The 6.5-284 thread got me thinking about getting a bolt actioned pistol, just cause I don't have one, yet that and a strong prefernce for 6.5 bores.

That said, I got to thinking, a .308 out of a 15" tube ought to be able to sling a 125-130 gr pill at ~2700 fps, I'm guessing. I also recall barnes has a 130 gr X-bullet, which seems like it would be a potent pill for 30 cal handguns.

Paul, Don't know for sure but I believe someone told me that they easily drove the 130 Barnes XBT to 2600fps out of a short barrel like you mentioned.Might be in one of my threads in the single shot forum. Either rifle or pistol forum??

With 50 grains (fifty) of BLC-2 I have hit 3050fps out of a Savage rifle with a 22" barrel.
this load was borderline pressure wise in that rifle in hotter weather.---------Chainsaw

Paul, if you were forced to, and there was no other way around it, could you settle for 2800?
Check out this link at Hodgdon powder developed in a 15" bbl. I use 165 Nosler bt in my 15" 308 Encore with BLC2 and get 2500+, just within a few fps from what they show in their data.
http://www.hodgdon.com/data/pistol/308win.php

I get 2500fps out of my Striker with 46.0 grains of RL15 behind a 150gn Speer boattail.

Paul, Ive had good luck out of my 15" SS .308 tube using 125 grain Nosler BTs over Win748 and 130grain Barnes XLCs over Bl-C2. I have some discontinued 125X's loaded up but havent tried them yet. The 130s really did a number on the White-tails last season. BTW the 110 Sierras shot suprisingly well also but I dont have my data in front of me..I'll get back if your interested in the load. I'll be shooting all these loads over my chrony this spring. Good Luck,
Dave