6BR, 22-250 or ?

G

gillamboy

Member
Rating - 100%
5   0   0
Location
Northern Manitoba
Wife gave me the go ahead to build a project rifle finally :). Now I'm deciding on caliber? Solely a target rifle for range use. I've shot a 22-250 before and really liked it but what I've read about 6BR is leaning me that way. So give me your two-bits and opinions, etc.
 
You do not mention what type of range use. There are many calibre options. 6BR and .22-.250 are both excellent, but it really depends on the sort of shooting you are planning to do.
 
For simplicity, excellent accuracy, dirt cheap to shoot, good factory ammo if you just want to plink, easy on the shoulder and barrel - 223 Rem. Get a 9 or 8 twist so that you can shoot up to 75gr Amax. Not the best wind bucker (same like the 308) but certainly lots of fun out to 1000yds.

The 6BR requires loading, is wonderfully accurate, more expensive for components, can be set up for all ranges. Not the best wind bucker for LR but better then the 223.

A 22/250 with a fast twist barrel will be 200 to 300fps faster then the 223. Will reduce wind drift a bit but much harder on barrels.

The 6ppc is also an amazingly accurate cartridge but like the BR, must be reloaded. Not ideal for LR but superb in the shorter distances.

My guess is that your range doesn't go beyond 300yds. If this is correct, the 223 will do everything you want. In fact, I would recommend the Savage 12FV as a great starter rifle. Bed it, reload and you have a 1/2 MOA or better rifle for under $650. Lots of extra money for optics and ammo.

In time, you can put on a match barrel/restock once you have an idea of what you want to get next.

Jerry
 
If barrel life is a concern then I would go with the 6BR.

Along side my 6BR I am building a 22-250 for Varmint shooting because I am somewhat of a sadist and I like watching gophers do cartwheels:evil: and the 22-250 does a nice job of that.
 
I bought a Remington XR-100 in .204 for Gopher sadism and range use. I haven't shot mine yet (saving up for scope) however I hear you can watch the shot with the scope since it has low recoil. (4000 fps plus).
 
If you want to compete, go 6BR. 223's is a good journeyman calibre, cheap to feed and capable of great accuracy, but the BC of a heavy 6mm bullet and its excellent accuracy make it the round/calibre to beat in 300-600 matches. I've shot mine at 1000 many times. I use 6BR for targets out to 1400 yards (Yes, I have a 1400 yard field for my ballistic enjoyment), I use it (along with 204 Ruger) for gophers, and I use it in F-class. Nothing wrong with a 223 and Jerry could whoop my ass with one I'm sure, but I just like 6BR more better-er :)
 
Go 6 BR all the way. If you shot small bullets they compare with a 22-250.
It is much more accurate and a lot easier to load for as a rule. I have built 2
on Barnard actions and love them.
 
What all are saying

about the 6BR. It is in my opinion the only caliber to build right now. I will NEVER be without one. There are various opinions on caliber but between it and the 6PPC they are pretty much king of the hill. Yes there are calibers more suited for the 1000 yard shooting but the 6BR will do it for you. If wanting to shoot just out to 200 the PPC is top dog but it is a bit more finicky when it comes to load tuning and there is some brass prep required by turning necks. Drawbacks are you must reload for them and to get top performance out of the PPC match grade aftermarket bullets are advised for reloading. The 6BR is as straightforward as they come. Lapua brass, .272 neck chamber, bullets 105-107 gr if a 8 twist barrel, Varget, H4895 or RE15, primers and go to town.

Overall both will give you:

Light recoil
Superb barrel life(6BR better than PPC)
AWESOME accuracy, 6BR pretty tough to beat from 300 to 600 and even beyond.
When loaded with light bullets the 6BR will definately outperform the 22-250

Just some of the things taht come to mind.
 
Thanks for all the replies and info, I don't know if it will be easier or harder now :p. I think I'm leaning slightly toward the 6br overall, more because I don't know anyone in Gllam with one :D. Usual range will be out to 300 yards, but I'm not far from barren lands for some longer range work one day. Any twist rates vs. bullet weight info to share? Also, barrel length?
 
30" Barrel, That way you can rechamber when the throat wears (Cheaper than a new barrel)
1:8 twist
107grn Sierra's, 105grn Lapua's, 108grn Bergers (if you can get em)

Checkout 6mmbr.com for some great info on the 6BR and other BR/F-Class calibers for bullet choices, load info etc.

Talk to Obtunded about a barrel, tell him I told you to PM him and he will know what barrel you are talking about.
 
I had a chance

to shoot mine this past weekend at 400 yards B4 sunlight got to low and it is just amazing. Under 1" groups at 400 yards.

The come ups that I got fom my RCBS program are almost bang on out to that distance.

I have a 10 twist 26" barrrel shooting 95gr Berger VLD's. They are making perfect little round holes at 400 so I would take it they will be good out to 600 and beyond. There is plenty of velocity left at 1000 according to the program. They should be in around 1500fps at 1000.

I am very happy with the 10 twist but may go to an 8 next go round. I like the 10 twist for the fact that I can shoot 65gr V-Max's and they stay together. Great for the gopher patch. They may or may not hold together in the faster 8 twist.

I am capable of shooting out to 600 with ease on the farm. May have to do some ranging and see if I can get 1000.

Have fun with your project.
 
Hey C*486,

Impressive results. I want to build a gopher rig in 6BR for the express purpose of shooting the 65 vmax's... you find they are ok in the 10 twist? I was worried about having to go to a 12 twist. That isn't bad, but I like having the option of using 90's and the 1:10 sounds great.
 
Obtunded, the

65gr V-Max's shoot ok in it. I have not done a lot of testing but the groupings appeared to be OK. Can easily get over 3500 fps with them.

I think that is the nice thing about the 10 twist. You can shoot 65gr right up to 90gr for sure and depending on the barrel the 95gr Berger VLD's. Mine stabilizes the 95's at 400. Perfect little round holes. The 10 twist is a good compromise.

I am not sure if the lighter bullets would survive the 8 twist or not. They might come appart.

I built my gun around the 95gr Berger VLD's and the 10 twist. The article I read talked about the ballistics of that combination versus a 8 twist and the 105-107 at 600 yards. The ballistics were better with the 10 twist and 95gr bullet to 600 yards. Then it is presumed the latter started to take over.

I am not sure if I would shoot much over 600 but I would not be to worried about trying out to 1000 with my combination. I think there is enough to get me out to 1200. The published BC of the 95 VLD is 514 to 556 for the 105VLD both by Berger. According to my RCBS ballistics program I should have about 1500 fps left at 1000 yards. Things out to 400 were as the program said they would be.

I ran the numbers for the 107SMK with a published BC of 527 at a velocity of 2950 fps where a lot try to run it at and the 95gr Berger (3050fps which is obtainable) beats it balistically out to 1000 yards. The 95 VLD is slightly ahead of the 105 Berger(2950 fps) with the higher 556 BC at 1000 yards. Now this is just running it on the program.

Bottom line as far as number crunching goes using a program, at least the RCBS that I have the 95 Berger VLD is one hell of a bullet as ong as your barrel can stabilize it.

I just may not change twist and stay with the same 10 twist by Mr. Gaillard but go to a slightly longer pipe.
 
Brass from

gillamboy said:
Again thanks for the info, this is starting to come together. Where do I source some brass? Lapua seems to be preferred.
Click to expand...

Peter Dobson of Hirsch Precision. He is a GREAT man to deal with. He is in Nova Scotia. Can be reached at 902-829-2932.

It will cost you around 110.00 for 100 pieces shipped to your door. I cannot remember the exact figure. It is not cheap but worth every penny.

Calvin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom