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6.5 wildcat questions?

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11 April 2004, 14:57
SteveE
6.5 wildcat questions?
I have a .260 Rem -Rem SA
I know that I would be better off with a longer action but----if I rechambered to 6.5/284 Norma Would I reap any benifits in velocity? I think I have a 2.8 max Box but it can be made to 3.1 I've heard
Even though I may give up some powder with longer bullets. Wouldn't I still gain a couple 100 fps
The barrel has got 200 -250 rounds thru it and it groups good.
I just want a little more uuumph
11 April 2004, 23:18
TSJ
steve, better yet, just turn it into a 260 imp. I have both a 260 imp variation ( I built it years before there was a 260) and a long throated 6.5/284. The 260 imp with a 2" shorter barrel does 3100+ fps with a 120, the 6.5/284 uses 10 grains more powder to do 3250 fps. a 6.5/284 in a shorter barrel, and seated to fit in a short action, I doubt the differance between them would be 75 fps.
13 April 2004, 01:17
vip
Steve, you'd probably be better off to leave it a 260 especially if it already shoots. Nosler lists their accuracy load for the 6.5/284 as being the on lighter side and the 260 performs better with max or near max loads. Spend the money on having the rifle trued and pillar bedded. Maybe a trigger job too. Just my 2cents. Paul.
24 April 2004, 03:53
schmidt_bender
I was thinking about getting my next custom barrel in 6.5/06 Ackley Improved can any body tell me how it performs in terms of reloading and accuracy?
24 April 2004, 05:12
tom holland
I think most that go to a 6.5/284 do so to use the 142grsmk or 140grsmk, thats what mine is set up for plus should use a long action. I don't own another 6.5 but if I was to built one for say the 120 gr bullets I'd look at the 260AI or 6.5x55AI plus either a 1/8 twist or 1/8.5 twist. Well good luck!
26 April 2004, 07:29
Bohica
Dear S&B,
I have done quite a few 6.5/06s [and AIs] and the only thing I can say is that sometimes you lose the flexibility of loading with this AI cartridge. I have seen several with both Douglas and Lothar walther barrels that were quite easy to load for and ones that would shoot just about anything suddenly become VERY persnickity[sp] about powders and bullets and it may take a bit of testing to find a load that shoots as good as it did in the standard version. I also encountered another[Douglas] that, when set back .008 and turned into a 40 deg IMP ,actually didn`t get the velocity increase that was the goal. Go figure. I have no idea why but that was the way it was. Luckily the barrel was long enough[26"] and it ultimately became a 264 Win Mag and still shoots fine. I use 59.0 RL 22 and the 140 Sierra in my Rem 700 and it shoots fast and accurately. This load MAY be TOO HOT for other rifles but is fine in mine. I get a bit over 3150 fps and the accuracy is in the 1/2"-5/8" area for 5 shots. This is a light weight 23" Douglas barrel. I would think a bit about the 6.5/06 40deg BEFORE getting in too deep. Just my .02. Good luck and Aloha, Mark[in Or]
27 April 2004, 03:58
schmidt_bender
Thanks for the advice I will remember that. The reason I am interested is because my dad, my uncle and I all have an ackley improved in 30-06, 25-06, and .257 roberts and out of the three the 30-06 and my .257 shoot the best the 25 has taken a long time to get the right load and it even said that in the P.O. Ackley reloading manual.