between the underbore and overbore and in the efficient category, what are the best 6.5's???

i like the idea of the 260, 260 ai, 6.5-284 but maybe you have better suggestions.

I'd throw in the 6.5x55 and 6.5x47 Lapua and you have them covered!

Get the 260. When you shoot the throat out, ream it out to 6.5x284. Shots with one barrel and both chamberings will get ya around 4000 rounds.

I have two 6.5x55's, one 6.5-284 and one .260AAR, which is the 6.5x257AI. The Swede is the most efficient and plenty powerful, and the 6.5-284 probably has the accuracy edge and a little more power. I would go with the 6.5 Swede first--shoot the barrel out as another poster said--and rechamber to 6.5-284.

I have 260s, 6.5x55s and I really like them all but I have a soft spot for my 6.5-06.

An if you're an AR15 shooter, the 6.5 Grendel...one terrific little round for the AR.

Joe

Boom Stick, I own and shoot a 6.5/284, load and have worked up 2 .260 Rugers for nephews and want to rebarrel one of my rifles to .260 when that becomes an issue. I have developed a great respect for the .264 bores and can highly reccomend them. As to which cartridge, I would think that the ranges which you most frequently shoot would be a determining factor. Under 500 yards I would go .260Rem over the 6.5/284 or the 6.5-06.
Ideal calibers for a total sporting battery would include: the .22LR, .224, .264, .308, .375, .458. This way you can pick the cartridge case of your choice, and have it all!

DPMS has an AR type rifle in 260, but it does weigh just over 11 lbs. Grendel was designed for the AR-15 and they have done well. Me, I stay away from 6.5/284 and 264, 6.5/06, as #1, I don't need the extra distance they give as others will get the job done within ranges I need, and #2, they burn barrels alot faster, and that costs, and costs are an issue to me.

The 6.5/284 would be my first pick if needing VERY long range capability, and I would save the barrel for mostly field work after finding 1 or 2 good loads.

The 6.5 Jap is the best

The military channel had a show on the Marine Corp Shooting Team and their armory at Quantico... and they were explaining all of this stuff.....

What they didn't mention, but for someone in the know, you could plainly see.... their competition M14s were not chambered in 308s...

As the guy was explaining that they weigh each bullet before they seat it to make sure it is in tight specs for weight... and you could read on the digital scale each bullet weighed 142 grains... and it was too long for a 308 bullet...

Then they seated them into the case... and it was clearly a 284 case....

So the Jarines can have anything for their team, and they seem to prefer the 6.5 x 284 with a 142 grain Sierra bullet... I didn't remember the powder that they were using tho.. but it was Alliant of some sort ( RL 15 or 19 probably)....

I'm partial to 6.5x55 and .260 Rem.

quote:

Originally posted by ScudRunner:
The 6.5 Jap is the best

Now the 6.5 Carcano is the stuff History is made of....unfortunately for one man in history...along with the 'missing smoking gun'

Currently I shoot the 6.5x54mm, 6.5x55mm, 6.5x57mm, and the .260 Remington, plus I've been thru three 6.5-06s. At the moment I would suggest the .260 Rem if you are a deer hunter, as it does about everything the others can do, although it's a little tough to put a 156 grain pencil bullet into a typical .260 chamber. I have three .260s right now, plan to sell off two and keep the Remington M7 (MS) as it is just too sweet. I'm also terribly impressed with the 6.5x57mm and it's performance on deer this past year, it just lays them down (but one shot one deer doesn't make a test.) The 6.5x54mm is the grandparent of the .260, and I've never lost a deer or pig when hunting with the Mannlicher since 1983. What can be said about the 6.5x55mm, except that it too works every time? Two of my buddies used 6.5x55mm rifles as their light rifle in Africa with perfect results. So what's the best 6.5mm? Flip a coin!!
LLS

In a modern bolt rifle the 6.5 X 55 will astound you.....properly handloaded it's great!

That said.....the 6.5-06 is a bit better. IMO the 6.5-06 can make it on the commercial market....it's that good!

Sometimes I choose based upon the quality of the components - Lapua makes both 6.5x55 and 6.5x284 brass...

Jaywalker

I like the 256 Newton in a long action and either the 260 or 6.5-284 in a short action. Unless you think that bullets weighing more than 140 grains are necessary for the game that you are hunting, I'd suggest that the Remington 700 LSS Mountain Rifle in 260 is about as nice a factory rig as you're going to find.

Jeff

the `260 shoots smooooooth and sweet.125gr or 140gr still smooooooth, very impressed with this round.accuracy,consistency what more do you need.

I agree with Jaywalker, and add in the 6.5x47, BUT, WW is said to be mfg 260 brass soon, IF so, that might sway me, really leaning to the x47 or maybe x55 as brass quality will help accuracy all else equal, and I want the best accuracy possible. If quality consistent brass (without forming) becomes a reality with 260, I may do another.

It is a capable round. I think at the moment the Lapua brassed ctg's will edge out Rem 260 brassed ammo.

My .02.

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
between the underbore and overbore and in the efficient category, what are the best 6.5's???

i like the idea of the 260, 260 ai, 6.5-284 but maybe you have better suggestions.

Ever since I saw the 6.5 Grendel, this has been my idea for a walking varmit/deer gun.
An easy conversion and accuracy to boot!

Is there a bad 6.5mm? Never heard of one.

I have played with the Swede quite a bit. Don't actually own a 6.5 but I would love a 6.5x57 barrel for the Sauer.

Ever since I saw the 6.5 Grendel, this has been my idea for a walking varmit/deer gun.
An easy conversion and accuracy to boot![/QUOTE]

If Sako made say a 20" carbine on the old A1 PPC action, that would be a sweet set up, similar to my 6BR and 7BR rounds, but right in between, hence my 'handle' 6.5BR

The Grendel is 1.5gr or so capacity less than BR so it is close enough. They are good rounds up to deer. I would use the x47, x55, and 260 on elk with shot placement to 300 yds (to 400 on deer-guys are using 140 amax to 500-600 yds in 260AI), if I was carrying one and the opportunity presented. The grendel, make that under 200 yds-elk, 300 deer and use a bullet that will expand at lower speeds i.e. 120-130.

A stock 527 in 762x39 would do for shots to 200-250 and lots of plinking ammo. Not sure of bore diameter though. 308, 311, 310?

But I am with you, 6.5's are very appealing.

Sierra2 tell me about the game taken, bullets used in Africa if you know, love to hear about it.

Say 366, look at the link below and tell me what you think of Fred's idea of a walk about deer rifle? Before the BR's, this would be MY thing to 200 yds or so.

http://www.bullberry.com/complete.html

I had a TC carbine in the 6TCU and it was sweet to shoot. You can get a 6.5 TCU in a custom and if you can live with one shot, it is light, and not far from Grendel specs, or just do an Encore, but heavier. Repeat shots are nice with bolt if you want that, esp. on say coyotes.

6.5BR, I'd love to get a hold of a Vixen action. It would be perfect for the Grendel. However like he said, they're getting rare. In fact I haven't seen one in 14 years. So, that's why I'm settling for the 7.62x39 527, it'll be an easy barrel swap conversion to the Grendel.

I have 4 6.5 bores. A 94 sporterized carbine and a 13inch Encore pistol in 6.5X55 and a Model 7 and a 15inch Encore in 260. My next will be a 260AI in an 18inch barrel for the Encore. Gotta love these for the deer in my neck of the woods.
Rick

Between my sons and I, we have 3 260s in Remingtons. A Model Seven Stainless Synthetic, a Model Seven Youth and a 700 ADL Synthetic. They all shoot very well, the boys have killed a pile of whitetails with their Model Sevens.
We also have some 6.5x55 Swedes. Two M96s, one 29 inch barrel full military and the other sporterized with the barrel cut to 22 inches. Also a M94 carbine with the stock cut. The M94 likes the 160gr. Sierra. I hunted with the M94 a little this season and killed a deer with it and its military sights.
I had a 6.5 TCU Contender Barrel 10" but my neighbor talked me out of that.
The neighbors also shoot quite a few 6.5s including the 6.5-06 and the 264 Mag. I am debating about getting a 6.5-06 built in a light varmint configuration with a 26" barrel.

Amazing how happy 6.5 users are here, and yet the industry has not really made an effort to promote them here in the US.

366, agreed, hard finding a Sako reasonable to build on, and Cricker, just curious why the AI in an 18" gun? Doubt much will be gained in speed, but if you want to minimize case stretch or have something different......heck I'd go with the 6.5x47 Lapua in that length barrel, doubt you'd give up 50fps if that, and accuracy would be supreme.

I´d stick with the 6.5x55 -good for most anything including elk.

I wouldn´t hold my breath waiting for the barrel to wear out though.

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
between the underbore and overbore and in the efficient category, what are the best 6.5's???

i like the idea of the 260, 260 ai, 6.5-284 but maybe you have better suggestions.

Your choices are very good. I would also add the 6.5X55mm and the 6.5X57mm Mauser to the list.

I like the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser, and the 6.5x57 Mauser as well (and I do see a 6.5x68 Schuler in my near future). I also like the good old 6.5x54 Mannlicher Schoenauer. My first 6.5 was an Arisaka that my Dad had converted to 6.5x .257 sometime after WWII-and I have had a thing for 6.5's ever since. I can't think of any bad 6.5 cartridges, but these are my personal favorites.

6.5BR,
The 18 inch tube will keep the Encore short and handy in the thickets that I frequently find myself in and the AI treatment is only to improve caselife. Velocity gains are not neccessary as my model 7 is loaded with 100 gr hornadys at 2800 fps and drop the average whitetail here with amazing regularity.
Rick

The 264 Win Mag rifle is what I have hunted with. My reloads shooting 140 Gr Hornady SST at 3180 ft/sec muzzle velocity is the best 6.5 round for me.

6.5,

The guys in South Africa were using a Blaser and a Steyr SBS in 6.5x55mm. All ammo was factory, Norma, 140 grain soft points. Was in May, 2004, weather was marvelous. Game taken was, Impala (3), Blesbok (2), Ostrich (2), Warthog(2), Steenbok (1). The same hunters used a 9.3x64mm Blaser and a .376 Steyr as "heavy" rifles for the rest of their game, 14 and 15 total trophies each. Only animal that took more than one shot was one of the ostrich, because the shooter couldn't hold on to the sight picture at 35 mph in a truck. I should have carried a 6.5x54mm on that hunt, but I was just too worried about being undergunned on my first Safari. Now I am going back with a .270 WCF and a 9.3x62mm. Anyway, factory ammo worked very well for all of us. I used S&B in my 7x64 and HLs (220 gr Noslers) in my .30-06. Next shooter used R-P factory ammo in a 7mm Rem Mag and another .30-06. The 9.3x64 was fed HLs with Nosler and RUAG slugs, the .376 Steyr used 270 gr Hornaday factory ammo, and both 6.5x55s used Norma 140 grain factory ammo. Oh, we had a late arrival too, he used a Blaser 9.3x62 with HLs (286 gr Nosler) and 6.5x55mm Norma ammo. Took another Impala with that 6.5mm.

LLS

quote:

Originally posted by 6.5BR:
Ever since I saw the 6.5 Grendel, this has been my idea for a walking varmit/deer gun.
An easy conversion and accuracy to boot!

If Sako made say a 20" carbine on the old A1 PPC action, that would be a sweet set up, similar to my 6BR and 7BR rounds, but right in between, hence my 'handle' 6.5BR

The Grendel is 1.5gr or so capacity less than BR so it is close enough. They are good rounds up to deer. I would use the x47, x55, and 260 on elk with shot placement to 300 yds (to 400 on deer-guys are using 140 amax to 500-600 yds in 260AI), if I was carrying one and the opportunity presented. The grendel, make that under 200 yds-elk, 300 deer and use a bullet that will expand at lower speeds i.e. 120-130.

A stock 527 in 762x39 would do for shots to 200-250 and lots of plinking ammo. Not sure of bore diameter though. 308, 311, 310?

But I am with you, 6.5's are very appealing.

Sierra2 tell me about the game taken, bullets used in Africa if you know, love to hear about it.

Say 366, look at the link below and tell me what you think of Fred's idea of a walk about deer rifle? Before the BR's, this would be MY thing to 200 yds or so.

http://www.bullberry.com/complete.html

I had a TC carbine in the 6TCU and it was sweet to shoot. You can get a 6.5 TCU in a custom and if you can live with one shot, it is light, and not far from Grendel specs, or just do an Encore, but heavier. Repeat shots are nice with bolt if you want that, esp. on say coyotes.[/QUOTE]

That swede was doing in some African game for sure! Nice work.

On the comment about 100gr at 2800, my 7Br I believe can hit 2900+ but bullets have lower SD/BC, but very little recoil, like to bust a coyote with a 100. Sometimes amazed how well those lower BC bullets shoot, my 708 shot a 1/2 group at 200 yds for 3 shots with max load of Varget. Should do some damage up to 200-250, the 6.5 100gr should do it a little further, as the bullets likely hold up better downrange and more together for penetration.

Its hard to beat the 6.5X55 in a modern bolt action rifle, especially shooting a 130gr Barnes TSX, i would shoot any, and i mean ANY non dangerous game with that set-up.....

I have a 6.5 X68 in a blaser rifle works quite well.

true confession time: I own an absolutely mint 96 Swede in 6.5x55, and it shoots like a house on fire. It's a relly nice rifle for coyotes and whatever comes along.

Rich
DRSS

I had 3, 2 sporterized, the third ALL original matching numbers pristine condition, sold back around 10 years ago for can you believe around $75?

Yeah,

quote:

6.5x47 Lapua

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek072.html

nice cart!

To my mind, it has alot to offer one needing a 6.5 that will deliver say 95% of ballistics that a 260 or 6.5x55 will if you are using a shorter 22-23" barrel or less, and with 130gr or under bullets.

In a say 28", I believe a 140gr runs 2900, 120's hit 3087 (3200 bad case life), and 107's up to 3250, but 3150 range would be better on brass, AGAIN in 28".

That ain't bad! Using 39 gr of a faster burn rate powder than a 260 or 6.5x55 does, it is VERY efficient, nice shoulder/low taper, etc. You would save a few pennies over time on powder, and you have a longer barrel life which lowers costs, perhaps enough for the difference in brass costs, 100 or 200 cases ought to wear a barrel out! I'd guess barrel life for top accuracy would be 3000-5000 rounds, perhaps 500-1500 over larger cases, and twice that or more of a -284 version.

I am SERIOUSLY considering building a x47 Lapua the more I think about it. I am willing to sacrice say, 100fps for supreme accuracy, quality brass, and hey, who do you know that has one? And it's not a wildcat, so brass is ready made.

All in all, I think this round has a lot of potential use, if it catches on. It was built to better the 6mmBR from 300-600 yds and that is saying a lot.

Just for "hey's", let's reverse the question for a moment....can anyone think of a "bad" 6.5 rifle cartridge that was used in a sporter or military rifle since about 1910? I can't.

Bad????
How about a .264 Win Mag?

Good????
I like the 6.5X55.
To be correct a 6.5 has to use the Long Lance torpedos. None of that lighter than 140 grain stuff.