As you may no know from previous posts, im in the market for either a 25-06 or 243 used for everything up to goat sized game. it will most likely be a semi/custom job. I have been giving 243 serious thought and came across the 6mm-284. I found the ballistics to quite impressive (about 150-200fps quicker than 243) but it burns more powder, and cases are more difficult to get hold compared to the 243. I would appreciate any feedback about the 6mm-284 from anyone, and some possible fav loads etc.
Im becoming more interested about the 6mm. And although there are some impressive ballistics from the 6mm-284 and 6mm-06, 243wssm, however it seem quite difficult to beat the good old pope gun, due to many external factors (good cases, huge amount of good bullets etc). I'm not saying the 243 is the best round of all time or anything but i would probs go as far as saying it would be the best round in the 6mm class for varminting - medium game hunting.
I wouldn't say that it is the best of the 6mm's mate, but that depends on what exactly you are looking for. Ammo and cases are easy to get and relatively inexpensive, while most of the others can't claim that advantage.
Your 6/284 will need case resizing from .284 Win brass (or 6.5/284) which is expensive compared to .243 brass. You could neck down .25/06 to 6mm for your 6/06. .240 Wby Mag brass is readily available, excellent quality (made by Norma) but expensive. All of these will easily outperform the .243 Win by 200/300 fps.
Bullet availability is not as issue, it is the same for all, although the higher performance of the bigger cases may require better/tougher bullets to be used and they will cost a little more as well.
So if you want better performance than the .243 Win, there are plenty of ways to achieve it, but with greater effort and cost.
OR
You could just buy a good .25/06 and have a better all rounder without the fuss - this has the added advantage of never having to admit that you own a .243 Win.
fair points mate.
Do you reckon its worth fiddling around to try and outperform the 243 with other 6mm or just go the 25-06?? the 25-06 is pretty farking good really. does everything a 6mm will do with bigger bullets and more authority.
thanks for your comments. i guess i do agree with you
HiWall wrote:you could just buy a good .25/06 and have a better all rounder without the fuss - this has the added advantage of never having to admit that you own a .243 Win.
6.5-284 was all the rage among F Classers a few years ago....had a rep for short barrel life (1000-1200 rounds) though. So 6-284 would be even harder on barrels
It would consistently shoot around 3-4in mark at 500 but I was looking for better. Velocity I could get the 107 SMK running up to 3250fps and easy to shoot.
HiWall wrote:
You could just buy a good .25/06 and have a better all rounder without the fuss - this has the added advantage of never having to admit that you own a .243 Win.
+1
120gn bullet @ 2800fps = hits hard
75gn bullet @ 3500fps = flat as a models chest
buying commonly available cases = easy to feed
not admitting you own a 243 = priceless
louie the fly wrote:
.......for everything up to goat sized game......
If that’s the question any 6mm is more than adequate for the task. Why would you want a bigger case, longer action, more powder, more noise and more recoil…..I don’t understand that thinking.
(I'm just ignoring that other blasphemous remark )
HiWall wrote:
You could just buy a good .25/06 and have a better all rounder without the fuss - this has the added advantage of never having to admit that you own a .243 Win.
+1
120gn bullet @ 2800fps = hits hard
75gn bullet @ 3500fps = flat as a models chest
buying commonly available cases = easy to feed
not admitting you own a 243 = priceless
Can easily get 3650FPS from the 75gn V Max out of a .243AI with AR2209 . The standard .243 would only be 50 - 60 FPS behind. That said the .25/06 is certainly more gun and is a logical step up if you want more punch than the .243 has to offer . Goats and the .243 go together like fish and chips though.
Well heres the best 2nd hand 25-06 going, comes with everything you could want including load data, your choice of scopes ie Vortex 6.5-20 or Leupold 6.5-20.
It looks good, shoots great and has taken everything from crows to deer (often at rather long ranges) without issue.
I love it.................thats gold.
