OzFclass

G'Day all,
I have been reading as much as I can on the 6BR, 6Dasher, 6BRX, 6x47lapua, 6XC, 6-284 etc and am finding it difficult to identify a standout cartridge that performs at the longer distances. So, I am after suggestions based on your first hand experience, for a long range cartridge.

I do not want to build a dedicated FO only rifle at this stage and want to utilise an existing rifle. This is to be based on my Hall S BR rifle. It has a 308 bolt face in a Borden carbon fibre stock that is used as my 10.5 lb LV BR rifle. I still want to use it as a back up BR rifle and with a quick barrel change use it for FO and 500m Fly shoots. There are some conditions that I want to meet, see below:

•As I have a limited budget and initially need only a barrel, weight system, cases & dies.

•Must initially be a 6mm cartridge (all my BR stuff is based around 6mm)

•Easily formed wildcats welcomed! No harder than a 6ppc to form.

•Barrel to be around starting at minimum 26" long probably with a weight in the butt stock to maintain rifle balance.

•I expect to use in local FO matches where 80% of matches are up to 800m (875yds) 20% of matches out to 1000yds

•Loading port measures 2.5" long by 1" and a bolt throw approx 3.25"

•I do not want to remove the bolt in order to remove fired case so cases would be limited to max OAL of 2"

•Describe your experience with tuners good or bad

Please feel to add any further info, again based on your first hand experience. I expect there are many other shooters who will benefit from your replies as well so I encourage you to make the effort to reply to my queries.

Many thanks,
Cheerio Ned

Ned
Although I have no first hand experience with it (YET), I'd probably go with the 6x47 Lapua, it has all the makings of a great caliber, good brass, a selection of bullets and about the perfect capacity for the 105-107 bullet.
If you want something that gives great results with minimum work the BR is hard to go past !!!

Good luck
Matt P

G'Day Matt,
Thanks for the info, since I'm use to making the ppc, the case forming is not too much of a worry, just availability of quality off-the-shelf dies is more of a concern, however, in the latest sinclair catalogue I see Redding and Forster make dies for both the 6mm and 6.5mm x 47lapua.

Sierra's Ballisitic program seems to suggest the 6x47 should deliver in the wind but at what level of accuracy and how hard will it be to tune. The 6BR has definately set the standards for accuracy and easy of loading.

Cheerio Ned

Ned,

Early indications are that the 6x47 will be at least the equal of the 6BR if not better ath the longer yardages. I have heard nothing to suggest its hard to tune .. have a look on 6mmBR.com .. lots of info there.

cheers
Dave P

G'day Dave,
thanks for the tip, I've been working the 6mmBR site, BR central and of course oz fclass for quite some months. I was after real world data preferably from those shooters who currently use the 6x47 and have also used the 6BR in order to get a real comparison between the two.

On paper the 6x47lap is a great cartridge and comparable to the 6.5-284. I've also had reliable reports of a 6BRX and 6.5-284 when shot together at the same time to have identical wind drift. To me it seems as though the 6x47 should easily achieve MV of 3100 to 3200 in a strong S/Steel action like the Hall without stressing the action or cases too much and hopefully delivering the accuracy and minimal drift required for 1000yd shooting.

Again, thanks to all for the advice, it is very much appreciated.
Cheerio Ned

If I was going to 6 mm, I would be buiding a 6x4. I saw one shooting on Sunday and it looks very promising. May have more to say after the Townsville shoot.

Although I want to see more shooting of them, the 6.5x47 may also be my first choice in 6.5
The latter may give more barrel life, too.

One real factor in the choice of a cartridge is availability of superior cases.
If Lapua consider these two as flagship cartridges, this may be a deciding factor - case quality.

Peter Smith.