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6.5 Midrange Match Rifle
SP45
Member Posts: 1,761 ✭✭✭
I am building a match rifle for midrange distances. 500 to 600 yards. I will be using a Remington 700 action. I am only interested in the 6.5's for a lot of reasons, barrel life, Bullet SD and efficiency. (I have others in 30 cal.) What velocities can I expect from the 250 Savage case and the 257 Roberts case both being necked up to 6.5. I will be using the heavier match bullets.
Comments
The 6.5's have great ballistics, but like any bullet diameter it will eat barrels when you take it to it's limit. The 6.5x.284 is an excellent long range rifle but shooters typically find they are changing out barrels around the 900 count. But that again depends on what powder you use and how hard you push it.
Rough estimate of these cases velocity using a 142 SMK would I would GUESS for the .250 case around 2700-2750 and the Roberts(Mauser)around 2800-2850. This based on a 24"-26" barrel. If you were to lengthen the barrel 2" or more you might get 100 fps increase in each case.
Something to consider here is an Ackley version of either case. The most productive round in Ackley's own opinion was the .250. When he blew it out and sharpened the shoulder he got better than standard Roberts velocities. It still didn't quite keep up with the .257 (RBTS.) Ackley but it was pretty close. The .257 Ackley case has only two grains less than the 25-06 case.
EDIT:
SP45,
I apologize as the barrel eating/900-1000 round count is kind of a one sided statement. That is what I hear coming from guys who are top competitors and they will do that to stay at the very top of the competition game of long range shooting. Almost like a compulsive thing to do if that little smidge of accuracy just isn't there. It isn't always necessary. Backing the load down even a little lengthens life considerably. You should be able to use it a lot longer if you take care of it. I don't shoot like that and I don't change barrels out like that.
I have to say I like the 6.5x47 Lapua Idea. Less powder, less burn, less kick, great efficiency bullets.
I have a 6.5x55 Swede(CZ 550) and love shooting it.
I am about 30 miles from Ft. Leonard Wood and I understand that they have 500 yard capability.
The 6.5 x 284 is a long range cartridge that is not really necessary for mid-range work. However, the several that I shoot at 1,000 yards last significantly longer than 900 rounds and are very accurate.
The cartridge you need to do some reading on is the 6.5 x 47 Lapua:
http://www.lapua.com/uploads/media/Productbrochure65x47Lapua_01.pdf
http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek072.html
This is essentially the 250 Savage modified slightly and necked up to take the 6.5 bullets. It's mild and very accurate at the 600 yard line for F-Class. If the Lapua brass is too expensive then get a reamer made to cut a chamber from the 250 brass necked up. The difference will be minimal except for the flash hole diameter and maybe the quality of the cases. Call Dave Kiff at Pacific Tool and Gage:
http://www.pacifictoolandgauge.com/
There are others but I'm out of town and don't have have the time to write an in-depth report. Do a search and see what you can come up with.
Best.
Since you are shooting at only 500-600 meters, my Winchester in 30-06 will do that and it doesn't burn out barrels at 1000 -1500 rounds.
If you really want speed, then go for a 220 Swift, but be prepared to change out barrels about 900 - 1000 rounds.
Best Regards[8D]
Steve Adams
AdamsQuailHunter
The follow-up poster "tsr1965" had already got me drooling all over the FN-49 I am cleaning. I am going to have to look at the next few gun shows to see if I can find one!!![:D]
I have an old Savage 340V in 225 Winnie that has seen betrer days rifling-wise, so this conversion has been front of mind for some time for me. I have fairly thick barrel stock so reaming and rerifling should be doable without losing rigidity (I will likely go 257 for that reason) and I might AI at the same time to pick up a little capacity. I will have the smith go 1:9 and see what the heavier stuff will do. JD Jones has done a lot of work with the 225 case for the Contender and has produced reamers for SSK in 257, 264, 270, but has never improved them because of the limitations of the Contender velocities and barrel lengths, I think.
The Lapua is a neat idea and I like what I've read of it. Doeasn't NECCESSARILY have to be going that fast if heavier bullets are used. The 30 Whisper (another Jones series) is slow as lingering death but is SUPER accurate ( and suppressable) by all accounts...heavy, loping bullets that are not overstressed and cavitating like a bellydancer...all sound principals.