize the longer higher bc bullets. The rifle will be used primarily for whitetail deer in NC. Weight is not too high of a priority but I don't want to tote around an anvil either.

My questions are: Will that twist be too fast for lighter weight bullets if I decide to load some for different animals? Which barrel manufacturer do you guys recommend and why? Cut or button rifled? I like calibers that are "different" or not commonly seen but am I missing a different 6mm caliber that I should be looking at? I've looked at load data and I don't think the Creedmoor offers anything that the 6 Rem doesn't but I'm learning so if I'm missing something educate me. I think I would like to stick to a stock that resembles the traditional stocks that come on factory Remington 700's. In other words I don't think I need adjustable cheek piece, length of pull, etc. Recommendations for a stock?

If I am leaving something out, ask away and I appreciate the help.
Well you kinda ruled out the one I was going to suggest. The 6mm creedmoor will let you load out those long heavy bullets and push 108 grain bergers at 3,150 and not a deer around can take it. I don't think you would make it there with the ole 6mm rem. Your not gonna have enough freebore to use heavy bullets in it unless you go long action. I'd get a 1:7.5 twist. It will shoot the lighter ones fine without spinning out. I'm gonna bet the brass is more available also with the creed. Lower powder weights saving money.

Stock I would get a manners in EH4, EH 6 or EH8. They are traditional look and light. I would get a sendero light proof carbon barrel. If you want a steel then bartlein, Krieger, shilen, Douglas, etc

As far as a builder there are tons of fine ones out there. You can search LRH and find several.
 
A 26" 1:7.5" 6 Creedmoor will push a 105 Hyb @ 3200+ easily. Or a 115 VLD @ 3100+ easily. My 24" 1:7.5" pushes a 105 @ 3188, or a 115 VLD @ 3085.

The 6CM has MUCH higher quality brass options too. Lapua, Alpha, ADG, Peterson. SRP or LRP available too.

6CM SAAMI spec is throated to run the heavies and keep them out of the powder column.

6CM fits is a true short action, meaning slightly lighter weight action, with a quicker bolt throw. Possible smoother bolt throw also.

If you ever forget ammo, 6CM factory loads are everywhere. 6mm Rem is not easy to find at the local Walmart in a pinch.

Dies are much easier to find for 6CM.

But then again....it is still a Creedmoor....so there is that downside.

As for stock options, Manners UC (Ultra Classic) or UC Plus are about as close to a classic shape as you will find. The EH6 is close too. If you like a more vertical grip, the EH2, EH3 are both very nice. The EH4 and EH8/EH8 Plus are both shorter overall length, and look great with a shorter barrel. Want to keep it light? The SL (Super Light) has classic lines.
 
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The fact that you won't have to order a reamer for a 6 creed (every decent 'smith should have at least a sammi 6 creed) or could do a prefit if you get a action that accepts prefits and Lapua brass would have me leaning heavily that direction.

Not to mention good factory Ammo, tons of load data for every bullet imaginable and easy to find dies and I wouldn't even consider a 6 rem. Unless you really want something out of the ordinary but IMO you would just be making things more difficult.
 
6 Creed FTW. Ease of components, dies, etc. The 26" 1-7 twist does it all, with plenty of speed if you want it. My particular barrel sped up over 3200fps with the 110SMK! I'm using 6mmCreed Starline LRP, BR-2, H4831sc.
 
To answer your question on twist for a light weight bullet:

My 6 BR shoots the 55 gr Nosler ballistic tip quite accurately @ 3900 fps. Barrel is a 5R Bartlein 1 in 8 twist. Bullet RPM is 351,000 which is pretty high for bullet integrity. Not saying all lightweight bullets will survive that kind of trip through the barrel.
 
With a long action and wanting something a little different and not wanting an ackley I would personally do a 6-06 with a bartlien 7.5 twist and shoot either 105 Berger's or 115 Berger's. The heavier bullets will kill stuff just as dead as the lighter bullets. I don't have a 6-06 but when my 25-06 barrel is done I'm building a 6-06 improved.
 
There is nothing wrong with the 6mm Rem., except component and factory ammo availability. As for barrels, if you use a brand name custom you'll not be in want of accuracy. That means a quality made button rifled barrel would make you happy, or a cut rifled barrel will make you happy. In my shop I have used Hart, Benchmark, Shilen, Krieger, Bartlein, Brux and maybe 1-2 others I've forget about. I have had no complaints with the ones I mentioned. A 1-8 twist should suffice for what you want. Consider this, the .243 Win is most commonly chambered by the factories with a 1-10 twist, and it'll handle many if not most of the commonly made bullets for whitetail deer. If you want to shoot some lighter bullets, sometimes, don't go tighter than 1-8. McMillian makes a good synthetic stock, you might plan on waiting if you can't live with one from off the shelf somewhere. Many like the stocks H-S Precision makes, and they're more available. Make sure and add a quality trigger to your build. I have a hundred 6mm Rem cases (new ones) if you're interested, PM me. Don't let 'um talk you into the Creedmoor, unless you change your mind about the Rem.
 
There is nothing wrong with the 6mm Rem., except component and factory ammo availability. As for barrels, if you use a brand name custom you'll not be in want of accuracy. That means a quality made button rifled barrel would make you happy, or a cut rifled barrel will make you happy. In my shop I have used Hart, Benchmark, Shilen, Krieger, Bartlein, Brux and maybe 1-2 others I've forget about. I have had no complaints with the ones I mentioned. A 1-8 twist should suffice for what you want. Consider this, the .243 Win is most commonly chambered by the factories with a 1-10 twist, and it'll handle many if not most of the commonly made bullets for whitetail deer. If you want to shoot some lighter bullets, sometimes, don't go tighter than 1-8. McMillian makes a good synthetic stock, you might plan on waiting if you can't live with one from off the shelf somewhere. Many like the stocks H-S Precision makes, and they're more available. Make sure and add a quality trigger to your build. I have a hundred 6mm Rem cases (new ones) if you're interested, PM me. Don't let 'um talk you into the Creedmoor, unless you change your mind about the Rem.
I have looked at my reloading manuals and just don't see the benefit of the Creedmoor in the aspect of speed or anything like that. I get the availability of components argument. Maybe brass life or something might be better with the Creed, I don't know but I don't shoot competition or anything. It'll be a hunting rifle. PM will be sent about the cases immediately following this post. Thank you!
 
1:7.5 twist, 30" tube chambered in 240wby, will be about as fast a 6mm standard chambering can run. Dies, brass, everything is easy to find, I have one, it's a great round honestly
 
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