6mm-204

[Rafter]

Does anybody here use a 6mm-204?

I've got one arriving next week, and currently the plan is to see how 87 Vmax work (groups and velocity) and shoot both varmints and deer with it, or 70 TNT for goats and smaller stuff, and work up a heavier bullet for Reds and Sika - maybe 85TMK or something similar.

I'll start with Nosler 204 cases and 8208 powder, but would love to hear what works for you folks. The rifle is a l/h Rem 700 with a 8 twist 20" Trueflite barrel in a MDT chassis - but that may end up in the Glacier carbon fibre stock currently on my 6.5 SAUM. I'm really keen to see if I can get it to work as a dual purpose 0-400m rifle for pretty much everything - sort of a 6xc lite.

 

[Nkawu]

What velocities would you expect with heavier 100 grain bullets? Would the 6-204 not be nearly identical to the 6x47?

 

[Rafter]

The 204 is essentially a blown out and improved 222 mag case with the neck moved forward, so significantly more volume than the 223 case - running in the 28-30 grains capacity or thereabouts level, so a lot smaller than a 6x47 or 6Creed or 6XC (but bigger than 6x45/6x45AI).

It's not often loaded with heavies, but I'd assume 2700-(maybe)2800fps. I've used the 87 Vmax out of a 6XC and really rate it as a deer killing bullet so if I can scratch 3000 or so I'll be happy and use it for everything close enough to not need the SAUM or 280. Remember that the 250 Savage made it's reputation on a 87 grain bullet doing 3000fps, so I've no concerns at all about the 6mm204 doing the business on deer out to mid ranges.

 

[jthyttin]

I think he was referring to original 6x47 i.e. 222 Rem Mag necked to 6mm.

 

[Rafter]

Ah.
More capacity. Less body taper, steeper shoulder angle and shorter neck.
The real benefit is easier to obtain brass.

 

[takbok]

@Rafter I've got the smaller 6x45 with a 1:8 20.5" barrel. I find that it's good for 1400-1500 ft.lb at best.

I had it shooting 105gr A-max at about 2450 FPS, 90gr gamechanger just over 2500 FPS (could improve with faster burning powder), 80gr Sierra blitz SP @ 2900 FPS, 70gr blitzing @ 3100 FPS & 62gr GS Custom at 3350fps.

I haven't used it for a while but had it out this week again.

Nice little cartridges. I expect you'll get a bit more velocity with the 6-204.

 

[takbok]

Reloder 7 for the 62gr bullets, Ramshot X- erminator for the rest. I'm going through a tub of Viht N133 now but it's a bit too slow burning.

 

[MilesW]

6mm-204 is basically a long skinny version of the short fat 6mmPPC. Overall. the 6mmBR probably does it better from a vermin, predator and small game perspective but, if ever another Sako 75 in 6mmPPC ever comes my way, it will be for my estate to deal with.

 

[MarinePMI]

6mm ARC seems to be the current preferred 6mm varmint/deer cartridge here in the US. Cheap brass and bullets, while also fitting in a small frame AR magazine with high BC bullets.

 

[Rafter]

It's turned up, now to wait for my hand to heal and I'll be into it.

 

[takbok]

Looks great, be keen to hear how you get on when you shoot it.

 

[Mungo]

It's turned up, now to wait for my hand to heal and I'll be into it.
View attachment 423629

Which chassis is that?

 

[jthyttin]

Looks like 1st Gen MDT LSS, with carbine interface.

 

[25 Sharps]

I run a 25-45 Sharps for small deer which isn’t a million miles off, looked at the (original) 6x47 but was offered a 25-45 reamer.

I can comfortably get to 1750 ft-lb but it took a lot of time experimenting to get there.

I use RL7 for the light stuff and lovex DO73.5 for 90/100 gr bullets which is the same as accurate 2460.

 

[25 Sharps]

Ah.
More capacity. Less body taper, steeper shoulder angle and shorter neck.
The real benefit is easier to obtain brass.

Except you can turn .204 brass into 6x47 or .222 rem mag easily.

 

[Finnwolf VL63]

Why not get 222Mag, long throat for 75 A-MAX to 90 Berger bullets,I have had
two rifles in this calibre and shot many deer and goats with the 222 Magnum.

 

[25 Sharps]

Why not get 222Mag, long throat for 75 A-MAX to 90 Berger bullets,I have had
two rifles in this calibre and shot many deer and goats with the 222 Magnum.

Because it’s only legal for munties and CWD in England.

And, the small fact the rifle’s already built!

 

[C h r i s]

Ah I got all excited for a second. I'd prefer 6mm necked down to 204 as a hyper velocity night time varmint/vermin rifle...

 

[Rafter]

As 25 Sharos pointed out, the rifle is 2nd hand, and as 6mm204 is what it was, that had a big impact on the caliber choice.
The chassis is an early MDT.
Looking at the maths a 222-204 with a 7.5 twist shooting an 80-90 grain vld from Berger or Hornady would be better for the longs, but my experience with 87 vmax out of a 6xc leaves me confident in this as a mid range deer rifle, and for varmints out to as far as I can hit them.

 

[Finnwolf VL63]

87 V-MAX great bullets,you will get expansion out of the 6-47 Improved.
Used them in my 6 XC explosive,but the odd one blew up in flight.