Long range shooters & 6.5 guru's - your opinion

[azslim]

I see all sorts of 6.5's coming out, 6.5 creedmore, 6.5x284, etc.

 

Other than rifle weight because of a short action why should I choose a short action over the first American 6.5, the .264winmag?

 

By my reasoning, because I can get more powder in the case, I can hot-rod a 264 if I want or back off a little and still have 100 to 200 fps velocity over a short action round. Right? Wrong?

 

And for those of you that have one, what reload recipe does your 264 like the best?

[STOMP442]

The only down side with the .264 Win Mag is barrel ware. Even when loaded down you will still be burning a bunch more powder than a Creedmoor. That being said when used in normal hunting scenarios the .264 Win mag will more than likely last a life time.

[Hoss50]

If you don't mind long actions, I like 3 rounds. I have a gun in 6.5x55 now, plan to get another soon, and quite possibly will rebarrel a 257 Weatherby to 264 Win Mag when I burn out the barrel. I dream of building a custom in 6.5x06AI.

 

264 Win Mag

6.5-06

6.5x55 Swedish.

[Red Rabbit]

The 26 Nosler looks inviting for a factory long action chambering. I have a 6.5 WSM for my Coues hunting. I suppose the 6.5 SAUM/GAP would be a good short action consideration too. I had a 264WM once, but I traded it in as it did not shoot well. For the 264WM, powders like Ramshot Magnum, H1000, RL 26 should be good.

[lancetkenyon]

There are a few 6.5 short action cartridges that rival, and even surpass, the venerable .264WM. Some, but not all, benefit from a Wyatt's extended box increasing magazine length by about .100" though.

 

6.5 GAP 4S (SAUM)

6.5 SS

Lazzeroni 6.71 Phantom

6.5 WSM

6.5 Leopard

6.5x.284 (actually does better in a long action though)

 

Shorter throw bolt, lighter actions, more efficient case design. You won't necessarily save any powder usage though, as a lot are based off much larger diameter cases. WSM, SAUM, etc.

 

If you build, or have a factory rifle re-chambered, there are a bunch of possibilities. Factory chambering in a short action that compete with the .264WM are few, however. Also, a lot of the factory chamberings do not have the twist rate required to stabilize the longer, heavier bullets than really shine in a big case round. Most .264WM chambered factory rifles will come with a 1:9" twist. Great for 130gr and down bullets, but a 140+ really should use a 1:8", even at higher velocities. Not saying a 140 WON'T shoot well in a 1:9" twist, just stability might be marginal. A lot of the newer rifles in 6.5CM, .260Rem, etc. are accounting for the heavier bullet craze, and are coming with a 1:8" twist.

 

That being said, it mostly depends on what you plan to do with it. Shooting a lot of rounds a year at steel and paper, and game? Go with a .260Rem, 6.5 CM, 6.5x55, etc. Doing the same with a custom chamber? Add 6.5x47L, 6.5 SLR, .260AI, etc. to the considerations.

 

Hunting ONLY, maybe 20-100 rounds a year? 26 Nosler, .264WM, 6.5x.284 Win (or Norma) in a factory rifle. 6.5 GAP, 6.5 SS, etc. in a custom chamber. Go for speed, BC, KE downrange, heavier bullets, etc.

 

I have two 6.5s. A 14+# 6.5 SLR (similar to a .260 Rem & .260 AI) that I shoot a LOT, that pushes a 140 HVLD @ 2850 for my target load, and 2940 for my hunting load.

 

I am also re-chambering and lightening an 11.5# .260Rem into a 10.5# 6.5 SS. Still debating on what bullet to shoot. Either a 140 VLD @ 3150-3200+, a 147 ELD-M or 150 Matrix VLD @ 3100, or a 160 Matrix VLD @ 3000-3050+.