6.5mm round
- Thread starter calib
- Start date
BigDMT
I know most of us build rifles for specific purposes. I do that myself. I have 7 of them for all my different needs and a few pistols for different purposes too. But If I were to have a "do-all" round, I'd go big and make her run slow if needed.
One thing to remember is that the beauty of the 6.5mm rounds is that the bullets of today have such high Ballistic Coefficients that they don't need to be pushed fast to shoot as flat as a laser and hit like a freight train at long range.
I run the 140gr Berger VLD from my 6.5 Rem Mag at 3130 fps and there isn't any north american game animal safe if they are within my comfortable shooting range. I shoot 1000 yards regularly for practice, but feel comfortable and ethical only taking shots at game up to 800 yards and always try to get as close as possible no matter what.
I can push that bullet at 3230 fps if I wanted, and had a load at that speed in the past, but throat erosion was noticeable after each 100 rounds and brass primer pockets didn't last past 5 firings so I throttled her down.
If you want an accurate 6.5mm round with long barrel life that will give you acceptable speeds for long range varmint and deer hunting, build a 6.5X47 Lapua.
If you want an accurate 6.5mm round that can take down a bull elk at 600 yards with the added energy needed to ethically take such a creature, build a 6.5 WSM. Then you can throttle it down for target shooting or strictly use it for hunting so you get many years out of the barrel.
But going with Wayne's input, if you want to really get serious about target shooting and perhaps competition some day, barrel life shouldn't be a concern or you won't be shooting very much
That's my last 2 cents on this thread. Take care
Brandon
One thing to remember is that the beauty of the 6.5mm rounds is that the bullets of today have such high Ballistic Coefficients that they don't need to be pushed fast to shoot as flat as a laser and hit like a freight train at long range.
I run the 140gr Berger VLD from my 6.5 Rem Mag at 3130 fps and there isn't any north american game animal safe if they are within my comfortable shooting range. I shoot 1000 yards regularly for practice, but feel comfortable and ethical only taking shots at game up to 800 yards and always try to get as close as possible no matter what.
I can push that bullet at 3230 fps if I wanted, and had a load at that speed in the past, but throat erosion was noticeable after each 100 rounds and brass primer pockets didn't last past 5 firings so I throttled her down.
If you want an accurate 6.5mm round with long barrel life that will give you acceptable speeds for long range varmint and deer hunting, build a 6.5X47 Lapua.
If you want an accurate 6.5mm round that can take down a bull elk at 600 yards with the added energy needed to ethically take such a creature, build a 6.5 WSM. Then you can throttle it down for target shooting or strictly use it for hunting so you get many years out of the barrel.
But going with Wayne's input, if you want to really get serious about target shooting and perhaps competition some day, barrel life shouldn't be a concern or you won't be shooting very much
That's my last 2 cents on this thread. Take care
Brandon
BigDMT
OKIE2 said:
I'll give that a try. I just picked up some 123gr A-Max bullets a couple of months ago to test on my 6.5X47 Lapua. I might have to give them a try in my 6.5 Rem Mag as well.
How fast are you pushing the 123gr A-Max's??? I've had the 120gr Sierra MK up around 3400 fps in past load tests with my 26" McGowen 1 in 8.5" twist barrel. Also mounted on a Savage, only it's a 116.
Calib, a few years ago I went through a similar scenario. I ended up with a kind of do all walking rig in .260 and enjoyed necking down some 7-08 brass and other experimenting with the round. Its very accurate and plenty fast. I have another barrel en-route and am tempted to try the ever popular 6.5x47 but am leaning back to the .260 as it has served me well even in a light rig. Anyhow enjoy the journey whatever you decide!
A straight .260 rem is nothing to sneeze at. Cheap brass(rem.) great brass (lapua), easy to load and no unnecessary steps in loading or fireforming! I just like the results i am getting and with good 130-142 class bullets will be great out to a long ways !
calib said:
Well I read the suggestions and re-read the origional post and I would like to know what exactly you are trying to achieve. You stated heavy bullets for hunting and long range target shooting out to 1000 but what out to 1000? Are you looking to shoot coyote out to 1000 or just shoot paper out to 1000 and something less for game? How about hunting something bigger like deer? If this were me, I would know exactly what bullet I wanted to shoot for what purpose and figure out what velocity I needed to go to get there. The exterior ballistics will tell you what speed you need to drive the bullet to achieve your goal and there is no reason to hot rod it any faster than you need to. This is kind of asking; I want a fast car so what do you suggest I buy? 100mph is fast and my commuter will go that fast, so is that what you are looking for or are you looking the beat Wayne's Vet to the next block?
I like to know exactly what I am trying to achieve then figure out the best way to get there. To me the best way is to choose a round that will drive the bullet to the desired speed to meet the goal, using the least amount of powder, enough accuracy to meet my needs and have the longest barrel life possible. Yes I agree that barrels are expendable but what if you happen to get a real nice barrel that shoots lights out? Wouldn't you like to know you can shoot 5000 rounds through it instead of only 1000 or less? Maybe the next barrel after 1000 rounds doesn't shoot so well. If 130 or 140 grain bullet going 2900fps will meet your needs, why go with something that drives it any faster? Just my thoughts.
I still say the 260AI represents the perfect capacity for 26cal, and barring special needs, it covers everything.
You could hot rod smaller cases(47L, CM), or down-load larger cases(55,284), but never without prices to pay for it. Reduced case life, poor accuracy, reduced barrel life, etc.
By itself, I hate the 260. But it's a case that really does change for the better -with improvement.
It gets you to 4350 powders with 140gr bullets, and a better lasting(so better shooting) case design.
You could hot rod smaller cases(47L, CM), or down-load larger cases(55,284), but never without prices to pay for it. Reduced case life, poor accuracy, reduced barrel life, etc.
By itself, I hate the 260. But it's a case that really does change for the better -with improvement.
It gets you to 4350 powders with 140gr bullets, and a better lasting(so better shooting) case design.
BigDMT
+1 on the Ackley version of the 260
thanks guys, i will be doing more checking on this cartridge and what i can do with it with what bullets and who's powder. i like the ackley cases and it sounds like a good medium for the 6.5 rounds. i dont really want the magnum round, but i also dont want the smaller round. if this will be enough to push 140 grain bullets at or abouve 3000fps then good.
i will probably be looking at a 24-26" barrel in a magnum contour maybe heavy mag, but something that mont be too taxing walking around with it every now and then.
i will probably be looking at a 24-26" barrel in a magnum contour maybe heavy mag, but something that mont be too taxing walking around with it every now and then.
drop_point
Silver $$ Contributor
I would personally go with 6.5x47L, 6.5 Creed, or standard .260 AI.
Forming brass is a waste of good barrel life and its common to have feeding problems with the AI version if you're using a repeater. Disregard for single-shots.
I gave up shooting 6.5-284.
I currently have a 6.5x47L and LOVE it, but I'm considering leaving it to fun shooting and F-Class, in favor of either a .260 Rem or 6.5 Creed for practical rifle matches where brass cannot be reclaimed. Otherwise, I see no reason to ditch the 6.5x47L.
The practical difference between any of them, from 6.5x47 all the way to .260 AI is very marginal. Its a matter of how much time you want to spend prepping brass, forming, etc. That extra 100 FPS isn't going to be a game-changer, and that's only IF you end up achieving it.
My two loads I shoot now clock 2840 FPS for Berger 140 VLDs and 2870 FPS for 130s. However, I must say, Ballistic FTE says I'm going about 40 fps faster than what the chronograph shows, comparing my field data to what the chorny says I should be shooting.
Forming brass is a waste of good barrel life and its common to have feeding problems with the AI version if you're using a repeater. Disregard for single-shots.
I gave up shooting 6.5-284.
I currently have a 6.5x47L and LOVE it, but I'm considering leaving it to fun shooting and F-Class, in favor of either a .260 Rem or 6.5 Creed for practical rifle matches where brass cannot be reclaimed. Otherwise, I see no reason to ditch the 6.5x47L.
The practical difference between any of them, from 6.5x47 all the way to .260 AI is very marginal. Its a matter of how much time you want to spend prepping brass, forming, etc. That extra 100 FPS isn't going to be a game-changer, and that's only IF you end up achieving it.
My two loads I shoot now clock 2840 FPS for Berger 140 VLDs and 2870 FPS for 130s. However, I must say, Ballistic FTE says I'm going about 40 fps faster than what the chronograph shows, comparing my field data to what the chorny says I should be shooting.
tylerw02 said:
From a ~28" barrel, ~2850fps is a low node.
260AI takes it to a ~3000fps node -with milder pressures(big differences), or up ~3150fps if pushed anywhere near 6.5x47L performance pressures.
The 6.5x47L is a mid range competitor by design(a needed design). I predict it will concede too much to 6dashers/6x47L (true long range cartridges) at 1kyd, and that the 260AI will see a big comeback there.
Just a prediction.
BigDMT
rwk said:
Can't remember...Don't know if I actually ever measured them from base to tip? I would measure one for you really quick but I am on my 2 week hitch working as an electrician on a oil drilling rig in North Dakota so I won't be back home for about a week and a half. I do know that they are REALLY long though. Even though my 6.5 Rem Mag is traditionally a short action round, I had to build it on a long action (Savage 116) in order to seat them out to the lands and still have room for them to fit in the magazine. If you are using a single shot rifle, I don't think the length is a big issue.
I'm sure someone else here uses them and could get you a measurement right quick. Otherwise I could figure it out when I get back home.
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