6CM vs .243 vs 6UM

[hoff1ck]

Michigan opened up our rifle restrictions for the upcoming season, so just finished up my Tikka build in .223. Plan to use it as a trainer and certainly for deer here as well with 77 grain TMKs. My son will turn 8 and likely to start shooting soon, so my plan is for him to eventually hunt with it too.

I also go out west and have a couple hunts coming up down the road where the .223 won’t meet the minimum, so along with needing a second rifle once my son starts to hunt, has lead me to putting together another lower recoil gun.

Been interested in reloading, which I why I started looking at options outside of the 6CM. Factory ammo for the 6CM seems like the easy button, and being new to reloading maybe that’s the route I need to go out of the 3. Not sure how “easy” the other two are for a beginner, just don’t know what I don’t know there yet. Interested in the 107 or 116 grain TMKs in particular, but would be fine shooting 108 ELD-Ms if factory ammo is the move.

Fully understand that any of the 3 will work just fine, and that the 6UM is more gun than I need at the moment. Always found it intriguing and maybe more of a unique option, especially without the need to fire form the 30. Any option would be shot suppressed. The 22” barrel on the 6CM would likely go to Kampfeld to be cut down to 18. Do like that the 1:8 .243s come in at 20” threaded from the factory.

Thoughts?

 

[Ajsomp]

Cut it down to 16” for either 6cm or 243, if you are going to hand load you’re good to go either way. If you want to shoot factory ammo, go 6CM. You’ll still have plenty of velocity and suppressed it’s the best option.

Notionally I’ve had guys tell me they’d rather load 243 than 6cm. I’ve shot both, the only other benefit to the factory 6cm is the faster twist.

Check out the 107 TMK and 116 TMK loading threads. Some guys getting some great results out of both.

 

[BLJ]

I’ve had guys tell me they’d rather load 243 than 6cm.

Any specific info on this?

 

[Steve300xcw]

243 is just about perfect IMO. Everybody needs one.

If one wanted factory ammo in the eld type. Options for the 6mm flatbill will only get better and better. I dont see the 243 getting that sorta love from the factory who is pushing their 6cm..

 

[Steve300xcw]

Any specific info on this?

Some people have more class than others....

 

[Matt5266]

I handload and shoot the 107 tmk out of my 1:8 243 win. Love the combo. That said I also love it from the standpoint that if something happens. And I need ammo I can probably stop at any mom & pop store and grab some 243 ammo, re-zero with whatever it is and off to the races. I dont believe the 6CM is at that point yet and the 6UM definitely isnt.

 

[hoff1ck]

Cut it down to 16” for either 6cm or 243, if you are going to hand load you’re good to go either way. If you want to shoot factory ammo, go 6CM. You’ll still have plenty of velocity and suppressed it’s the best option.

Notionally I’ve had guys tell me they’d rather load 243 than 6cm. I’ve shot both, the only other benefit to the factory 6cm is the faster twist.

Check out the 107 TMK and 116 TMK loading threads. Some guys getting some great results out of both.

Both of those threads are incredibly helpful. Assuming I’m not getting in over my head with any of those rounds being new to reloading, it doesn’t seem like there’s a bad option of the bunch.

 

[Ajsomp]

Any specific info on this?

they said it was less finicky to load and get the accuracy and speed they wanted. But I can’t imagine either are going to be difficult. I know some guys were having issues with 22 creed but I don’t tend to see the same out of 6CM or 243.

 

[huntsd]

If you want to shoot heavy for cal and don’t reload you need a 6cm. If you do reload I’d just buy the cheaper of the 6cm and 243.

 

[TradLife406]

I have a 6 UM but I'm in Montana. It's my elk rifle/windy prairie rifle.
I really love it. But it's definitely a hassle with brass and fire forming.

Honestly I'm planning on mainly using my 223 ai this year. It'll do 2700 or more with an 18" and 88 tmks.

Also love the 22 Creed.

If Michigan doesn't allow 22's I'd go 6 Creed.

I don't think a 6 UM would be on my radar if I wasn't a resident of a western state.