6.5x280AI or 6.5WSM?
- Thread starter muleman
- Start date
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,502
- 6,506
Either has "cool" written all over the cartridge. The 6.5 WSM definitely holds some interest for me.
Thebear_78
Handloader
- Sep 30, 2004
- 3,099
- 876
A buddy of mine built a 6.5 WSM on a winchester 70 short action with an 8 twist pacnor barrel. He really likes it. 140gr bergers @ 3050fps
Well I am a 6.5-06 or AI fan so my vote goes to the 6.5-280AI. I was going to do one but added the 6.5-06 AI instead. Reasons were 6.5-280AI die cost and time (Redding said around 200 and 90 days) and I already had a bunch of 6.5-06 brass I could fireform. Also had been very successful necking up 25-06 brass to the 6.5 version and that was significantly lower cost also. :grin:
I still want one of the two you're looking at just because. I really like these 6.5s. I'll be real interested in the input you get.
Whichever way you go, it will be a cool build IMO.
I still want one of the two you're looking at just because. I really like these 6.5s. I'll be real interested in the input you get.
Whichever way you go, it will be a cool build IMO.
257 Ackley
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2008
- 1,763
- 0
I have had a 6.5 WSM for about 5 years now. Scotty and I discussed this build for about 6 months before I moved on it. R25 will give you a repeatable 3200+fps with a 26 inch barrel and no pressure in a short action. I shoot the 140 VLD hunting bullet in mine without any feeding or OAL issues. The 130's can push 3350 without any problems.
They will both be barrel burners on some level, but part of the fun is getting to replace a barrel once in a while. Mine has about 450 rounds down a Brux #4 contour and hasn't lost any accuracy yet.
They will both be barrel burners on some level, but part of the fun is getting to replace a barrel once in a while. Mine has about 450 rounds down a Brux #4 contour and hasn't lost any accuracy yet.
wisconsinteacher
Handloader
- Dec 2, 2010
- 1,979
- 291
I'm dreaming of a 6.5 SAUM. If I ever get caught up on other "toys", I will start building one.
bbearhntr
Handloader
- Apr 10, 2011
- 553
- 0
I don't own any of them so my opnion is worth what you paid for it. A buddy of mine has a 6.5-284 and loves it. I want to own something different just to knock him off his soapbox. I've heard the saum's are slightly more efficient than the wsm's but I have no real world experience with either. I'm ready to flip a coin between the two personally and start a build
257 Ackley
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2008
- 1,763
- 0
The 6.5 RSAUM is a great chambering. Two guys I shoot F-class with are building rifles in that chambering right now. From what others have said about the caliber, if you plan on building a repeater, use a center feed magazine...the "short stubbies" don't feed well from a staggered magazine.
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,459
- 9,292
I would lean towards the 6.5 RSAUM as mentioned above.
JD338
JD338
IdahoCTD":2rztv068 said:
I have 2 6.5 SAUMs now. A heavy one (12 lbs 26" barrel with scope) and a light one (7.25lbs, 24" barrel, with scope) and I love them. In two weeks last year I took Coyotes at 635, 454, 375, 685, 710, and another 375 with the 140 A max doing 3144 out of the heavy one. I also took a buck with it this year @ 575 on the farm with a 140 VLD. The light one took my biggest buck to date with a 140 VLD doing 3040 @ 453 yards. I was playing around with the new 143 ELD-X a few weeks ago in the light one, went 2 for 2 in the 10" center ring @ 1000 yards. I switched back to the 140 VLD load, adjusted scope dope a bit and went 2 for 2 again into the center ring.
Brass is really easy to make by necking down 7mm SAUM brass and doing a slight neck turn. George Anderson from GAP has got Hornady building him 6.5 SAUM brass not that requires no prep. I have been trying to get my hands on some but he is out of stock often and it goes quickly.
Don't get me wrong Homer I love the 6.5 Rem mag but as to factory, as far as I can tell Nosler is the only one loading for it(125gr PT) Remington even dropped the 120gr Corelokt offering. HSM had a 140gr Hunting VLD but think they dropped it too. Buy all the factory stuff you can find.
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