I have a short action and I'm wanting to build a shorty hunting rifle. I want a 16"-18" barrel so it's suppressor friendly. Suggestions for the best 6.5 caliber?
Best 6.5 caliber for hunting and a short barrel....
- Thread starter Dirt_Nap
- Start date
Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
elkaholic
Well-Known Member
6.5 ss or sst hands down. I can't think of anything that will get you the velocity in a short action. They are very efficient cartridges.
I was told the .260 has issues in a short action with longer bullets loaded out. I'm going to do a bdl and stay away from a detachable mag
260AI (standard bolt face)or 6.5 PRC (mag bolt face) are good options too.
I have had really good luck with the 6.5 x 55 (Swedish) they are all tack drivers and use a standard bolt face. The performance on deer using the 129g Hornady SST is awesome.
Short action standard bf: 260, 6.5cr
Mag bf: 6.5 saum, prc
If you're after wildcat: 260ai, 6.5 Sherman short or SST. Stay away from the 6.5x55 in short action, as it's a long case, it will outperform 260 or creed on an interm or long action with its larger capacity. Improved versions are even better.
Mag bf: 6.5 saum, prc
If you're after wildcat: 260ai, 6.5 Sherman short or SST. Stay away from the 6.5x55 in short action, as it's a long case, it will outperform 260 or creed on an interm or long action with its larger capacity. Improved versions are even better.
.260 Remington will out perform the 6.5 Creedmoor hands down in my opinion. I have 3 rifles in .264, .260 Rem Savage 11, 6.5 Creed Savage 110, and a .260 AI in a Savage 10. At one tome I also a Ruger American .260 Rem buy the throat was cut way to deep for ELD type long bullets. But the .260 AI is my hunting rifle using 140 Hornady SST at 2925 fps it drops mule deer quick. But it has a longer barrel that what you are looking for so I would suggest the model 11 Savage .260 Rem or .260 AI.
HARPERC
Well-Known Member
It may depend a bit on which bullet you plan to use. Some of the lighter weights can fit the short actions fairly well.
The best 6.5 for your desires is a 308 Winchester. If you are stuck on a 6.5, I'd just go with a Creedmoor.
jamiebolseth
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2015
- Messages
- 401
I built a rifle for the kids with an 18" barrel in 6.5x47. It shoots the 130 bergers at 2700 fps very well with Varget. Not saying this would necessarily be the "best", but I'm happy with it.
Matt Tatum
Well-Known Member
I know the creed has been beat to death everywhere, but I run a 18" creed. With 140's I'm getting 2677. It only gets shot suppressed and is very handy.
