My next 6.5 build?

[shepherm]

I'm trying to decide my next build and I could use a little help. Its going to be a shorter barrel (20-22") bolt action for plinking steel and hunting. My two choices are 260 AI or 6.5x47.

Pros of 260AI:
I have 100 new lapua brass
Dies (I could sell to a friend)
I have a reamer and gauge

Pros of 6.5x47
I own the reamer

 

[Phil]

In my mind, being that you want a shorter barrel, i`d go with the horse power and do a .260 AI.

 

[Crosswire3]

My vote for x47, but I may be biased. I have two with 22-23" barrels and just did a lightweight with an 18" barrel. They all shoot better than any other rifle in my collection and the brass never needs work.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Neither cartridge is what you'd call a 'fast' 6.5mm. You're not gonna get a blazing speed, both can be very accurate if built right, and both will kill deer with no problems. So i think the answer is pretty obvious. Just go with the 260 AI since you already have all the stuff for it.

 

[CTK]

My vote for x47, but I may be biased. I have two with 22-23" barrels and just did a lightweight with an 18" barrel. They all shoot better than any other rifle in my collection and the brass never needs work.

I have a recently acquired 23" 47L. Only chronoed 1 shot so far. Will use the chrono in next round of development. With 40.5gr h4350 and the Berger 130 VLD I only got 2680fps. I am going to verify this number and then possibly move up a smidgen. Also going to try Varget and possibly RL 17. What velocities are you getting with your "short" barrels? Mine is built on a 2b Bartlein contour in an Edge stock. Weighs right at 7 lbs. I think it will be my most hunted rifle.

 

[CTK]

Neither cartridge is what you'd call a 'fast' 6.5mm. You're not gonna get a blazing speed, both can be very accurate if built right, and both will kill deer with no problems. So i think the answer is pretty obvious. Just go with the 260 AI since you already have all the stuff for it.

Makes sense. How much velocity is gained by improving the 260? I do not remember how much body taper is in the parent case. Definitely has a low degree shoulder.

 

[boltfluter]

I would personally go with the 47. I just think the .260 AI needs a longer barrel to really shine. Really no wrong answer here as both will be great.

Paul

www.boltfluting.com

 

[nakneker]

I would personally go with the 47. I just think the .260 AI needs a longer barrel to really shine. Really no wrong answer here as both will be great.

Paul

www.boltfluting.com

Plus one.

 

[hogpatrol]

Another vote for the 6.5x47.

 

[CJ6]

Another vote for the 6.5x47.

This ^^^^^^^

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Tho they do make it easier, longer barrels aren't always necessary to achieve respectable speeds. The trick with shorter barrels is to carefully develop load recipes or use existing load recipes for slightly faster burning powders that might normally be used for lighter weight bullets in the caliber. When you use a powder that will give a full burn in a shorter barrel, a lot of the lost speed will return

 

[Larryh128]

6.5x47. Just a really cool little round.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Makes sense. How much velocity is gained by improving the 260? I do not remember how much body taper is in the parent case. Definitely has a low degree shoulder.

You can gain anywhere from 70-150 fps when imporoving a shoulder to 40 degrees. Just depends on the cartridge and barrel characteristics. Parent case of the 260 is 308 Win. And the 308 was born from the 30-06 case, as was most every case utilizing a .473" bolt face. So the 260 is like a 30-06 grandchild. The 260 AI is the other grandchild who started going to the gym

 

[rebel]

I acquired a 260 AI yesterday. Came with a Redding FL set, 40 rounds of Black Hills 260, and a half a box of Barnes 260. I shot 6 today to fire form and was blown away that the regular 260's shot that good. 1/2 moa at 100. I was very impressed.

 

[Milo 2.0]

A 6.5 creed should out perform all these with a 22" barrel. Wasn't on the list though.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

A 6.5 creed should out perform all these with a 22" barrel. Wasn't on the list though.

A lot of cartridges could outperform the two listed as far as speed goes...but the OP already has components and tooling for building the two rounds he's interested in.

Besides, if he was interested in max speed from a 6.5 round, I doubt he would be considering a shorter 20-22" barrel.

 

[Milo 2.0]

A lot of cartridges could outperform the two listed as far as speed goes...but the OP already has components and tooling for building the two rounds he's interested in.

Besides, if he was interested in max speed from a 6.5 round, I doubt he would be considering a shorter 20-22" barrel.

Did I not say it wasn't on his list, you over looked the guys chiming in with the 6.5x47.
Thanks for history lesson on the 06 being the parent case though.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Did I not say it wasn't on his list, you over looked the guys chiming in with the 6.5x47.
Thanks for history lesson on the 06 being the parent case though.

? 6.5x47 is on the OPs list.

 

[Milo 2.0]

? 6.5x47 is on the OPs list.

I stand corrected.

 

[Milo 2.0]

I shot a 6.5x47 with a 22" barrel, was a big disappointment to me, pitched the barrel at 500 rds. 2770 with a 130gr bullet didn't cut it.