6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game

I bought a Gen 2 Ruger American in 6 creed. Stock magazine would not feed. I bought a couple magpul AICS mags and they feed fine. Ruger would only fix it if I sent the whole rifle in and I already had the optic mounted and zeroed so I refused. I can’t insert the magazine on a closed bolt, so I have to open the bolt and then seat the mag.

The trigger is not as adjustable as they claim. I could only get it down to 4.5 pounds and it feels terrible.

During break in with factory 108 ELD M, I shot a 10 round group, 9 of the 10 were under .75” at 100 yards. I called that I pulled one left and sure enough I did. Extreme spread with the flyer was maybe 1.25” or so.

I replaced the trigger with a timney for another $180, which does ok. Next time I will buy a tikka. By the time I buy a trigger and aftermarket mags, it’s no longer a good value.

That said the rifle shoots fine. Recoil is pleasant with a can and 30 oz night force optic. I’ve put it on steel out to 630 yards without issue.

That’s great info. My ruger predator gen 1 223 has some quirky things too but it’s a shooter.

I’d prefer a tikka in ever way. It’s my dream gun but they don’t make one in 6 creed yet. I see a “pre fit” barrel but I’m no gun smith so that’s probably beyond my skill


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That’s great info. My ruger predator gen 1 223 has some quirky things too but it’s a shooter.

I’d prefer a tikka in ever way. It’s my dream gun but they don’t make one in 6 creed yet. I see a “pre fit” barrel but I’m no gun smith so that’s probably beyond my skill


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If the twist on the tikka 243 will work for the 108 eldm maybe you can hand load that?

I haven’t looked into that 243 stuff at all but I do plan to throw a prefit 6 CM on my tikka next year
 
That’s great info. My ruger predator gen 1 223 has some quirky things too but it’s a shooter.

I’d prefer a tikka in ever way. It’s my dream gun but they don’t make one in 6 creed yet. I see a “pre fit” barrel but I’m no gun smith so that’s probably beyond my skill


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The economical thing would be to wait for Tikka to start chambering in 6CM which is this year apparently. But just so you know PVA and PBB both will install their Tikka prefit on your action for a bit extra.
 
The economical thing would be to wait for Tikka to start chambering in 6CM which is this year apparently. But just so you know PVA and PBB both will install their Tikka prefit on your action for a bit extra.

The economical route will most likely be what I end up with. I’ll wait till tikka drops an offering. I’ve always wanted a stainless t3x. Sweet! One threaded would be even better.


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The economical route will most likely be what I end up with. I’ll wait till tikka drops an offering. I’ve always wanted a stainless t3x. Sweet! One threaded would be even better.


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I am in no way talking you out of a tikka as (I believe) they are superior rifles, and I love mine, but I have had zero issues with my gen 2 American in 6 creed. Thing has been shooting lights out, including the bear I posted a few pages back. It will save you a few hundred dollars over the tikka. This was my load development with the 109.IMG_4638.jpeg
 
This thread definitely makes me want a 6mm creedmoor. How many of you had a .243 first and then got the creedmoor? I have a perfectly good .243 in the safe. It's a little hard to justify another gun to shoot a little heavier bullet, but they look like fun!
I had all kinds of brass and powder for 243 already so I went with the 1-8 tikka in a super light. I haven’t even messed with anything heavy I had some 95 Berger factory laying so I wanted to break it in with that and it shot so well I picked up the bullet for reloading and am shooting well under 1” 5 shot groups every single group. I have some heavy eld-m to load but just keep banging away with this 95gr stuff lol. Taking it to maybe get my first bear this weekend.
 
I am in no way talking you out of a tikka as (I believe) they are superior rifles, and I love mine, but I have had zero issues with my gen 2 American in 6 creed. Thing has been shooting lights out, including the bear I posted a few pages back. It will save you a few hundred dollars over the tikka. This was my load development with the 109.View attachment 878491
Been many a time I walked into my LGS and almost bought one of these gen 2’ just to play around with
 
This thread definitely makes me want a 6mm creedmoor. How many of you had a .243 first and then got the creedmoor? I have a perfectly good .243 in the safe. It's a little hard to justify another gun to shoot a little heavier bullet, but they look like fun!
some pretty good offerings out there for 10twist if your guns already a shooter
 
some pretty good offerings out there for 10twist if your guns already a shooter
What do you recommend? I have a Savage model 16 in .243. It's a good shooting gun. I'm tempted to put a better scope on it and run some better ammo through it at range.

I'm assuming it is a 1:10 twist.
 
I am in no way talking you out of a tikka as (I believe) they are superior rifles, and I love mine, but I have had zero issues with my gen 2 American in 6 creed. Thing has been shooting lights out, including the bear I posted a few pages back. It will save you a few hundred dollars over the tikka. This was my load development with the 109.View attachment 878491

Good info here man. Would be tough for me to not go this route. Thank you for sharing. Nice rig !


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What do you recommend? I have a Savage model 16 in .243. It's a good shooting gun. I'm tempted to put a better scope on it and run some better ammo through it at range.

I'm assuming it is a 1:10 twist.
My savage 16fcss weather warrior is a 1/9.25”
 

These popped up on Midsouth at .40 cents a piece. Same or higher price than the 108’s.

Curious if anyone has used them to kill anything yet.
 
This thread definitely makes me want a 6mm creedmoor. How many of you had a .243 first and then got the creedmoor? I have a perfectly good .243 in the safe. It's a little hard to justify another gun to shoot a little heavier bullet, but they look like fun!

That’s what I did. I had a tikka .243. Then I wanted a 6 creedmoor so I got a prefit barrel and put it on that.
 
Black bear

tikka .243 win 1-8 twist

108 eldm

141 yard shot

impact velocity: 2750

bear spun around in circles biting at the wound for roughly 5 seconds, then laid down and gave a couple loud death moans. Entire event was over in about 12 seconds.
 

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Black bear

tikka .243 win 1-8 twist

108 eldm

141 yard shot

impact velocity: 2750

bear spun around in circles biting at the wound for roughly 5 seconds, then laid down and gave a couple loud death moans. Entire event was over in about 12 seconds.
Beautiful bear. Wondering what powder you’re loading the eldm over? I have a box I’d like to start messing with
 
Black Bear
Howa Mini 6 ARC
2706 MV with factory Hornady 103 ELDX
Factory Sporter 22” barrel 1:7.5 twist
400 yard shot
2177 Impact Velocity
Slight quartering to shot. Hit on his left side a few inches behind center of center. Exited just in front of his right rear quarter. Definitely not optimal placement considering the angle, but he dropped on impact and never moved. Caliber size entrance, nickel size exit. Lots of bullet/bone fragments near the exit and sloshing inside the body cavity.
 

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