What 6.5 is the best?

[Ridge_Runner]

The Gibbs is an awesome round, but knowing what I know now if doing it again I'd go 6.5/06 AI instead, much, much simpler to make brass, to give you an ideahere are the steps to forming gibbs brass
1) size 270 cases to a crush fit
2)prime
3) now either use 11 gr unique/cornmeal/plug with tp or load up a moderate load with a bullet and fire
then load normaly
6.5/06 AI
1) prime new 25/06 cases, champher, charge with a moderate load for the 6.5/06, seat any 264 boatail
2) fire, out pops a perfectly formed 6.5/06 ai case

now, the gibbs at least mine, doesn't get great accuracy firforming with bullets, and pushing the shoulder foreward will split the shoulders of around 2% of the brass upon fireforming, eith with bullets or cornmeal. Just the shoulder angle change on the AI doesn't hinder accuracy much so you can effectively hunt with firform loads in the AI.
So knowing this if I were doing another 6.5 based on the '06 case I would go with a button rifled around 28-30" and use lapua 30/06 brass and probably more than make up the 100-150 fps advantage the gibbs has over the AI.
RR

 

[JD338]

RR,

That is some good G2, thanks for posting that info.

I would think AI dies would be more readily available and a lot cheaper than Gibbs dies too.

JD338

 

[onesonek]

If I were to have a bolt gun built on a 6.5, I think the 6.5-06AI would be my choice.
I can see the Gibbs being more difficult as mentioned, and for me, the extra velocity/energy and 25-30 yds of PBR would be a moot point. I would even have one built on the Encore platform as well.
A little longer barrel with the same overall length, compared with bolt action and shorter barrel.
Hmmm, dang,,,,,I can see it when I shouldn't be looking. Oh well, add it to the wish list!

 

[boolit]

I was at Cabelas in Kansas City last Friday and saw a Winchester 70 in 264 WM in very nice shape for $499. It had been hunted and had some scratches on it but nothing horrible. If I didn't already own one, it would have followed me home.

I would also consider the 6.5x55 cartridge as one with mild recoil, excellent accuracy, easy to load, and will suffice for the coyote, deer and antelope categories you mentioned, unless you want a magnum sized case.

Ron

And moose too.

 

[FOTIS]

Greg,

If you decide on a 264 Win Mag, get the 26" barrel.

JD338

Yes yes and Yes! :shock:

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

I wouldn't own a SA 6.5 for the type of hunting/shooting I do, unless it was a WSM.

A standard 6.5-06 w/24" bbl or even 26" would be great for just about anything with a 130-140g bullet. Right on the heels of the 264 WM w/26" bbl, another round in the mag, bout 10g less powder being burns. Itd be about perfect for open country with the 120g NBT on antelope/deer, or the occasion coyote. You'd have to rebarrel to this caliber but at least you know itd shoot from the get go with a custom barrel screwed onto your action. You could even "AI" this one and be darn near 264 WM performance wise, again with the 26" tube.

Next sensible choice in a factory option would be the 264 WM. This cartridge really shines with a 26" bbl, but there are a few rifles out there with 24" bbls. I have a Win model 70 XTR w/24" bbl and it shoots under MOA consistently out to 300 yards with the 100g and 120g NBTs at 3500 and 3200fps with H4831sc. The 120g NBT at 3200fps is still an 800 yard hunting bullet/load, and will still ring a 1K gong all day if you do your part.

6.5s are tough to beat with what they have to offer. They make a great LR coyote/antelope/deer rounds, as well as a great LR target/hunting rounds, and with the right bullets still put elk and moose down with no problems out to a fair distance. For there size, its tough to beat there BC and SD numbers for a medium game or LR rifle for hunting or LR shooting.

 

[Greg Nolan]

Sounds like a 264 is it. 26". That would be a 700 CDL in blue or stainless. The Winchesters and Rugers all seem to be 24" and they cost about as the CDL and with the fluted barrel the CDL weighs about as much as the other 24" rifles. They ain't cheap. It'll happen but I'm still hoping for a nice used Winchester. Did they make the Featherweight in 264?
Greg

 

[SJB358]

Greg, I found my M70 264WM for a great price on the used rack. It had not been fired or at least very little. I kinda think someone bought it and realized ammo was pretty expensive and gave it up. I know Winchester did chamber a FWT in 264, but with a 22" barrel, I am not sure what gain it would have on a 270 at that point.

 

[DrMike]

I am not sure what gain it would have on a 270 at that point.

Not much, beyond the "cool" factor.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

The one I have is an early 80s model 70 XTR that was new unfired by the original owner, I paid $750 for it 6 months ago. Only little problem is its only got the 24" bbl instead of the 26", but I guess its better then a 22" That seems a little pointless on a 264. 24" isn't bad, but the 26" is a bit better if velocity is all your after, will give ya nother 70-100fps or so.

 

[SJB358]

I wouldn't have turned that rifle down either Jorey. Heck, you'll be into a 26" barrel before too long anyhow! Scotty

 

[Scott Spencer]

What about a 23 or 24" barrel for the 6.05-06? I just do not care for the 26" barrels and prefer something in 22-24" in reality. My 338-06 is a 23" PacNor and it balances perfectly in my Ruger M77 stock and action.

The 6.05-06 would go into my Win M70 FW and I'd just have them copy the same contour of the factory barrel (which I know is pretty thin). Good or bad?

 

[onesonek]

I would think a 23" or 24" would be fine. You loose some efficiency from a 26", but not a great deal. If it "fits" you or your wants better, then that's all that matters. Down range, for the most part it is only about 25 yds difference when looking at it from a PBR perspective, if that.
I would have to pull out the slide rule to get some relatively close numbers, but I expect it we be as or more efficient than the Rem 7 mag. with like barrel lengths. Somewhere about 5.5 maybe a 6 expansion ratio. I doubt it would make an ER of 7, but that's more just a guess. The 30-06 is roughly around 7.5-8 if I remeber correctly.

 

[SJB358]

What about a 23 or 24" barrel for the 6.05-06? I just do not care for the 26" barrels and prefer something in 22-24" in reality. My 338-06 is a 23" PacNor and it balances perfectly in my Ruger M77 stock and action.

The 6.05-06 would go into my Win M70 FW and I'd just have them copy the same contour of the factory barrel (which I know is pretty thin). Good or bad?

Dave gave you the same word I would have Scott. A 24" tube on a 6.5-06 would be what I would look for also if building a rifle. I don't know about efficiency, but most 06 cases seem to do pretty well with a 24" barrel. Are we getting at you yet buddy? Hope your doing well down South right now. Scotty

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Thered be nothing wrong with a 24" on a 6.5-06 as 06' cases are pretty efficient with 24" bbls. The 264/7mm do ok in 24" tubes, but a little better in 26s". Either way, a longer barrel is just cheap velocity, has nothing to do with accuracy, and 100fps is usually only about 25 yards on the MPBR or maximum effective range of the load.

I think I'll be going with a 28", Stainless Super Match Pac Nor with a 1-8" twist here before to long. I really want to shoot the 140g AMAX at 3200fps dang it.