Popular 6mm's for PRS.

[JS624]

Hey guys looking for info on the many 6mm derivatives.
I've got my eye on 6x47 lapua. But also considering the 6 dasher.
Without starting a giant debate on which one is best could someone more knowledgeable about all the popular 6mms give me some pros and cons to each caliber?
As well as estimated barrel life? As I understand it most wont make it past 2k. Which isn't a huge issue for me as I shoot a 223 for practice.
Thanks guys

 

[uncoffeed]

@SheldonN wins matches with a 6BR. Consider that to be the slow end of your choice. George Gardner ran a 243AI for a long time, and lots of people shoot 6 Creedmoor in the ~3100fps range. That's your upper speed range. They're all plenty accurate, and nothing is really that difficult to load for in 2018, unless you insist on using H4350, which is a PITA to find.
In other words, pick the one that you want to defend in all the internet arguments. Pick based on name, proportion, speed, number of winners using it, availability of factory ammo/brass/powder/small primers, and penis size. Then defend your choice religiously until you feel like changing, at which time you may repeat the process.
In the meantime, go shoot when it's windy and pay attention. That'll make a way bigger difference than that between any 6mm cartridge that's legal for PRS.

 

[JS624]

@SheldonN wins matches with a 6BR. Consider that to be the slow end of your choice. George Gardner ran a 243AI for a long time, and lots of people shoot 6 Creedmoor in the ~3100fps range. That's your upper speed range. They're all plenty accurate, and nothing is really that difficult to load for in 2018, unless you insist on using H4350, which is a PITA to find.
In other words, pick the one that you want to defend in all the internet arguments. Pick based on name, proportion, speed, number of winners using it, availability of factory ammo/brass/powder/small primers, and penis size. Then defend your choice religiously until you feel like changing, at which time you may repeat the process.
In the meantime, go shoot when it's windy and pay attention. That'll make a way bigger difference than that between any 6mm cartridge that's legal for PRS.

Ya I have been talking to sheldon quite a bit about this same topic hes very knowledgeable.

 

[Sheldon N]

@SheldonN wins matches with a 6BR.

Well, 6BRA (ackley) to be exact. It's at 2950fps with a 105 so not exactly slow, more like a Dasher. I heard someone won a full PRS match with a straight 6BR earlier this year so it's doable. Thanks for the shout out though.

Agree on all the other comments.

 

[trophyhunter]

Well, 6BRA (ackley) to be exact. It's at 2950fps with a 105 so not exactly slow, more like a Dasher. I heard someone won a full PRS match with a straight 6BR earlier this year so it's doable. Thanks for the shout out though.

Agree on all the other comments.

Are you using H4895 ?
How well does Varget perform with a 105, either JLK or Hybrid

I have an ample supply of Varget ?

 

[Sheldon N]

Are you using H4895 ?
How well does Varget perform with a 105, either JLK or Hybrid

I have an ample supply of Varget ?

Varget for right now, but H4895 works good too and the bench rest guys seem to like it better. It shoots good with a 105 Hybrid, that's what I'm running. 31.6 Varget at 2955fps from a 26" barrel. BRA is basically a shorter body longer neck slightly higher pressure Dasher.

 

[M_R_Woodard]

How does it feed?

 

[Nortex]

Well, 6BRA (ackley) to be exact. It's at 2950fps with a 105 so not exactly slow, more like a Dasher. I heard someone won a full PRS match with a straight 6BR earlier this year so it's doable. Thanks for the shout out though.

Agree on all the other comments.

I believe the brawl last year was won with straight br but not sure if he ran br this year or 6 creed. Same shooter either way.

 

[morganlamprecht]

yea berry ran 6br last year and i believe we both ran 6.5 creed this year, although the brawl is mostly a faster paced mid range positional match so ballistics are way down the list of what helps to do well

 

[steve123]

Well, 6BRA (ackley) to be exact. It's at 2950fps with a 105 so not exactly slow, more like a Dasher. I heard someone won a full PRS match with a straight 6BR earlier this year so it's doable. Thanks for the shout out though.

Agree on all the other comments.

How's that 6BRA feeding and ejecting Sheldon, and don't you run a TL3?

Basically what I'm asking is are you happy with it enough to stay with it?

 

[Sheldon N]

How does it feed?

Feeds great, TL3 action.

yea berry ran 6br last year and i believe we both ran 6.5 creed this year, although the brawl is mostly a faster paced mid range positional match so ballistics are way down the list of what helps to do well

See, there you go. Same guy wins it two years in a row. 6BR then 6.5 Creed.

 

[Sheldon N]

How's that 6BRA feeding and ejecting Sheldon, and don't you run a TL3?

Basically what I'm asking is are you happy with it enough to stay with it?

Running both Dasher and BRA barrels right now, and current plan is to spin up barrels again for both. I've got lots of brass and all the dies and everything set up, so I'll just keep at it. No real favor of one over the other in normal shooting. BRA has an advantage in brass prep/forming, Dasher can be run at a lower pressure and still be okay in the rain in the low 2900 fps range. BRA is higher pressure so more sensitive if it gets wet. Splitting hairs for the most part.

 

[steve123]

Running both Dasher and BRA barrels right now, and current plan is to spin up barrels again for both. I've got lots of brass and all the dies and everything set up, so I'll just keep at it. No real favor of one over the other in normal shooting. BRA has an advantage in brass prep/forming, Dasher can be run at a lower pressure and still be okay in the rain in the low 2900 fps range. BRA is higher pressure so more sensitive if it gets wet. Splitting hairs for the most part.

Ah, okay, interesting you run both those.

More questions, are your barrels prefit or shouldered and are they both no turn necks?

 

[Sheldon N]

More questions, are your barrels prefit or shouldered and are they both no turn necks?

Was running a couple Dasher barrels, spun up a BRA barrel because I was curious and am sticking with it because I like some of the advantages of it. Both barrels are shouldered, no turn necks.

 

[trophyhunter]

Now I got some questions, what reamer print did you use ? JGS ? Did you use dies from Harrell’s like #3 ?

Seriously thinking of BRA and trying to get all my ducks in a row before I do it.

 

[Sheldon N]

Now I got some questions, what reamer print did you use ? JGS ? Did you use dies from Harrell’s like #3 ?

Seriously thinking of BRA and trying to get all my ducks in a row before I do it.

JGS reamer, one my gunsmith had, same dimensions as pretty much everyone is running, w/ no turn neck. Forster 6 Dasher FL die with 0.082 turned off the bottom of the die and a honed neck (Forster will do this for you). Second choice if you wanted bushing die would be a Harrels D3 or D4 Dasher die shortened 0.082 (Harrels will do this for you).

My honest take for anyone considering 6BRA is this...

Upsides:
Much better case formation during fireforming. I had blow lengths that were within a 0.002 window, 1.549 to 1.551. I didn't bother trimming the brass and don't think I will need to. Dasher has always had a wider range of blow lengths even with false shoulder + jam and I have to trim to even them out.
Longer neck + less powder = slightly slower throat erosion than Dasher.
Bullet above neck/shoulder junction = no worries about donuts
BR guys say accuracy advantage for 1000 yard BR. I can't confirm/deny. Seems to shoot good like a Dasher to me. I say it's a wash.

Downsides:
Smaller case = more pressure. If you try to hot rod it much past 2950-2960 (26" barrel) you are more prone to loosen primer pockets. I loosened up some doing tests with the 110SMK as well as during a rainy match with a 105 load.
Possible if you have a slow barrel you only make 2920-2940fps with a 105 before hitting pressure.
Not as rain friendly. I would say back it down sub 2900fps if you are going to shoot a wet match.
Possibly harder to feed given shorter case body. Runs fine in my gun though.


Overall no magic sauce here, just another of many good cartridge options.

 

[Rob01]

Pick one and practice. If you can't win with a .243 then a Dasher won't make you win either. They all send the same bullets out at a similar speed and are accurate. Make sure it feeds reliably.

 

[trophyhunter]

Possibly harder to feed given shorter case body

Very good info and I appreciate you taking the time to write it out. Being shorter is what greatly concerns me the most. I’m running dasher in my AI and it is now feeding reliably with HRD mag kits. I know length is a major issue with AI with these short calibers. Would you know overall length of your loaded BRA ?

 

[Sheldon N]

Would you know overall length of your loaded BRA

Same as Dasher, 2.385" with 105 Hybrid. Same freebore, same overall case length, just more neck instead of body.