Which 6.5 cartridge gives me the most versatility for seating depth and reliable magazine feeding, shooting bullets up to 140 gr VLD?
.260 rem , 6.5 x 55 SE or the 6.5-06 ? I am looking to buy or have built MTN rifle for deer hunting so shorter barrel length 22"-24" and downrange punch is a consideration.

the Swede !

6,5*55 is the most versabile of the 3, 85-160gr will feed well and be accurate.

It depends upon which action you start with.

If you use a short action the Swede and the 6.5-06 will be problematic and the 260 will be a better fit.

If you use a 98 Mauser action or an MRC short action or a regular long action then the Swede or the 6.5x284 would be more flexible.

In an MRC long action or a 375H&H or even RUM length actions then the 6.5-06 would fit better.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
It depends upon which action you start with.

If you use a short action the Swede and the 6.5-06 will be problematic and the 260 will be a better fit.

If you use a 98 Mauser action or an MRC short action or a regular long action then the Swede or the 6.5x284 would be more flexible.

In an MRC long action or a 375H&H or even RUM length actions then the 6.5-06 would fit better.

Exactly! A true SA will limit the swede or 6.5x284. My M700 does fine in 260ai. Put it up in an 06 length action & you have max room for the longest 140-142gr bullets. In a long/std action, I would go 6.5x284.

I have no problem loading / feeding 140grs in my 6.5-06 based on the 1903 Springfield, so believe any M98 type action would also work just as well. If you plan on shooting heavier and extra long bullets pay attention to having a good 1:8 or 1:9 twist.

Barstooler

ps I originally had a small feeding problem, but that stemmed from me replacing the stamped bottom metal on the 1903/A4 action I had with machined steel from a 1903/A1. Problem now fixed and nothing to do with the length of the action or box magazine, and everythng to do with the original fit of the new bottom metal.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael b Freeman:
Which 6.5 cartridge gives me the most versatility for seating depth and reliable magazine feeding, shooting bullets up to 140 gr VLD?
.260 rem , 6.5 x 55 SE or the 6.5-06 ? I am looking to buy or have built MTN rifle for deer hunting so shorter barrel length 22"-24" and downrange punch is a consideration.

Since you didn't say what action you're planning on using I'll assume it will easily hold the 6.5-06.....

That said.....any of them will make a fine mountain rifle for deer....so you can't go wrong no matter which way you go!!!!

Smoetimes a mountain rifle goes elk hunting and in that case I'd prefer a heavier bullet and the 6.5-06 will be my choice.....it has the same body taper as the .30-06-.270- etc so feeding should be a non event!.....You might also gain a bit of velocity over the 6.5 X 55 and launch the 140s to 2850 or so.....(Hodgdons lists loads up to 2850 and resulting pressures of 62,000 PSI)

To me (depending on the action you're going to use.....it's the 6.5-06

256 Newton

in all seriousness, the action length matters.

I think I have or have had almost all commercial 6.5 (and military) and many,many, different wildcats over the years(including the 6.5/300 WWH and some larger).

(I am currently working up loads a 6.5 RSAUM for a friend.)(in a Titanium Rem.)

I was thinking 06 action for the swede or 6.5-06 ---a short action for the .260 Rem. 6.5x284 is too much for what I want.

One thing you can't add is case capacity. I shoot the 6.5-06 just because I am a 06 fan. If you use a Mauser action, just have the smith, throat the barrel to match the magazine, no worries no problems. 6.5-06 hell of a good cartridge.

Jerry

A 6.5x55 With a long enough magazine and deep enough throat to handle 160 gr. bullets seated out so the bullet does not go into the powder room.This way you avoid the inferiority of the .260 and wildcat costs of the 6.5-06. roger

quote:

6.5-06 hell of a good cartridge

I would not even hesitate to use mine hunting elk with 129 hornady sp here in Colorado

thanks for sharing the info guys tough call between the 6.5-06 and the 6.5x55.

Look for a Remington M700 in 6.5 Swede.

This is built on a long action and you can seat the bullet past 3 inches. I shot 140 SMK bullets seated 3.035”. Probably could have gone out to 30-06 length (3.30”) but I don’t recall.

Great set up, SlamFire, but you really shoud take off those iron sights. roger

Don't like short actions. Built my 6.5 rem mag from a 300 win mag action and have no trouble seating those long 6.5 bullets way out there




with more slow powder since the bullet doesn't take up the the room you can build your velocity. I have no trouble reaching 3100 fps with a 130 gr and well over 3000 fps with the 140's.

The 6.5-06 should be capable of the same.

If by "mtn rifle" he means light and handy, then a short action is the way to go. FWIW, I don't have a problem getting 2800fps shooting 140s from my .260.
As I posted in another thread: a 140gr bullet starting out at 2800fps is a good start toward killing stuff.

Woods has a thinking Man's 6.5 Rem Mag.
The same can be done with the 6.5x.284. Attention has to be paid to throating. roger

I guess if you want light and handy you could get any length Mod. 200 Stevens action with their Tupper Ware stock. It is functional. roger

Get a .264!

6.5 Creedmoor in a short action

quote:

Originally posted by DuggaBoye:


(I am currently working up loads a 6.5 RSAUM for a friend.)(in a Titanium Rem.)

Speaking of the load above--
Could use advice--
Here:

http://forums.accuratereloadin...581053541#9581053541

Another option.....

Short action with the 6.5x47 Lapua. I just had this built a few months back.

-Pierce short action (Rem 700 footprint) http://www.pierceengineeringlt.../products.php?item=2

-Broughton 26" #3.1 5C SS barrel

-Rifle Basix trigger @ 2 lbs

-Pierce proprietary rings/bases http://www.pierceengineeringlt.../products.php?item=1 (what you see is a custom 2-pc Farrell alum bases and rings.

-Nightforce 2.5-10x32mm with NP-R2 reticle

-PTG BDL bottom metal with standard Rem mag box/follower/spring

-PTG bolt knob though it is getting swapped out for a round PTG bolt knob as I discovered I run the bolt faster.

-McMillan Rem Sporter, Edge filled with 1" Decelerator pad, grey paint.

-Black Cerakote on all metal.

-Weight = 8 lb 11 oz. This thing would be much lighter had I gone with a 1" scope and 22" barrel.

All put together by Chris Matthews of http://longshotriflesllc.com/











So far I've tried the 140 VLD and 140 Accubond with Reloader 17 and CCI 450 primers in Lapua cases.

I can hit 2874 fps with the Accubond and 2917 fps with the VLD. The VLD accuracy is superb so far and the Accubond is STBD.

OAL with the 140 AB is 2.728" in a 2.81" box. No problems with seating length.

Oh, and I also shoot a Rem 700 CDL SF Limited in 260 Rem too. With a minimal amount of tweaking, it's a VERY accurate rifle with lots of bullets; love it!

Alan

With shorter barrel length, you should avoid the over bore cartridges, such as 6.5-'06 and 6.5-.284. You'll end up with more noise and blowing unburnt powder out the muzzle.

If you are using a Mauser type action, I would suggest 6.5X57. Brass can easily be formed from 7X57 or .257 Roberts, and the powder capacity is ideal for a short barrel. At least it is in my BRNO 22f carbine, with an 18" barrel.

From experience, the .260 Remington is more difficult to get to feed properly in a Mauser action. Moreover, if you use a Remington short action, you will probably have to seat the heavier bullets deeper, which reduces cartridge case capacity.

For the record, my gun rack contains rifles in 6.5X53R, 6.5X54, 6.5X55, 6.5X57, .260 Remington, .256 Newton and .264 Winchester Magnum. I suppose I'm a 6.5mm nut.

One note about the advantage of being able to seat "those long buller way out there" is that the gun has to be throated for those long bullets. No big deal really.