Rifle · SAAMI
6mm BR Norma
The benchmark of precision rifle cartridges.
- Caliber
- 0.2429″ · 6.17 mm
- Introduced
- 1996
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .308 Winchester
- Primary use
- Competition, Long Range
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1996
- 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)
- 1:9
- Primer
- Small Rifle
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 58,740 psi, CIP transducer
- Eff. range
- 800 yd
- Max range
- 5800 yd
- Recoil
- 2.9–4.3 ft·lb
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for 6mm BR Norma. Parent case: .308 Winchester.
Performance
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 ⌀ | 6.90 | 0.272 | ✓ |
| 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
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
12 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
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Derived from a shortened .308 Winchester case (by way of the .308x1.5" and 6mm BR Remington), 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 1:9 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, Norma 201, H322, Vihtavuori N133, among 12 suitable options.
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 →
