In fact, the fewer people out there using the 6BR the better. Componenets are getting hard to find.

Go with a 308.

The whole thing weighs 22lbs……what is this recoil you speak of?

Pretty elementary physical description of what’s going on. Exactly how did you calculate these figures? Did you just do a momentum calculation and then give the maximum attained free recoil velocity of the rifle and convert this to the free recoil energy? Did you use the same mass rifle each time? What propellant gas exit velocity did you use? Was it modified for varying muzzle gas pressure? Slightly worrying that the comparative graph describes recoil energy as a force, they are not one and the same, a basic science error there. Also, the exact recoil force experienced would vary over time, you’d be better to state the momentum, or even better, the impulse to the firer. Though this would require the rifle to be instrumented with accelerometers; at least one axis (axial, along the barrel line). The data takes no account for muzzle brakes or buffers, but in general these aren’t used for the type of shooting undertaken here, so can be dismissed.

4000 from either, while accurate enough for many, is well beyond peak accuracy.

I don’t compete, and wouldn’t with a .308 no matter what. But if i did, I’d be changing barrels by 3000

EDITOR: We didn’t say the 6mmBR used half the powder — we originally said 50% less based on a 15 grains difference which is 50% of a normal load in the 6mmBR. But since this may have been confusing the way it was stated, I changed the article to read “15-18 grains less” and we’ll let readers figure out the percentages. Thanks for the clarification.

I load Varget and with 175s I can get 2900 fps before I see pressure.

Editor: Tyler, since every barrel is different I won’t contest what you say. However, running Quickload for a .308 Win shooting 175gr SMKs (loaded long with .250 of shank in the neck), shows that a load that yields 2900 fps velocity in a 30″ barrel would develop 68,980 psi peak pressure — that’s way, way above max. Quickload is not a perfect predictor by any means. But, generally I’ve found it to be accurate within plus/minus 30 fps. If I lower the velocity to 2870 fps (allowing Quickload a 30 fps ‘fudge factor’), Quickload still indicates pressures in excess of 66,000 psi, again well over the 60,191 psi rating of the cartridge. Hence I would caution readers about attempting to load to these velocities in their gun!

TYLER: With RL 17 and 208 grain Amaxes I get over 2800 fps (albeit a tad bit of pressure there, but not loosening primer pockets after several firings). This is with Lapua brass and a 30″ barrel that has been smoothed with Tubb’s bullets. Maybe not typical, but safe in my gun, and changes the ballistics quite a bit.

Editor: Because I don’t have Reloder 17 in my Quickload database, I can’t run a Quickload Calc on your 2800 fps load. RL17 powder is quite unique, as we all know. But I caution all readers who think they might reach those numbers with some other powder. Running Quickload, I couldn’t find ANY other powder that could yield even 2600 fps (with Amax 208s) at safe pressure levels. In fact, to get up to 2700 fps with the 208gr Amaxs and Varget, you’d be running 73,100 psi according to Quickload — that’s very dangerous. To put this in perspective, the fastest MAX load listed on the Hodgdon reloading site for the .308 Win and a 200gr bullet (not even a 208gr) is 2582 fps, and that’s at 60,600 psi (rated max) with CFE 223. You say you’re running 218+ fps faster than that with Reloder 17. I know RL17 can give considerably more velocity, but again I suspect you are actually running extremely high pressures. I advise all readers to exercise EXTREME CAUTION — and don’t expect to achieve 2800 fps with a 208 grainer in your .308 Win rifle!

Tyler, I debated whether to post your comments because your numbers are really “off the chart”. One of our most skilled testers, who uses 210s in a .308 said that your numbers “were about 250 fps high” and he advised you to test with a different chronograph. IF your chron numbers are valid, please be careful. I suspect that, if you were to put a pressure gauge on your rifle with those 208gr Amax loads, you might see pressure numbers that were well above safe levels, a far cry from a “tad bit of pressure”. To reinforce this point, Alliant’s published RL17 max load for a 180gr BTSP Speer in a .308 Win clocks 2641 fps in a 22″ barrel. You’re running a 28gr heavier bullet and purportedly pushing it to 2800. Frankly that’s pretty scary even if you’re getting some extra speed from your 30″ barrel.

NOTE to readers — as always, start low and work up, and refer to published, well-established and tested loads to get a realistic idea of safe load limits.