6XC Performs Well for High Power and Long-Range Shooters
The 6XC cartridge was developed by David Tubb, and it has captured multiple Camp Perry Championships. Now that Norma brass is available, the 6XC is an outstanding choice for shooters looking for an ultra-accurate, easy-recoiling cartridge that offers more “horsepower” than the 6BR or 6BR Improved. Team Norma, shooting factory-loaded 6XC ammo, captured last year’s 300m world championship. This was the first time in many years that a cartridge other than the 6BR has won “all the marbles” in international 300m competition.
Forum members and 6XC shooters Mudcat and German Salazar are both very happy with their choice of chamberings. German tells us:
“The 6XC is a great long-range cartridge, it needs no excuses and can hold its own against any other LR cartridge. I prefer to use Norma 6XC brass, but 22-250 brass can be used by running through a 6XC full-length die and then fire-forming. It will look pretty nasty at first, but it will shoot just fine even fire-forming. I have an article in the May 2007 issue of Precision Shooting that covers this and other 6XC matters.
I principally use the 6XC for 1000-yard prone shooting (sometimes at 600). The main bullet I use is the Berger 115 VLD (in a 30″ Krieger with 1:7.5″ twist). The best powder I’ve found for the Berger 115 in the 6XC is H4831sc. Velocity is in the 3000 fps range. I haven’t pressure tested this combination so I’m reluctant to publish exact loads, sorry.
Whether the 6XC is ideal for any given person depends on a lot of factors. I tend to shoot fast and keep the rifle in my shoulder. Accordingly, a low-recoil cartridge suits me because it doesn’t require any repositioning of the rifle or rebuilding of position during a 22-shot string. I know how to read wind, so whether a cartridge drifts a few inches more or less than another isn’t really a concern to me, I learn the cartridge’s behaviour and work with what I’ve got. The 6XC shines because it is ACCURATE at 1000 yards and without that, you’ve got nothing.
Accuracy, low recoil, reasonable wind drift, good component availability, decent barrel life, what else is there to want in a long-range cartridge?”
Mudcat concurs that the 6XC is a great cartridge for High Power Competition:
“I am not sure there really are ‘downsides’ for the 6XC. Well, maybe barrel life, if you are used to shooting a 223 or 308. I have fired about 15,000 rounds of 6XC over the last couple of years and havent really found a negative. My 6XC barrels get an easy 2,000 rounds. In fact, most get upwards of 3,000 before I move them to strictly off-hand and rapid-fire use. (I am a High Power shooter, not a Benchrester.)
Propellant — Powder choices are excellent. However, contrary to what German has found, I can’t get H4831sc to get me the velocity that the H4350 can. I have found only two powders that deliver more speed than H4350.
Cases — Just use Winchester 22-250 cases as they last 20+ firings and you never have to trim them. I use Winchester 22-250 brass rather than any of the Tubb or Norma offerings — they are just too soft for my liking. With the Winchester, I know what I am dealing with and know I will get at least 20 firings out of it, on average. And, I never have to trim it. While I have a Giraud power trimmer, I would just as soon not do it.
Bullets — Well, 6mm bullets are out there for about anything you want to shoot.
Velocity — The 6XC offers plenty of speed. Is 3000+ fps with a 115 enough for you? I certainly hope so.
Accuracy — I can’t out shoot the 6XC round. About any decent load will work just fine. Shoot, all my 300-yard and less ammo is loaded on a Dillon 650! Overall, I agree with German, the 6XC will definitely hold its own and I am not sure that my 6.5×284 running 142s at 2950 fps actually drifts much less than the 115 VLDs.”
Just a word of caution on Winchester brass, as many know, I was having major trouble with a factory Schneider chambered barrel and had major issues with sticky bolt lift even with mild loads. Even after rechambering with a little larger bodied and necked 6XC reamer I still had some problems with the bolt lift. This occurred with WW, Norma and Tubb brass. Well, after doing alot of experimenting I determined that the all of the above brass just had too thick of necks for my chamber unless I turned the necks. Norma worked pretty well but WW was drastic and really had to be turned. I started shooting Remington 22-250 brass and the problem totally went away. Norma also works well but occasionally I still get a little stick with Norma. I had this problem on 2 barrels that were reamed with the original spec. reamers, the other barrel that had the problem was a Pac-nor but not reamed by them. I can say that I tested the Remington brass very hot and had absolutely no problems. So if you have sticky bolt issues, try using Remington brass or turn your necks. Also, it didn’t matter whether I used moly or not. When I got the the 2850+ fps range, I had major bolt lift stick. Please don’t take this as a genrealized problem with the cartridge, I know of a few other rifles out there that have had this problem but very few considering the number of rifles that are chambered in the 6XC. It’s still a great round and just seems to be very accurate no matter what load I am shooting, Dave Fry
how much difference is the XC case compared to the 6mm-22-250AI???
Making 6XC brass from 22-250 cases pushes the shoulder back a bit while also opening up the neck. A 6-250AI ought to have slightly larger case capacity as a result of not only the shoulder being where it is but also from forming it to the AI angle.
There’s a drawing of the 6XC case here on the among the cartridge diagrams, if you have numbers to compare to what’s there.
David, your comments hit home with me! I too had the sticky bolt syndrom in my original 6XC barrel,as well as two chambered with the original profile reamer. I had all three opened up with the Rev D profile last year but as yet haven’t had a chance to shoot ‘em to see if the problem’s been resolved. From what you post I’m not confident it has been.
I ruined several Win 22-250 cases early on with loads way too hot so stopped using those but the R/P always seemed to work well with more moderate loadings. If neck-turning works, that’s a chore for the (non-shooting) winter months around here.
Any one use it for hunting. Former Sniper