I am having a new rifle built .A stevens 44 1/2 single shot with double set triggers and a 30 inch #3 barrel for a coyote up to mule deer where long range shots are the norm. I need advice on the best twist and barrel length to get the most long range performance. Was thinking of 30 inch barrel as the single shot will still let me have a handy length rifle . Any ideas or advice would be greatly appreciated

If you can find brass..... maybe ok
...However the 6.5x68 either rimmed or rimless are loaded to very high pressures...can you action handle that??

If i were to use an european caliber in rimmed form for that project of yours, I believe
you will be so much better served with the
RWS 6.5x65..IMHO
Twistrate for what bullet weights??

I would use something from 120-160 grains What pressure is this cartridge loaded at. The action will handle 60,000psi cartridges safley

Huntingtons has the brass.

If you get a twist rate of 1:9" you can shoot anything from 100 to 160 grains.

For coyotes I would go with the Nosler Ballistic Tip at 120 grains and about 3,150 fps.

The 6.5 x 68 R is usually loaded at a little less pressure than its non-rimmed version. I'll look it up tonight on my CIP disc.

LD

Argolee,

I would STRONGLY suggest you not use a 44 1/2 for that cartridge. It is a VERY slightly enlarged and strengthened upgrade of the 44, which was a marginal BP action. CPA sized it up to become a player in BPCRS with 45-70 size cartridges. I have my original Stevens here and it just mikes 1.125" across the flats, and the breech block is just .865" diameter. The 6.5x68Schuler has a head diameter of .520". That allows less than a quarter-inch (.240" max) barrel chamber wall thickness at the breech.

I would NOT do this!!!

Rich
DRSS

The CPA has been loaded with the 225 the 270 ( didnt work good due to the rimless case. Will the 6.5 be higher pressure than the 270. They said it is safe to 90,000 ksi in their literature. Sure dont want to be unsafe

That's different, the CPA is really almost a 44 7/8 model. They are chambered in 45-70 and there is a trememdous amount of extra steel in the receiver and breech block. The 6.5 case is .015" bigger at the base than the 45-70, but it is likely safe with the Rimmed version as long as you keep an eye on pressures.

Rich
DRSS

Don´t try the 6,5x68R round, there isn´t any factory ammo to buy. We have one customer with a old " Kipplaufbüchse" (shoots groups under 0,5MOA at 100m) in this cardridge and he´s seaching ammo since many years. He has a few old boxes and his daughter shoots a few red stacks with the rifle last year, but I asked him, he must seach a buddy to reload the round.
If you want a rimmed 6,5mm round choose the 6,5x65RWS (only RWS makes ammo) or the shorter 6,5x57R.

Martin

If you are in the US, I can load factory ammo for you in 6.5x68R. Name your bullet and we can make it happen.

LD