6.5 Dilemma

[Mmwat]

Hey guys I’ve asked this on a few different forums now but have yet to make up my mind.

I have a long action 721 with a PTG standard .484 bolt face and a 6.5 barrel. This gun will mostly be used for hunting and casual long range target shooting.

I have received advice recommending everything from 6.5 Creedmoor to 6.5-06. I’m strongly considering a 6.5x55 and 6.5-284. I like the ability to have factory ammo if needed (I will be reloading on a friends setup) and would prefer something a little cheaper to run than the 6.5-284, so that’s leading me to lean toward the 6.5x55. My gunsmith has 6.5-284,.260 Remington, and 6.5-06 reamers, but I’m willing to buy whatever.

Does anyone have thoughts on my dilemma?

 

[Doug Beach]

If factory ammo is a significant concern, the 6.5 Creedmoor is your best bet.
As an additional benefit, I’m pretty sure you get a magic talisman, bulletproof underwear, and longer lasting lightbulbs, with every Creedmoor purchase.

 

[mrjdasr]

Hey guys I’ve asked this on a few different forums now but have yet to make up my mind.

I have a long action 721 with a PTG standard .484 bolt face and a 6.5 barrel. This gun will mostly be used for hunting and casual long range target shooting.

I have received advice recommending everything from 6.5 Creedmoor to 6.5-06. I’m strongly considering a 6.5x55 and 6.5-284. I like the ability to have factory ammo if needed (I will be reloading on a friends setup) and would prefer something a little cheaper to run than the 6.5-284, so that’s leading me to lean toward the 6.5x55. My gunsmith has 6.5-284,.260 Remington, and 6.5-06 reamers, but I’m willing to buy whatever.

Does anyone have thoughts on my dilemma?

if you are in the USA, 6.5x55 factory may be a little scarce.
.260 and creedmore are your best bet

 

[Henryrifle]

Mmwat-

If your casual long range is inside of 1400 yards then a 6.5 Creedmoor should easily meet your needs. There are great factory hunting rounds as well as great factory target rounds. Brass is readily available and there are several known good velocities that work in most all 6.5 Creedmoors.

Good luck. You have a fun choice ahead!

Henryrifle

 

[Evlshnngns]

Decide how much energy you need at the max distance you hunt. I shoot my Creedmoor more than my Swede improved.

 

[Mmwat]

Mmwat-

If your casual long range is inside of 1400 yards then a 6.5 Creedmoor should easily meet your needs. There are great factory hunting rounds as well as great factory target rounds. Brass is readily available and there are several known good velocities that work in most all 6.5 Creedmoors.

Good luck. You have a fun choice ahead!

Henryrifle

Seems like most people are leaning towards the Creedmoor. Pretty similar answers to what I’ve gotten elsewhere. Anyone see any issues with the Creedmoor feeding in a long action?

 

[Shrek]

In a long action and with the longer super heavy for caliber bullets available and more coming I’d go 6.5-284. The extra capacity will push the heavy bullets better and take advantage of your action. You don’t have to load it to max pressure and burn powder and barrel fast. How far you want to shoot will extend as you have success.
Another benefit with the 6.5-284 is that it’s not a 6.5 Creedmore. You won’t be part of the fanboys. Get a Creedmore and the next thing you know you’ll be wearing a flat billed hat and...

 

[Clancy]

On a long action I’d call you crazy for going with the Creedmoor over a 6.5x284 or 6.5x55.

 

[jmm03]

6.5 x 55, knocking stuff down since 1893, easy to load for, accurate, easy on brass and barrels... Jim

 

[mtnman31]

If availability of factory ammo is an important factor and considering it is a long action, 6.5x55 is your only real option. You might find factory ammo in other cartridges, but it will be pricey and you'll have few options. If you are more open to reloading, I'd still recommend 6.5x55 followed by 6.5-06. If you want nostalgia and a capable 6.5, I'd say to go with the obsolete .256 Newton. It is very similar to the 6.5-06 performance wise and easily made from 30-06/270/25-06 brass. You have a long action, don't waste your efforts on a short action cartridge such as the Creedmoor or 260. As much as I like both of them, they aren't really making the most of your action.

 

[Mmwat]

If availability of factory ammo is an important factor and considering it is a long action, 6.5x55 is your only real option. You might find factory ammo in other cartridges, but it will be pricey and you'll have few options. If you are more open to reloading, I'd still recommend 6.5x55 followed by 6.5-06. If you want nostalgia and a capable 6.5, I'd say to go with the obsolete .256 Newton. It is very similar to the 6.5-06 performance wise and easily made from 30-06/270/25-06 brass. You have a long action, don't waste your efforts on a short action cartridge such as the Creedmoor or 260. As much as I like both of them, they aren't really making the most of your action.

Thanks, what are your thoughts on the 6.5x284? Seems to be recommended quite a bit, my smith has reamers in hand, and it has some factory ammo although it’s pricey.

 

[TimS]

I have a Cooper in 6.5x284 and love it. I’ve taken multiple mule deer, whitetails and antelope out to 472 yards with single shot kills.

 

[MrMajestic]

Your setup is screaming 6.5x.284, still winning a bunch of faux wood...

 

[ckrifles]

Definitely 6.5-06 or 6.5x.284 the 6.5-06 will feed like butter through a 721. This is a hunting rifle right. I love the 6.5x.284, I have built more 6.5x.284 hunting rifles than any other. You will be very happy with ether one.

 

[mattri]

https://www.midwayusa.com/65mm-284-norma/br?cid=18309

https://www.midwayusa.com/260-remington/br?cid=21962

https://www.midwayusa.com/65-creedmoor/br?cid=20296

As factory ammo was mentioned, cost and availability can become an issue. I only listed these as they seem more likely to be consistently available than the 6.5x55 etc.

These are all great rounds with strengths and weaknesses of their own.

There's plenty of love and hate for the Creedmoor on this and other boards, but is a perfectly capable round. It has achieved a level of popularity that leads one to think there will be plenty of options for factory ammo and components for a long while down the road.

All joking aside it sounds like a great fit for what you describe. Best of luck and be sure to know what you choose.

 

[WeatherbyFan]

6.5-284 or 6.5 Creedmoor would be the two I would look at, both are excellent cartridges, the only benefit to the CM over the 6.5-284 would be the reasonably priced factory ammo

I can’t say enough good about the 6.5-284.....it’s probably my Favourite cartridge

 

[mtnman31]

Thanks, what are your thoughts on the 6.5x284? Seems to be recommended quite a bit, my smith has reamers in hand, and it has some factory ammo although it’s pricey.

I have no personal experience with that cartridge. It is a very capable cartridge. Brass might cost a bit more and barrel life can be shorter depending on how hot it is loaded.

 

[Puzzaz01]

Things to consider... barrel life of a Creedmoor or 260 will surely out last the 6.5x284 and the ought 6 by a lot. The 260 and the Creedmoor has readily availability in common stores. The action you currently have is more suitable for the longer rounds and will allow longer seating depths for a more precise tuned load if you're running them thru a magazine. Just my .02. Good luck with your project and which ever way you go, that's a great caliber!

Darrin

 

[timeout]

Things to consider... barrel life of a Creedmoor or 260 will surely out last the 6.5x284 and the ought 6 by a lot. The 260 and the Creedmoor has readily availability in common stores. The action you currently have is more suitable for the longer rounds and will allow longer seating depths for a more precise tuned load if you're running them thru a magazine. Just my .02. Good luck with your project and which ever way you go, that's a great caliber!

Darrin

Good points, but I personally would not give much consideration to barrel life on a hunting rifle. Now for practice, I would give barrel life careful consideration. So much so, that I'm considering building a 223 for practice (and for cost of brass, bullets and powder). The other recommendation I would have for the OP is to get his own reloading equipment as soon as possible and get started learning all about the art of building his own ammo.

 

[Shrek]

As for cost of shooting the cost difference in a day of shooting components between a 6.5 Creedmore and a 6.5-284 is hardly noticeable in the big picture. You’d have to be shooting a large volume to notice a difference in your budget. We’re talking about ten grains of powder per round or $5 of powder @ $35 a pound per 100 rounds.