Hi all,
I'm planning my first custom build after running a 6.5 CM Tikka/Xray setup for a couple of years and a number of PRS-style club matches (400-1300 yards). I've settled on the ARC CDG for an action but frankly I'm at a loss for what caliber to go with. I've been very happy with my 6.5 CM, but I figure if I'm spending the money on a custom, I should get every competitive advantage I can for match performance. Going by what's popular , it seems like 6 dasher is far and away the most popular cartridge in PRS. My understanding is the benefit over a 140 6.5 CM ELDM is essentially less recoil, in exchange for worse performance in the wind (correct me if I'm wrong). I've also read here and there about 6 dasher having mag/feeding issues more than other choices.
Am I correct in assuming that choosing any 6mm other than 6 CM, I'd basically be required to reload 100% of the time? I believe there's 1 or 2 "boutique" services out there that will basically reload for you, but no real factory ammo options on the horizon, and I'm not spending $2.50+ per shot. I've got a basic reloading setup for 6.5 but I'm a novice with it, and more than that I'm concerned that I won't shoot as often if I have to reload for it all the time. For me, cranking out 20-30 takes around an hour. I suspect that's pretty slow, but I paranoidly trickle all of my powder charges up to they "just" tick up to the tenth-grain I want on the powder scale (Maybe someone with more experience could tell me if that's a pointless endeaver, even when it comes to precision).
In short, I'm wondering if it's possible I could improve the time spent reloading by adjusting my process, but at the same time I'm also wondering if the difference between 6.5 CM and 6 dasher is "worth it". Beyond that, I'm open to opinions about other cartridges as well; I suspect they will all hinge on the same reloading question.
One other question - I'm assuming worst case, if I pick a caliber I don't shoot as often what whatever reason, I'd just be a quick prefit swap away from switching calibers. Is my logic sound, or am I forgetting something else that might keep me from switching calibers without too much fuss?
I'm planning my first custom build after running a 6.5 CM Tikka/Xray setup for a couple of years and a number of PRS-style club matches (400-1300 yards). I've settled on the ARC CDG for an action but frankly I'm at a loss for what caliber to go with. I've been very happy with my 6.5 CM, but I figure if I'm spending the money on a custom, I should get every competitive advantage I can for match performance. Going by what's popular , it seems like 6 dasher is far and away the most popular cartridge in PRS. My understanding is the benefit over a 140 6.5 CM ELDM is essentially less recoil, in exchange for worse performance in the wind (correct me if I'm wrong). I've also read here and there about 6 dasher having mag/feeding issues more than other choices.
Am I correct in assuming that choosing any 6mm other than 6 CM, I'd basically be required to reload 100% of the time? I believe there's 1 or 2 "boutique" services out there that will basically reload for you, but no real factory ammo options on the horizon, and I'm not spending $2.50+ per shot. I've got a basic reloading setup for 6.5 but I'm a novice with it, and more than that I'm concerned that I won't shoot as often if I have to reload for it all the time. For me, cranking out 20-30 takes around an hour. I suspect that's pretty slow, but I paranoidly trickle all of my powder charges up to they "just" tick up to the tenth-grain I want on the powder scale (Maybe someone with more experience could tell me if that's a pointless endeaver, even when it comes to precision).
In short, I'm wondering if it's possible I could improve the time spent reloading by adjusting my process, but at the same time I'm also wondering if the difference between 6.5 CM and 6 dasher is "worth it". Beyond that, I'm open to opinions about other cartridges as well; I suspect they will all hinge on the same reloading question.
One other question - I'm assuming worst case, if I pick a caliber I don't shoot as often what whatever reason, I'd just be a quick prefit swap away from switching calibers. Is my logic sound, or am I forgetting something else that might keep me from switching calibers without too much fuss?