I had my head set on a 243 using it for an extra deer rifle and long range dog and prairie dog hunting, when my 223`s fall a little short or windy conditions. After reading more and more I am stuck now between the two calibers, there are pros and cons to both. I need help in deciding between the two. What are your experiences. I plan on doing my own reloading if that makes a difference.
Never looked at the Ballistics on the 6MM until now. If you are going to be hand loading I’d say go with the 6MM all the way. Higher Velocity from Muzzle out to 500 yards. Same for Energy and almost 3/4 of a foot less drop at 500 yards. I’d say the 6mm would be the better choice.
Myself I would go for the 6MM all the way. If I did not reload the .243 would be a better choice. I really like the ballistics of the 6mm family.
I tried REALLY hard to love the 6 MM enough to buy one. I looked, and debated, and looked some more. But I couldn’t and here’s why.
First, unless you were in a gun shop and had one in your hand when you wrote the post, there is the problem of finding one.
Unlike the .243, there are very, very few 6 MM guns on the market. 3 years ago when I was looking, only Remington made a new 6 MM and in current production was only a heavy barrel model which I didn’t want.
Even on the big auction sites, there is a tiny number of them available at any one time.
Savage, Sako/Tikka, Browning, etc didn’t have a 6 MM in current production. Even Remington would have been a custom shop job had I wanted a standard barrel.
Then there was the relative hassle of getting ammo and/or reloading components. .243 brass? No problem. 6 MM brass? Expensive and hardly almost always has to be bought new.
That’s not a problem if you’re hunting deer and only need 50. I wanted to be able to shoot coyote and PDs, so I needed 500. Ouch!
If I came across one in good condition someday on a gun rack, I might have a hrd time resisting. But vs a factory .243, the on-paper advantages don’t hold up against the hassle factor.
Grouse
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I tried REALLY hard to love the 6 MM enough to buy one. I looked, and debated, and looked some more. But I couldn’t and here’s why.
First, unless you were in a gun shop and had one in your hand when you wrote the post, there is the problem of finding one.
Unlike the .243, there are very, very few 6 MM guns on the market. 3 years ago when I was looking, only Remington made a new 6 MM and in current production was only a heavy barrel model which I didn’t want.
Even on the big auction sites, there is a tiny number of them available at any one time.
Savage, Sako/Tikka, Browning, etc didn’t have a 6 MM in current production. Even Remington would have been a custom shop job had I wanted a standard barrel.
Then there was the relative hassle of getting ammo and/or reloading components. .243 brass? No problem. 6 MM brass? Expensive and hardly almost always has to be bought new.
That’s not a problem if you’re hunting deer and only need 50. I wanted to be able to shoot coyote and PDs, so I needed 500. Ouch!
If I came across one in good condition someday on a gun rack, I might have a hrd time resisting. But vs a factory .243, the on-paper advantages don’t hold up against the hassle factor.
Grouse
My first gun in a smaller caliber, as a do all, was a .243. The selection, availability, price point, along with the performance it does possess…. to me it was a done deal without looking too deep. However, as a catch all, I don’t like resighting so this one’s been left for varmints. One day, I’ll get a “pretty” one for deer hunting. I have also since gotten a pair of 223’s but that’s a whole ‘nother story. 
(Laughing….) And wouldn’t it be nice to add a 22-250 to the mix while we’re at it!!!) 
I have a 6mm Remington an love it . I have shot deer an coyotes with it . Been a great gun for me.
Tom
On the 6mm side, take a look at the 6Xc and the 6m Creedmoor. These are two of the steller 6mm that are walking all over the tactical competition events taking high honors.
Someone very knowledgeable in this area as a gun smith in WI. would be Jim at centershotrifles.com
My favorite is the 260 using the 139 Scenars but these 6mm mentioned are really doing well.
Jeff
Good information so far..did some checking brass for the 6MM has become more available and one of the few calibers that is not getting a big run right now.
What I do like about the Remington 6MM (.244) versus other 6MM grendal etc. is no need to fire form the brass just less hassle getting ready to reload.
Doing some searches as to what I can find for a rifle.
The jury is still out….
Of course, the whole brass availability situation depends entirely on how much you shoot. Most hunters could get by quite happily with only 50 cases. Since the 6 MM isn’t known to be chronic case stretcher, a supply of brass will last a hunter for years and years.
The good news with the 6 MM Remington is that it beneifts from it’s vastly more popular .243 cousin from Winchester in terms of bullet availability.
I’d love to have one simply because the road less traveled is often the road that is all the more interesting for it.
Grouse
Just a recap from yesterdays grouper shoot, one was allowed a few rounds to get on target if needed then you shot 5 rounds for score. Scored for tightest group on your target face.
What was interesting with all the calibers represented and there was a variety, that again the 6mm and 6.5s were on top
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Actually a fun shoot to attend.
Target set at 400+ yards with the 5 rounds for score – tightest group
All rounds were shot off of a bench, prone would of been fun, and we had a good group of shooters attend.
Top Five rifles – a little info
1st place 6.5×47 Bench Rest rifle
2nd place 6Xc Tactical Rifle
3rd place 6mBr Bench Rest rifle
4th place 260 Tactical rifle
5th place 6mBr Bench rest rifle
It’s always fun when you can pull the trigger.
I ended up in 4th, what was interesting is that the top 4 rifles were built by Jim at Center Shot Rifles
There was talk about having a shoot like this every month there during the winter- located south of Spencer, WI. or west of Marshfield, WI. 10 minutes.
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Good information so far..did some checking brass for the 6MM has become more available and one of the few calibers that is not getting a big run right now.
If you are thinking about the 6 MM for prarie dogs and you have designs on loading up several hundred rounds, from what I’ve seen in the last few weeks, you should make absolutely sure you have a brass supplier that has the brass in stock before you buy the rifle.
Having an rare caliber like the 6 MM Rem could be good or it could be very bad. It all depends on how much supply was out there before the panic.
The situation with ammo and reloading components has become extremely dire. Crazed panic buying has set in and the shelves are now bare. I talked to one guy at Cabelas on December 27 and he was buying powder because he was thinking about getting into reloading due to the gun panic! He didn’t have a clue and didn’t have any of the other components and I pointed out to him that having the powder is of no use when the primer and bullet shelves are empty! And at Cabelas, they were literally empty.
But that’s the way it’s going these days. I had to pass on a rifle that I’d been dreaming about for 10 years because the caliber is just too much of an oddball. You’d think a .218 Bee would be about the last rifle on earth where there would be a run on brass. And you’d be wrong. Everything is gone or it is priced at $1 per case. That is NOT a typo.
I eventually caved in to that tiny little rational side of my brain that was screaming, “Don’t do it! You’ll buy the rifle and it cause months or even a year of extreme frustration because you won’t be able to shoot it!”
Bottom line is have a confirmed brass supply locked in before you buy because I can very easily see a situation where you’d have a gun that you couldn’t shoot for a considerable period of time.
Grouse
Is is getting absolutely NUTS… Scheels did not have any 8lb`rs of Varget. So I had them order up some for me and of course like everything that has to do with guns it is WHO KNOWS WHEN IT WILL BE HERE and it has been almost 3 weeks now.
I have gone round and round and yea I think I am staying with a 243. I have narrowed my choices to Tikka T3 light, Thompson ICON, Weatherby A bolt, and last the Howa 1500. Real downside to the Howa is spending another $100 to install the magazine update, as I hate trap doors on rifles. I know the Savages are well liked and are known for accuracy but just don`t like the way the action feels.
Of your choices listed, I’m partial to the Tikka T3. I have a pair of them and sometimes wish I had one in every caliber available!!! A .243 in a T3 Lite would be AWESOME!
I own both the Howa 1500 and Tikka T3 lites. I’ve been nothing less than perfectly satisfied with both. I’m a fan of the Boyd FT thumbholes, of which the Howa sporter comes with it. I’m still waiting on Boyd to get the Tikka’s done. I nov. I got an email that they would have the FT thumbhole available for the Tikka after the 1st of the year. I agree the $100 for the kit if a bit pricy, but nice to have.
The Tikka T3 IS awesome. I have the T3 Hunter in .243 Win. I love everything about this rifle.
Totally agree with you about magazines, BTW. I can’t stand a hunting rifle that you have to hand load each round every time. Just don’t lose your Tikka mag. $$$$$
Grouse
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Just don’t lose your Tikka mag. $$$$$
Grouse
It is ABSOLUTELY nuts what they get for an extra magazine.
Randy did you get the magazine conversion done on your Howa?
I did one of them. Super easy. No modifications and didn’t need to shim anything. 
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