Re: 243 vs. 6x47 Lapua
Hello, fellow Okies! There really isn't much difference for me with necking down the 6.5L to the 6. I typically run all new brass through the FL size die. So for making 6 brass, there is no difference. Set the die so the brass has a slight resistance to closing the bolt and size away. The base of the neck becomes the shoulder, so there shouldn't be any "donut" issues as when you size brass up to the next caliber.
I have consolidated my load to the 105 amax bullet. Running a 23" Stiller Tac 30 with a SS Shilen 8 twist barrel. I've run 87 amaxs, 88 FB Berger HP, 105 Berger VLD, and a few of the lighter bullets.
I've also fireformed 150-200 brass from 22-250 for hunting brass so that I don't loose $1+ brass in the grass and weeds.
Right now the 105 amax load is running 2950ish with a pretty good extreme spread. The vertical for a 5 shot group was about 2" at 950 yards. We won't talk about the horizontal. Moderate winds over a large creek bottom will really move the bullet around.
I really like my 6x47L. I would probably do it over again. I've had 3 .243s (none custom). One was an autoloader, one was a Husqvarna bolt action and one was a 700 sps. They all shot decent (under 1" @ 100) but, not consistent or fully up to my expectations. I'm sure a .243 in a custom rig will shoot with anything.
Dies and brass will be cheaper for the .243. I'd take a custom in either caliber. If you might ever have a need for factory ammo in a hunting rifle, go .243.