Which 6.5?

[Just a hunter]

I haven't seen any recommendations for the Nosler, is there a reason other than cost of components?

 

[MagnumManiac]

My decision was made quickly, shortly after looking at all the results and aggregates from years of comp shooting, the 6.5x47 Lapua was the winner.
I built mine on a switch barrel set-up on a trued REM 700 VSSF II and quickly discovered it is very easy to find a load, easy to tune and is more accurate on average than my 260AI. Very pleased with my decision

Cheers.

 

[Deputy819]

Mostly target shooting but likely some eastern whitetail hunting.

I haven't seen any recommendations for the Nosler, is there a reason other than cost of components?

If you're talking about the 26 Nosler it may not be the best choice for high volume "target shooting" considering the metric ton of powder each case will take……which would eat (and heat) a barrel up in short order. However, for strictly a hunting rifle it may work for you…….you'd definitely wanna handload for it though as factory ammo is @ $100.00+ for a box of 20.

 

[std7mag]

I don't have a 6.5mm anything either.

But if i were to build one, i think 4 cartridges stand out to me.

6.5 RPM
6.5-284
6.5X57 Mauser
6.5mm Rem Mag (the original short magnum)

Others that get note are
6.5X55 Swede
6.5-06
260 Rem

And the oddballs...

6.71 Lazzeroni Phantom
6.71 Lazzeroni Blackbird

 

[lancetkenyon]

I haven't seen any recommendations for the Nosler, is there a reason other than cost of components?

Barrel life is abysmal. 400-600 rounds and they are pretty much done. But they are screamers. For long range hunting, a 156 Berger @ 3400-3500+ is pretty wicked.

 

[Just a hunter]

Barrel life is abysmal. 400-600 rounds and they are pretty much done. But they are screamers. For long range hunting, a 156 Berger @ 3400-3500+ is pretty wicked.

I guess I should have said, I will target shoot more than I will shoot it hunting. To elaborate, I will hopefully shoot it 2-3 shots a year hunting and maybe 50 a year at a target. Probably less than that after the new wears off. Before the boating accident I had several different calibers to target shoot and hunt with so if I were to be able to recover the lost ones from the accident I would likely not shoot one out in several years.

Also, I guess I kinda look at barrels as a wear item and expect to have to rebarrel at some point. That said, I don't want to prematurely shoot out a barrel either. I'd shoot 3-5 shots or less if needed and let it cool before shooting again.

That extra information might change some folk's opinions.

 

[MagnumManiac]

I run 6.5x47, as mentioned for target shooting, but also run 260AI and a custom chambered 264WM with 8" twist, so is the 6.5x47, and I have an unfinished 8" twist blank earmarked for the 6.5-300 Weatherby.
Any of these in a long action work…

Cheers.

 

[Just a hunter]

I run 6.5x47, as mentioned for target shooting, but also run 260AI and a custom chambered 264WM with 8" twist, so is the 6.5x47, and I have an unfinished 8" twist blank earmarked for the 6.5-300 Weatherby.
Any of these in a long action work…

Cheers.

I'd like to have some feedback on the 6.5-300. Feedback from people who have loaded for and shot that specific cartridge. Also the other larger capacity cartridges like the RPM, 26 Nosler, 264 WM and any others.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I have a few .264/6.5mms.
All would work in a LA. But mine are all built on SAs. I am not one for the run-of-the-mill 6.5s. So unless you handload, most of these won't work for you.

6.5CM 22" 130 OTM @ 2850 (my older daughter's rifle)
6.5SLR 22" 130 OTM @2925 (my younger daughter's rifle)
.260AI 20" 140 Hyb @ 2883
.260AI 24" 130 OTM @ 3086
6.5PRC 22" 140 Hyb @ 3000
6.5PRC/SI 22" (Sherman Imp 40°) 140 Elite @ 3101
6.5SS 20" 150 SMK @ 2986 (warm load)
6.5SS 26" 156 Elite @ 3086
6.5SS 25.5" 150 SMK @ 3120 or 140 Hyb @ 3180 (sold to a buddy)

All my loads are fairly moderate loads. You could push most of them harder, but this is where they shoot best.

I have shot a few other .264/6.5s too.
6.5Max
6.5-280AI
6.5 Sherman (original LA)
.264WM
26 Nosler
6.5-300Wby

 

[Just a hunter]

I have a few .264/6.5mms.
All would work in a LA. But mine are all built on SAs. I am not one for the run-of-the-mill 6.5s. So unless you handload, most of these won't work for you.

6.5CM 22" 130 OTM @ 2850 (my older daughter's rifle)
6.5SLR 22" 130 OTM @2925 (my younger daughter's rifle)
.260AI 20" 140 Hyb @ 2883
.260AI 24" 130 OTM @ 3086
6.5PRC 22" 140 Hyb @ 3000
6.5PRC/SI 22" (Sherman Imp 40°) 140 Elite @ 3101
6.5SS 20" 150 SMK @ 2986 (warm load)
6.5SS 26" 156 Elite @ 3086
6.5SS 25.5" 150 SMK @ 3120 or 140 Hyb @ 3180 (sold to a buddy)

All my loads are fairly moderate loads. You could push most of them harder, but this is where they shoot best.

I have shot a few other .264/6.5s too.
6.5Max
6.5-280AI
6.5 Sherman (original LA)
.264WM
26 Nosler
6.5-300Wby

If you could only choose one of those cartridges you listed to build on a long action, regardless of bolt face, which one would you choose?

 

[FEENIX]

If you could only choose one of those cartridges you listed to build on a long action, regardless of bolt face, which one would you choose?

"I" learned decades ago not to ask or answer this type of question.

 

[Just a hunter]

It was worth a shot . I'm too indecisive. Peer pressure helps me

 

[Tac-O]

I was going to suggest 6.5cm just because it's an easy button, versatile for loading, and cheap. I've been avoiding it like the plague since I started shooting and just recently put a 6.5cm barrel on. My 30cal is a goofy wildcat and I needed something cheaper to shoot that has the option of using SRP brass and affordable and quality factory ammo. Finding a factory takeoff 6.5 barrel for $130 shipped made it easy!

However, if you're looking at putting no more than 55 rounds a year through it, I'd definitely do something more interesting.

6.5-300prc? Or 6.5-7prc?

 

[dgr416]

I like the 260 rem best of all the 6.5 calibers as long as it's 1 in 8 twist like my rifles .I can neck up 243 cases or neck down 308 which I have buckets full .I shot two big bucks with it using 155 gr lapua mega tip butters one buck at just 20 yards the other at 175 yards .The bucks both were 175 pounds and and both died quickly .I have a 264 win mag which kicks way more snd is only 200 fps faster with those bullets and it weighs 4 pounds more than my 260s .I just bought a 6 5 creedmore but I wish it was a 260 rem so I didn't have another caliber to fool with .My 260s are all 1 in 8 twist and super accurate 1/2 inch at 100 yards all day long .