Thinking about building a 6.5 need advice

[Romulus]

I just finished a 28" 260 AI utilizing Palma brass shooting 140 VLDs since I couldn't find any 140 Hybs. My reloading stats are really solid, now all I need to do is learn to read the wind lol ;D which should be easy with 3050 fps.

I went to 3111 fps without any fuss at all when the barrel was new - No HBN or anything - I'm still wondering where the pressure gremlins would show up but my nodes are 2650, 2850, & 3050 and I am thrilled with that since I'm used to 2715 and 2815 fps in my other rifles.

I considered all the 6.5 CM & 47's but I didn't want to rely on getting a fast barrel and juicing the cartridge too hard. Depends on how my primer pockets hold up but next time I may just do the "buy multiple 6.5 x 284 barrels" approach. BUT I do like that I'm not using much more powder than standard cartridges and getting great performance. I don't mind brass prep as much as most I guess.

I don't mind the heavy barrel, but in this instance I could probably cut it down to 25" and still get 3050, but who's to say it would want to shoot there like it does now.

In your situation I'd go with a 6.5 x 284 since there's already great brass with no extra steps or go with a 260 AI or 6.5 x 55 Swedish AI. I had a 264 WM but did not shoot it enough to wear the barrel out. I shot the 129's out of it at what I felt was 932,347 fps compared to my 308 8) (no chrono then) To this day, my best group was shot with that wild gun.

Hope you have fun with your 6.5. It's always been my favorite caliber for pleasure shooting, but hasn't enjoyed it's long due success until recently.

 

[benchracer]

I own and shoot 6.5x55, 6.5-284, and .264WM. Between the 6.5x55 and 6.5-284, I prefer the 6.5x55. Having shot both from 26" barrels @ 600 yards, the 6.5-284 showed very little gain in performance over the Swede and I am pushing my 6.5-284 hard to get even the small gains I have realized with that cartridge. I have never chronoed the respective loads, so I don't know what the relative numbers look like. On target, however, there is very little difference in drop or drift between these two. Swede brass is quite a bit less expensive. If you shoot enough for barrel life to make a difference in your choice, the 6.5x55 is a good compromise IMO. Relative to the hype, I find the 6.5-284 to be a very underwhelming cartridge.

If barrel life is less important to you, I say step up to the .264WM. Many .264WM shooters report best loads with 140g VLD's around 3150fps or so from a 26" barrel. The recent introduction of RL-33 may improve on that some. I will be experimenting with that myself in the near future. Combine RL-33 with the Matrix 160 VLD's in an 8 twist barrel, and you will have a potent combination waaaaay out there. On the flip side, I have found the .264WM to respond very well to being downloaded. I used Nosler data to assemble a 140 Partition load that yields very good accuracy @ 6.5x55 speeds for hunting in the woods. While I don't view the .264WM to be appropriate for F-Class type competition, it would be my choice in a rifle intended primarily for use afield. I believe the .264WM to be a much better cartridge than the negative hype that has surrounded this cartridge for some time would suggest.

I intend to have my 6.5-284 re-chambered to .264WM in the near future. As far as I am concerned, the picks of the 6.5 litter are the .264WM and the 6.5x55.

 

[22BRGUY]

since you need some more options take a look at 6mmar.com find the 6.5 SLR

Ditto this and the case capacity is almost identical to the Swede with what I think is a better case design.

 

[half]

Romulus, benchracer and 22brguy thanks for your input. It sounds like there are several 6.5 variations that are capable of pushing a 140ish bullet past 3000fps. I like the idea of building on a short action for tactical matches, but other things are important to. Case performance, brass life, custom dies, etc. Why did I have to pick such an expensive hobby?

 

[Romulus]

I did bulletless fireforming in my garage with no problems, but I plan to get the Hornady hydroform dies in the future. I couldn't get any from Hornady at the time of my build since it was post Newtown, but the machinist said 3 months before he'd take orders, so I need to call him back.

If I could get my hands on a hydroform, I could make 260 AI brass quite easily for the guys who want to shoot it but don't want to COW or shoot 200 rounds down their tube just to FF.

Keep us posted with your progress.

 

[MDM]

Check out the 6.5 Gap SAUM thread on snipers hide. 63g H1000 and 130 vld at 3250. 61g H1000 and 140VLD at 3100+. 3000 rounds barrel life plus. George at GAP has been developing this for some time. The key is keeping the pressure no greater that 58,000 hence the use of H1000. George won the Sniper's Hide cup with his and it had 4000 rounds on it then with someting like a .25" set back at 2000 rounds. PTG has the reamer. Kind of a bitch necking down the brass, but factory head stamped brass will be available by this time next year.

 

[22BRGUY]

Check out the 6.5 Gap SAUM thread on snipers hide. 63g H1000 and 130 vld at 3250. 61g H1000 and 140VLD at 3100+. 3000 rounds barrel life plus. George at GAP has been developing this for some time. The key is keeping the pressure no greater that 58,000 hence the use of H1000. George won the Sniper's Hide cup with his and it had 4000 rounds on it then with someting like a .25" set back at 2000 rounds. PTG has the reamer. Kind of a bitch necking down the brass, but factory head stamped brass will be available by this time next year.

Can you be a little more specific on where to look at these articles? Thanks

 

[MDM]

20+ pages of reading there...

http://forum.snipershide.com/snipers-hide-bolt-action-rifles/185807-new-gap-extreme-hunter-6-5-saum.html

 

[wboggs]

I purchased a new Win 70 in .264WM in 1958 and was it under appreciated then. Used reloads and some factory but with no chronographs the velocity was unknown. It was accurate with handloads and the 2 diameter 140 factory load. Since, I have also used the 6.5x55 and it is probably more accurate and easy to load. Use a modern action and the 2900 range can easily be obtained with 140s. Plus there are excellent components, especially brass, and barrels last forever.

 

[Drop Port]

So I'm thinking about building a 6.5 something. The rifle will be used mostly for shooting steel, but may see some use as my windy day coyote gun. I have done some research and I shoot with a couple guys that use 260's and a 6.5x47. Both calibers shoot well and bullets for a 6.5 seem to be readily available. The only down side to some of the 6.5's is velocity, it's a lot harder to dial wind at distance when your bullet starts out at 2700 fps. So this leads me to think about a .264wm or a 6.5x284. Whatever I do it will be geared around shooting the heavier end of 6.5 bullets. I don't need 4000fps, but I would like 3100fps. That's my story, I humbly ask for your knowledge and wisdom on this subject. Thanks

If this is what you want, the answer is easy 6.5 SAUM. I didn't care about squeezing everything out of the 6.5, just wanted to be competitive at tactical matches so I went 6.5x47L. There are no free lunches on barrel life when you drive them hard. Just my .02

 

[22BRGUY]

20+ pages of reading there...

http://forum.snipershide.com/snipers-hide-bolt-action-rifles/185807-new-gap-extreme-hunter-6-5-saum.html

Thanks much MD...great article!

 

[MDM]

5.8 mils or 20 moa to 1000yds with with pointed 130s and 3000 rounds barrel life is quite enticing, Lol. I think I will get the reamer and chamber one up for myself if the factory headstamped brass comes available like it is supposed to. I think GAP is ordering 250,000 pcs intitally.

 

[half]

So I'm thinking about building a 6.5 something. The rifle will be used mostly for shooting steel, but may see some use as my windy day coyote gun. I have done some research and I shoot with a couple guys that use 260's and a 6.5x47. Both calibers shoot well and bullets for a 6.5 seem to be readily available. The only down side to some of the 6.5's is velocity, it's a lot harder to dial wind at distance when your bullet starts out at 2700 fps. So this leads me to think about a .264wm or a 6.5x284. Whatever I do it will be geared around shooting the heavier end of 6.5 bullets. I don't need 4000fps, but I would like 3100fps. That's my story, I humbly ask for your knowledge and wisdom on this subject. Thanks

If this is what you want, the answer is easy 6.5 SAUM. I didn't care about squeezing everything out of the 6.5, just wanted to be competitive at tactical matches so I went 6.5x47L. There are no free lunches on barrel life when you drive them hard. Just my .02

I do worry about barrel life. I don't know much about melonite coating yet. I thought if I found a load and bullet combo that shot well, it might be worth it to tear the rifle apart and have it done. ?

 

[half]

One last question, does anyone make 65x55 AI dies? If not, who makes customs? Thanks

 

[Timgunner]

+1 on the 6.5-06 or 6.5-06ai you will get better barrel life than a 6.5-284, rsaum or wsm and achieve similar velocity. You can use 25-06 or 270 brass that is available everywhere for much cheaper than the others. You would want a long action for the 6.5-284 and the wsm anyway so it is not going to matter that you need one for the 06.

 

[Dans40X]

The TactiKool mall ninja's from the hide are 10+ years behind the times.

I've been shooting the 6.5 SAUM running Cat146's/CRO 147's/Sie 155's to 3300fps w/ ease.
Moly'd Berger 140's to 3500fps.

Velocity is not the answer-
A trigger actuator capable of calling shots & doping wind is the answer.

 

[Bamboolongbow]

The 260 with 130 JLKs or VLDs and either 4831sc or H4350 will meet your criteria.
You said you dial your wind? Why not hold your wind values?

 

[MDM]

The TactiKool mall ninja's from the hide are 10+ years behind the times.

I've been shooting the 6.5 SAUM running Cat146's/CRO 147's/Sie 155's to 3300fps w/ ease.
Moly'd Berger 140's to 3500fps.

Velocity is not the answer-
A trigger actuator capable of calling shots & doping wind is the answer.

You are missing the point. GA Precisions project with the 6.5 Gap 4S was to get great velocity with 3000+ rounds of barrel life and mag feed it from a short action. Sure you can push the 6.5 saum to your velocities, but what kind of barrel life are you expecting?

 

[half]

The 260 with 130 JLKs or VLDs and either 4831sc or H4350 will meet your criteria.
You said you dial your wind? Why not hold your wind values?

I dial wind for a couple reasons, to know exactly how far I miss, and it makes corrections less complicated. It is a lot easier if I can measure a miss with my reticle after correcting for most of the wind. Once I get to 800 or 900 yards some days, I am holding 2 mils of wind. My brain has trouble holding that much wind, plus any elevation corrections I need to make.

 

[wwbrown]

One last question, does anyone make 65x55 AI dies? If not, who makes customs? Thanks

You can get 6.5x55AI dies from Redding, they are special order dies not custom so they are not that costly. The Redding dies are non-bushing types so I had JLC convert them to bushing dies, these have worked out well. I would use Mark Spencer to make fully custom dies if I were to do it all over again, a better product at about the same cost and less wait.