The reason I ask is that I have my 30-378 wby for sale now.(A jewel under .5 MOA groups 3650fps/165 BLTPS). I have not used it this year,I have been hunting with my sporterized 6.5x55 swede. I am a true fan of the little 6.5 for penetration. Shot mule deer 400+ yards,both shoulders drop in it's tracks. I used 100gr barnes X bullet. I would like to keep using a 6.5 based cartrige. Is therea wildcat that runs with the 7 stw only 6.5. And yet realistic to reload.
Using the perameter you specified, I would suggest either a 6.5/06 or the 6.5/06 Ackley Improved. Velocities are right up there close to the Magnums but using a lot less powder to achieve the desired results.......but I am prejudiced against magnums except for the 375 H&H.......If you want to stay with the 6.5x55 case then I would suggest the 6.5x55 BJAI......just MHO!
I would like a new toy not the same gun improved,I would love Magnum velocitie's. I see the 6.5 stw in the reloading pages did'nt work. as far as 6.5-06. whats 140gr bullet capable of for velocity. what about a 6.5 wssm. ME LIKE can it be done.
I think the upper limit would be something on the order of a 6.5-RUM.
Using the 06 case the biggest (largest capacity) would be a 6.5 Gibbs. Very doable. I have a 6mm Gibbs thats like a bolt of lightening with a bang in front.
How about a 6.5-300Winny? I think a 6.5 STW is very doable after all there are some oustanding 257 STW's
Posts: 85 | Location: Tex | Registered: 29 January 2002
Just a question here. Wouldn't the 6.5 RUM and STW be burning a lot of powder outside the barrel? Not for nothing, but it seems like a waste of powder to me.
Posts: 281 | Location: MN | Registered: 27 May 2001
The 6.5-300 Wby is a classic 1000 yard cartridge. With a 28" barrel, 142 grain Match bullets can be moved 3300+ fps. This cartridge is near identical to the 6.5 STW in capacity. In all honesty, once you go past the 264 Win Mag, you are into very limited/specialized use. John
I'd be for taking a close look at the 6.5/300 Wby-tis a good old classic "cat".
Or of course you could use your 30/378 and make it into a 6.6/300 Wby........grins I mentioned something like to my smith a couple of years back-I told him to call me back when he was done laughing--hmm still haven't got that call back.
"GET TO THE HILL"
Dogz
Posts: 879 | Location: Bozeman,Montana USA | Registered: 31 October 2001
Quote: The 6.5-300 Wby is a classic 1000 yard cartridge. With a 28" barrel, 142 grain Match bullets can be moved 3300+ fps. This cartridge is near identical to the 6.5 STW in capacity. In all honesty, once you go past the 264 Win Mag, you are into very limited/specialized use. John
I have a 6.5-300 and must agree completely.
Check this thread for a discussion and advice on the fouling problems I've had with it. I was forced to use Bon Ami to get the hard carbon out, though I must admit I was quite pleased at the results when I finally did. No one should have to put an abrasive down their barrel just to stay even. With "Wipe Out" available now, my results might have varied, but I think the carbon is still going to be the main problem.
When it was new, I loved it! Had me a lazer! It was smokin Nosler 120 BT's at 3,550 into 1/4" groups and Sierra 140MK's at 3,400 into groups just a hair bigger. It was very effective on groundhogs, deer and about anything else I shot with it. I had a Premier scope done up with dots to 1,000. I smiled a lot those days.
Alas, the honeymoon is pretty much over now, I have almost 700 rounds down the barrel. Groups are closer to 1/2" and I am limited to about 15-18 shots before the rough throat grabs enough fouling to give me obvious pressure signs in an otherwise only mildly warm load. With the large case capacity and small bore, powders are limited and carbon foul badly.
Had I opted for a .264, 6.5-284, or 6.5-06AI, I think I'd still be smiling, but, as it is, I am heading for a new barrel, and new caliber. I could stand another couple inches of drop and drift if it means not having to rebarrel just about the time you start really enjoying yourself.
If forced to stay with this receiver, and mag bolt face, I'd go a custom chambered, tight throat .264Win, but I am really leaning toward a 6.5-284 on one of my other donor actions.
Posts: 588 | Location: Maryland | Registered: 08 April 2003
Hm. The fastest (and certainly non unpopular) factory cartridge is the 6,5x68. Anything beyond would be rather overbore, I am afraid. But certainly, some enterprising barrelburner has already necked down a 8mm Rem Mag to 6,5mm :-).
Regards, Carcano
Posts: 2452 | Location: Old Europe | Registered: 23 June 2001
Bomber I have a 6.5 Gibbs. From a 28" barrel it easily duplictes 264win. vel. 140gr. @3050 and 120 @ 3250. Easy to load for,cheap cases. I use a surplus powder and necked down 270 cases.I've had it for 25 yr.Works for me.I have a friend from N.D. who shoot a 6.5STW on a Rem. action with a 30" barrel and he gets 200+fps over my Gibbs with 20gr. or so more powder.I may have to go for one of these someday.Mark
Posts: 109 | Location: Sask.Ca | Registered: 27 February 2001
With all due respect I do not believe 3400 out of a 6.5/300 Winnie. That is a 264 Win mag any way you cut it and the 264 is not gonna run like that.....At least not in my opinion or experience.
Not trying to stir the pot, but just trying to keep things a bit real.
"GET TO THE HILL"
Dogz
Posts: 879 | Location: Bozeman,Montana USA | Registered: 31 October 2001
You might try a 6.5 WSM. While, it is not the fastest, I believe that I am achieving .264 Mag velocities in a short action. I have not had the opportunity to chronograph it yet.
I gained a whole new level of respect for it last weekend. It is now doe and spike season in many "Hill Country" counties in Texas. I had a spike buck venture in front of my sites Sunday morning. I squeezed off the typical shoulder shot at 70 yards (degree of difficulty a 2 on a scale of 1 to 10). Buck dropped as if struck by lightening bolt. Neat entrance wound, quarter sized exit wound. Had a similar shot on an eight point buck before Christmas with .300 RUM and the buck took six steps and crumbled.
This little rifle has gained a new level of respect by me.
Posts: 1323 | Location: San Antonio, Texas | Registered: 04 March 2003
If you are killing deer with one shot at 400yds with a 6.5X55, what improvement are you envisioning. It sounds like you climbed the mountain already. nice shooting pard. roger
Posts: 10226 | Location: Temple City CA | Registered: 29 April 2003
Use a 264 win mag with a 28 " barrel.That will get smoking speeds and you can still get cases.Anything bigger is like that 30-378 big overbore.I have been using 155 gr Lapula bullets in my 264 that are super accurate.I have a Stainless Ruger Model 77 264 win Mag its is awsome.If I ever see another one I will buy it.I think they made 500 or less.I like those Accumarks that would be awesome in 264 win mag.I have not shot Nosler bullets yet but will soon.I heard Serria Match kings are awesome long range bullets also.
Quote: With all due respect I do not believe 3400 out of a 6.5/300 Winnie. That is a 264 Win mag any way you cut it and the 264 is not gonna run like that.....At least not in my opinion or experience.
Not trying to stir the pot, but just trying to keep things a bit real.
IMHO, quite right.
My 6.5-300Wby has a 30" barrel and a repeatedly chronographed honest 3,400 FPS is about max. for my rig. This costs 83 grains of now discontinued H-870.
That reminds me of something else I think no one has touched on yet; the excess barrel length needed to begin to appreciate such a large powder capacity.
On my 16#, 30" bbl, 52" OAL groundhog rifle, it's not "handy", but not so bad once you get it packed up the hill and on the bipod. If woods hunting, by the time the barrel gets trimmed to a reasonable length, you could probably add another twenty grains of powder and still not burn more than a .264Win will hold.
Posts: 588 | Location: Maryland | Registered: 08 April 2003
I think efficiency reaches it's upper limit at the 6.5-06 to be honest, the .264 Win Mag burns more powerder for less gain, but WM is probably the max for a standard hunting firearm. I personally see nothing wrong with your 6.5x55 though, or say a 6.5x57 or 6.5-.284.
As I recall, th now defunct Arnold Arms came out with the 6.5-300 Win and called the the .264 Arnold. Claimed velocity was 3450fps.
That the .264 is the same as a .300 Win necked down is a bit much. The difference is about 0.150" in length from the base to beginning of shoulder and roughly the same as the the base of the neck. The .300 Weatherby is much more. There seems to be a point at which it does not matter how much powder is burned, the bullet will only be able to reach a particular velocity. Take the 6.5-378 Weatherby. Velocity is 3450fps at the same pressures as the .264. So, it is quite feasible the 6.5-300 Win could reach 3400fps while the much greater capacity Weath. has passed the limit and from there on out all that can be had is...nothing more.
So, this is the 9.3X64mm case necked to 6.5mm? It would produce less velocity than the .264 Win, 6.5X68mm, and the 6.5/.300 Weatherby/Wright/Hoyer, would it not? However, despite being somewhat overbore capacity for the .264" bore, it would be less so than those others, I suspect!
i have found by talking to many that the 6.5-284 @ 3000 fps seems to be the harmonious point at which ballistics, velocity and accuracy all come together in a nice tidy package. i was told by more than a few long range smiths that if you want to throw your money away i have a 6.5 ultra reamer right here. low, low round count before the barrel goes away. large amounts of powder burned for no reason and 30" plus barrels to start realize potential of said wildcats. it is not the answer to your question directly but from form follows function the 06 or the 284 based 6.5's seem to be the sweet spot... woofer
Posts: 741 | Location: vermont. thanks for coming, now go home! | Registered: 05 February 2002
Quote: There is a wildcat that is called the 6,5X64 Brenneke Express too. Same same, but different
Not so. If you refer to the 6,5x64 Brenneke (the "Express" moniker does not belong to it), it was developed by Hannes Kepplinger closely after the example of the US-made 6,5mm-06, thus on the .30-06 (and not the 7x64) case. It was CIP approved and factory loaded by MEN and later Brenneke, but did not catch on, and has almost totally been vanquished by the 6,5x65 RWS since the early 1990s.
Regards, Carcano
Posts: 2452 | Location: Old Europe | Registered: 23 June 2001
I have a question about the 6.5-06. I am thinking of having a rifle made for this caliber. Which of the calibers would be best to start with, 25-06, 3006 or 270? Maybe ther is a better caliber to start with, if so I am all ears. Also any suggestion of where I can have the work done? Thanks farmboy9
Posts: 33 | Location: usa | Registered: 30 June 2003
nice shooting pard. 
roger
However, despite being somewhat overbore capacity for the .264" bore, it would be less so than those others, I suspect! 
