6mmBR for varminting?

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prosper

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Has anyone used a 6br for a varmint gun? I'm thinking a short-throated 14" twist no-turn barrel, tapered to .8" or so, finished at 24" or 26" dedicated to slinging 55 to 70 grain bullets at gophers out to a quarter mile or so.
From what I gather, a slow twist 6mmbr can sling lightweight bullets nearly as fast as a 243, but burn less powder for less heat, and probably a much better lifespan - ideal attributes for a gopher blaster
 
I really enjoyed my 'slowish' twist 6BR from a few years back. It shot 87gr Vmax superbly and had no issue hitting clays at 800ish yds even in the wind if I doped properly.

6mmBR.com has a ton of varmint info for this cartridge. I would suggest getting a twist that can go up to the 90gr scenars. That way if you ever want to plink to 1000m, no problem. Thinking 10 twist should do it.

For dirt cheap high volume varminting, I think a fast twist 223 is ideal. The 6BR offers better wind bucking, a bit more recoil, more operating costs - expensive buying 500 brass for a nice weekend PD popping.

For a 6mm case, hard to find a better varminting cartridge for single feeding.

You'll love it.

Jerry
 
Oh, I have no real *need* for another varminter/plinker - just a gap I need to fill between the various 22's (including fast twist 223's) and 6.5's. :D

For high-volume shooting, the best option is to bring several rifles :) :)
 
have you thought about a semi? A target mini 14 or AR180B would be something quite different.

If funds allow, I am going to investigate the new 9 twist mini's IF they will stabilize the 75gr Amax.

The 6BR is a really nice cartridge. Unless you are building a heavy rig, consider a muzzle brake. Mine would bump me off target just enough so I wouldn't see the impacts of some shots - no fun.

My 6mm will likely weight 22lbs (F class legal) with the option of ballasting to just under 40lbs. Getting tired of brakes and recoil.

Jerry
 
Hey Prosper!

I converted a Rem 700 from 243 to 6mmBR a couple years ago as a ground hog zapper - I love it!!!

Wow - it is ever accurate! 1/4 mile no problem. It's super good to at least 600yds (world record holding cartirdge @ 600).

I built mine as a varmint specific rig: 24" barrel; 0.780" at the muzzle; 1:12 twist; no-neck-turn chamber of 0.272" works perfectly with Lapua brass.

For now, I just had the factory stock 'hogged-out' to accommodate (and float) the heavier barrel and did a glass bedding job & Rifle Basix Trigger (Sweet !). Still looking for something ###y stock-wise for it.

Since I won't shoot this at paper targets (only interactive ones....that pop...!!!) I wasn't intersted in the faster twist for heavy VLD capability.

There is (as I'm sure you know) LOTS of great info at www.6mmBR.com

I think 1:12 will suit you much better than the 1:14. It should be able to handle up to 87gr bullets with no problem. I've used up to 80gr so far with terrific results (and as light as 55gr). With a 14 twist, you'll be limited to the lighter bullets.

Just like you 'need' this 6BR, I'm in need of a 6.5 - I'm thinking 260 Rem...

Good luck with this project.

TTYL - SD
 
I've got a pair of 260's. One for the 140's, and one for the 100's. They work quite well.

As far as the 6br goes, I've found just the barrel I'm after. Lolthar Walter and Shilen both make Savage Varmint countour factory replacement barrels, pre-threaded and chambered. Lothar Walther has one in 6br 14". Think I'll ring them up tomorrow and order it. I have a few thousand 55 grain nosler BT's handy already, so I just need dies, brass and a headspace gauge.
 
I got wood when I saw this thread...

I have used the 6BR extensively for shooting gophers (columbia ground squirrels) and I have friends that have experimented with many BR variants too.

You are bang on with your specs... 1:14 using light bullets. My pal Don built a gopher rig on a 1:14 barrel previously chambered in 6ppc. He is pushing 65 bergers at close to 3700 fps and it is amazing! His latest mod was to add a muzzle brake to it was well, just to make watching through the scope that much easier. Rem 700 SPS action, Boyd's stock and a second-string barrel. Deadly for less than $1500 total.

I have used 1:8's extensively with bullets down to 87 grains and 3200 fps. Wickedly accuate and lots of fun.

I spent last season whacking them at between 700 and 1000 meters with 105's and while the theatrics aren't as great as lighter bullets, the accuracy makes hitting at those distances very satisfying.

A 6BR "light" (1:14 and light bullets) or a 22 BR would be my choice for the ultimate affordable, accurate varmint gun.
 
a 22br crossed my mind too, but it's basically just a fancy 22-250. In the 55 grain weight, the 6 enjoys an identical BC but with a larger surface area for longer barrel life and better speed. A fast twist 22br would be an interesting beast, though from all accounts they suffer from extremely limited barrel life.
 
Prosper - I have 2 22br's both on 700 actions. One is a heavy paper gun and I liked it so much I built another in basically a heavy sporter. I have no thoughts of ever going back to a 22-250 or any other 22 variation. Both are tight neck and I had a ton of brass from when I had a 7BR so I'm good to go when I get in a gopher patch. Trouble is I live to far north to do it much. I read an article awhile back in Precision Shooting about a guy that had 15,000 rounds thru a 22BR varmit gun before before the barrel gave out. Barrel life is not a concern of mine.
 
You guys

have hit the nail on the head. After owning a 6BR there is no reason to own anything but.

I have a Rem 700 in a 26" Rem taper, a Bat 6PPC and a new Rem 700 in 243 Winchester. The barrel on the 6BR has about 1200 rounds thru it. When I chamber my new barrel when it gets in, it will go on the existing 6BR with a 8 twist Gaillard, and the old 10 twist Gaillard will get set back, cut shorter, and replace the .243 Win.
 
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