Been looking at this little 1.9 short round and it is right there with a 250 Savage balistically it seems, and brass and components are apparently easier to come by locally, I suppose because its the new kid on the block...

Thinking about building one for myself for mule deer and whitetail..

Anyone got one and how do you like it?, have you shot deer sized game with it? what action are they built on and who chambers factory rifles for the caliber..Its a very interesting caliber. Would just like some conversation on it.

I've got one and it has taken elk, deer and sheep. The elk was shot at 542 yards. Definitely a capable little 6.5.

I've built several for people and they have taken deer, black bear, and at least one moose if I recall. One was going antelope hunting last fall but the hunt got canceled for some reason. This is a very accurate round, simple and non critical to load for, and very pleasant to shoot. At least one has been to Texas and did very well on hogs. The 6.5 bullets have very high BC and sectional density and do very well farther out than you might expect and on larger animals than you might expect.
The trick with this case is that bullets can be Seated out and still fit in a 2.8 inch .308 length magazine. The brass is approximately the length of a .300 savage but folks say the ballistics resemble the .260 Remington. Difference being that there is a lot of bullet down in the .260 case which eats up a lot of capacity. Favorite seems to be 1 in 8 twist and 120 to 130 grain bullet.
I've built them on 700 short actions and a couple on the TC Icon re barreled from .30 TC.
Another round you might like is the 6mm Creedmoor (a simple neck down.) It is a real barn burner for accuracy. All around this case in either 6.5 or 6 mm seems very well designed and balanced, and inherently very accurate. Yes, you should get one. If you want quick and easy buy a 700 CDL in .243 or .308 and get the action trued and a 6.5mm Remington factory contour barrel installed. Some bedding work and a Jewell trigger and you're good to go. I recommend a 24 to 26 inch barrel.

I built a 6.5x47 Lapua (similar round, but more common in Australia) for F-Class matches in Australia, and I hunted with it quite a bit.

I would own another one, as I now live in America again. I'd build a 6.5 Creedmoor.

Pigs and Roos didn't like it. We had some friends with a farm and roo tags, it worked well.

The 6.5 Creedmoor is essentially a 250 Savage improved (30 degrees) necked up to 6.5mm. 250 savage brass can be used to make 6.5 Creedmoor. The 6.5 Creedmoor has 5% less capacity than the 260 Rem, but that only translates to 1% less velocity. Most of us know what a stellar reputation the 6.5x55 has on game up to Elk and Moose.
The creedmoore matches the Swede at the Swedes standard pressures. I am not a fan of the ulta-lite rifles, but I wouldn't mind a Kimber montana if made in the Creedmoor.

I'm interested in learning how people think.

So I ask myself, why would someone spend extra money to build a custom 6.5Creedmore, when standard calibres are available like the 260 Rem, 6.5 Swede, and the 7-08? Sure, they all work. But to spend extra money to give up 5% capacity to the 260Rem?

To each his own.
In our family we wrestled with the question but the rifle made the decision. We thought a Tikka would be nice and light. However, the Tikka 7-08 used the same action size as the 270Win, so we went with the significantly greater capacity of the 270. On the other hand, when we really wanted something small, we were able to get a Win M70 in 243Win., 20" barrel and 13" LOP. It is still a little big for the grandkids to carry and use offhand, but they're growing.

Asking why buy a custom is kind of like asking why buy a $100 bottle of wine when a $10 bottle will get you just as drunk.

Ray, I haven't shot any deer or developed any loads for mine. But, in case you decide some sort of caliber conversion from one of the other short actions, keep in mind that the Creedmoor (and the .260 Remington) round has a much wider shoulder than a .250 Savage allowing for more powder capacity. Bullet choice is better in the 6.5mm class up to 140 grain if that matters to you. QUOTE: Been looking at this little 1.9 short round and it is right there with a 250 Savage balistically it seems

quote:

Originally posted by sheephunterab:
Asking why buy a custom is kind of like asking why buy a $100 bottle of wine when a $10 bottle will get you just as drunk.

Nice one, sheephunter.

I like to drink $100-bottles of wine that I bought as "finds" for $30-40 and held for a decade.

Back to the thread--
is there an action that handles a 1.9" case, where a 2.03" case wouldn't fit equally well? Anyway, someone can always design a slightly different package, it's just that usually it does something different and or better. So I'm new to the Creedmoor. What does it do that the 260 doesn't do or doesn't fit?

The Creedmoor was actually designed for use in semi autos and proved to be a very accurate cartridge that found its way into bolt actions rifles. It's developed somewhat of a cult following. What does it do better than the 260...likely nothing but we could likely say the same of a hundred other cartridges out there when compared to their predecessors. It's new, it's fun.....what's not to like about it....

Without getting into a brewhaha about the 260vs the 6.5 Creedmoor.
The Creedmoor is a Great round that is perfectly suited to short barrel carbines, standard length rifles and long range heavy barreled benchrest and Tactical rifles.
1 in 8 twist is best unless you want to primarily shoot 95 gr bullets.

quote:

Originally posted by sheephunterab:
The Creedmoor was actually designed for use in semi autos and proved to be a very accurate cartridge that found its way into bolt actions rifles. It's developed somewhat of a cult following. What does it do better than the 260...likely nothing but we could likely say the same of a hundred other cartridges out there when compared to their predecessors. It's new, it's fun.....what's not to like about it....

While the 6.5 Creedmoore was designed to feed through detachable magazines, it was really designed as a target round for bolt action target rifles such as the Tubb 2000. It was intended to be what the 6mmxc has become- the ultimate across-the-course target round.

Found a reference to back up my foggy memory:

http://bulletin.accurateshoote...creedmoor-cartridge/

quote:

Originally posted by ColoradoMatt:

quote:

Originally posted by sheephunterab:
The Creedmoor was actually designed for use in semi autos and proved to be a very accurate cartridge that found its way into bolt actions rifles. It's developed somewhat of a cult following. What does it do better than the 260...likely nothing but we could likely say the same of a hundred other cartridges out there when compared to their predecessors. It's new, it's fun.....what's not to like about it....

While the 6.5 Creedmoore was designed to feed through detachable magazines, it was really designed as a target round for bolt action target rifles such as the Tubb 2000. It was intended to be what the 6mmxc has become- the ultimate across-the-course target round.

Found a reference to back up my foggy memory:

http://bulletin.accurateshoote...creedmoor-cartridge/

Thank you for the reference blurb. That finally explains the raison d'etre of the cartridge.

Basically the 6.5 Creedmore is functionally IDENTICAL to the 260Rem, BUT the neck/shoulder/case-length is pushed back a little bit so that a long-for-calibre bullet can fit in a standard magazine.
So the primary reason for the Creedmore is to use higher-BC match bullets in shooting competitions. The barrel twist for the longrange bullets will need to be fast, probably 1 in 8".

To me, that means that for hunting, the 260Rem would be the calibre of choice, between the two. 2.5 grains more powder capacity (5%), though not much to brag about. (In a true short magazine, I would probably go to a wider diameter, but that's just me. I would think that Ray would like that, too, seeing that he a appreciates the .338's.) On the other hand, if a person wants to do extreme long-range hunting, the Creedmore will allow someone to use a bullet that is 0.1" longer than the 260, other things being equal. Nosler has come out with an AccuBond 6.5 142gn bullet, 1.45" long, but it would appear that both the 260Rem and 6.5Crdm will be able to shoot that bullet. FWIW. It should handle elk for a careful hunter. (We're all careful hunters, right? )

Well it sounds like a great round, and I have always been a 250-3000 fan and still consider the 250 as the finest round ever developed and never have seen one that wouldn't shoot, same for the 250 IMP. but Remington and Winchester have decided to not make anymore brass of any kind for the next 3 years, and the 250s are now impossible to find, and are already the price of gold bullion...However I do have a lifetime supply..Apparantly the 6.5 Creedmore is highly available ala Norma and other European brands.

I'm sure there are equal cartridges out there and one can so state and condem the 6.5 Creedmore and praise the 7-08 in the same breath but by that analogy we have the 7x57, so intelligent thinking tells us the Creedmore and its a neat little round, and I'm thinking I gotta have one for no particular reason other than I don't have one..Much the same reason we own most calibers.

I'm thinking it would be the berries on a nice L-571 med. length sako acion with a custom stock with a schnalbe or Alex Henry forend, nice checkering, 18.5 inch barrel and iron sights and scope, at 5.5 lbs to sit in my Texas deer blind or mosey around the simi arid desert of Idaho in search of a nice eating forky mule deer..I'd even use a 7/8" sling, something I seldom use, and put my 6x45 into simi retirement..Sounds like a neat project. I think I would like to have the option of shooting 125 gr. bullets for deer and 160 gr. RN bullets for elk if the notion struck me or a target of opertunity presented itself??? Would a 1x8 be better than a 1x9 twist.???????

quote:

Would a 1x8 be better than a 1x9 twist.?

Yes. If you want to shoot long bullets you should go to a 1 in 8" twist.
Tikka does a 1 in 8" 260Rem.

I would recommend more than 18.5" for such a bottleneck cartridge. 20" or 22". The extreme long-range boys would want a few inches more, of course.

The 140 grain nosler Partition is all one would need for elk, and it would likely outperform any 160 grain bullet available. While the 160 is legendary in the 6.5x54MS, it is somewhat obsolete, given the premium 140's and higher velocities we load to today. This being said, I like to load 220's in the open sight 06' and 300 H&H just to make myself feel more manly!
Matt

quote:

Originally posted by 416Tanzan:

quote:

Would a 1x8 be better than a 1x9 twist.?

I would recommend more than 18.5" for such a bottleneck cartridge. 20" or 22".

In the sixties I used a hand loaded 6.5 Carcano with a 16" barrel and 140 and 160 cup and core bullets with great success. The extra barrel length isn't going to do much in the way of range or knock down power. For a walk around rifle or for a scabbard rifle the short barrels are hard to beat. roger

1 in 8 is the best twist. 6.5 Creedmoor. . Mine now has 18.6" barrel and I'm getting almost 2600 fps with 140s I lost 200 fps with the same loads going from 26" to 18.6" .

I would like to add that factory ammo (Hornady) is extremely accurate at least in my ABolt Long range rifle. 3/4" groups at 200yds is normal with both 140 and 120 factory loads. I quit reloading as factories are better groups and also work very well for hunting.

Colorado Matt,

I recently purchased a Ruger Int. stainless steel and wood manlicher in 7x57. The barrel is 18.5"s and with certain loads I lose no velocity at all..

The big surprise came when I found it had a 30-06 box and a very long throat and I could seat 175 gr. Noslers .284 deep and it gave me about 5 grs more powder capacity over book max with one particular powder, and that was my chosen load, and at 2609 FPS average, however max is about 8 grs more powder capacity for 2782 FPS..The same as one would expect form a Brno mod. 21 that is also set up the same way, and of course I could accomplish the exact same ballistics by punching the chamber out to a 7x57 Ackley, but I prefer the long throat method.

I think that in a Sako L-461 I could accomplish the same thing with the Creedmore, as the med action is quit long and could be slightly lengthened and with a matching long throat I would pick up considerable velocity and as the same pressure levels as the round was designed for, keeping in mind the only difference in men and boys is the cost of men's toys,

Perhaps not a practice for the average Joe, but for an old curmudgeon gun whore reloader like myself it seems to have merit!

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Colorado Matt,
but I prefer the long throat method.

I think that in a Sako L-461 I could accomplish the same thing with the Creedmore, as the med action is quit long and could be slightly lengthened and with a matching long throat I would pick up considerable velocity and as the same pressure levels as the round was designed for,

Perhaps not a practice for the average Joe, but for an old curmudgeon gun whore reloader like myself it seems to have merit!

We've walked the same road. roger

You will be impressed with the Creedmoor on game. I shoot the twin, 260rem and the 125 grain partition will go through feet of muscle and bone. A 9 twist will stabilize 130 grain Accubonds and 140 grain Partitions in my guns, but I did have trouble VLDs and 142s. I picked up a couple of the new SPS rifles with the 8 twist and they shoot everything. They are also a joy to shoot. It sounds like your plan will yield a dandy of a walking gun that will give you plenty of kill-ability.

ColoradoMatt mentioned forming 6.5 Creedmore from 250 savage brass. I think that's a poor choice, 250 savage brass is very hard to find. 6.5 Creedmore is easier to find and cheaper.
That's how I got brass for my 250 Savage. One pass through the sizer, trim and load.
Leo

I have some 250/3000 brass. I did COW fireformed 1 box of it to 6.5 Creedmoor. Works great!! Also did a bag of 22/250 which works great also. That was when 6.5 Creedmoor brass was not available. I still have 2 boxes of new 250 Savage brass I would trade with someone for a 50 round box of new Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor brass.

Hello Ray

I've got a 250 Mauser Kurz that is my alltime favourite rifle, and a Kurz in 6.5x47. I've shot several of our big NZ Red deer with both using 117 SST's at 2750 in the 250, and 125 partitions at 2750 (yes the same velocity) in the 6.5x47.

Now to the crux, I have a Savage lightweight in 6.5 Creedmore, it is the most accurate rifle I own, and I got lucky, mine is smooth with a nice bolt lift. I shoot 140 gn Sierra SPBT in it at 2810, and while I haven't shot any Reds with it, several Tahr have surcumbed to it and the projectiles performed as expected.

Cheers
Foster

Goodness, I would give my left nut and a black land farm in Georgia for a Kurtz in 250-3000.

I have a 6.5 Creedmoor, a 6 Creedmoor and a 6BR Norma.

The point that they were developed for long range shooting is true. The 6.5 became the dominant 1000 yard rd, and now the 6 appears to be taking over among top shooters according to data from last years matches.

I think the point not brought out in any of the notes so far is that these rounds (all 3) were developed for heavy bullets with very high B.C.'s. They are not actually as flat shooting as some other rounds with lighter projectiles due to moderate velocities, but they retain that velocity and have impressive energies at long range with very low wind drift. The real key though is that all cartridges such as these are designed with very long throats and they only perform well with long bullets seated well out. They don't work well with short bullets. However, due to the seating depth, they have a case capacity advantage over the standard rounds with the long range bullets. A 6.5 creedmoor has more useable powder capacity than a 260 Remington due to the throat design. Unless you do some custom throat work, simply putting a fast twist barrel on a 260 or 243 will not yield the same results as the two creedmoor rounds. You must seat the long match bullets too deep in the case. Besides, Hornady makes excellent loaded ammo in four different lines for the 6.5, and is making factory brass in special runs for the 6, so there is no real advantage for the standard 260 etc. The store across the street from my house stocks hornady hunting and target ammo for the 6.5 at prices less than factory Rem ammo, and they don't carry 260 as a standard item due to little demand.