6.5 Rem Mag Questions

[coyotenut]

I am ordering a new rifle and I am thinking of having it chambered in 6.5 rem mag. What are your thoughts of this cartridge? My goal is a dedicated coyote rifle for long range coyotes(5-600yards). Are there any problems with this cartridge? Accuracy, feeding issues, etc.? I am thinking of primarily using 120gr Nosler BTs.
I ran the numbers through JBM and it appears to be flat shooting and relatively hard hitting, close to 257bee or 264 win mag. I know there may be other, better choices but I kinda want something different. I also handload so I am not worried about factory ammunition. I appreciate any input. Thank you!

[Scot E]

Here are some threads I found when I did a search. No much info but it may help some.

6.5 rem mag

6.5 Rem Mag Help

6.5 rem mag loads

6.5 Rem Mag bullet choice


Scot E.

[midwesthunter]

Nothing wrong with the 6.5 Rem Mag, But you might want a better BC bullet, You wanting to keep the hides? Or just lower the populaion? But at 500-600 A higher BC bullet really doesn't come into play, but you may want to extend your range some day.

[coyotenut]

Originally Posted by midwesthunter

Nothing wrong with the 6.5 Rem Mag, But you might want a better BC bullet, You wanting to keep the hides? Or just lower the populaion? But at 500-600 A higher BC bullet really doesn't come into play, but you may want to extend your range some day.

Midwest Hunter,
Do you mean a better BC bullet in 6.5 or go to a different caliber altogether? I kind of want to save the hides, and I also would like to hunt deer with it.

[woods]

Hey coyotenut, I have a 6.5 rem mag that was a rebarrel of a long action 300 win mag and a friend liked it so he had one done also. Mine was a Browning BBR 300 win mag with a detachable magazine and I put a 26" Douglas #4 contour 1 in 8 barrel on it. His was a rebarrel of a Weatherby Vanguard 300 win mag and he went with a 26" Shilen #4. Both of the rifles feed great, I would say even better than the longer 300 win mag cases.

First question would be; are you going to have it on a short action or long action. If at all possible I would recommend the long action. In a short action those looong bullets will intrude on your powder capacity and reduce your capabilities, not to mention short actions can have feeding problems.

I have shot 140 Sierra Game Kings, 140 gr Hornady Interlocks, 130 gr Nosler Accubonds and 130 gr Scirrocco II's, all with great accuracy. Right now I am shooting 130 gr Scirrocco II's at 3200 fps with RL17 cause they are tough bullets that won't fail.

Some pics




WORK UP TO ANY OF THESES LOADS

[WildRose]

Originally Posted by coyotenut

I am ordering a new rifle and I am thinking of having it chambered in 6.5 rem mag. What are your thoughts of this cartridge? My goal is a dedicated coyote rifle for long range coyotes(5-600yards). Are there any problems with this cartridge? Accuracy, feeding issues, etc.? I am thinking of primarily using 120gr Nosler BTs.
I ran the numbers through JBM and it appears to be flat shooting and relatively hard hitting, close to 257bee or 264 win mag. I know there may be other, better choices but I kinda want something different. I also handload so I am not worried about factory ammunition. I appreciate any input. Thank you!

It's a great caliber but there are barrel life issues with it, the .264wm and the 6.5x284.

You can get within about 150-200fps using the .260 Rem instead and eliminate the problems with short barrel life due to throat erosion.

After several years of making my mind up about a new 6.5 for the same applications you are looking at I went with the .260 myself and it was very smart choice in that I couldn't be happier with the results.

[liltank]

Might I suggest the Lapua Scenar 123grn or 140. They are known for not opening, but are deadly accurate. I have a feeling this would help protect the hides, give you maximum accuracy, and save the pelts.

Tank