Lindcott Armory Rifle · SAAMI
6mm BR Norma
The benchmark of precision rifle cartridges.
- Caliber
- 0.2429″ · 6.17 mm
- Introduced
- 1978
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .308 Winchester
- Primary use
- Competition, Long Range
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1978
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Sweden
- Inventor
- Norma / Bench Rest community
- Manufacturer
- Norma / Lapua
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 37.5 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:8
- Primer
- Small Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 60,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 800 yd
- Max range
- 1400 yd
- Recoil
- 5–8 ft·lb
Ballistics
Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Norma Diamond Line 105 gr, 2,900 fps, BC 0.272 G7 · 100 yd zero.
| Range | Velocity | Energy | Drop (in) | Drop (MOA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 yd | 2899 | 1959 | -1.5″ | — |
| 100 yd | 2730 | 1737 | 0.0″ | 0.0 |
| 200 yd | 2566 | 1535 | -3.1″ | -1.5 |
| 300 yd | 2406 | 1350 | -11.6″ | -3.7 |
| 400 yd | 2252 | 1182 | -26.0″ | -6.2 |
| 500 yd | 2104 | 1032 | -47.3″ | -9.0 |
| 600 yd | 1960 | 896 | -76.5″ | -12.2 |
| 700 yd | 1822 | 774 | -114.7″ | -15.7 |
| 800 yd | 1687 | 663 | -163.6″ | -19.5 |
Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →
Performance
Buy links open 6mm BR Norma ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 6.17 | 0.243 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 6.87 | 0.270 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 11.68 | 0.460 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 30° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 11.96 | 0.471 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.01 | 0.473 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.37 | 0.054 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 8.18 | 0.322 | ≈ |
| Case length | 39.62 | 1.560 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 62.00 | 2.441 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. 6mm BR Norma is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 19 active loads across 10 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 19 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady | Match | 103 | ELD-M | 3,000 | 2,058 | 0.256 G7 |
| Nosler | Match Grade RDF | 105 | RDF HPBT | 3,000 | 2,098 | 0.527 G1 |
| Norma | Golden Target | 105 | HPBT | 2,900 | 1,960 | 0.527 G1 |
| Norma | Diamond Line | 105 | OTM | 2,900 | 1,960 | 0.272 G7 |
| HSM | Competition | 105 | Sierra MatchKing | 2,900 | 1,960 | 0.527 G1 |
| Lapua | Scenar-L | 105 | Scenar-L HPBT | 2,900 | 1,960 | 0.527 G1 |
| Lapua | Scenar | 105 | HPBT | 2,900 | 1,960 | 0.527 G1 |
| Berger | Hunting | 105 | Hybrid Hunter | 2,900 | 1,960 | 0.272 G7 |
| Berger | Hybrid OTM | 105 | Hybrid OTM | 2,900 | 1,960 | 0.272 G7 |
| Lapua | Scenar-L | 105 | OTM | 2,900 | 1,960 | 0.272 G7 |
| Federal | Gold Medal | 105 | Sierra MatchKing | 2,900 | 1,960 | 0.527 G1 |
| Black Hills | Gold | 105 | Berger Hybrid OTM | 2,900 | 1,960 | 0.272 G7 |
| Berger | Target | 105 | Hybrid OTM | 2,900 | 1,960 | 0.272 G7 |
| Federal | Gold Medal Match | 100 | Sierra MatchKing BTHP | 3,000 | 1,998 | — |
| Hornady | Match | 105 | BTHP | 2,900 | 1,960 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
4 reloading powders listed for 6mm BR Norma, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in 6mm BR Norma
8 models in the database chamber 6mm BR Norma. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Developed from the .308/7.62x51mm case necked down, then refined by Norma. The bench rest community adopted it and found it extraordinarily accurate. Parents the 6mm Dasher and influenced 6.5 Creedmoor development.
FAQs
- What twist rate does 6mm BR Norma use?
- 6mm BR Norma typically uses a 1:8 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is 6mm BR Norma?
- 6mm BR Norma uses a 0.2429″ (6.17 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is 6mm BR Norma still in production?
- 6mm BR Norma is active; typical availability is common.
- What is 6mm BR Norma used for?
- 6mm BR Norma is primarily used for competition, long range.
- What is 6mm BR Norma based on?
- 6mm BR Norma is derived from the .308 Winchester case.
- What are the best powders for 6mm BR Norma?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for 6mm BR Norma include IMR 8208 XBR, H322, IMR 3031, LT-32.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 19 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →