The perfect 6.5

[ktoney]

The perfect 6.5
most use or be formed from lapua brass
No AI
140gr bullet @ 2950+ 30" barrel
PSI should be 55k for increased barrel life

Currently building 6.5 lapua running 130 around 3k fps
but cant help but wonder if
6.5x55 would be better

 

[Erik Cortina]

My vote goes to the 6.5x47 Lapua and Reloader 17!

-Erik Cortina

 

[ktoney]

I hear ya Erik
we both use Mark for builds
Your x47 numbers are pert impressive, wonder wot kinda PSI that runs coz QL shows its crazy high...thou i understand QL for RL17 is outta whack abit

6.5x55 140JLK 2950fps outta a 30" barrel is like 54k psi, gotta be good for barrel life

thou x47 will do same numbers with 130JLK and diff in BC is nominal, less if you run em hard 3050fps very doable

My suppressed Pig gun 20" barrel will toss a 123 scenar 2900 fps with RL17 pert easy

For now thou as i have all x47 brass,powder,bullets etc ...done deal
but next time i might go a different route

 

[wwbrown]

I went the route of the 6.5 x 55 AI throated for 139 g Scenars and could not be happier, very accurate and easy to load for. As I was fireforming brass I shot a lot of targets in the high 190's out of 200 (F-class) with virgin Lapua brass.

wade

 

[15Tango]

The 6.5 Creedmoor will fit your criteria. I'm getting 2950+ FPS with a 140 and barrel life is good as it's not burning that much powder, it's an efficient and accurate cartridge. Brass can be formed from Lapua .22-250 Match brass.

- Wayne

 

[dukedurham]

Wayne- would you mind giving us(Me) a rundown on what you do to form the Creedmoor from the 22-250 cases? That would sure help a lot. Thanks.

 

[camac]

140gr bullet @ 2950+ 30" barrel
PSI should be 55k for increased barrel life

They are all good and what keeps it interesting.

Note Ktoney it is not pressure alone that kills barrels. a 6.5 x 284 using 10 grains more powder but doing similar velocity and same pressure will burn barrels out a "lot quicker" Efficiency is what it is all about. The more efficient the less energy is wasted as "heat energy."
Heat energy (followed by pressure) is what does barrels in. The less efficient the more heat!
The smaller the diameter barrel the more the heat is "concentrated".

 

[15Tango]

Duke,

Run an expander ball down to open up the neck from .224" to .264", load up the brass with a somewhat reduced charge and fire forming will take care of the rest.

You could also do the 'Cream of Wheat' method: http://accurateshooter.wordpress.com/2009/06/14/tech-tip-fire-forming-with-pistol-powder/

I used to worry about brass availability for the Creedmoor until I found out about making it out of .22-250 brass.

I get a 140 VLD going 2950 FPS with Reloder 17, no issues with over pressure but I don't want to push it any harder. 123 grain Scenars are what really shine with this cartridge though, I have those going 3240 fps and it's a fantastic load for 600-yard.

Good luck,

Wayne

 

[1000yardstare]

I am seriously thinking of the 6.5x57 AI as my next hunting and/or F Class barrel. Neck .257 Roberts brass up .007 and fireform.

First step is to measure the follower in the magazine of a Tikka T3 chambered in .260 Rem. Tikka tends to be generous in their magazine length. If it looks like a good fit for the longer 6.5x57 cartridge then the .260 Rem would be rechambered to the 6.5AI.

Another advantage of the Tikka magazine, it is single stacked which would make for smoother feeding of the fatter case.

One disadvantage of the 6.5AI, it would have to be custom reloading dies.

The 6.5x55 Tikka magazine is plenty long but the Swede has a non-standard 0.479 case head. The barrel would have to be set back quite a bit for the 6.5AI reamer to clean up the rear of the chamber.

If I decide to go ahead with the project I will create a separate thread on its progress.

 

[dukedurham]

Thx Wayne. I'll try that.

 

[Raptor]

1000ydstare,
Don't worry about the case head size on the 6.5x55. I have one built on a Remington action and have used both Lapua and Remington brass with no problems at all. The bolt is stock and unmodified.

 

[1000yardstare]

Another advantage of rechambering the Tikka .260 Rem to 6.5AI is the 8 twist barrel in the .260. Plenty fast for the heavy bullet weights.