[skyhawk]

I've been interested in getting into target shooting, however I am confused with all the different calibers for this application. Not trying to phrase this as what is the best cartridge. I would like to know the benefits of different calibers of the 6mmBr, 6PPC, 6.5x55, 6.5x285, 6.5x47, 6.8SPC, and others. Most likely I would be using these at 100-600 yards. Also it seems very expensive to shoot these rounds for the price I could be using a 300 win mag. Any info on what you use or benefits of the differend calibers would be greatly appreciated.

[c3shooter]

Man once told me "Accuracy is expensive. So.... How accurate do you wanna be?"

There are EXTREME accuracy cartridges (with the right rifle and right shooter) and there are accurate rounds that began as hunting catridges. Obviously, the 6mm BR, the 6PPC, etc, began as target rounds. To really get the most of these, I believe you will be handloading your ammo.

On the other hand, the 6.5 Mauser is (IMHO) one of the most accurate HUNTING rounds developed, and it has drifted over into the target shooter realm. Same for the .308, etc. But the REAL big boys at 600 yards are not using 30 cals.

Benefits can be argued back and forth over at least a case of beer- how a bullet reacts to wind, the ballistic co-efficent of a given bullet, recoil, availability of barrels and brass, etc. I realize I have not given you an answer, but that is why they have all those flavors in the freezer in the ice cream section.

You may want to read this- World Record Sub-Inch 600-Yard 6BR

[skyhawk]

Thanks for the link I was really having a hard time at first comparing the rounds because many were talking about their accuracy under 300 yards. The added distance seems to leave the 6mmbr and the 6.5x47 for me to review. And there are plenty of postings in various forums for to read about that.

[cpttango30]

Right now the 6mm PPC is the king of the bench for short range 100 to 300 yards. For 500+ yards they step up to 6.5, 7 and 30cal and even 338 cal rounds.

I know guys shooting 243win in F-Class matches. I also know guys shooting 6mmbrx in 1k bench rest matches.

For all things 6mm look at http://www.6mmbr.com/ There are tons of stuff on there

Also 6.6-284 is a very popular 1k round. The 284 win it picking up popularity as well.

If you are wanting the best all around cartridge for 100 to 600 yards. Look at the 6mm ppc, 6mmbr, 6brx, 6 Dasher and the 6XC.

The short fat cartridge is all the rave and started with the PPC cases in 22 and 6mm ppc.

I love the .257 caliber but, for accuracy and distance your are left out in the cold. The 25 cal will do anything a 6mm will just better. and the 257 will do anything a 6.5 and 7mm can do just with less recoil. Many don't like the 25 cal so there are not many match grade bullets out there for it.

[bgeddes]

I shoot 100-200-300 yard Benchrest regularly. There are 2 calibers for the Varmint guns and 2 for the Hunter class guns. 6mm PPC, and 30 BR for the Varmints, and 30x47 or 30 Aardvark for the Hunter class guns (the hunter guns have to shoot from a case capable of holding 41 grains of water). That's it. Many of these guys are past World Record holders. If there was a cartridge that would work better, you can best you last dime they would be shooting it.

[Catfish]

The truth of the matter is that the caliber of the rifle does not make as much difference as the quality of the rifle. For 100 and 200 yrd. shooting the bc of the bullet doesn`t make alot of difference eather. When you start streaching it out to 500 plus yrds. you really need to be shooting bullets of .500 plus BC. A real good 100 and 200 yrd. gun woun`t shoot at 600 yrds. with a run of the mill 600 yrd. gun, and a run of the mill 100 yrd. gun will clober a good 600 yrd. gun at short yardages. Do a little reading on external blastic befor you make up your mind what you want, then get read to lay out some serious buck if you want to compete with the big boys.

[skyhawk]

Thanks for the advice, I'll look at the other calibers mentioned and compare the BC as well and considering recoil. Yes, I do plan on purchasing/building a high quality rifle once I make up my mind.

[Catfish]

The most popular round used today is probly the 6 br. for the 100 and 200 yrd. matches, but if your going to push it out to 600 yrds. you will need to go with a fast twist and heavy lead which may hurt you alittle with the short matches. Or you can just use the lite bullet for 600 yrds. and take the extra drift. Your other option would be to go with a switch barrel gun and have a barrel for each.

[bgeddes]

I was at a match yesterday and there was not one gun in 6BR. I'd wager the match I'm going to in two weeks there will not be one their either.

There were lots of 6mm PPC (but the match was at Dr. Palmisano's range. Turn's out he's a great cook, he made us all lunch.)

I've never seen a 6mm BR, even at big shoots like the Bud.

[inmate of Md]

Have seen some 6BR's at 1 to 300 yard matches, but none do really well.
People were shocked to see how well the 6ppc will shoot at 600 yards. Some really small groups with rifles set up for short range.
The big shocker was how well the 30 BR does at 600.