Best 6.5 for 1000 yards

[rardoin]

6.5 x 308 Palma Improved 30 degree's.

SuperCreedmoor...that'll stick in Hogpatrol's gullet!

 

[rardoin]

Shooting 850,900,950,1000 at steel thinking 6.5x55 or the creedmoor thanks for the info

I have 1100 rounds out of a 6.5 x55 BJ Ackley Imp. running 140gr class bullets at mid 2900's, just over 49gr Rl-23 or 50.8gr H4831sc (CCI 250 primer) and I have less than 0.005" throat erosion and only the beginning of the freebore at neck/fb junction has slight firecracking. Holding up much better than expected and it is really shooting at 600yds. I suspect it will outlast the typical 6.5-.284 barrel with same speeds and less propellant. It will easily push a 140 over 3000fps without load compression using Rl-23. Lapua brass is relatively cheap. Easy to fireform as any typical Ackley. Inherently more accurate than a 6.5 x 47L. Sorry Grimstod...I just had to.

 

[HPMike800]

Always wondered what an Improved 6.5X55 would do. All my actions are short so I never built one.

 

[perry42]

Always wondered what an Improved 6.5X55 would do. All my actions are short so I never built one.

I have a 98 Mauser chambered in 6.5x55AI that is close to my 6BR out to 600yds. The powder capacity is several grains more than the Creedmoor.

perry42

 

[rardoin]

The powder capacity is several grains more than the Creedmoor. perry42

The 6.5 x55 BJAI holds about 8-9 more grains of H4831sc than a Creedmoor case. It can do everything a 6.5-.284 can do with a few grains less powder. It appears it will get better barrel life but I am only on my first barrel...so I can't state that as a fact. Downside is that you have to fireform brass, special order dies. A straight 6.5 x55 throated at 0.200-0.220" should give enough case capacity using the right powder to push a 140gr class bullet to 2900-2950fps without hammering the case too hard.

 

[Steelnecktie]

Can't believe nobody mentions 6.5-06 With 35° shoulder.

 

[R.Morehouse]

Can't believe nobody mentions 6.5-06 With 35° shoulder.

That is what i use.....Kind of an "old school" round with a lot of brass prep......But a great comp. round none the less.....

 

[Dshooter]

260AI or the 6.5SLR as I'm building next. A very close tie with the 6.5x47

 

[Geno C]

I just made the switch from a 260 to the AI for my steel match gun. I'm running a short, .060" freebore so I can run out of a mag and I'm still at 2930fps with 140vlds. It's not a huge jump in speed over the straight 260 but it's enough in my opinion. If you're shooting out of a mag/repeater consider that the 40 degrees shoulder isn't the easiest to feed from a non coned breach. I run a SPR so I wasn't too concerned but if it were a 700 there could possibly be a little hanging.

My vote is 260ai. Dies were off the shelf Redding that I shaved a bit off to size my brass also. I run the chamber .007" short of .000" of the patent case.

 

[VaRandy]

There are a number of 6.5's that would be decent long-range cartridges. However, you are asking for THE BEST. I will give you what I think is the best, however, more importantly, I will tell you WHY I believe it is the best. In my opinion, the best 6.5 cartridge for long range is the .260A.I. Now for the WHY...
1.) It is very, very accurate and super easy to tune.
2.) It can drive 140 class bullets to 2975 without any pressure problems.
3.) You can use either Lapua L/R primer brass or Lapua .308 Palma S/R primer brass, which is nearly indestructible. Even the L/R primer brass is very strong!
4.) You can keep up with, speed wise, with a 6.5 x 284 without all the loose primer pocket issues.
5.) You can get a 6.5 SAUM going faster, however, your barrel life is A LOT lower than the 1600+ you will get with a .260A.I.
6.) There is a number of powders that work VERY well with the .260A.I. 1.) H4350, 2.) RL-16, 3.) RL-23, 4.) H4831SC are the best powders and all will produce both HIGH velocity as well as SUPERB accuracy!
7.) I think that the Berger 140gr LRBT is THEE most accurate 6.5 bullet available. What is nice about this bullet is that it has a very short bearing surface and you can drive them faster without pressure signs showing up quickly.

I have been using the .260A.I. for 4 years and have shot my BEST match (3 x 20) at 1000 yards with it. AND I am not the best L/R (1000 yard) shooter going! In the hands of a really skilled 1000 yard F-Open shooter, it would be extremely formidable. As a matter of fact, I think the Benchrest crowd should give it a whirl for 1000 yard Benchrest as I think they would be pleasantly surprised!

I will confirm all written above about the .260 Ackley. Mine is nothing less than magic. I found my magic spot at 2950 with no pressure at all. You mention SUPERB accuracy ..... I understand because mine fired a .004 3 shot group when first built and looking for a load......I stopped with that one! I didn't consider it for 1000 yd benchrest but it would likely be a great contender.

 

[jsthntn247]

Anybody ever do a 260 40 degree similar to what the 6bra is and not fully blown forward like the Ackley?

 

[mikegaiz]

I would go with the Creedmoor with all this media hype it must be unbelievable. "Ten years in the making" says American Rifleman. Wow.....

 

[onelastshot]

No fireforming brass, no special dies, just great potential, a 6.5-284 does it all.

 

[Terry Altom]

Anybody ever do a 260 40 degree similar to what the 6bra is and not fully blown forward like the Ackley?

Could you expand on what you mean by "not blown forward" I shoot a 260AI and am having a 6BRAI build now. As far as I know neither has their shoulder blown forward, such as a 6BRX or 6 Dasher does from the parent 6BR. Everyone is cambering the 6BRAI to have a .004" crush fit on the 6BR case as Ackley does, but that doesn't actually blow the shoulder forward.

 

[dsinfour]

Nothing will beat the 6.5 x 284 if you like buying barrels for it .. I but tell people who build one to order 2 barrels because of the round count... I went with the 6.5 creedmoor becauce of the bigger round count and didn't with to become my gunsmith best customer... At 1000 yards would won't give up too much between the 2 but will get a higher round count... I tell all shooters buying a new rifle its like buying a new car the sky is the limit .. remember keep them all in the center...

 

[savagedasher]

It change the angle on the case and shoulder Normally give 3 more grain of case capacity . Shoot it for years. Larry