I have plans to build a rifle that is twisted, chambered, and throated to shoot the 88gr Berger Varmint bullet. (I know it's no guarantee it will shoot it but it's a starting point) I would like to shoot the bullet as fast as possible without getting crazy. So what 6mm cartridge would best serve me in a 23-24" barrel?

.243 Win
6mm Rem
6mm-284
6mm-06
Others?

I would like to maximize my velocity without getting into the wasted powder cardridges (burns more powder than other cartridges for little to no gain)

Barrel life is not a factor with in reason. After load development and getting a good zero it will be a coyote rifle. So 500 rounds would get me 3-5 years and that is acceptable for me. So a barrel life of 500 and up is what we will shoot for. The only other factor would be that I would like it to mag feed.

Thanks

Jason


Edit: Why the 23-24" barrel you ask? Simple, Iam tired of lugging around my heavy 26" rifles from stand to stand in knee to waist deep snow I shoot off sticks 98% of the time and I have been using a friends light rifle and I have noticed no loss in hit percentage over my heavy rifles. ( I strongly prefer my heavy ones for off hand shooting but like I mentioned most of my shooting is off sticks)

The plan as of now will be a Stiller predator action with jewel trigger and a bottom metal to be named later. Krieger #4 barrel with 6 flutes. McMillan tikka 65 stock with standard fill (or edge) shooting for 8 pounds scoped and empty.

Just get a 243. ~AMMOe

I vote .243 AI and 1-10 twist.

With a 23 - 24" tube an Ackley is a senseless expenditure of money, I'd think.~AMMOe

With the criteria you state, a .243 or .244 is the answer to your question.

6mm-284.

There are a few threads here about that cartridge. I think redmistmd has experience with that one. The Hodgdon site has some load data, but not for the bullet you want.

I'm shooting a 6MM Ackley Imp and since I've had mine built a friend has also built one. Both are Remington 700 VLS. Mine has a 26" Gaillard w/1 in 12 twist and his is a 26" Douglas w/1in 12 twist.
Mine isn't crazy about the Berger 88gr High BC bullet but is accepetable. His however shoots the 88gr great.

Mine reallys likes the Berger 69gr High BC. I'm currently shooting out to 550-600 yards with good accuracy and travelling at 4000 fps.

Hope this helps.

I had the same thoughts. Even if the 23-24" barrel is too short, at least you wouldn't have to dink with case prep so much, since trimming is practically over and done with, using an AI.

How does your friends rifle with 88gr's perform on coyotes? I was talking with a smith in saskatoon that recomended the 6mm AI and the .22-243 middlestead (he said he has built a ton of those) what one do you prefer out of the two?

"Practically"??

I have always had to trim my Ackleys and if not, I've needed to measure them to find out. ~AMMOe

If you're talking to a smith in s'toon and he recommended 6MM AI or Middlestead...then I imagine you're referring to AC Douglas. He built all three of mine.

Neither of us have used the 88s on coyotes. We both are using the 69s.

You started this thread out by looking for advice on a 243/244cal varmint calibre, and I won't try to discourage you from that cause I love my 6mm AI. BUT...fur friendliness isn't exactly there! If your careful they'll work fine. However the 22-243 Middlestead is quite a bit better on fur with near the range!

If you're looking to just shoot coyotes and KEEP the fur then go another route...if you're just looking to bang/flop coyotes at long range with no regards for fur then build the 6MM AI.

We built these 6mmAIs for a dual purpose wolf/deer rifle. And use them for late (February) coyote season. They're fun for shooting sleepers in that 400-600 yard range.

I start the calling season with a 19-223Calhoon, move to the 22-243 Middlestead in mid season and finish with the 6mmAI.
He starts with a 17-223 AI then his 22-250 AI and finishes with the 6mmAI.
But again, we've got plenty of coyote rifles....these 6mmAIs were put together for BIG dogs!

In my opinion you should probably look more towards the 22-243 or 22-250 AI.

Good luck!

Win 243. Take the money you'd save on case-forming dies and forming loads and use it to buy a Lilja 3-groove at 1-10 twst.


If you thought you needed a wildcat for some reason, then I would go with a 243 AI or possibly a Middlestead and a 27" bbl. Done up in an Encore, you could still have a gun lighter than a Bolt gun and really have some ZIP! This Encore idea will also wring out more speed out of the Win 243.


----fl

Yes I was in AC douglas (getting some minor smithwork done) He kept mentioning the .22-250 AI aswell as another fella in there at the time. Problem is I have a .223 shooting the 40gr blitz kings for my main calling rifle I just had an ich to build something for those spots you know the shots will be long. I just got a custom rifle I had built for my girlfriend back from the smith so I kind of have a small window were I will be able to build my own with no guff Iam set up for hunting rifles already so thats were the idea came from for the fast 6mm for a long range coyote rifle. I might just end up selling the heavy .223 and build a lightweight .22-250 AI and have one rifle that could do it all. (especially after all the recomendations for that cartridge)

Thanks for your post.

If she doesn't even have a ring and she already gives you "guff" for building a rifle...

Run away! Run away!

if .22, then why not a 220 Swift in a tight-chambered, 3-groove, SS, Lilja barrel twisted towards the heavier pills??

----fl