6.5 MM build and need help deciding.

[Cruizin]

Ok, another thread on here got me wanting another 6.5. I was thinking about a 6.5 WSM. I like the idea of nice norma cases and necking down .013". Should give nice uniform neck tension. What's this 6.5 Sherman I've been reading about? What case is it based off? Also powders used on both would be nice to know too.

 

[B23]

IMO it's hard to look past 6.5-284. You can use the best brass available and it's pretty much ready to go right out of the box. No necking down no case forming no nothing just open the box FL size if you want and start loading.

Dies are standard off the shelf. No need for custom made dies. 6.5-284 is VERY popular and there is alot of load data available.

I'm in the same boat. I have a Howa 1500 LA and Lilja 1-8 6.5 tube that can't wait to be made into a 6.5 something. I looked into 4 different 6.5 somethings. The 6.5-284, 6.5-06, 6.5-06improved and 6.5-280improved. I couldnt use Lapua brass for the 6.5-280improved so it was the first to go. Any research I have found on the 6.5-06 shows it's nearly if not identical to the 6.5-284. The 6.5-06imp. didn't appear to show enough gain to make it worth the extra effort so that brought me back to the 6.5-284 which arguably shoots as well as the others with more time spent shooting and less time spent tinkering.

For me, after doing the research, the 6.5-284 was the only choice.

 

[Cruizin]

Yeah I have a 6.5-284 and love it. Absolute dream to reload for with the lapua brass. Can anyone tell me what this 6.5 sherman is all about and its advantages over the 6.5 WSM when using norma 270 WSM brass.

 

[Cruizin]

Looks like the 6.5 Sherman is a blown out 270 case. I think that's more work than I interested in and 270 wsm norma cases necked down .013" looks promising.

 

[horsefor4]

Don't get caught up in the brass thing i have a 6.5-06 Ai and 6.5 x284 the 6.5-06 is a much better hunting rifle.

 

[steadyrest1]

I build many 6.5"s in many cartridge configurations from 6.5X47 lapua through 6.5 WSM and in my opinion the best overall package is the 6.5-284...This is for several reasons-(1)barrel life ,Wsm is 50% (2)consistent day to day ,week to week accuracy.WSM and 264win mag are not forgiving(3) muzzle blast and recoil(4)powder consumption (5)A big game animal down range will react no differently to a bullet traveling 100-200 fps faster(dead is dead is dead)in most situations(6)No custom dies or reloading practices are required for 6.5-284 These are but a few points to consider when choosing.The 6.5X55 and the 6.5-06 are also excellent choices one being slightly faster than the 6.5-284 and one bieng slightly slower.The opinion of the 6.5 - 06 AI being a much better hunting rifle is in the eyes of the beholder,the slight velocity gain in the 6.5-06 AI in my opinion would not be a deal maker.The additional brass Prep initially should be considered as well.In conclusion most .264 dia cartridges are excellent long range performers due to a good selection of high B.C. and high sectional density bullets to choose from.Most of these cartridges have good shoulder angles which minimize case growth.Good luck in your decision making process.If you have any questions i can help with go to Cloud Peak Gunworks Home Page.

 

[elkaholic]

I build many 6.5"s in many cartridge configurations from 6.5X47 lapua through 6.5 WSM and in my opinion the best overall package is the 6.5-284...This is for several reasons-(1)barrel life ,Wsm is 50% (2)consistent day to day ,week to week accuracy.WSM and 264win mag are not forgiving(3) muzzle blast and recoil(4)powder consumption (5)A big game animal down range will react no differently to a bullet traveling 100-200 fps faster(dead is dead is dead)in most situations(6)No custom dies or reloading practices are required for 6.5-284 These are but a few points to consider when choosing.The 6.5X55 and the 6.5-06 are also excellent choices one being slightly faster than the 6.5-284 and one bieng slightly slower.The opinion of the 6.5 - 06 AI being a much better hunting rifle is in the eyes of the beholder,the slight velocity gain in the 6.5-06 AI in my opinion would not be a deal maker.The additional brass Prep initially should be considered as well.In conclusion most .264 dia cartridges are excellent long range performers due to a good selection of high B.C. and high sectional density bullets to choose from.Most of these cartridges have good shoulder angles which minimize case growth.Good luck in your decision making process.If you have any questions i can help with go to Cloud Peak Gunworks Home Page.

Steady.....You have a lot of good "and accurate" advice concerning 6.5's. A lot of the decision making comes down to whether or not you want to go custom or just keep it simple. The 6.5's are very good penetrators with the high velocity combined with high s.d. I like my case, the Sherman, because it increases the capacity over the A.I. by 5%, which gives mag velocity combined with excellent case life with the low taper and sharp shoulder. Barrel life seems to be very good so far and accuracy is great! I don't mind the forming etc, in fact I rather enjoy it! My velocity exceeds the factory .264 mag with the same length barrel and 10 grs. less powder capacity......Rich

 

[OKIE2]

all of you have over looked a very good 6.5 and that is the 6.5 remington mag.
and now there is a 6.5 rcm made on the 300 ruger case which may be better than the 6.5 rem mag because it has no belt but same case capicity.

 

[steadyrest1]

These are indeed options,and viable ones however for availibility of components and reloading eqiupment these would be more difficult obtaining.I have a factory 6.5 rem mag and have no complaints with it however with it's 24" barrel it's just comparable to 6.5-06,6.5x284 and several others.These all will yield similar performance.It comes down to tomato or tomAto and what your more comfortable with.Furthermore if you expect a turn key system then it is what your smith has more experience and better comfort with.

Thanks
steadyrest1