6.5 Case Options

[shcal]

I currently shoot the 6br and would like to step up to the next bullet weight category for my next gun project. I am looking at three 6.5mm case options for varmint hunting,squirrels & coyotes)& wild pig. The 6.5 Grendel, 6.5X47 and 6.5X55 SM. All of these are offered by Lapua,the Grendel through Alexander Arms) so brass quality is very good. These are essentially 39mm, 47mm and 55mm cases for 6.5mm bullet.

Can anyone tell me their experience with these rounds and how they are differentiated with respect to long range accuracy,+/- 600 yds), felt recoil, barrel life, wind bucking characteristics, down-range energy for killing power and feeding ability from a magazine. Assume bullet weights in the 120gr to 130gr range.
Thanks, shcal

 

[chrisj]

I can't speak for the 6.5x47, but had a 260 held .125 short. It used 22-250 brass and had a similar case capaciy to the 6.5x47. BBL life from the 6br and 260 short was both around 3300-3500 rounds. The 6.5x55 got closer to 2400 rounds. These are full power loads. I had a 6.5 Grendel which was extremely accurate with longer bbl life that any of the above. I sold the bbl before it was burned up, but @ 3000 rounds...it still looked and shot great.

Good Luck!

Chris

 

[Forum Boss]

Don't forget the .243 Ackley if you have a "need for speed". Yes it's a barrel burner but it will top the 6-6.5x47.

Personally, I think the logical next step up for you is a 6-6.5x47, or go straight to the 6.5x47 if you will be shooting wild pigs very much. The 6.5x55 is also a great cartridge that will allow you to shoot the heavier 6.5s with more velocity. I like the small primer pocket of the 6.5x47 though. I think it allows you to operate in pressure ranges which are conducive to superior accuracy and low SD.

 

[Asa_Yam]

The cartridge of choice is going to depend on a LOT of different things. If you want one cartridge to do it all, I say the 6.5x55 is the one to go with.

* Loaded at design pressures,45,000 PSI), barrel life is probably going to be reasonable.
* Loaded to 60,000 PSI pressures,do so VERY carefully - and use a strong modern action) and 140 grain class match bullets, and you're shooting a round that behaves like a 6.5-.284. And recoil is less than or equal to that of a .308 Winchester.
* For medium game, load it with 123 grain bullets.
* Loaded with 160 grain round nosed solid bullets, and you can go after any large game on the planet - including elephant. If you're worried about insufficient penetration, this combination won't be a problem.

Found this link on wild boar anatomy - worth reading. http://www.texasboars.com/anatomy.html

 

[shcal]

Gents: Thanks for the thoughts on this subject. And Asa thanks for the feral hog info. On that subject I just wanted to pass on a story from my next door neighbor who was pig hunting a couple of weeks ago with his .243 Win. He shot a 130lb pig at about 150 yds, took him 5 shots to kill it. When he cleaned the pig he found three of his shots buried in the armor plating, they had not penetrated it!

On to the original subject though. Of these three cases for the 6.5mm bullet, I was thinking that further criteria for this rifle should be: 1) a "walk around" rifle with sling and able to fit up a bi-pod, 2) magazine fed or semi-auto,AR-15 platform with flat deck for scope). Now this rifle could go in several directions, a classic type of McMillan stock based rifle like a Surgeon, a tube gun type of repeater or a AR-15 platform with a 6.5mm Grendel. What are your thoughts on these alternatives for hunting and their implied case choices?
thanks, shcal

 

[NeilNE]

One cal. for everythin.

For varmint hunting squirrels,etc. the 6.5 Grendel
For coyotes 6.5 Grendel or 6.5X47
For wild pig the 6.5X55

The only one that will do all three is the 6.5 x 55.

All three will kill a hog if shot in the right place, but your 6.5 x 55 has a better margin of safety.

 

[FryeGuy]

You cannot go wrong with the 6.5. The sectional density of the 160 grain bullets matches that of a 30 cal 220 grn bullet. they will shoot thru anything. shot a small bison last year in TX with a 6.5/284, entered thru the shoulder, thru the spine and out the other shoulder. that bullet probably ended up in mexico somewhere. while the buffalo was only 700-800 lbs that's a whole lot of bones to break thru.

why not try a .260 rem? you can get lapua 243 brass and just neck it up? ballistics the same as a 6.5x55 sm, with less powder. that would get you into a short action if that makes a difference for you.

other than that, go with the 6.5 x 47.

 

[mysticplayer]

Since you want a multi discipline rifle, I would consider the 260 and improved cases. Will fit in any short action and feed easily from a mag. Can be put into a semi like an AR10.

Gives you all the performance for varminting and hunting. Moderate recoil,depends on how you load). Components are less expensive and readily available.

Offshore supplies can lead to component delays.

With this case, you can load down to the Grendel and up to almost the 6.5-284.

Jerry

 

[Raptor]

I like the 260 and hunt with one but I feel its a little on the heavy side for varmints. Its really hard on coyotes with an 85gr vmax I can't imagine what it would do to a squirrl. I wish they made a 70 or 75 gr bullet for it.

Its a fantastic deer cartridge and will do anything a 270 will do only in a short action. Its a great medium caliber.

 

[shcal]

What advantage does the .260 have over say the 6.5X55 or the 6.5X47?

 

[kaferhaus]

What advantage does the .260 have over say the 6.5X55 or the 6.5X47?

I own rifles chambered in all three of them...

Ballistics wise, in a MODERN rifle the Swede will beat both of them. Problem is you need a custom reamer to cut a decent chamber for it. Even the so called stock "match reamers" for the Swede cut way too long a throat. In most rifles the Swede requires a long action.

Accuracy wise, out to 600 the 6.5x47 seems to be tearing it up. Don't know of anyone stocking a good reamer, custom order

The 260 has just enough room in the case to be a decent 1,000yd gun, but sucks wind compared to the 6.5x284.

For hunting anything smaller than a big dangerous bear, I like the 260. Short action and plenty of punch.

 

[SF340Driver]

George at GA Precision has a 6.5x47L reamer optimized for 123/139 scenars in stock.

 

[shcal]

Thanks everyone for their input and advice. Kaferhaus, what is the difference between these cartridges felt recoil and the 6mmBR?

 

[kaferhaus]

Thanks everyone for their input and advice. Kaferhaus, what is the difference between these cartridges felt recoil and the 6mmBR?

"Felt recoil" is awful subjective.....

Recoil is going to be based on the wieght of the projectile and powder along with velocity. Which is mitigated to a large degree based on the weight of the rifle.

Case capicity wise the 6BR is the runt of the bunch and the biggest thing you can put down it is 115grs.

In the same weight rifle, the 6BR will likely produce less recoil.... if I had the calculator here at my finger tips I could give you a good set of actual numbers..

the 6.5x55 with 160s in a modern bolt gun will likely develop the most of any of them.

But any of the bigger cases can be downloaded, use lighter bullets etc....

With 107s, a 6BR has to be stoked pretty hot to get 2900fps or so....

 

[overbore]

Dave Kiff, Pacific T&G, just delivered a 6.5X 55 Swede match reamer with a no turn neck for Lapua brass throated for the 120gr Berger. Overbore

 

[shcal]

Overbore, I assume this means you have a 6.5X55 SM rifle in the works. Please let us know all the details of your project and how it is progressing.
shcal

 

[ghermitage]

260 ... 85gr vmax

Do you mean 95gr vmax?
95gr is the only .264" VMax I see on Hornady's online list.

 

[montanaearl]

i am surprised no one has mentioned the 260AI,perhaps more properly the 6.5/08AI). my neighbor bought his son a 260Rem and he has had great success with it. in my research for a low recoil, distance-accurate round i happened on an article by terry cross,in the 6BR article archives) on this cartridge. seemed to fit the bill for prairie dogs, coyotes, antelope, deer; all at range. terry's data showed a 100-150fps gain over the factory 260 and reduced brass flow in the shoulder; all in a short action. however, i have chosen to build mine using a M70 LA so as not to limit seating depth by magazine length. i bought the reamer from JGS as it is their standard, not custom, which shows a relatively short throat, which could be reamed again with a throater; all put together on an HS stock, Williams bottom metal and extractor, Precision Reflex one piece Picatinny rail, Badger rings and appropriate optics.

 

[Northman]

montanaearl: or just do the 6.5x55. Much easier, and less hasle for the same output.