Which 6MM hunting cartridge?

[turner.jc1]

Carte Blanche which 6MM cartridge would you choose for small deer?

I’ve got a gap to be filled in my arsenal for roe and muntjac during the summer months. Current deer rifles are blasers in 6.5 prc, .308, 8x57 and 7mm Practical (the 8x57 and 7 Prac barrels are currently being made by Mike Norris). I‘m shooting increasing numbers of roe and muntjac, and all my current stock are a bit heavy at close woodland ranges for these small deer. I also appreciate accurate rifles for practice at long range, so would want to shoot heavy 105+gr vlds and probably 95gr lrx’s or the 80gr yew trees for hunting. So 1in 8 twist barrel. Custom barrels/rifles and barrel life are no consideration.

Given the above options I have at hand, I’m thinking of swapping my 308 for or adding a 6MM. 6MM Dasher, 6MM XC, 6MM Creedmoor or .243AI are what I’m looking at, all have brass available etc. I hand load and want something a bit different so have discounted the plain .243, I also appreciate the lack of case trimming with the modern case designs. Are there any opinions out there?

From a plug and play option I know Blaser make a 6XC, but I’m wondering if anyone has real world experience. Also I’m considering getting something lighter altogether for this cartridge than an R8.

I’ve never owned a 6MM so any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Heym SR20]

I would n’t discount the 243 as its an accurate cartridge that will do anything a 6mm can do, especially if fitted with a faster twist barrel. It was also be easy to sell if and when you want to.

Other options you mention are variations on a theme. They all have a reputation for accuracy - but whether that’s the cartridge per se, or that they only come in custom built highly accurate rifles is a matter for endless discussion.

The one downside of 6mms is their high velocity which can lead to messy carcasses on close range shooting.

If you want a close range 6mm have a look at the 6x45.

 

[turner.jc1]

No doubt that the .243 is accurate, but if having a custom barrel/rifle made in .243 I thought it may as well be an ai due to the lack of case growth. Dies are readily available too so why not?

 

[scotch_egg]

6mm creedmoor is working well for me. They are all a much of a muchness.

I went with the 6mm creedmoor because I use my 6.5 creedmoor bushing F/L with appropriate bush and seater. Also brass can be made by stepping down 6.5 creedmoor brass if no 6mm brass is available. Although I have plenty.

The dasher is fashionable with target shooters but loosing brass in long grass after all the effort of fireforming would annoy me.

 

[turner.jc1]

Can I ask what speeds you get with what bullet with the 6MM creedmoor? I recently had a 6.5cm and still have a 6.5cm bushing die and 6.5 lapua srp brass so could use them. Also what powders are best? I’m away from quick load ATM.

Norma make Dasher brass and is available now.

 

[6pt-sika]

I see nothing wrong with a plain vanilla 243 WIN ! Oh wait wait I’ve had atleast one 243 in my arsenal for the last forty years .

 

[Rafter]

I used a 6xc, and had a great run. In fact, I regret selling that rifle more than any so far. I'm pretty sue I shot the first deer to be killed in NNZ with a 6xc, a Sika stag @306 m with an 87 grain Vmax. Absolutely flattened it.

Good brass ex Norma, just load and go.

 

[Y85]

No personal experience but the 6ARC gets good reviews over here — especially in a very light bolt gun (handloaded to 62K psi)

Howa 1500 and the 6mm ARC

 

[turner.jc1]

I used a 6xc, and had a great run. In fact, I regret selling that rifle more than any so far. I'm pretty sue I shot the first deer to be killed in NNZ with a 6xc, a Sika stag @306 m with an 87 grain Vmax. Absolutely flattened it.

Good brass ex Norma, just load and go.

There’s a 6xc blaser barrel available for £750 0n the net here. Would be the cheapest option.

 

[PasqualeM]

I´ve had a Tikka 595 & Blaser R93 in 6xc and they worked fine . I also have one for my R8 but haven´t shot it yet. Anyway...great calibre that has low recoil and is easy to shoot. I´ve also used 6Br quite a lot but the feeding might be a problem with the little fat case. They are both very, very accurate.

 

[salukiwhippet]

I love my 6BR. Cheap to run, good barrel life, totally unfussy about load (though really light/short bullets take a bit of fiddling), less meat damage than bigger 6mms and 8" twist as standard so non-lead ready.

Can be awkward about feeding but I just run it as a single shot or 1+1.

 

[scotch_egg]

There’s a 6xc blaser barrel available for £750 0n the net here. Would be the cheapest option.

There is one on guntrader with dies for £700 or there was a few days ago. I know of the seller. Good he is a good guy.

 

[User00040]

6mm International (.22-250 necked up) with a 1-7.5" barrel if you fancy something retro with decent downrange punch.

 

[andychas]

I wanted a fast twist 6mm for my R8 and after a lot of looking (which is part of the fun for me) I went for a 6xc, very pleased I did. Really easy to load for in a good range of bullet weights, excellent performance, very accurate. I wouldn’t hesitate using it on any Uk deer with the right bullet, but it’s currently set (blaser match barrel) as a thermal and target rifle, my 6.5x55 is a lighter set up for stalking.
obviously the truth is all those choices will do the job, but It’s an easy swap in a Blaser.

 

[Scotty99]

If you are having a custom rifle built and you hand load then try the 6mm Remington an erstwhile rival of the .243 Win when introduced but with better ballistics.

 

[jthyttin]

all my current stock are a bit heavy at close woodland ranges for these small deer

Talking about the cheapest option, it would be to take a suitable bullet and develop a light load in your existing 308. Something around 120 grains, match the construction to velocity (maybe 2200fps like the "old standard").

 

[Cumbrian 1]

I use a 6XC and find it easy to load for, whatever 6mm rifle you use make sure the barrel has a fast twist.

 

[Bowland blades]

243 win ! however if your thinking less overkill and preventing excessive carcass damage , go 22 cf ! I having shot many years with 243 I would say its worse point is its velocity induced caracass damage with the lighter bullets ( with traditional bullets ) I have yet to experiance the results with 243 80 grain copper
I hate guessing on these things but unless you have a tough bullet ( perhaps the tTSX ?) smaller deer at shorter ranges tends to leave more of a mess not less that's what i found shooting 243 alongside 7-08 and 308 along side during my first 20 years deerstalking .
Brilliant fox rifle when you need to reach out and shoot a lighter rifle from all stances , has no bother at all with rutting stags. Will be buying another but only when i have seen more of how the carcass fares with lighter copper bullets . photo from the 90s when i started with the 243

 

[NullMac]

243. Available everywhere. Masses of reloading data and components if that's your thing, if not lots of factory. The case just holds the powder. Fast twist for modern heavy for cal bullets

 

[BuckhurstBen]

Another vote for .243 win! Get a 1-8 twist barrel, 24-26 inch for good velocity. Loads of re loading components and off the shelf ammo available. Better re sale value than say a 6xc or 6creedmore if you have to move it on. The 1-8 .243win barrels I have shoot 75gn Vmax to 105gn vld with superb accuracy. I thought of going for something fancy on the last re barrel but stuck with the .243win.
Ben