6.5 build

[WYcoyote]

Going to jump on the 6.5 bandwagon with a new barrel for a Savage 111 long action now chambered in .270 Win. I want a 24-25" or so medium to heavy sporter barrel for deer (not elk) or long range varmints. Looking for pretty good performance without going too crazy. Barrel life is absolutely no factor to me. 140gr Berger VLDs is my first choice for bullets, so I'm thinking a 1-8" twist. Accuracy and velocity are both important, of course.
These are my main choices,
6.5-.284 Norma
6.5-06
6.5-06 AI
6.5 Rem mag
6.5 WSM

I don't really want a .264 Win mag since I have a 7mm Rem mag already.

A few issues I have are,
Any of these especially well suited for my action?
Is the 6.5 WSM worth the extra fire and brimstone and changing the bolt head?
Will I be able to seat the long VLD far enough out in the 06s'?
Any feeding issues with the .284, 6.5 Rem, or the WSM?
Will the 6.5-06 AI out perform the 6.5-.284?
Which caliber should I get?
Would you get SS or or a CM barrel?
Thanks for your opinions.

 

[6mm Remington]

If it were me I would go with the 6.5/06. Very simple to run 25/06 cases over an expander button and you are all set to go. I think I would also go with a stainless. So many choices. I would say it appears that you too are afflicted with a severe case of RADD :!: :!: :mrgreen:

 

[DrMike]

Since you're looking for "pretty good performance without going too crazy," go with the 6.5-06 AI. You won't have to touch the bolt face to make an adjustment to the feed. Certainly, the 6.5-06 will work, but you will get a few percent more powder and a little increase in velocity with the sharp shoulders. If proper headstamped cases are important for you, then the 6.5-284 will be the way to go. It is a good cartridge.

 

[jmad_81]

+1 for the 6.5-06 AI. Was looking at building one, but went with the 280 AI for a big of a bigger elk/bear backup gun. Deer was the primary targer with this rifle.

You'll have to fire form brass, but they look really cool, and you would be pretty close to the 264 WM I would think.

 

[FOTIS]

If it were me I would go with the 6.5/06. Very simple to run 25/06 cases over an expander button and you are all set to go. I think I would also go with a stainless. So many choices. I would say it appears that you too are afflicted with a severe case of RADD :!: :!: :mrgreen:

I totally concur!

 

[nodak7mm]

WylCoyote,

I run a 6.5/06 Imp in a 17# bench rifle. I can push 141 VLD's to 3200 thru a 30" kreiger 1:8.5, but dont, I run em around 3070. I use Lapua 30/06 brass, neck down and turn. I have played with takiing 25-06 brass up, alot less work intensive, but the Lapua brass is my choice for its purpose. Barrel life is very slim.... I borescoped my two barrels and wow, she breathes fire alright

My rifle is a single shot, so I cant comment on feeding, but I do have ackley shoulder experience in hunting rifles. I would suggest going with the 35* version vs the 40* for "confident" feeding from a mag. If you can restrain from getting all excited and cycle your action slower than a panic, you'll be fine. The 40* can and will hang you up at the worst time, if you panic.

Needless to say I love the rig & cartridge, but its built for speed and disance, either benched or prone..

For a hunting rig, I would be looking at a 260 or a 6.5/284 simply because of no brass issues (availability, cost, & work)

Can you seat the bullet out far enough, that depends on how far the throat is on the ream that chambered the barrel & your magazine. I would think you could eliminate both concerns with out a worry in the LA with 6.5/284 even if it was throated long.

Just my thoughts.

Rod

 

[Desert Fox]

If proper headstamped cases are important for you, then the 6.5-284 will be the way to go. It is a good cartridge.

+1

Case capacity for both .06 and 284 are about the same. You cant' go wrong either one. If you ask me, my vote will be for the 6.5-284 Norma. Have the smith throat the chamber farther out to maximized case capacity and you can easily get over the 3K mark with the 140's. I believe the 6.5-284 is a very efficient cartridge... almost as efficient as the 308. I think it has something to do with the case design. The shorter powder column burns efficiently contributing to a very uniform velocity. This is my observation in my rifle.

 

[Powerstroke]

Don't discount the .260AI or 6.5X47 Lapua while your looking.
The Lapua brass from my understanding is supposed to be great.

 

[JD338]

I would pick the 6.5-284 just for something different. On that note, my second choice would be the 6.5mm Rem Mag.

JD338

 

[Guest]

If you want a nice, off the beaten path 6.5, take a look at the 6.5-280RCBS Imp. It's a slightly shallower shoulder than the Ackley -06 version, around 30deg, I think, instead of 40deg. With a 24" barrel, I'm guessing you could get something like 3000fps out of 140gr bullets, maybe. Certainly 2900 and change. I don't have one, yet, but it's on my short list of things to build/buy over the years to come. RCBS makes dies, and you can start with -06 brass and form up easily.

 

[onesonek]

I'd probably go with the 6.5-284 as well or maybe the 6.5-06AI. Plenty of brass availabe for either, and plently of capacity for normal hunting ranges.
Dave

 

[SJB358]

I am thinking my next bolt rifle will be a 6.5-06 built on a Savage or Win M70 action. Probably put a 24-25" barrel on it and call it a day. Looking at the components and such, the 6.5-06 or AI'ed version seem to have alot of steam, cases are pretty easy to come by and I like the 06 case. Scotty

 

[1Shot]

I would go with the standard 6.5-06 because of the cost and barrel wear fire forming AI cases. 100 fps will not make all that much difference in the long run. Get a 8 twist barrel for the 140 gr bullets.