7 Twist 6mm Hunting Bullets

[CJ_BG]

My 243 is getting a new barrel this winter on account of it having 2000+ rounds through it and cleaning became too much of a pain with the fire cracking. A 7 twist 243 ackley will be the next barrel on it. I'm going to start getting components now as November will likely determine future availability. I've killed plenty of deer with the old 9 twist 243 barrel but 7 twist opens up a LOT of new options and I'm not sure where to start. I will now divulge as many details as possible on how this gun will be used.


This gun is almost entirely for deer/antelope, I doubt it'll take a combined 10 elk and black bear just because fully kitted it's over 11lbs and I don't enjoy lugging it across mountains

My max range is 500yds, if I range 502 I'm getting closer

Over half the animals I shot with the old (current) barrel were under 150yds

I go for high shoulder shots when possible (exits don't matter to me as tracking is often not required)

I still need sufficient penetration for steep quartering to and frontal shots during my endeavors back East in PA, as quicker, close shots in the big woods are often the case (this is where a lot of those closer shots happened)


All that is to say what are the best offerings for a 7 twist 243 ackley under these conditions? I'm also open to bullets suited to a slower 9 or 10 twist, I just got the 7 to open up more options should I so choose.

 

[khuber84]

I've shot 110 smk and atip, 112 Barnes, 115 vld and datc all from 7.5tw very accurately. 7tw is over kill for the velocity generated by 243ai. You say it opens doors to new bullets, it closes doors to others as well, or you'll need to slow it down. I would do my best to keep everything under 310k total rpm, and I hope it's a 237 bore diameter, not a 236 bore.

 

[CJ_BG]

It will be a 237, but do you suggest I get the 7.5 or maybe even an 8 twist since I'll have the RPM to stabilize the heavies at Ackley velocity? I'm open to changing my twist as the barrel itself won't be ordered until likely February

 

[khuber84]

It will be a 237, but do you suggest I get the 7.5 or maybe even an 8 twist since I'll have the RPM to stabilize the heavies at Ackley velocity? I'm open to changing my twist as the barrel itself won't be ordered until likely February

If your density altitude is 3-4k plus all seasons, 8 would work, a 243 ackley should be pushing stuff 3100+ depending barrel length, powder choices and psi levels. I think a 7.75 would be perfect if it was an option. Or an 8.5-7.5 gain twist. I have ran 115 dtac from an 8tw at 3400da, no issues with stability 2900+, but the dtac is shorter oal than all the other bullets that are 109-115gr tho.

 

[CJ_BG]

If your density altitude is 3-4k plus all seasons, 8 would work, a 243 ackley should be pushing stuff 3100+ depending barrel length, powder choices and psi levels. I think a 7.75 would be perfect if it was an option. Or an 8.5-7.5 gain twist. I have ran 115 dtac from an 8tw at 3400da, no issues with stability 2900+, but the dtac is shorter oal than all the other bullets that are 109-115gr tho.

So if I go 7.5 or 8tw what bullets should I be looking at? 112 match burners caught my eye, along with the 105 and 115 vld, and I know the 95 TMK has a reputation

 

[khuber84]

So if I go 7.5 or 8tw what bullets should I be looking at? 112 match burners caught my eye, along with the 105 and 115 vld, and I know the 95 TMK has a reputation

Berger 108eh 109 lrht, 109/108 eldm, 112 Barnes, 105hyb, 115 vld(7.5tw) 11l5 dtac. 95tmk has been unavailable for some time unfortunately. It's a really short bullet that'd likely be fine in a 9tw, but I did get them shooting really well from a short barrel 6cm at 3080-3100 7.5tw. I was able to run them up to hear 3300 but they didn't group well there, but it wasn't blowing them up. The 95 is so short on bearing, that it needs way less freebore than previous discussed bullets, around 0.080 to 0.100 in my findings.

 

[CJ_BG]

Berger 108eh 109 lrht, 109/108 eldm, 112 Barnes, 105hyb, 115 vld(7.5tw) 11l5 dtac. 95tmk has been unavailable for some time unfortunately. It's a really short bullet that'd likely be fine in a 9tw, but I did get them shooting really well from a short barrel 6cm at 3080-3100 7.5tw. I was able to run them up to hear 3300 but they didn't group well there, but it wasn't blowing them up. The 95 is so short on bearing, that it needs way less freebore than previous discussed bullets, around 0.080 to 0.100 in my findings.

How does the 109 lrht perform on game? I've heard lots about the hunting bergers but very little about the target ones

 

[IrkedCitizen]

My 243 is getting a new barrel this winter on account of it having 2000+ rounds through it and cleaning became too much of a pain with the fire cracking. A 7 twist 243 ackley will be the next barrel on it. I'm going to start getting components now as November will likely determine future availability. I've killed plenty of deer with the old 9 twist 243 barrel but 7 twist opens up a LOT of new options and I'm not sure where to start. I will now divulge as many details as possible on how this gun will be used.


This gun is almost entirely for deer/antelope, I doubt it'll take a combined 10 elk and black bear just because fully kitted it's over 11lbs and I don't enjoy lugging it across mountains

My max range is 500yds, if I range 502 I'm getting closer

Over half the animals I shot with the old (current) barrel were under 150yds

I go for high shoulder shots when possible (exits don't matter to me as tracking is often not required)

I still need sufficient penetration for steep quartering to and frontal shots during my endeavors back East in PA, as quicker, close shots in the big woods are often the case (this is where a lot of those closer shots happened)


All that is to say what are the best offerings for a 7 twist 243 ackley under these conditions? I'm also open to bullets suited to a slower 9 or 10 twist, I just got the 7 to open up more options should I so choose.

How far are you from Pottstown, PA 19464? That is where Patriot Valley Arms is located. He has his own line of barrels and offers 7 and 7.5 twist in 6mm. Buy from him and have him do the gunsmith work.

I would go 7.5tw and shoot 109gr ELD-M bullets and not worry about critters living.

 

[CJ_BG]

How far are you from Pottstown, PA 19464? That is where Patriot Valley Arms is located. He has his own line of barrels and offers 7 and 7.5 twist in 6mm. Buy from him and have him do the gunsmith work.

I would go 7.5tw and shoot 109gr ELD-M bullets and not worry about critters living.

About 4 hours from my family in PA it looks like. Where do you go for 109 eld-m? I'm seeing GA precision and that's about it. Doesn't matter as long as they're reputable but only 1 place to get bullets from is kinda rough

 

[IrkedCitizen]

GA Precision is most definitely legit. Buy enough bullets in one go to burn the barrel.

 

[IrkedCitizen]

Also, PVA will likely have a black Friday sale in November and it usually includes his Osprey Barrel Works barrels