Question for u 6.5 guys??

[T 700]

I want to shoot the 6.5 140gr VLD, what case is optimal for that? And what length barrel would I need for best performance?
This is primarily being used for steel out to 1,200yds.

I'm considering the 260 Rem,6.5x47L? I would like to stay away from the 6.5x284 because of barrel life if possible.

Thanks in advance T 700

 

[Aeon]

I have been having a lot of fun with my 6.5rsaum 32" 8.5 bartlein. Has almost zero recoil with the brake and very manageable with brake off. shoots faster than a 6.5-284 with better barrel life (allegedly)

Mark Chesebro built it for me
http://www.chesebrorifles.com

 

[jr600yd]

6.5/06, 6.5/06 imp

 

[284winner]

Both my 260 and 6.5-284 loves the 140 vld. There not picky on powders or speed.

 

[Phil]

Aeon,

What muzzle break do you have on your rifle???

What does it weigh???

Phil.

 

[perry42]

6.5x55AI

perry42

 

[Sniper338]

260 Tac.

Its a reamer from dave kiff made exactly for berger 140 vlds. I have a 28 inch barrel on mine. Shoots about the same speed as a 6.5x284 according to my chrony. H4350 powder. Drives tacks..

 

[Sniper338]

All are 5 shot groups at 200-300 yards

 

[HTSmith]

I'm a 260 guy. I get 2850 fps with140 Berger VLD's in a 28" bbl and a very reasonable charge of H4350. I think I'll go with a 30" bbl next time. The 6.5x47L really looks interesting, but I'm too invested in the 260 to change right now. I think either one would work for you, with the Lapua taking a little less powder.

 

[Laurie]

A lot depends on whether you need magazine operation or not, and whether you're building on a short action. The 260 is COAL / bullet length limited at the SAAMI 2.800" COAL, or even the 2.880" or thereabouts allowed by a short action and Accuracy International magazines. Likewise whether you want to shoot shorter bullets - if you have the barrel throated to give optimal freebore for the 140gn VLD, it may not perform well with some lighter models. (Not all, as the 123gn Scenar is very long for its weight as are some others.)

If you're limited to 2.800" (SAAMI) COAL, you have 0.65" of this 1.42" length bullet inside the case with rather a lot of parallel shank down below the neck/shoulder junction. At 2.88" COAL for AI magazines, it's 0.57" inside. If you're single loading and have the freebore cut for the optimal bullet position in the 260 case, the COAL is 2.99", ie way too long for any short action magazine.

If you want to fit inside SA parameters, the 6.5mm Hornady Creedmoor or 6.5X47 Lapua are a (literally) better fit. Of these, my choice would be the larger capacity Creedmoor running at lower pressures than the Lapua, but many on this forum would argue the other way.

If you have or are willing to contemplate a long action (modern, not M96 Swedish Mauser or similar), my first choices would be either 260 Rem with the chamber throated for that near three-inch cartridge length, or more likely 6.5X55 SKAN, the modern spec for the old 6.5X55mm Swedish Mauser. The SKAN lets you get 140s comfortably to the 2,800-2,850 fps level from any barrel length greater than 26-inches and within 55,000 psi pressures. It has excellent and very strong Lapua brass available. Use a cooler burning single-based powder to fill the case and optimise barrel life - Viht N165 + 140 Bergers in the cartridge makes a very good combination IME.

 

[HTSmith]

Laurie makes excellent points. My 260 is chambered to keep the heel on the Berger 140's out of the doughnut area. They measure just a shade over 3" OAL. To remove a live round from the chamber I have to remove the bolt on my Rem 700 short action. It's not that big a deal to me, but to some it would be.

 

[Aeon]

Phil its the Holland Radial QD. works amazing well

 

[Sniper338]

Yes good points are made there... with my 260 Tac i have to take the front plate out of the AI mag. It would have been better on a long action. But it shoots hella good still.

 

[nastynatesfish]

If your building a rifle to mitigate the coal limits just build on a long action. That's what I did and I shot the 160 matrix bullets out of my 8twist 28" barrel well and ran just above 2700

 

[billlarson]

6.5/06, 6.5/06 imp

+2

 

[billlarson]

6.5x55AI

perry42

+2

 

[T 700]

Thanks for the replys, they answer some of my questions, I have a short action would like to use, never really thought about LA. I want it to feed from a mag if possible,

I know I will be loosing some by running it in a SA and feeding though a mag, if i was to run longer barrel could I make up some of what I lost?

The issue with the Creedmoor is the brass, I want to stay with lapua.

 

[Sniper338]

Thanks for the replys, they answer some of my questions, I have a short action would like to use, never really thought about LA. I want it to feed from a mag if possible,

I know I will be loosing some by running it in a SA and feeding though a mag, if i was to run longer barrel could I make up some of what I lost?

The issue with the Creedmoor is the brass, I want to stay with lapua.

Theres no reason to go over 28 inch barrel. Not enough diffence to make a difference..

You can get good brass for the creedmoor now. Nosler, and norma make brass now.

 

[T 700]

Ok, what is the oal on the Creedmoor ?

 

[DHuffman]

The issue with the Creedmoor is the brass, I want to stay with lapua.

Make your own out of Lapua Brass, Nosler & Norma brass is available as well.