The hot 6.5's

Guy Miner

Master Loader
Apr 6, 2006
17,453
4,514
How does a hunter choose between the fast 6.5mm cartridges?

264 Winchester is the classic, a blast from the past, but still very fast.

26 Nosler hit the market several years ago and is avail in the excellent Nosler rifle.

6.5-300 Weatherby is seriously speedy, and offered in the Weatherby line.

6.5-300WSM is (I believe) a wildcat only, but apparently easy to live with.

Thinking something with zippy speed, flat trajectory, and plenty of zap for longish range shots on open country mule deer & pronghorn... And wanting a step up from my 25-06, which has done well to 400 yards in that role. Why a new one? Well.... Because! :grin:

Don't need it, just thinking it through. How does a hunter make the choice?

Guy
 
Well, if you want a wildcat, try the 6.5-06 Guy.
Or go with the .264 Win Mag.
Or Try the 6.5-.284 Norma round.
Just suggestions.

Sent from my LG-TP450 using Tapatalk
 
Guy Miner":7c4i5gyw said:
How does a hunter choose between the fast 6.5mm cartridges?

264 Winchester is the classic, a blast from the past, but still very fast.

26 Nosler hit the market several years ago and is avail in the excellent Nosler rifle.

6.5-300 Weatherby is seriously speedy, and offered in the Weatherby line.

6.5-300WSM is (I believe) a wildcat only, but apparently easy to live with.

Thinking something with zippy speed, flat trajectory, and plenty of zap for longish range shots on open country mule deer & pronghorn... And wanting a step up from my 25-06, which has done well to 400 yards in that role. Why a new one? Well.... Because! :grin:

Don't need it, just thinking it through. How does a hunter make the choice?

Guy

We must be linked right now Guy! I was JUST out doing a little work with my 264, Retumbo and 140 ABs. I had a good shooting load using RL25 but it always seemed on the edge. Retumbo seems to be clicking pretty well speed wise as well.

So long way around the Question, I really like the 264 Win Mag. With todays powders 3175-3250 are easily in the realm of possible.

The 6.5-300 WSM is a great one. Basically just a twin to the 264 Win.

ThE 6.5 Weatherby and 26 Nosler are crushers but to me, I will not be shoe horned into one maker of brass.

The 264 is pretty easy in a good rifle and 3200 with a sleek 140 is a bit of a solid jump over 115 BTs at 3150’ish.

Glad to see you thinking about one. They aren’t too much different in recoil than a 30-06 either..

Sorry for the sideways pic. No darned clue how to make in turn
 

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If you never had a Weatherby, maybe now is the time....


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Yepper no problem.

Fotis, just earlier this week there was that same rifle in a 308 locally advertised as looking new or maybe a couple shots fired through it, for $365. I thought at that price I better buy it even though I'm not a plastic stock fan. I was too slow in letting go of hard earned cash and it was gone while I was making up my mind.
 
A 6.5-300wm will get you 3300fps in a 26" barrel with cheap brass. A modified 6.5x68 case will do the same without a belt but cases are 2x as much.
 
I'm a big 264 win mag fan and have been for a while. My old one has decorated my house for me. I have used the 140 AccuBond and 140 Berger with good results from both. I don't push my old one to hard, 60gr of H4831SC pushes the Berger at 2914fps with great consistency and accuracy. It shoots to good to try to push it harder. The new heavy barreled one is pushing the 143gr ELD-X at 3240fps with RL33 and a bit longer barrel.

That said if I was looking at another 6.5 right now I'd have to check out the 6.5PRC. It's matching my old proven 264 I've killed so much with for speed. It looks like a really efficient cartridge. My biggest hold up would be that I don't think anyone makes brass yet except Hornady. I have a buddy that used their brass in his 7mm Rem Mag and the weights in the same batch of cases were no where close to as consistent as my 264WM Nosler brass.

FWIW I am shooting the 110 ELD-X through my 25-06 right now and getting 3050fps with excellent accuracy. Right now I'm burning through some factory stuff I found on sale when some components I needed for my 100gr Sirocco handload were back-ordered. It has a high enough BC at a light enough weight I bet it would make the 25-06 reach pretty well too. It still won't match a .600 BC 6.5mm bullet at similar speed though.
 
I have been wondering what Quick Load would say .264 Win Mag Nosler Brass, Nosler 130gr AB and 140gr Nosler AB would do in a 24 inch barrel with Reloader 26.
Especially since Reloader 26 seems to be giving people some impressive velocities in other cartridges.
For what it’s worth Guy for Deer & Antelope I don’t see where you would gain a lot over your 25-06 and you have your 30-06 for the big stuff.
 
How about the 6.5x284 Norma...not as hot as some of the others, but it's got plenty. 143s at 2850 or 120s at 3k+
 
1100 Remington Man":3l3ogagf said:
I have been wondering what Quick Load would say .264 Win Mag Nosler Brass, Nosler 130gr AB and 140gr Nosler AB would do in a 24 inch barrel with Reloader 26.
Especially since Reloader 26 seems to be giving people some impressive velocities in other cartridges.
For what it’s worth Guy for Deer & Antelope I don’t see where you would gain a lot over your 25-06 and you have your 30-06 for the big stuff.

I think you'd be in the 3150'ish range (140 AB) pretty easily with 26 in your 24" barrel. I just ran the numbers the other day and there wasn't much difference between 26 and Retumbo to be honest.

I'd think you'd be in the 3250'ish range with 26, but not sitting in front of QL, I am guessing a bit.

Nathan is pretty spot on with the 6.5-300 Win.. I think that would be a butt whooper of a cartridge in a well set up rifle. Easy brass..

The 264 is about the king of easy brass since there is a decent selection of 264 Win and a whopping selection of 7mm Rem Mag brass that is easily converted to 264.. Hard to beat it, Retumbo, RL33, H1000, 7828, etc all make great speeds!
 
1100 Remington Man":2o598vhd said:
I have been wondering what Quick Load would say .264 Win Mag Nosler Brass, Nosler 130gr AB and 140gr Nosler AB would do in a 24 inch barrel with Reloader 26.
Especially since Reloader 26 seems to be giving people some impressive velocities in other cartridges.

Code:
Cartridge          : .264 Win. Mag.
Bullet             : .264, 130, Nosler AccuBond 56902
Useable Case Capaci: 75.520 grain H2O = 4.903 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder             : Alliant Reloder-26

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-20.0   72    53.92   2563    1896   31108  12736     97.2    1.629
-18.0   74    55.27   2629    1995   33364  13068     98.1    1.588
-16.0   76    56.62   2694    2095   35787  13369     98.9    1.548
-14.0   77    57.96   2759    2197   38349  13637     99.4    1.504
-12.0   79    59.31   2823    2301   41060  13871     99.8    1.455
-10.0   81    60.66   2887    2406   43947  14068    100.0    1.408
-08.0   83    62.01   2950    2513   47020  14230    100.0    1.364
-06.0   85    63.36   3013    2620   50291  14384    100.0    1.321
-04.0   86    64.70   3074    2728   53774  14533    100.0    1.280  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0   88    66.05   3135    2836   57483  14679    100.0    1.241  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0   90    67.40   3195    2946   61436  14820    100.0    1.203  ! Near Maximum !
+02.0   92    68.75   3254    3057   65648  14958    100.0    1.167  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0   94    70.10   3313    3169   70141  15091    100.0    1.132  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0   95    71.44   3372    3282   74935  15220    100.0    1.098  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0   97    72.79   3430    3396   80057  15343    100.0    1.066  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0   99    74.14   3488    3512   85531  15463    100.0    1.035  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     90    67.40   3318    3178   75064  14332    100.0    1.104  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     90    67.40   3005    2607   47879  15421     99.5    1.339

However, RL26 may not be the best propellant.

Code:
Cartridge          : .264 Win. Mag.
Bullet             : .264, 130, Nosler AccuBond 56902
Useable Case Capaci: 75.520 grain H2O = 4.903 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 61500 psi, or 424 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

40 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
ADI AR 2218                        105.8     78.5     5.09    3297    98.0    61500   17797   1.159  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N570                    101.6     74.6     4.83    3263    97.5    61500   17348   1.186  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 80                  104.7     79.1     5.12    3256    98.4    61500   17087   1.185  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-33                 103.4     78.1     5.06    3248    97.8    61500   17116   1.189  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H870                       107.8     77.5     5.02    3239    98.8    61500   16742   1.191  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-50                 107.9     81.3     5.27    3239    97.3    61500   17446   1.215  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Retumbo                    105.3     73.7     4.78    3234   100.0    61500   15282   1.177  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2225                        105.3     73.7     4.78    3234   100.0    61500   15282   1.177  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 217                          107.6     73.8     4.78    3230   100.0    61500   15742   1.201  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560                     93.3     66.3     4.30    3203    99.5    61500   15660   1.181  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517                 96.0     71.3     4.62    3201    99.9    61500   15367   1.182  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 2                        100.8     70.2     4.55    3200    99.9    61500   15603   1.196  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP30                        100.8     70.2     4.55    3200    99.9    61500   15603   1.196  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12                   95.8     71.2     4.61    3200    99.9    61500   15332   1.182  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828                            97.5     66.0     4.28    3196    99.7    61500   15201   1.171  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                        92.3     66.0     4.28    3196    99.7    61500   15201   1.171  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-26                  90.1     67.4     4.37    3195   100.0    61500   14822   1.203  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                     93.5     69.2     4.49    3195    98.7    61500   15833   1.190  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP                           91.4     66.4     4.30    3192   100.0    61500   15033   1.190  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214                         97.3     70.3     4.56    3189    99.9    61500   14906   1.166  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25                  98.6     68.3     4.42    3187   100.0    61500   14469   1.184  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2217                        102.3     70.4     4.56    3187    99.9    61500   14866   1.166  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H1000                      102.3     70.4     4.56    3187    99.9    61500   14866   1.166  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213                         93.4     65.8     4.26    3186    99.7    61500   15077   1.166  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation        93.6     65.8     4.27    3175   100.0    61500   14944   1.186  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22                  93.6     65.8     4.27    3175   100.0    61500   14944   1.186  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15                        93.6     65.8     4.27    3175   100.0    61500   14944   1.186  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP15                         96.1     66.2     4.29    3174   100.0    61500   14969   1.186  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR                      96.1     66.2     4.29    3174   100.0    61500   14969   1.186  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 24N41                   104.6     77.6     5.03    3166    92.5    61500   15843   1.171  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors 12,7mmRA NC1214 Lot20115087 108.2     79.7     5.16    3163    90.3    61500   16669   1.222  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT ~approximation        97.1     68.9     4.47    3160    98.6    61500   15002   1.167  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon 50BMG                      110.0     77.7     5.04    3159    88.7    61417   16110   1.180  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905                       95.0     65.6     4.25    3154    99.5    61500   14776   1.183  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon US 869                     109.7     81.4     5.27    3153    92.5    61500   15867   1.186  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                      93.5     70.9     4.59    3151   100.0    61500   14282   1.188  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209                         90.7     62.8     4.07    3146    99.9    61500   14268   1.169  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19                  91.1     63.4     4.11    3141   100.0    61500   14314   1.176  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation          91.8     63.9     4.14    3135   100.0    61500   14219   1.176  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831                       96.2     65.1     4.22    3127    99.3    61500   14309   1.173  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC                    92.5     65.1     4.22    3127    99.3    61500   14309   1.173  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23                  95.5     65.0     4.21    3118   100.0    61500   13412   1.198  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N170                    105.1     72.4     4.69    3115    96.3    61500   14898   1.196  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904                       90.5     62.1     4.02    3103    99.6    61500   13788   1.172  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385                        91.2     64.2     4.16    3100   100.0    61500   13629   1.196  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4955 Enduron                    94.0     63.6     4.12    3097    99.4    61500   13871   1.170  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780              90.2     66.2     4.29    3097    99.9    61500   13658   1.183  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem 12.7-0                     110.0     79.1     5.12    3095    88.3    60852   14958   1.179  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D100                         102.2     76.6     4.96    3092    93.2    61500   14665   1.186  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 8700                      110.0     79.9     5.18    3092    96.0    56046   15449   1.229  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 13                  110.0     78.2     5.07    3090    96.0    57496   15361   1.233  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165                     96.1     66.2     4.29    3087   100.0    61500   13370   1.188  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160                     96.6     64.5     4.18    3085    99.6    61500   13547   1.176  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 20N29                   110.0     82.4     5.34    3079    93.6    55997   15761   1.248  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                            90.6     60.4     3.92    3079   100.0    61500   12890   1.198  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100                       93.8     65.3     4.23    3076   100.0    61500   13179   1.215  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S071                          99.2     65.3     4.23    3076   100.0    61500   13179   1.215  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7977 Enduron                    98.6     67.9     4.40    3055    94.5    61500   13746   1.170  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 513/520/9520       110.0     78.2     5.07    3025    93.9    53811   15170   1.270  ! Near Maximum !

Code:
Cartridge          : .264 Win. Mag.
Bullet             : .264, 140, Nosler AccuBond 57873
Useable Case Capaci: 74.854 grain H2O = 4.860 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder             : Alliant Reloder-26

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-20.0   71    52.56   2491    1929   31574  12648     98.2    1.675
-18.0   73    53.87   2553    2026   33835  12951     98.9    1.634
-16.0   74    55.19   2615    2125   36218  13223     99.4    1.592
-14.0   76    56.50   2676    2226   38737  13463     99.8    1.545
-12.0   78    57.82   2737    2328   41415  13669    100.0    1.496
-10.0   80    59.13   2797    2431   44259  13841    100.0    1.449
-08.0   81    60.44   2856    2535   47280  14005    100.0    1.404
-06.0   83    61.76   2914    2640   50490  14165    100.0    1.361
-04.0   85    63.07   2972    2746   53900  14322    100.0    1.320  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0   87    64.39   3029    2852   57524  14475    100.0    1.280  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0   89    65.70   3085    2959   61377  14624    100.0    1.242  ! Near Maximum !
+02.0   90    67.01   3141    3068   65474  14769    100.0    1.205  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0   92    68.33   3197    3177   69833  14911    100.0    1.170  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0   94    69.64   3252    3288   74474  15047    100.0    1.136  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0   96    70.96   3307    3400   79418  15180    100.0    1.104  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0   97    72.27   3362    3513   84691  15308    100.0    1.072  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     89    65.70   3199    3180   74667  14161    100.0    1.142  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     89    65.70   2912    2637   48101  15257     99.8    1.380

Code:
Cartridge          : .264 Win. Mag.
Bullet             : .264, 140, Nosler AccuBond 57873
Useable Case Capaci: 74.854 grain H2O = 4.860 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 3.340 inch = 84.84 mm
Barrel Length      : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 61500 psi, or 424 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

48 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
ADI AR 2218                        104.4     76.8     4.97    3205    98.7    61500   17774   1.194  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N570                    100.1     72.8     4.72    3164    98.2    61500   17291   1.223  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 80                  103.2     77.2     5.00    3157    99.0    61500   17028   1.223  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-33                 101.9     76.2     4.94    3150    98.5    61500   17073   1.226  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-50                 106.3     79.4     5.14    3142    98.0    61500   17424   1.252  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H870                       106.2     75.7     4.90    3140    99.3    61500   16660   1.228  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2225                        103.7     72.0     4.66    3128   100.0    61500   15111   1.215  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Retumbo                    103.7     72.0     4.66    3128   100.0    61500   15111   1.215  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 217                          105.9     72.0     4.66    3125   100.0    61500   15551   1.239  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560                     91.8     64.8     4.20    3101    99.8    61500   15512   1.218  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517                 94.6     69.6     4.51    3098   100.0    61500   15203   1.220  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP30                         99.3     68.5     4.44    3098   100.0    61500   15433   1.233  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 2                         99.3     68.5     4.44    3098   100.0    61500   15433   1.233  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12                   94.4     69.5     4.51    3097   100.0    61500   15166   1.220  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                     92.1     67.6     4.38    3095    99.2    61500   15728   1.227  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828                            96.1     64.4     4.17    3093    99.9    61500   15038   1.208  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                        90.9     64.4     4.17    3093    99.9    61500   15038   1.208  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214                         95.9     68.7     4.45    3087   100.0    61500   14751   1.203  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2217                        100.8     68.8     4.46    3085   100.0    61500   14713   1.203  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H1000                      100.8     68.8     4.46    3085   100.0    61500   14713   1.203  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213                         92.1     64.2     4.16    3084    99.9    61500   14928   1.203  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25                  97.0     66.6     4.32    3079   100.0    61500   14291   1.222  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 24N41                   103.2     75.9     4.92    3075    93.5    61500   15924   1.207  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors 12,7mmRA NC1214 Lot20115087 106.7     77.9     5.05    3074    91.4    61500   16769   1.258  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22                  92.2     64.3     4.17    3071   100.0    61500   14756   1.223  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15                        92.2     64.3     4.17    3071   100.0    61500   14756   1.223  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation        92.2     64.3     4.17    3071   100.0    61500   14756   1.223  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon 50BMG                      108.6     76.1     4.93    3071    89.9    61500   16243   1.216  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP15                         94.6     64.6     4.19    3071   100.0    61500   14786   1.223  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR                      94.6     64.6     4.19    3071   100.0    61500   14786   1.223  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon US 869                     108.3     79.6     5.16    3064    93.6    61500   15959   1.222  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT ~approximation        95.7     67.3     4.36    3061    99.1    61500   14924   1.203  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 8700                      110.0     79.2     5.13    3057    97.5    59316   15668   1.234  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905                       93.6     64.1     4.15    3053    99.7    61500   14641   1.219  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 13                  110.0     77.6     5.03    3051    97.4    60691   15577   1.239  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                      92.1     69.2     4.48    3048   100.0    61500   14115   1.226  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 20N29                   110.0     81.7     5.29    3048    95.5    59412   16074   1.251  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation          90.5     62.4     4.04    3033   100.0    61500   14048   1.213  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831                       94.9     63.6     4.12    3028    99.7    61500   14196   1.209  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC                    91.2     63.6     4.12    3028    99.7    61500   14196   1.209  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N170                    103.7     70.8     4.59    3022    97.0    61500   14893   1.232  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem 12.7-0                     108.9     77.6     5.03    3019    89.7    61500   15144   1.208  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23                  94.0     63.5     4.11    3011   100.0    61500   13245   1.236  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D100                         101.0     75.0     4.86    3004    94.2    61500   14731   1.222  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4955 Enduron                    92.7     62.2     4.03    2999    99.7    61500   13762   1.206  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 513/520/9520       110.0     77.6     5.03    2990    95.6    56861   15454   1.275  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165                     94.8     64.7     4.19    2987   100.0    61500   13207   1.225  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160                     95.3     63.0     4.08    2987    99.9    61500   13423   1.212  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100                       92.5     63.8     4.13    2974   100.0    61500   13013   1.253  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S071                          97.8     63.8     4.13    2974   100.0    61500   13013   1.253  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7977 Enduron                    97.4     66.5     4.31    2965    95.4    61500   13772   1.205  ! Near Maximum !
 
There is a nice John Barsness write up of the 6.5-300 Weatherby in the 2018 Hodgdon manual. It also has a side bar article on the Weatherby riflfle used for testing. I can't recall if it was a Mark V or Vanguard, but it was some flavor of ultralight with a 26" barrel. Both the cartridge and gun sounded ideal for chasing animals in wide open places.
 
BretN":1ixdmlre said:
There is a nice John Barsness write up of the 6.5-300 Weatherby in the 2018 Hodgdon manual. It also has a side bar article on the Weatherby riflfle used for testing. I can't recall if it was a Mark V or Vanguard, but it was some flavor of ultralight with a 26" barrel. Both the cartridge and gun sounded ideal for chasing animals in wide open places.

Yes, I read that, and the article he did a couple of years ago on the 26 Nosler.

Those two articles have me pretty enthused, because there are two quality factory rifles, in a price range I can afford, with very good, high velocity flat shooting 6.5 cartridges...

I had my paws on a 26 Nosler rifle yesterday at a local gunshop, priced at about $1300. Rifle looked and felt good, action was slick. I was impressed.

Factory ammo has excellent ballistics and Barsness was able to work up some fine handloads with good velocity and accuracy.

Similar situation with the Weatherby...

So, who knows? But, I'll probably just ease on through this hunting season without it. I don't want to swap out rifles just before the season.

Guy
 
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