wife wants a build!

[Toby Bradshaw]

My thinking is that if you're trying to build a lighter rifle, it needs to use a light bullet (but still heavy enough for deer) and as little powder as possible to keep the recoil low enough to be comfortable. A 6BR with 85-95gr bullets is great for this, but you may have to tinker a bit if feeding from a magazine is important. I use a single-shot 6BR (Stiller PredatorV action) for my deer/pronghorn rifle, so feeding from a magazine doesn't matter to me.

The .243 will use ~15gr more powder than a 6BR, but it will feed reliably without any modification to the magazine, extractor, or ejector.

As you go up in caliber from 6mm, the bullet weights go up to retain the same BC as a 6mm -- that means more recoil.

I don't like muzzle brakes on hunting rifles, but they certainly do reduce recoil.

 

[fredhorace77]

like previously mentioned the 250 AI would be an awesome choice. you can load the ackely load for hunting and blow out loads for target practice. the standard 250 is a pleasure to shoot. on the other hand any of the previously mentioned carts. could always be down loaded with H4895 if she found the recoil too sharp for her taste. with the large selection of bullets and different powders today any of the previously mentioned carts. could be easily adapted to suit her needs. I feel the most important variable to consider would be the fit and weight of the gun. even the mildest calibers have a annoying kick if the stock doesnt fit properly and its too muzzle heavy for her to shoulder properly. you can always load on the low end of the powder charges with a lighter bullet to help reduce recoil in any cartridge. its easier to load down if u have too much kick than it is to load hotter if u need more power and ur load is already at max pressure.

 

[wmdron]

I have a 6.5x47L, it's one of my favorites and the recoil is very manageable. . Here is a link to a recoil table from good ole Chuck Hawks, it doesn't have 6.5x47 or for that matter 6.5 creed but I included it as a reference/comparison chart for those interested. http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

 

[jimbires]

I bought my girlfriend a 7-08 . I use a 120 gr nosler ballistic tip with a slightly reduced load of H4895 (39.0 gr) . I played on quickload with the recoil , if I remember right it's the same recoil as a max load 243 with a 100 gr bullet . I feel with the 7-08 she has growing room . I can load 140's or 160's if we decide to hunting bigger game , without major recoil ..

 

[bheadboy]

jimbres is right on

the Nosler BT 140 at 2700 (reduced 4895 load) has just over 1000fp at 500 yds. more than enough for white tail and mule,

if choice is to step up then lots of room for higher velocity, and or heavier bullets.

brass easy, no special dies, and so many powder that work in it you have ease of reloading supplies, tons of different bullets for your choice - something you can not say for the 6.5's

what is not to like

bob

 

[Erik Cortina]

jimbres is right on

the Nosler BT 140 at 2700 (reduced 4895 load) has just over 1000fp at 500 yds. more than enough for white tail and mule,

if choice is to step up then lots of room for higher velocity, and or heavier bullets.

brass easy, no special dies, and so many powder that work in it you have ease of reloading supplies, tons of different bullets for your choice - something you can not say for the 6.5's

what is not to like

bob

There are not tons of bullets for the 6.5 available to hunters? You have the option of groing from 85 gr. bullets all the way to 160 gr. with the 6.5mm. I believe the 120 - 130 gr. bullets are ideal for a low recoil white tail load and 140's are great if going after bigger game.

I would not hesitate to shoot an Elk at 500 yards with my 6.5x47 Lapua out to 500 yards using 140 gr. Berger VLD's. For whitetail, I load 123 gr. AMAX at 3,000 fps.

A great 500 yard white tail low recoiling load would be the 123's around 2,700 fps. The 123's carry ~1,000 lbs. of energy at 500 yards and are still going ~1,900 fps. The Berger 130 gr. VLD will match the 123's performance but only need to be driven at 2,600 fps.

Both loads above would be extremely pleasant to shoot, which would make practice much easier and a lot more fun. Barrel and brass life would not be an issue either.

 

[hunter243sgk]

We are avid reloaders!! And I was just wanting to add a 6.5 the arsenal!! BUT with all the talk about a fast twist 6mm got thinking I do have a lot of 243 and 6mm brass! !

Build a 8twist 243 you will have all you need to hunt with.From varmints to deer.With almost no recoil.

 

[Caleb85]

I have a 6mm Ackley with an 8 twist build in the making...but was going with a little heavier barrel. .so that one I would like to keep it like it is ...but it's all coming down to the ...7-08....a fast twist 243...and the 6.5x47! ...I just looked up brass for the lupua and at $106 for 100 rounds I would like to make sure the brass life is VARY good?? ..any one want to tell me?? ..5 fires ...10 fires??

 

[25AI260]

couple of options that work for the wife...

350 Remington mag... short 23" bbl
.25x47 L would probably match 25-06

 

[Erik Cortina]

I have a 6mm Ackley with an 8 twist build in the making...but was going with a little heavier barrel. .so that one I would like to keep it like it is ...but it's all coming down to the ...7-08....a fast twist 243...and the 6.5x47! ...I just looked up brass for the lupua and at $106 for 100 rounds I would like to make sure the brass life is VARY good?? ..any one want to tell me?? ..5 fires ...10 fires??

6.5x47 Lapua brass is very good. You will get more than 10 firings easily as it is made to handle higher pressures than the .243 and the 7mm-08.

 

[JRS]

6.5X55

Good assortment of hunting bullets in different weights, great sectional density, accurate, LAPUA and RWS brass available, and milder recoil than most that have been referenced.

 

[tac284]

I'd vote for 6.5x47L myself. Here is the one I built my wife. Shoot's 130 Berger's at 2835 out of a 22" barrel

Trued Rem 700
Brux #3 1-8.5 twist
Manners MCS-EH2
PT&G bdl detachable mag bottom metal

As it sit's in this picture it weights 10 pounds 6.5 oz with the Harris and mark 4 scope. Weight includes full 5 round mag (not in picture).

 

[Changeling]

This is a very interesting thread that I find myself currently in also. I'm building a rifle for someone who doesn't appreciate recoil also!
So, basically here is where I am at the moment, I sincerely hope it helps you!

First off, there has been some awesome answers to your question !

I am in the 6.5 x 47L camp. It is a very capable and excellent caliber (6.5) with basically the best brass you can get. One thing that has not been mentioned here is that with the very high ballistic coefficients of the 140 grain bullets it will produce less felt recoil then the smaller 120/130's bullets at velocities that will enhance it's ease of shooting but give greater energy and flight characteristics relative to the lighter bullets.

If your wife is still not happy with the recoil, all is not lost. You can install another barrel (could be a switch barrel) and neck down the 6.5 brass to 6mm, this would give you a 6mm x 47L witch could provide lower recoil still.

Either way there is a heck of a lot of bullets to choose from in either caliber from the same brass/cartridge.

 

[accuratesports]

give a call , we can match and build a rifle to what you want to do with it ..the distance you WILL be shooting and what cartridge to use ..Kevin 717 677 8933

 

[accuratesports]

give us a call .. we will build her a rifle to perform the task she needs in a caliber for the job , kevin 717-677-8933

 

[Caleb85]

Well thanks keven but I have a vary good well respected smith here at home that dose my builds!!!

 

[Drop Port]

I've been using a 6.5x47L and a 6br for a while now on deer, and have collected truck loads of field data. They area both very capable cartridges for what you area looking to do. If it were me doing it over again I wouldn't change much if anything, other than maybe going.

6.5x47L

6 Dasher

 

[Medium rare]

My wife kills all the deer and hogs in texas with a 6.5x55. I had a hunter shoot a gemsbok with it and another hunter shoot a red stag. Neither went more than 30 yards. The 140 vld is the best hunting bullet I have found for whitetails and hogs. The lapua 6.5x55 brass is about half as much as the 6.5x47. You can load it to the lower node for reduced recoil and increased barrel life or you can load it up. My wife shoots 140 vlds at 2850. I like the 6.5x47 but you have to push it pretty hard to keep up with a modern action 6.5x55 and when you drop 6.5x47 brass in the woods it hurts a lot more.

 

[Changeling]

My wife kills all the deer and hogs in texas with a 6.5x55. I had a hunter shoot a gemsbok with it and another hunter shoot a red stag. Neither went more than 30 yards. The 140 vld is the best hunting bullet I have found for whitetails and hogs. The lapua 6.5x55 brass is about half as much as the 6.5x47. You can load it to the lower node for reduced recoil and increased barrel life or you can load it up. My wife shoots 140 vlds at 2850. I like the 6.5x47 but you have to push it pretty hard to keep up with a modern action 6.5x55 and when you drop 6.5x47 brass in the woods it hurts a lot more.

Hi Medium rare. I have been researching the 6.5 caliber extensively on the Internet/user interviews and elsewhere, and am now starting to have some doubts about the 6.5 x 47 !
Don't get me wrong, it is a wonderful case that Lapua has put together but their engineers designed it for 300 meter competition and in my opinion just doesn't have the horsepower (Case capacity) for 600 to 1000yd + competition to best the 6mm dasher at this point.
In my mind the 6.5 x 55 Swede has about the best case capacity for the 6.5 caliber in all bullet weights especially the heavier weights like the 130's and 140's and UP! Accuracy in competition is legendary.

If one was going after ELK or moose, then of course the 150 to 160gr bullets would definitely be a better option because of the bullets heavier weight.

If Mr. Bell could kill Elephants with 150gr + solids I would feel secure in a 6.5 x 55 Swede's ability to do it all!

 

[Clint M]

I bought my son a Remington 700 sps in 260 rem (used) starting him off for deer this year. He handles it good (14) no flinch and wanting more lol, but he loves the 260 round 95gr v-max for coyote and paper (very accurate) many deer bullets 129gr sst. My cousin bought a 7mm-08 rem when they first hit the shelves local around here, she loved the cartridge, as well it started me looking at calibers other than 308. Her husband also used the rifle, both recommended 7mm-08 after that to new hunters, young and experienced it's a great cartridge also. I have a Sako AII in 7mm-08 it came from factory with laminated stock which is a bit heavy gun weighs around 8 pounds with scope etc... recoil is hardly noticeable very nice.

My opinion 260 rem or 7mm-08 ( I like the 260 better for no real reason other than 6.5 mmr bullets). I would keep weight if gun around 8 pounds easy enough to carry while controlling recoil. Barrel length is another thing 22" is a good length from my use (20"-26") I had a Remington 700 mtn rifle 260 rem stainless that was an absolute joy and perfect hunting rifle (divorce forced some terrible things). On the other hand I have had two rifles in 308 win a Ruger RSI 18" barrel that was a hand full with the short barrel light weight rifles, and another 18" light weight rig that was even worse at the time I had a rem 700 bdl 300 win mag and had rather shoot hunt with it. My point is keep the rifle in mind when choosing cartridge, a 8 pound rifle 22" barrel in 260, 7mm-08, and many other mild cartridges would be a perfect set up from my experience.