6.5 Rem Mag

[Killim]

I see there are numerous posts regarding the various 6.5 cartridges but never see the 6.5 Rem Mag mentioned. What are the pros/cons for this cartridge? Seems like it used to be a fairly popular cartridge but you seldom hear it mentioned anymore. Just curious where it ranks vs all the other 6.5s and wildcats.

 

[H2OBUG]

unless you build one on a long action it is very hard to seat good long range bullets out far enough to go in the 2.800 magzine. most shooters will opt for a 6.5 x 284 or 6.5x47 this eliminates the belted mag issues as well as provides much better brass options performance is as good or better

 

[Killim]

I'm not familiar with the inherent problems of the belted magnum cases. Please enlighten me. Also, I'm aware of the short action problems. All things considered such as length of action, is the 6.5 Mag comparable to the others in performance and accuracy?

 

[Shynloco]

I'm not familiar with the inherent problems of the belted magnum cases. Please enlighten me. Also, I'm aware of the short action problems. All things considered such as length of action, is the 6.5 Mag comparable to the others in performance and accuracy?

Killim,
Your comments got me to thinking and finding out, at least in part, the answer to your questions. Personally, I have shot some friend's 6.5 X 284, 6.5 X 55's and 6.5 X 47 (as well as a Savage 260 Target action) and was blown away by how accurately they shoot. In fact, I just had a conversion done by my Gunsmith to a 6.5 X 55 Swedish Mauser on a Ruger M77 Target Rifle (short action) based upon a close friend's rifle that we both use for target shooting, not hunting. Though extremely accurate at the 100 - 200 yd range available to me, I now kinda wish I'd considered going to the 6.5 X 284 which, after having done some extensive reading on the 6.5 calibers (waiting for my Match Grade barrel and stock work being done), I too found absolutely nothing written about 6.5 mm Rem Mag. That wish was based upon the information that a 6.5 X 284 and the others, have a longer barrel life. But after reading what you wrote, I went to my Sierra manual and found the following..."Introduced in 1966, the 6.5 mm Remington Magnum is a necked-down version of the 350 Remington Magnum. The original concept, according to several authoritative sources, was to provide 270 Winchester performance in a light, short action carbine. Based on this criteria alone, the cartridge is a success. The gun-buying public, however, never saw things that way. Today the 6.5 Magnum is all but obsolete."

Given that I don't hunt and haven't for years now (mostly due to age), I do pursue and follow "precision shooting" and ultimate accuracy. Based on that alone, I have never seen the 6.5 Magnum used by any shooters who compete. Now admittedly, I'm assuming part of that reason is that mostly serious competitors like to use Lapua brass in their rifles and I frankly cannot find that 6.5 Magnum brass being made by Lapua. Now I know that is a weak reason not to shoot a 6.5 mag, but Sierra's earlier statement kinda supports why they don't make it...the general public won't buy it and "today the 6.5 Magnum is obsolete." I kinda wonder if the expense of reloading a 6.5 magnum and accuracy compared to a 6.5 X 284, 6.5 X 55 or 6.5 X 47 isn't yet another reason why the 6.5 Mag isn't used.

In short, it might just be that the 6.5 Mag is a great hunting caliber, but even the hunting public has found cheaper and more effective alternatives to the 6.5 Mag which is a major reason why not many apparently shoot that caliber of Magnum. I will say that for as big as that casing appear to be, it would suggest it to be a very powerful round, yet it has been suggested is not capable of shooting the heavier bullets accurately beyond 120 grs. BTW, though I've just started testing loads in my 6.5, I'm using Berger bullets at 140 gr and have yet to try the 142 gr Sierra that have a reputation (among the more serious shooter in competition) to be extremely accurate on a smaller casing.

Just some info to consider that might answer some of your questions.

 

[dan06]

If you have a rifle with a standard bolt face you do not give up much with the 6.5-284 and the 6.5-06 if your going to do a 6.5 cal build based on a rifle with a mag bolt face then the 6.5 rem mag would be a good choice. It wouldn't give up much on any of the 6.5 wildcats except quality of available brass. All of these are starting to get over bore.

 

[drumcorpschamp]

According to an article by Chuck Hawks, the case capacity of the 6.5mm Rem. Mag. and the 6.5mm-.284 Lapua are as follows:

6.5mm-284 Norma = 68.33 grains of water
6.5mm Rem. Mag. = 68.64 grains of water

Virtually identical. Given the fact that Lapua makes brass for one and not the other, that alone may be the answer to your question as far as target shooters are concerned.

I think one of the "inherent problems" of belted magnum cases is that they headspace on the belt and not the shoulder. Ask the guys that have won wood with belted magnums in the past. I'll bet they figured it out.

However, if you're committed to the 6.5mm Mag., I'd bet that you could have a darn accurate gun that would raise some eyebrows!

Just sayin'
Jerry

 

[Steve Blair]

I think one of the "inherent problems" of belted magnum cases is that they headspace on the belt and not the shoulder. Ask the guys that have won wood with belted magnums in the past. I'll bet they figured it out.

[br]
I shot a .300 Win Mag at 1000 in the eighties and never headspaced on the belt, used the shoulder. After several firings with stout loads, the case expands just forward of the belt where sizing dies of the time could not reach. Larry Willis makes a collet die that does just that. Still, the brass is a problem and the 6.5-284 seems the path of least resistance.


http://www.larrywillis.com/

 

[DOGCAPPER]

I read an article years ago by a noted tinkerer whose name is now in I cant remember file along with uncounted others...He was doing accuracy work with the 6.5 mag...Part of his work included bushing the primer pocket to take small rifle primers...Bushings failed after 3-4 shots but accuracy was there...His first step was to partial neck size and headspace on the shoulder...LT

 

[Shynloco]

You guys have provided some great information about a round I know little about, other than what written in some of the reference material I've read about. What I find very interesting is drumcorpchamp's comments about that volume of water in the casing being not that far off from the 6.-5 x 284 - Norma casing from that of the 6.5 Rem Mag. That to me is surprising because of the obvious outside measurement differences when comparing the two casings. But it is also apparent, at least to me, that the 6.5 caliber seems to have one of those inherent qualities for target shooting accuracy which has apparently brought about the more recent, modern day craze of using this caliber as the latest find for better accuracy in target shooting. Neat stuff I love reading about. Thx guys!

 

[okie]

if you want something that will give a little more speed than a 6.5x284--try a 6.5x300wsm(leopard) or .264 win mag--I agree that a 6.5-06 or 6.5x284 would be neck and neck with 6.5 rem mag--- they are better in my book when you consider brass for the 06 & .284 is available,cheap and of great quality

 

[Killim]

I have a 30-350 Rem Mag with a 24" bbl I built years ago for a hunting rifle. Easily shoots 1/2-1" MOA at 100 yds. Never did much load development to see how accurate it would shoot as that was adequate accuracy for a hunting rifle. However, using 57 gr of IMR 4320 results in a consistent 3100+ fps with no visible signs of case deterioration after 10+ loadings. This is with a Speer 150 gr Mag Tip. A better BC may well result in more fps as would a longer tube. According to the Sierra manual, a 300 WM using a 150 gr spitzer only achieves 3000 fps but takes 62.8 gr of IMR 4320 to do so. Seems like this is a fairly efficient cartridge. However, major drawback is felt recoil! Until I had the barrel ported, the recoil was nasty. Much worse than the original 350. Tame as a kitten now though.

 

[wapiti25]

The 300 Win Mag will do 3000 ft/sec with a 180 gr, it will go a lot faster with a 150 such as about 3300 ft/sec in my books.

 

[H2OBUG]

I was speaking of the issues with head spacing on the belt-- they can be resolved but it is an issue that you can avoid with a non belted case.. I think the 6.5 Mag is a cool round.. There are a few factory remingtons still floating around out there too

 

[Dans40X]

The 600/660/673,Sevens,XP-100R's are easily packed & shoot quite well once caressed given their intended purpose.
The 6.5RSAUM,6.5RM,300RSAUM,350RM's will always produce a harvest.

 

[Titandriver]

Jim See built my 6.5 Rem Mag on a 700 L.A. - I'm pushing 140 Bergers & 142 Sierras at 264 mag speeds - not certain how long the Brux barrel will last though!

 

[Titandriver]

killim --P.M. inbound!