Best long range 6.5mm/.264 caliber for hunting deer sized animals

lancetkenyon said:

Got it. I don't run RL26 in anything any more. I find it is like RL22, and it gets hot when temps hit 85*+. When hunting temps can run from below zero to 115+, I can't use it. If it stays below 85*, it works awesome.

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Luckily I rarely shoot in anything over 80 degrees and I havent seen any I'll effects in the cold as of yet. In hunting season for bear the max is generally 75 but can range up to the mid 80s and deer season it can range from below 0 to the 50s.

No mention of the .260 AI, odd.

Creedmoor shooter said:

Luckily I rarely shoot in anything over 80 degrees and I havent seen any I'll effects in the cold as of yet. In hunting season for bear the max is generally 75 but can range up to the mid 80s and deer season it can range from below 0 to the 50s.

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Lucky! It sucks hunting/shooting in 95-115° weather. Which is common in AZ.
I also saw no issues from 5° to 84°. But once it hit 85°, I saw pressure go way up in my 6.5SS. Went from 3156fps to 3220fps and very sticky bolt lift and heavy extractor marks. RL23 and H1000 are a bit slower, but stay consistent.

I've chosen the .260 because I think it's a good round and one of my favorites for years.

2nd choice would be my semi custom Swede but it's not any option.

264 Win Mag. Easy to get brass, lots of power, and has a LOT better barrel life than people will let you believe. I feel the 264 win mag is really coming to life with the bullets and powder available.

Assuming you want factory available rifles and cartridges. As such I prefer the 264 WM and the 26 Nosler.

I have 6.5-06, 6.5-06AI and 264 WM in the stable and have had a couple Sweeds as well.

I love my 6.5-06 and for the need for speed the 264 is a good option as others have stated

IdahoHunter208 said:

You get 2 votes. Make em good.

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My two choices are not listed. The 6.5x55 Swede is one and the other would be the 6.5x300 WSM. Now the second one is an absolute beast for long range shooting.

lancetkenyon said:

Lucky! It sucks hunting/shooting in 95-115° weather. Which is common in AZ.
I also saw no issues from 5° to 84°. But once it hit 85°, I saw pressure go way up in my 6.5SS. Went from 3156fps to 3220fps and very sticky bolt lift and heavy extractor marks. RL23 and H1000 are a bit slower, but stay consistent.

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Lmao! When I was younger, I tried to hunt in short sleeve shirts down south. Didn't take long for the "Wait a minute" bushes to teach me the error of my ways... those things are brutal. Arms were so bloody, dad thought I got a deer! (Well...I did later in the hunt..)
I also rethought my powder choice and load after a sticky bolt... eject the case and the primer falls out... Dad watching, shaking his head...

I like the 284 for hot rod barrel burners and the '47 for the other 95% of the other shooting/hunting activities your liable to participate in.

None of the above. 6 Creedmoor with 115 Berger vld running over 3100 fps flattens deer at 800 yards. Over 2 minutes flatter @ 1000 yards than 6.5 turdmoor shooting 130 grain with the same b.c.

6.5 Sherman and 6.5x55

.264 Win Mag 26" bbl

bayou shooter said:

My two choices are not listed. The 6.5x55 Swede is one and the other would be the 6.5x300 WSM. Now the second one is an absolute beast for long range shooting.

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I agree Bayou shooter-my Tikka 6.5x55 swede shooting 140 gr. Accubonds puts 3 in a dime at 100 yrds with minimal recoil!

264 great all around. Unless you're running really hot load, barrel last you life time hunting, unless you miss a lot lol