Dilemma: 6mm AI vs 6x284 vs 25-06 AI

[Colestaton]

Starting a build on a savage 110. Can't decide between the 6mmAI and a 25-06AI. Toying around with the idea of a 6x284. Open to other cartridge ideas. Most of my shooting involves 100-500 yard shots on coyote, hog and deer sized game. With the occasional shots and target practice out to further distances.

 

[liltank]

Save yourself some barrel life and go with the 6XC or standard 243. Use 105-115 bullets. Will do all you need at those distances to include deer. Yotes you'll be able to take at a much farther distance.

 

[Colestaton]

I've got a 243 that I have finished and I love it. I was looking to go with something a little different. I am looking to load with 105 -115 grain an want to try something different than the 243. Kinda kicking around a 260 but want to get some experienced opinions.

 

[SBruce]

Comparing ballistics between the 6mmAI and the 25-06AI with 115 Bergers, The 6mm will shine brighter and better at long range due to the higher BC. The 25-06AI will be faster and flatter trajectory at close/med. range. Almost kinda 6's IMO. The nice thing about the 6mm's is that even the 105-107 bullets beat most common 25 caliber bullets in BC.

I love the AI cartridges. Have a 22-250AI, (2) 6X47 Lapua AI, 243AI, 6mmAI, and have had (2) 25-06's.....still have one.

6-284 has always been intriguing to me, but I've never yet had one. It's probably the least efficient and fastest barrel burner of them all though.

 

[Colestaton]

Looks like I'm gonna go with the 6mmAI. Any suggestion on twist rate and good loads to start with for 115 bergers?

 

[c_bass16]

If you're considering the 25-06...why not consider the 6-06.

Run a 1:7.5 twist and smoke those 115 Bergers as fast as you can.

 

[Colestaton]

I know barrels are consumables but what do you think the difference in barrel life would be in the 6mmAI and the 6-06?

 

[Kurt]

6mm creedmore check that out

 

[SBruce]

I know barrels are consumables but what do you think the difference in barrel life would be in the 6mmAI and the 6-06?

That might take some research to answer. At some point above 6XC, 243, 6mm remington we cross the threshold of way overbore. Where exactly that happens I don't really know, but it happens. We start burning more and more powder to get smaller and smaller increases in velocity. With the increase in powder goes faster and faster throat erosion.

Either way, which ever cartridge you decide, you'll want 7, 7.5 or 8 twist for the 115s and 8 or 8.5 (maybe 9 twist if your altitude is higher) for the 105-107 bullets. My first AI 6-47Lapua had a 9 and stabilized the 105s just fine, but I am at 4200'.

 

[c_bass16]

That might take some research to answer. At some point above 6XC, 243, 6mm remington we cross the threshold of way overbore. Where exactly that happens I don't really know, but it happens. We start burning more and more powder to get smaller and smaller increases in velocity. With the increase in powder goes faster and faster throat erosion.

Either way, which ever cartridge you decide, you'll want 7, 7.5 or 8 twist for the 115s and 8 or 8.5 (maybe 9 twist if your altitude is higher) for the 105-107 bullets. My first AI 6-47Lapua had a 9 and stabilized the 105s just fine, but I am at 4200'.

I shoot 105 Amax from my 243WSSM AR with a 1:9 twist at around 1300 elevation but they are going a bit past 3150 fps.
Also shoot 105 Amax out of my dads 6mm Rem with a 1:9.

I know guys CAN shoot them from a 1:10, but I agree the 1:8 is better suited for 105-107 and 7-7.5 is better suited for 115s

 

[bthomasb1]

yet another cartridge 6mm-06 AI with a 28 inch tube will push a 105 berger hybrid over 3500 barrel life wont be good but it will shoot flat as a tight string

 

[long450]

No delimma, all will work equally well. I personally prefer heavier bullets for deer size game at 500 yards. Go shoot some steel at 500 and listen to the report off 6mm verses, says a 7mm bullet.

 

[Outlaw6.0]

I've been a 6mm fan for a long time. I started with the 243 then rechambered to 243ai then to 6mmai then built a 6-284. I still own one of each minus the 243ai.

The 6-284 is going to be the king of the hill (as far as what you've listed), better velocity, no fire forming & WAY better brass (Lapua). That being said, I feel the 6mmai is more efficient & will last longer. A better case design with a longer neck should be a good bit easier on the thoat than the shorter neck of the 284 case.

I built my AI & 284 on different sides of the spectrum. The AI is a lighter weight (#5 contour IIRC) with a laminate thumbhole & 12 twist bbl. Launching 85grainers @ over 3500fps is a lot of fun & somewhat messy

The 6-284 wears a very heavy (don't remember contour, MTU-ish) barrel & McMillan A-5 stock with a 8 twist bbl. 107's at 3400fps is equally impressive. At 15lbs, this isn't a stalking rifle.

If this is going to be a dedicated coyote/deer rig, flip a coin on th 6mm's pick up an 1-8" tube & chamber accordingly, you can't really go wrong with either.

6mm all the way.

t

 

[Colestaton]

I've been a 6mm fan for a long time. I started with the 243 then rechambered to 243ai then to 6mmai then built a 6-284. I still own one of each minus the 243ai.

The 6-284 is going to be the king of the hill (as far as what you've listed), better velocity, no fire forming & WAY better brass (Lapua). That being said, I feel the 6mmai is more efficient & will last longer. A better case design with a longer neck should be a good bit easier on the thoat than the shorter neck of the 284 case.

I built my AI & 284 on different sides of the spectrum. The AI is a lighter weight (#5 contour IIRC) with a laminate thumbhole & 12 twist bbl. Launching 85grainers @ over 3500fps is a lot of fun & somewhat messy

The 6-284 wears a very heavy (don't remember contour, MTU-ish) barrel & McMillan A-5 stock with a 8 twist bbl. 107's at 3400fps is equally impressive. At 15lbs, this isn't a stalking rifle.

If this is going to be a dedicated coyote/deer rig, flip a coin on th 6mm's pick up an 1-8" tube & chamber accordingly, you can't really go wrong with either.

6mm all the way.

t

I'm leaning toward the 6mmAI. Don't have much experience with forming much brass but I was looking into the 6mm-06ai. How much work would it be to form brass for this round using 30-06 lapua brass?