6xc vs 243

[User00044]

Those who dismiss the XC have probably never shot one . Is it value for money, possibly not . There's nothing wrong with the .243 , I only changed because I was bored and had an itch to scratch .
In real terms the 6XC betters both the CM and 243 in accurate barrel and brass life . If throated to Tubbs 0.160" freebore , the CM will run over magazine length approximately 500 rounds before the XC if maintaining the same bullet jump .
The Creedmoor of course will win on velocity, if only by a bit .
As for the XC being dead , Steve Kershaw told me he is chambering 15 XCs to 1 CM .
Is it worth changing from the .243 , depends on your round count . But given availability of components for the options , probably be wiser to go fast twist 243 .

 

[Envillegc1]

Interesting stuff, but does the quarry know?
Ive always believed its shot placement and knowing your own capabilities and that of the tool you are using.

I am toying with either getting an additional deer rifle and/or dropping my 243 to foxing and getting 25/06 for deer. That said I would be loathed to get rid of my 223 which is perfect for vermin, but would be easier to sell due to the uncertainty around 243's

 

[BuckhurstBen]

Nonsense. Pure internet nonsense.

Correct, I shot 105gn Vld’s out of my very first Tikka t3 .243 win for many years. Stabilised absolutely fine with a stout load of N160 behind.

 

[User00044]

Interesting stuff, but does the quarry know?
Ive always believed its shot placement and knowing your own capabilities and that of the tool you are using.

I am toying with either getting an additional deer rifle and/or dropping my 243 to foxing and getting 25/06 for deer. That said I would be loathed to get rid of my 223 which is perfect for vermin, but would be easier to sell due to the uncertainty around 243's

To answer your question, no and they won't be any deader . The 6XC won't make you a better shot and the 6CM won't make your manhood bigger either . Though it's possible they'll both make your bank balance a little smaller .
Instead of a 25-06 , go niche and have a 250-3000 Ackley Improved. All the rage

 

[Envillegc1]

Niche is good apart for the bank balance!!

Knowing what I know now, which is an ever expanding knowledge base, I would have gone for a 240 Wetherby as the smaller calibre unit!

 

[woodlandvenison1]

My 6xc is unreal would have nothing else apart from a 6-284 if I wanted some serious velocity with copper

 

[NigelM]

Got mine out of the cabinet a few weeks ago having not used it for a few months. Thought I had better check zero before going after a roe buck or two.



3 shots. 80gr YT TLR. RL16. 3245fps. The most reliably accurate chambering I own.

 

[NigelM]

I’m running a 6xc with 80gr yewtree TLR at 3580fps with 42gr of n550 or 70gr blitz kings at 3780fps

That is very hot! You must be right on the pressure limit - or perhaps a little over.

 

[stubear]

6XC - 100gn bullet at basically 3000ft/s and 1900ft/lb.

.243 - 100gn bullet at basically 3000ft/s and 1900ft/lb.

The difference between them is literally every gun shop in the U.K. will have .243 ammo (and rifles) in stock and you can get reloading components, data etc very easily. Not so much with the 6XC.

I mean if you have the itch then scratch it but as someone who is finding it harder and harder to get .25-06 factory ammo I can assure you that your love for the cartridge will start to dwindle when you can’t get ammo for love nor money.

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Can get a Howa barreled action in 6 Creed, factory ammo too, although scarce at the moment.

Why pay many times over for the same thing in 6XC when you have an off the shelf option now?

Once my Howa .243 is toast I'm swapping over.

Poser…

For a hunting cartridge neither offer any advantage over a .243

Nobody need to run heavy for cartridge bullets and those that want to have a 1:8 or 1:7” twist .243
Real posers run a 6mm SLR….

 

[Flash42]

i have a fast twist tikka 243 that i run 108 eld m through at 2970 fps. Standard saami chamber. Very accurate, and very good fun at long range. absolute delight to shoot, and as said above, can grab factory loads from any gun shop.

 

[Rafter]

I had a 6xc, but in a slow twist - sorting out chamber issues in a 6mm International.
I loved it. Super easy to load for, and I shot what I'm pretty sure was the first deer killed by one in NZ (first reamer imported). Due to the twist I used 87 grain Vmax and just flattened Reds and Sika out to a little over 400m.

 

[hybridfiat]

6XC - 100gn bullet at basically 3000ft/s and 1900ft/lb.

.243 - 100gn bullet at basically 3000ft/s and 1900ft/lb.

The difference between them is literally every gun shop in the U.K. will have .243 ammo (and rifles) in stock and you can get reloading components, data etc very easily. Not so much with the 6XC.

I mean if you have the itch then scratch it but as someone who is finding it harder and harder to get .25-06 factory ammo I can assure you that your love for the cartridge will start to dwindle when you can’t get ammo for love nor money.

Has anyone actually LOOKED at the dimensions of the two cases?
Apart from tiny differences in dimensions, the angle on the 6XC shoulder (30 degrees) and it's slightly smaller capacity (50gn H2O to the ,243s 53gn H2O), they are the same case.
So, if the physical differences are so small, how can the 6XC be 'better than sliced bread'?

 

[User00044]

Has anyone actually LOOKED at the dimensions of the two cases?
Apart from tiny differences in dimensions, the angle on the 6XC shoulder (30 degrees) and it's slightly smaller capacity (50gn H2O to the ,243s 53gn H2O), they are the same case.
So, if the physical differences are so small, how can the 6XC be 'better than sliced bread'?

They may well achieve the same external ballistics but they are not the same case . They don't even share the same parent case , if you want to draw a comparison in case capacity the 6 Creed is within a couple of tenths .
The 6 XCs' original incarnation was formed from the 22-250 cases before Tubb improved on that and designed brass with longer necks . Straightening the walls and sharpening the shoulder angle improved the cases ability to withstand higher pressures . The 6 XC could easily have been created by Ackley . Lengthening the neck meant the bullet could be seated long and combined with a long free bore , kept clear of the doughnut area . It is a chambering capable of producing lower ES numbers than many and in this respect better than either the 243 or Creed , though is itself bettered by the Dasher and BR .
It is also worth noting that the accurate barrel life is extended partly due to it using less powder ,sharper shoulder and longer neck , causing less erosion but also because it will see another 500 (approximate )rounds fired over the CM before running over magazine length whilst maintaining the same bullet jump .The brass life is also very good , Tubb reported 20 firings using Norma brass .
I wouldn’t go as far as to say it's better than sliced bread , it's a different loaf .
In my mind it's a 243 , only brought up to date and done properly .
Whatever 6mm chambering you choose it will always be a compromise , be it velocity, ES, barrel life , brass life or even component availability. You pays ya' money. .
Just my opinion, others will differ I'm sure .