The 6mm Remington is the round that lost a sales race and kept its fans anyway. It shoots a touch faster than the 243 Winchester, and owners of older Remington, Ruger and Winchester rifles still hunt with it every fall. If you own one, you probably have two questions: is the ammo still made, and how does it perform? This guide covers 6mm Remington ballistics for the loads we carry, how they compare with the 243 and 6mm Creedmoor, and what to look for when you buy.
A Short History: From 244 Remington to 6mm Remington
Remington introduced this cartridge in 1955 as the .244 Remington. It was built on the 7×57 Mauser case necked down to 6mm. Winchester launched the 243 the same year, based on the 308.
The 244 rifles had a slow rifling twist meant for light varmint bullets. Hunters wanted heavier deer bullets, and the 243 handled those well. Remington answered in 1963 by renaming the round the 6mm Remington and building rifles with a faster twist for 100-grain bullets. By then the 243 had a big lead in sales, and it never gave it back.
Is 6mm Remington Ammo Still Made?
Yes. It is less common than it once was, but several makers still load it. We carry three: one from Hornady, one from Winchester and one from Remington. All three are deer loads.
Why is it hard to find? Fewer rifles have been chambered for it over the years, so stores stock less. When you find a load your rifle shoots well, it makes sense to buy enough for a season or two.
6mm Remington Ballistics Table
These are the makers’ published muzzle numbers for every load we stock.
| Load | Bullet | Grain | Muzzle velocity (fps) | Muzzle energy (ft-lbs) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady Superformance 6mm Remington 95 Grain SST | Hornady SST (Super Shock Tip) Polymer Tip | 95 | 3,235 | 2,207 | 20-round box |
| Winchester Power-Point 6mm Remington 100 Grain Soft Point | Jacketed Soft Point | 100 | 3,100 | 2,133 | 20-round box |
| Remington Core-Lokt 6mm Remington 100 Grain Soft Point | Jacketed Soft Point (Core-Lokt) | 100 | 3,100 | 2,133 | 20-round box |
The Hornady Superformance 95 grain SST lists 3,235 fps and 2,207 ft-lbs. It uses Hornady’s special powder blends for extra speed. The Winchester Power-Point 100 grain and the Remington Core-Lokt 100 grain both list 3,100 fps and 2,133 ft-lbs.
How to Read These Numbers
Muzzle velocity is how fast the bullet leaves the barrel, in feet per second. Muzzle energy is the work it can do on impact, in foot-pounds. Energy goes up with weight and with the square of speed. That is why the lighter Hornady load, which runs faster, posts the highest energy here.
Bullet type matters as much as these numbers. The SST is a polymer-tip bullet that opens fast. Power-Point and Core-Lokt are classic soft points with a long record on deer.
Barrel length and conditions
Factory numbers come from test barrels, often 24 inches. Many older 6mm rifles have 22-inch barrels and will run a bit slower. Cold weather slows powder burn, and high altitude reduces drag. A chronograph tells you what your own rifle does. Use published 6mm Remington ballistics to compare loads, not as an exact promise.
6mm Remington vs 243 Winchester
Both fire a .243-inch bullet. The 6mm Remington case holds a little more powder, so it runs a bit faster with the same bullet. Here are 100-grain soft points side by side, plus a 6mm Creedmoor load for reference:
| Load | Bullet | Grain | Muzzle velocity (fps) | Muzzle energy (ft-lbs) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remington Core-Lokt 6mm Remington 100 Grain Soft Point | Jacketed Soft Point (Core-Lokt) | 100 | 3,100 | 2,133 | 20-round box |
| Remington Core-Lokt 243 100 Grain Soft Point | Jacketed soft point (Core-Lokt) | 100 | 2,960 | 1,945 | 20-round box |
| Remington Core-Lokt 6mm Creedmoor 100 Grain Soft Point | Jacketed Soft Point (Core-Lokt) | 100 | 3,000 | 1,998 | 20-round box |
The 243 Core-Lokt 100 grain lists 2,960 fps and 1,945 ft-lbs. The 6mm Remington Core-Lokt lists 3,100 fps. The gap is real but small. On deer, you won’t notice it. The bigger difference is ammo choice: the 243 has far more loads on shelves. See our 243 Winchester ballistic data guide for the full range.
What is the closest caliber to the 6mm Remington? The 243 Winchester is the nearest match in size and use. The 6mm Creedmoor fires the same bullet too, but it is built around long match bullets. None of these rounds are interchangeable. Fire only the cartridge stamped on your barrel.
What Is the 6mm Remington Good For?
Deer and pronghorn
All three loads we carry are built for deer-size game. A 95 to 100-grain bullet handles whitetail, mule deer and pronghorn at normal ranges with good shot placement. The Core-Lokt and Power-Point are simple, time-tested soft points. The SST opens faster and suits lighter-bodied deer and open country.
Varmints and predators
The 6mm Remington can also be a fine varmint round with light bullets. Those loads are hard to find in factory form today, so most owners use their deer load on coyotes, or handload.
Some states set minimum caliber or bullet rules for deer. Laws vary, so check your state’s hunting rules before the season.
Tips for 6mm Remington Owners
- Check your rifle’s markings. Make sure it says 6mm Remington, not 6mm Creedmoor or 243.
- Know your twist rate. Very early 244 rifles have a slow twist and may not stabilize 100-grain bullets well. A gunsmith can confirm.
- Buy in a batch. Stock a few boxes of the load that groups best so you don’t have to re-zero mid-season.
Shop 6mm Remington Ammo
See all three loads in our 6mm Remington category. Stock levels on this round can change fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 6mm Remington ammo still made?
Yes. Hornady, Winchester and Remington still load it. We carry the Hornady Superformance 95 grain SST, the Winchester Power-Point 100 grain and the Remington Core-Lokt 100 grain. It is less common than the 243, so stock can come and go.
Why is 6mm Remington ammo hard to find?
Fewer rifles have been made in 6mm Remington than in 243 Winchester, so makers produce fewer runs and stores carry less. When you find a load that groups well in your rifle, buying a season’s supply saves hunting for it later.
What is the closest caliber to 6mm Remington?
The 243 Winchester is the closest match. Both fire a .243-inch bullet at similar speeds, and both suit deer and varmints. The 6mm Remington runs slightly faster with the same bullet weight. The cartridges are not interchangeable.
What case is 6mm Remington based on?
The 6mm Remington is based on the 7×57 Mauser case necked down to 6mm. It began life in 1955 as the .244 Remington and was renamed 6mm Remington in 1963, when Remington also moved to a faster twist for heavier bullets.
