6mm Rem vs. .243win

[zimbu]

Looking for thoughts, pros, & cons between the 6mm Rem and the .243win. Ballistically they look very close. A buddy is looking at picking one up for plinking/varminting, and is trying to decide between the two. Thanks

 

[Obtunded]

2 words: Lapua brass

 

[Blackcloud]

2 words: Lapua brass

Oh so true! And, the 243 is a great round, bergers or DTACs will do very well.

 

[guntech]

The .243 works in a 700 short action, the 6mm Rem is better in a 700 long action. The 6mm Rem is a better case to reload and faster than the .243. The 243 is not discontinued, the 6mm Rem is. For plinking/varminting either will do.

 

[toxic111]

Either will do the job.. The 6mm has a little more case capacity so has a little more speed.

If you reload it don't matter. If you don't the .243 is a little easier to find ammo for.

There is factory ammo out there for the 6mm, but it is limited.

No manufacturer is chambering the 6mm anymore.

 

[Dave42]

2 words: Lapua brass

X3

And I even own 2 6mm's but if I were to build a precision rifle in .243/6mm cal I'd go with the .243win just for the Lapua brass. AI it and you will be on par or better and even be able to seat the bullets out further than the 6mm.

Dave

 

[brenden270]

Lapua brass for .243 and if you want to use a short action you will likely run into seating length restrictions with the 6mm. The .243 is better in those respects. The 6mm may be better in other areas but these two factors really trump all. I've owned an loaded for both, the .243 is less fussy in my experience.

 

[sunray]

"...has a little more speed..." Yep. A whole 100 fps with like bullets. The two are kind of like the difference between a .30-06 and .308. The 6mm has a longer case so it can give the slightly higher velocity. Mind you, it's not as easy to get ammo or brass for a 6mm. The .243 is everywhere. That matters if you go into the boonies to hunt and find you left your ammo on the kitchen table. 6mm rem ammo won't be easy to get in small places. The rifling twist matters for it too.
You don't need the high priced Lapua brass. Winchester works just fine.

 

[cycbb486]

The drawback

I think with the 243 is the SHORT neck. It would be nice if it had a longer neck. It does not leave a lot of room like say the neck of the 6BR.

 

[Obtunded]

I think with the 243 is the SHORT neck. It would be nice if it had a longer neck. It does not leave a lot of room like say the neck of the 6BR.

I made the mistake of running a 243 case into a 6-6.5X47 fl die and this is what happened.

Kind of a reverse Ackley, with the neck/shoulder junction being bushed back to a shoulder angle 30 degrees and this wonderful long neck came out of the deal.

The mind boggles at the possibilities.

 

[todbartell]

its hard to out 243 a 243

 

[USP]

I have a 6mm rem. Its getting harder and harder to find factory ammo for it.

 

[dan belisle]

I have both. 6mm is the better round, but 243 has a lot more factory options. - dan

 

[dryfire]

Why not go with a tight twist 6BR and beat 'em both. For varminting and for long range accuracy?

 

[zimbu]

its hard to out 243 a 243

Thanks everyone. If it were me I'd be getting the .243 for better ammo selection and availability over the extra 100 fps offered by the 6mm. I'll pass along the info to my buddy.
Cheers