SouthTXBowhunter
Well-Known Member
Is it possible to make full use of the Berger 156gr 6.5 Elite Hunters in a short action? I'm considering building a new short action rifle using a BigHorn SL3 I have with a SwitchLug on it. I'm going to have a 6 Creedmoor and a 300wsm barrel spun for it but I'd like to get a 6.5 variant for it as well - I'm a 6.5 supporter. I have some other 6.5s that I shoot up to 143gr out of and I thought about the newer 156gr Berger EH since I do prefer shooting heavier bullets. The problem is, with 143's out of my custom 6.5cm (that's throated for Berger 140gr HVLDs) the bullets are seated to where I don't have ANY extra room in my AI magazines. So, I'm guessing the 156gr pills either won't work in my magazine or would have to be seated so deeply that my case capacity would be significantly impacted.
So, my question is 2-fold:
A. Is there a 6.5 caliber that would work best with a 156gr Berger EH in a short action - maybe a 6.5prc, 6.5 SAUM, 6.5x47L, 6.5 Sherman, etc? I prefer calibers that have factory ammo because I travel to hunt and always worry about not being able to buy ammo in a pinch. However, I DO handload and I WILL consider a wildcat if it'll let me utilize the 156gr.
B. Is there a magazine/bottom metal that will make it easier/possible to feed a longer COAL that's likely to result with these longer/heavier bullets? This will be built on a fully adjustable McMillan A-10 stock and will be used for both hunting and local LR match shooting. Since the action has the SwitchLug and the bolt has a easily changeable bolt head, this is going to be a multi-caliber rifle used by my whole family. So. I'd really like to be able to use magazines - for matches. I'm hoping there's an option available that'll work with a longer COAL
I haven't been on the forum in a couple of years and just shooting what I have. So, I'm not up on new products and I'm just hoping someone has come up with something, over the past 2 years, that'll help me out. I kinda wish I'd have bought a LA but this SA is what I have is what I've got to work with. Worst case scenario, I'll build a 6.5x284 down the road <—a bummer but not the end of the world.
Thanks to everyone that replies!
So, my question is 2-fold:
A. Is there a 6.5 caliber that would work best with a 156gr Berger EH in a short action - maybe a 6.5prc, 6.5 SAUM, 6.5x47L, 6.5 Sherman, etc? I prefer calibers that have factory ammo because I travel to hunt and always worry about not being able to buy ammo in a pinch. However, I DO handload and I WILL consider a wildcat if it'll let me utilize the 156gr.
B. Is there a magazine/bottom metal that will make it easier/possible to feed a longer COAL that's likely to result with these longer/heavier bullets? This will be built on a fully adjustable McMillan A-10 stock and will be used for both hunting and local LR match shooting. Since the action has the SwitchLug and the bolt has a easily changeable bolt head, this is going to be a multi-caliber rifle used by my whole family. So. I'd really like to be able to use magazines - for matches. I'm hoping there's an option available that'll work with a longer COAL
I haven't been on the forum in a couple of years and just shooting what I have. So, I'm not up on new products and I'm just hoping someone has come up with something, over the past 2 years, that'll help me out. I kinda wish I'd have bought a LA but this SA is what I have is what I've got to work with. Worst case scenario, I'll build a 6.5x284 down the road <—a bummer but not the end of the world.
Thanks to everyone that replies!