6.5 build question

[rkv09]

I am building a 6.5 off of a 700 mag action and can't decide what caliber to pick between a .264 win mag and 26 nosler. I like the 26 because it is different and dies and brass are available. The gunsmith said he has had trouble finding a good load because of the casing and how it burns. Has anybody have exeperince with the 26 nosler? I am not too concerned with eating up the barrel because it will be a hunting rifle and after break in and finding a load, it will probably see 50 rounds a year. Also I have the lrab and eldx ready for loads if anybody has info on those. I use the lrab in my 7 mag with good experience on three elk and one coues. Thanks

[metau]

6.5-300wby, since you're not concerned. Of the two you mentioned, 26 Nosler, for the brass.

[cjl2010]

Lance, what's the difference between a 6.5 gap 4s??? And a 6.5 saum? Thanks

Cliff

[cjl2010]

I'm assuming the gap is Georgia precision... But the 4s vs saum I'm confused on. Sorry to hijack thread

[Allforelk]

I really like 6.5's. A buddy in high school had a Swedish Mauser that was fun to shoot and incredibly accurate with those round nosed 160's. 160 has a b.c. of .327 in .264, dang near .328. It lead me to one of my favorite builds because I did it with my pops while he was going through chemo. Please keep this one updated.

[rcdinaz]

From my reading the Gap and SAUM are basically the same. But you can get GAP stamped brass and cannot get 6.5 SAUM brass? I thought Hornady was supposed to start making it but can't find it in stock anywhere so maybe there was an issue or maybe it is crazy popular.

[Hoss50]

.264 win mag is such an underrated classic round that I would lean that way. 6.5-300 weatherby would be fun too though.

[metau]

They do make the 6.5 GAP brass, but getting some is a different story, so I hear.

 

If the OP really wants a hot rod of a round, I would also suggest the 6.5 Allen Mag. I'd completely forgot about Kirby's wildcats until Lance mentioned one in another thread last week. He makes some amazing rifles and takes overbore to another level. Figure 200-300fps over the 26 Nosler.

[rkv09]

That 6.5 4S looks pretty cool but the brass seems hard to come by with only GAP offering it commercially. Making it from .300 SAUM brass is a little out my reloading knowledge and capabilities. Also the cost of the dies is more than any powder savings I would get from going with the 4S.

The 6.5 WSM looks interesting, same price for brass as the .26 nosler and from what I read you can just resize the 270 wsm brass to make it. The action I am using is a long action, will that make a difference since I believe the wsm use short actions?

The 160 Matrix does have great BC but is it like the berger bullets? I know some people swear by the bergers but I have seen them also just poke a little hole and keep on going. Thanks for all the suggestions, I am still leaning towards the .26 just because its fast and the dies and brass are readily available along with load data.

[sherman]

I need a 6.5 ss it must have been named after me because my last name is Sherman and I am short. I need to look into that

[WampusCat]

I built a 6.5 4S a couple years ago. There were two options for freebore, the original .120 (determined to be too long) and the now commonly used .081 which is preferred for shooting hybrid ogives. Also being able to fit in a short action detachable mag and still have a bit of room to chase the lands.

 

Most RSAUM reamers I have seen the specs for were extremely similar but with the longer freebore Lance talked about. These will eliminate the possibility of using detachable mags. You could use a long action and maximize the boiler room potential by running one of the longer freebore reamers but there is a chance of experiencing feeding issues with the short cartridge in the long action.

 

The goal of the 4S was to run high BC 6.5 bullets at 3100+ while using slower burning powders to provide conditions for a longer lasting barrel and fit in a short action with a detachable mag. It does this for me perfectly! It is my favorite rifle.

 

If someone wants factory brass for the 4S I have 200 unfired still in the box from GAP I'd sell. Wont be able to use them a awhile. Shoot me a PM.

 

If I was the OP in the situation he described I would pick the long action cartridge capable of slinging the 6.5 heavies the fastest. With extra points given to availability of quality brass.

[STOMP442]

6.5wsm will do anything the SAUM will. Built on a long action offers a lot of room for the good bullets and you can use the same slow burning powders in it too. 3100-3200 with 140s is easily done.

[WampusCat]

I think the SAUM is more effecient in the short action and the longer neck is a plus. The only way the WSM would appeal to me is if I already had piles of WSM brass laying around and building on a long action.

 

With the OP's long action and low round count each year I would build a big fire breathing 6.5 and really scream those heavy pills.

[metau]

Exactly. For intended uses (50 shots a year once load work is done), I'd go with the biggest, baddest round he could. 26 Nosler, 6.5stw, 6.5 Allen Mag or 6.5-300wby. If he wants to open his bolt face or get a new PTG bolt he can always go with a 6.5-338 Lapua. The OP may want to spend some time searching around on the LRH forums as there are tons of topics concerning these calibers over there. The Nosler and STW should be fairly close in speeds, with the wby 50-100 fps faster, the AM 200 fps faster and the Lapua 300-400 fps faster. He can get custom dies from Redding if he'd like, and brass to fireform for any of the calibers listed form multiple sources.

[Big or Bust]

Don't get the recommendation for a fire breather intended for extra long range hunting and justifying it because of extended barrel life since the shooter only intends to shoots very, very little.

 

A cartridge with long range capability doesn't make up for a lack of practice. If you're gonna shoot long ranges proficiently, especially in a hunting situation, you gotta burn primers.

 

I just don't get the mindset.

 

I'd build a SAUM at the top end and run 130's at 3200. They don't lose hardly anything to the 140's until waaay out there, low recoil, good barrel life, etc. Win, win, win...