6.5 Cal questions

williamsagconsulting

I have been lookin to build a rifle in 6.5 cal but am confused on which one to go with. 6.5x55 6.5x284, ect. It will be used for both hunting and target shooting. I have also talked to my gunsmith about this and am planning on going with rem 700 action schillin barell and mcMillan stock. My real question is does anyone know about any oddball 6.5 cartriges based on something like a 300 mag case. My gunsmith has tried to explain to me that the balistic coeficent of this particular cal is excellent and has also said that he has experimented with something based on the 300 mag cases acheiving load densities that approach 100%. I am very intersted in this but cal and its "Theoretical Potentials" but am having trouble finding info. Anything Will Help. Thanks Alot Yall

sandwarrior

williamsagconsulting,

I responded to this over on the "experts" forum. But I did have a question for you on this. Do you plan to compete or just shoot when you get the chance? The 6.5-284 is a good caliber with 30-06 capacity. So there isn't a lot of difference between it and the 6.5-06. Many say though the shorter fatter cartridge is more accurate. Over on the "experts" they lock threads after ten replies. So look for replies on the edit and use the edit to reply over there if you want the thread to go a little longer and maybe get more info out of it.

CapnMidnight

Have you thought about a 264 win mag? Same case as the 7mm Rem mag, super fast and has excellent coeficent with 120 or 140 gr bullets. Craig Boddington wrote about the 264 in Guns and Ammo 3 or 4 months ago when talking about plains rifles for Africa. I've had one in a model 70 Win for years and have had great results.
For what it's worth.
W.D.

JustC

see my reply on the experts forum

dcloco

Interesting question. I am in the process of building a 6.5x06 followed by a 6.5x55 AI.

I am NOT going with the x284, because the brass is expensive and the 284 Win cases have a rebated rim.

First build is the cheap rifle. Savage 110 action, Adams and Bennett barrel from Midway, and a used BVSS stock. About $525 plus rings, bases, & scope. I am using 25/06 brass necked up.

The 6.5x55 AI will be based on a Savage model 12 single shot stainless action, BVSS stock, and a Rock barrel (1:8 twist). I am using 6.5x55 RP brass for this one.

williamsagconsulting

Thanks for all the good info yall are great help but it seems this will still be a tough decision for me! Im a life long shooter and at only 22 i have just now decided to dive into hand loading and custom guns but i have a serious passion for it and appreciate all the good advice from vererans as yourselves

Thanks again

konamtbiker

If i was going to build a 6.5 caliber for both hunting and target shooting. I would choose the 6.5-06. This is because i am a huge fan of the parent case 30-06. Another reason is that trajectories of the -06 are going to be a little flatter than the 6.5x55SM. Now Im not dogging the 6.5x284 or the 6.5x55. I just think that the 6.5-06 will be better for your needs. The 6.5-284 is a great 1000 yard chamber, so is the 6.5-06. Their velocities are the same. With a 140gr with approx 48-50 grains of RL-19 they both shoot around 2900-2950. The three cases in discussion are all great proven chambers in the field, and especially at the bench. You really cant go wrong with any of them. I just think that the -06 would be the funnest to load for and hey, Everyone has a 6.5-284 now, be a little different.

Jim the PA Hunter

wagc,

I have a 6.5x55 Norwegian Krag that I love to shoot. It's a very accurate rifle. It really likes the 140 grain pills, guess due to the rifles twist. Velocities are not bad. No noticeable recoil.[8D]

I also have a Win. Mod 70 264 Win. Magnum which is the smallest caliber of the 300 or 7mm mag belted case type cartridges. (excluding the WBY's) .308, .284, .264 or 30, 7mm, 6.5mm.
I've got three fantastic loads worked up for it using IMR4350 and Sierra 100 gr. HP's; Hornady 129 gr. SP's (my favorite for whitetail deer)[:D]; and Hornady 140 gr. SP's. Velocities are up there. Fastest factory round in the 6.5 food chain. Great long range hunting rifle. My favorite for deer. Recoil is moderate, especially on the bench.[B)]

I am getting ready to build a 6.5/06 A.I. Why? Lots of reasons.
Mostly because I always wanted a Wildcat. I decided if I was going to do it, it'll be a 6.5[^] There are lots of bullets available for one thing.

More reason's and why not a 6.5 WSM or a 6.5/284? That's easy..... First the 6.5 WSM would need to be a 270 WSM necked down to 6.5. WSM Brass is way more expensive. You can buy 6.5x284 brass or make your own from 284 Win. brass, again more expensive. It will be much less expensive to use 30-06, 270 win. brass. I like the idea of 30-06 mil. brass due to no caliber mentioned on the head stamps. I preferred using it when I made 25-06's. Also, in my case I have around five or six hundred military 30-06 brass. I also have the same number of 30-06 and 270 once fired commercial production stuff.

I expect the 6.5-06 A.I. to fill the gap between my 6.5x55 and my 264 Magnum. I want a long range hunting/target shooting rifle that I can easily obtain supplies to reload for and to be able to comfortably shoot many rounds at the range.

So, being conservative, if you want to wildcat.... I'd suggest a 6.5-06 or 6.5-06 A. I.
If you want the word MAGNUM attached then go with the 264 Winchester Magnum. In my opinion you can't go wrong either way. [8D]