Recoil Comparison 223 vs. 6BR vs. 308

Many visitors to the site ask us, “I’ve got a .223 and .308. What will a 6BR give me that I’m not getting already?” Well first you will probably get consistently smaller groups than your current .223 or .308 rifle. Even with a Rem 700 or Savage action, a 6BR with a premium barrel and a high-quality chambering job should deliver 5-shot groups in the high twos to mid-threes, provided you do your job. Compared to a .223, the 6BR offers a much better selection of high-BC projectiles, and will deliver considerably more power on the target. Compared to the .308 shooting 168gr MatchKings, a 6BR shooting 105-107gr bullets offers better ballistics all the way out to 1000 yards. Plus the 6BR is just easier to shoot than a .308. Recoil is less than half of the .308 cartridge. Both the .308 and 6BR chamberings offer good barrel life, but the 6BR uses 50% less powder, saving you money. Here’s how the 6BR stacks up vs. a number of popular calibers:

External Adjusting Rings and Rails for Ultra-Long-Range Shooting

Stephen Ivey has engineered an interesting set of gimbaled scope rings allowing up to 150 Minutes of Angle (MOA) of elevation. These rings have precision hinge pins front and rear allowing the entire scope to be tilted by a micrometer-controlled cam in the rear. This allows the scope to tilt upwards (in the rear) with the front ring as the axis while both rings remain parallel to prevent scope binding. The rear ring tilts to match the front while a cam pushes it up. Ivey also makes tilting +150 MOA Picatinny riser rails.

Ivey offers three scope-mounting products. First is the BR 30-50 (above). This has two, polished 30mm 6061-T6 aluminum rings with bases to fit a 1/2″ x 60 degree Stolle (Davidson) rail on top of an action. Total elevation is +50 MOA. The micrometer adjuster is graduated in true 1 MOA intervals, with 5 MOA of elevation change per rotation. This product costs $385.00 and requires at least 5-1/2″ length mounting base. Available in either “bright” or satin finish.

The newest product is the MSRR-150MOA Riser Rail, a pivoting 5.75″-long Picatinny-style rail that accepts Weaver-style clamping scope rings. This Adjusts from Zero to +150 MOA and raises the scope 1.45″ from the top of the action. The extra height provides clearance for large objectives when the unit is tilted for a full +150 MOA elevation. Cross slots are 5mm wide at 10mm (.394″) spacing. The $425 riser rail is made 6061 T6 Aluminum hard-anodized black. Clamps are heat-treated steel. The micrometer thimble is marked for 1 MOA gradations, and provides 20 MOA per revolution.

The third product, the $445 MSR 30-150, has a pair of 30mm clamping rings that fit on a Picatinny-style (1913 mil-spec) rail. Base cross-slots for two-bolt clamp can accomodate 3/4″ to 1″ slot spacing between centers. Height from top of rail to center of rings = 1.82″ at lowest setting. Note: you need a rail at least 5.625″ long.

The Ivey products are expensive, to be sure, but they are beautifully machined, and they offer unique capabilities for ultra-long-range shooters. With the +150 MOA units you have enough elevation to shoot at 2000+ yards! Even with the +50 unit you can you shoot at 1000 while keeping your scope centered in its elevation travel. We like the idea of using the micrometer to dial within 1 MOA and then just using the scope turrets for fine-tuning. To learn more, visit the Ivey Shooting website, or call Stephen Ivey at (615) 424-8855.