6.5 Creedmoor vs 260 AI pros/cons?

[Grimstod]

The 260 ai is a great round. I used to shoot it in Benchrest. I have also had a repeater. In a repeater I would go with the creedmoor. Its going to run 140s in the 2900s. The AI is not going to get to the next node. In a single shot I have ran 140s to mid 3000s in the ai with a 30" barrel. However they shot best at 2850. The 47 may very well have the best agging potential but since no one is shooting the creedmoor in Br we just dont know that. The 47 is a cool round but it king of fits into a niche that doenst exist. Ballisticly its equal the 6br improved cases (dasher, bra, brx, ext.) And those 6mms agg better. So all it offers is increased recoil and energy on target really. Any of the 3 are pretty close, and real world differences small. We do get caught up in chasing numbers some times.

Heck of a lot of guys are shooting it in F-Class.

 

[pat fulghum]

Heck of a lot of guys are shooting it in F-Class.

I wouldn't say "a lot".. Here is the 2017 Berger SW National statistics.

Looks like 7mm (and all its varieties) really rules in F Class.

Data shameless plagiarized from here: http://www.bergerbullets.com/SW_Nationals/2017-swn-equipment-list-open.pdf

 

[Alex Wheeler]

I think its a great f-class mid range cartridge. Not having to fire form is a plus as well.

 

[mattri]

Mr Wheeler- to which round was that last post in reference to?

 

[RW]

I know it takes a long action but the 6.5x55 improved has been around for a long time and it is almost identical to the creed and has done well at a 1000y but it hasn't had the marketing that the creed has had because there isn't any money to be made from it!! RW

 

[Berger.Fan222]

Interesting replies thanks.

At what point does the extra capacity of the Creedmoor/260 become an advantage over over the 6.5x47?

I like the capability to shoot H4831 with heavy bullets.

 

[rardoin]

I know it takes a long action but the 6.5x55 improved has been around for a long time and it is almost identical to the creed and has done well at a 1000y but it hasn't had the marketing that the creed has had because there isn't any money to be made from it!! RW

I respectfully disagree with your statement. The case capacity of the 6.5 Creedmoor is 9+gr water less than 6.5 x55 BJAI using Lapua brass for both (small primer for the Creed). I can easily push a 140 at over 3050fps in a 30" barrel with the 'x55 Imp' where I would be bordering on safety running a 140 past 2900 fps in a 6.5 Creed. My gun shoots best at an easy 2950-60 fps with a 142gr. I shoot the 6.5 x55 BJAI, 6.5 Creed, 6 Creed. I do really like the 6.5 x55 imp. as I can get 6.5-.284 performance with about 4 less grains of powder, cheap brass, and it appears pretty darn good barrel life for a fast 6.5.

 

[JRS]

I respectfully disagree with your statement. The case capacity of the 6.5 Creedmoor is 9+gr water less than 6.5 x55 BJAI using Lapua brass for both (small primer for the Creed). I can easily push a 140 at over 3050fps in a 30" barrel with the 'x55 Imp' where I would be bordering on safety running a 140 past 2900 fps in a 6.5 Creed. My gun shoots best at an easy 2950-60 fps with a 142gr. I shoot the 6.5 x55 BJAI, 6.5 Creed, 6 Creed. I do really like the 6.5 x55 imp. as I can get 6.5-.284 performance with about 4 less grains of powder, cheap brass, and it appears pretty darn good barrel life for a fast 6.5.

 

[lawrence97]

I respectfully disagree with your statement. The case capacity of the 6.5 Creedmoor is 9+gr water less than 6.5 x55 BJAI using Lapua brass for both (small primer for the Creed). I can easily push a 140 at over 3050fps in a 30" barrel with the 'x55 Imp' where I would be bordering on safety running a 140 past 2900 fps in a 6.5 Creed. My gun shoots best at an easy 2950-60 fps with a 142gr. I shoot the 6.5 x55 BJAI, 6.5 Creed, 6 Creed. I do really like the 6.5 x55 imp. as I can get 6.5-.284 performance with about 4 less grains of powder, cheap brass, and it appears pretty darn good barrel life for a fast 6.5.

I see mention of needing a long action for the 6.5x55. I currently shoot a 284 shehane and was wondering if the 6.5x55 will work in the actions I’m using for the shehane?

 

[rardoin]

You can use a short action if single loading; only need a LA for a 6.5 x55 repeater. I use a Borden BRM-XD...I do have to release the bolt to remove an unfired cartridge.

 

[mattri]

Just looking at short action rounds to feed from a magazine for this build.

 

[onelastshot]

I've always had a special fondness for AI cartridges; yes, it's an extra step prepping the brass to blow the shoulder out but once you do you pick up 6-10% in case volumes and you don't have to worry about trimming brass. With the 40 degree shoulder the brass simply doesn't expand. Once you're done you're done. I don't use the COW method, I simply shoot the standard brass and use it as you use a regular cartridge, I've found them to be highly accurate. I've got a bunch of 6mm Remington brass I'm loading right now and will use it for prairie dog shoots.

 

[Grimstod]

I wouldn't say "a lot".. Here is the 2017 Berger SW National statistics.

Looks like 7mm (and all its varieties) really rules in F Class.

Data shameless plagiarized from here: http://www.bergerbullets.com/SW_Nationals/2017-swn-equipment-list-open.pdf

View attachment 1026604

Well more then the 47L is sorta what I meant. At my local range they outnumber the 47L by a factor of two yet the 47L always seams to win. And the Creed guys run some very nicely made BR rifles they just don't seam to ever win.

 

[JBT47]

Mr Wheeler- to which round was that last post in reference to?

I’d also like to know which cartridge Alex was referring to. What say you Alex?

 

[boltfluter]

I believe Alex is referring to the 6.5x47 Lapua.

Paul

 

[JBT47]

I believe Alex is referring to the 6.5x47 Lapua.

Paul

Thanks Paul

 

[seymour fish]

Thanks Paul

So you have the little 6.5’s, 260 ai lookin good with 130, next step up bypass the 6.5-284 and go with 6.5 06 at or Saum wit 140-150’s jmho

 

[mattri]

In a mag fed short action?

 

[Trent Wilson]

I respectfully disagree with your statement. The case capacity of the 6.5 Creedmoor is 9+gr water less than 6.5 x55 BJAI using Lapua brass for both (small primer for the Creed). I can easily push a 140 at over 3050fps in a 30" barrel with the 'x55 Imp' where I would be bordering on safety running a 140 past 2900 fps in a 6.5 Creed. My gun shoots best at an easy 2950-60 fps with a 142gr. I shoot the 6.5 x55 BJAI, 6.5 Creed, 6 Creed. I do really like the 6.5 x55 imp. as I can get 6.5-.284 performance with about 4 less grains of powder, cheap brass, and it appears pretty darn good barrel life for a fast 6.5.

I've hated the 6.5 Creedmoor from its beginning, but I had to pick one up to test our brakes on. I took a factory 700 (minus tightening the barrel as tight as possible, lapping the action and bolt cocking area, and a Calvin Elite Timney trigger) and I'm running the 150 SMKs at almost 2950fps with 46.8gr of Reloder 19. Granted, I'm showing signs of ejector swipe, but nothing I haven't had for years with my 185gr 308 loads. I'm also pushing the 85gr Varminters out of the same rifle at close to 3700fps using Reloder 15. Makes a great coyote load.

 

[Trent Wilson]

I know it takes a long action but the 6.5x55 improved has been around for a long time and it is almost identical to the creed and has done well at a 1000y but it hasn't had the marketing that the creed has had because there isn't any money to be made from it!! RW

The 6.5x55 AI is nice, but look into a 260 Dingo. 30-06/270/25-06 brass sized to 6.5-06, fireformed, and will shoot 100gr bullets at 3900 and 140s at 3700. Seem to have a bit of issue with 270 cases blowing at the case web, but no signs with the rest of our brass. The old -06 military brass has a dozen loadings with no signs of stress. Necked it down to 6mm and even Nosler is impressed by our velocities. Outperforms their in house cartridge by a bit.