I am interested in rebarreling a Sako AI that's currently a 17 Rem to 6.5 TCU. I would use it as a lightweight deer and coyote rifle for shots of 200 yds or less. Any opinions? Lou

I see good things from that chambering, for either animal, at reasonable distances.

Don

This is a chambering I would be interested in too. My rifle choice would be a very light bolt gun.

What are the rifle ballistics for the 6.5 TCU? (I am wondering how Lil'Gun would perform in the 6.5 - 7mm TCU class cartridges. It is pure magic in the hornet).

I am thinking that the little Sako AI with pencil barrel in 6.5 TCU would be a real pleasure to carry and do a good job on deer and yotes. From what I've read, I should be able to get 2300-2400 fps with a 120 grain NBT, perhaps I'll try the 100 gr NBT. This should prove to be deadly on dear and yotes out to 200 yards. Unfortunately, this project will probably have to wait 1-2 years until I get back from Afghanistan and the middle east. If anyone else gives it ago, let me know how it works out; however, I'll still be part of AR while I am gone. I just won't get to play with my Sakos. Lou

I have done a few of the 6.5 TCUs and they ALL shoot really good. I had my reamers leade cut back so that lighter bullets don`t have a long jump to the leade. I have shot several Blacktails with the 6.5 TCU at ranges not more than 160 yds or so with no problems. The 100 gr Sierras kill good with little to no meat damage. Shot placement is a snap as recoil is about zilch and accuracy so good! I did one of my first on a 600 Rem and the last on an old beater Sako 461. It [Sako] is a pleasure to carry and shoot as it only weighs about 5.5 scoped.
Aloha, Mark

Mark, were you able to keep the Sako factory barrel contour? Lou

Dr. Lou I have given a lot of thought over the years to the same idea you have.I feel it is a very sound idea and should serve you well.

In the last few weeks I have given thought to doing something along these lines in the 6.5 Grendel.

I have even thought of contacting NULA to see if they could make one of these in their little action.

good luck with your project.

Ron

Given 22" of barrel length and a powder such as H335, you should be able to attain 2400 fps with a 120 grain Ballistic Tip, which just happens to be THE bullet for that velocity range.

That load basically duplicates the 6.5 JDJ from a 14" barrel, and we all know that the JDJ is a terrific 200+ yard deer-dropper.

And if you want to turn up the heat for coyotes, don't overlook the 85 grain Sierra HP.

I had one of those TC 87 rifles with a foxridge barrel in 6.5 TCU
The throat was very long so 120's were seated out to match.....2500+ fps with R15.

I have a 6.5 TCU in a TC with a 14"bbl. I was able to get 2050 fps using 120gr Rem SP and 748. Using the 85 gr Sierras and BLC2 it chronographed at around 2500.

At one time I had a 6mm TCU, and that is what I based my cmts above on. It was a real good, low recoil, accurate round.
I also had a 6x47 which was/is another fine round, and very accurate.
I can see going up to a 6.5 would even be better than a 6mm.
Not sure about this 6.5 Grendel, but a buddy of mine down in TN has one. It might be worth a look at.

Don

Thanks to everyone who replied. Bobby, I have heard about the 6.5 JDJ. What's its parent cartridge? Well it fit in the AI action without modification? Lou

Well Lou,

while everyone was speaking on the part of your 6.5 TCU... I noted that the project was going to be put on hold, due to your leaving for Afghanistan....

Well, let me be the first on AR here to tell you to be careful over there.. we hope your tour of duty is uneventful.... thanks for your service to your country...

Are you a physician or just a medic?
I was a medic ( 91C and 91B) in the Army back from 1976 to 1983....luckily I never had to see combat as those were relatively peaceful years..

cheers and good luck over there..
and be safe!
seafire

Seafire, thanks for the heart-felt sentiments. Although I am a medic, I am a also a police chief. I am working with the US Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, and I will be in Kabul teaching/conducting internal affairs investigations and performing other administrative functions. I also have three close friends that are prosectors who are teaching local judges and prosecutors. Although seemingly impossible, we are there to help clean up the judicial system, ridding it of corruption and making it more modern - at least that's the objective. Thanks to modern technology, I'll be able to hang out with everyone on AR. I may get to meet and visit with Saeed provided my stop in Dubai is long enough. Lou

How bout a 6.5 Grendel?

Dr. Lou..



cheers
seafire

Thanks for the input, but to do the Grendel I'll have to open the bolt face and rails. Athough there is some additional performance to be had with the Grendel I just want to screw on a new barrel and go play. Moreover, someday I want to be able to put the original 17 Rem barrel back on. Lou

the grendel factory ammo is a big plus imho
then you can do the 17 grendel when you get bored

there you go...17 grendel...that ought to be a zoomer!

Had a 6tcu carbine, ALMOST bought a sako pencil bbl but that is just why I did not buy it, not a fan myself of super lite tubes, this was a #1 fluted IIRC, the owner sold it, said bullet seating not good over 100gr in that mag box.

6TCU would be a good alternative, 55-85's do a 10 twist, 12 will do, but the 85-87 are marginal and accuracy suffers do to lower speed than 243, etc. To 200 yds, the 6mm will do the job, if you do the 6.5, I am afraid your powder space may be compromised on 120 and heavier in that action.

what needs to be done to an AR15 platform to make it a 6.5 T/Cu

Dear Doc Lou,
Very sorry to have taken so long to respond. Yes I was able to keep "almost" the same contour. The barrel was a few .000s bigger an inch or so in front of the receiver.
Aloha, Mark

Just curious Lou what you decided? Let us know whatever you do and how it shoots.

Seafire, I am a paramedic (and have been for years)with a Ph.d. in business admin. and organizational behavior. While overseas, I will be working on a second doctorate in international police studies. It will keep busy in my spare time.

Bohica, I will probably go with a PacNor bbl in 6.5 TCU. AR will make me feel more at home while working overseas.

Warmest regards, Lou

Might suggest getting the bullet of choice seated where you can feed it if you intend to feed through the magazine and send to Pac-Nor so they throat accordingly, should have no problem doing that for you.

Best luck and give us a report on your results. Thanks.

It should work fine..I would however opt for one of GS Customs lighter bullets for deer and hogs etc...

I shoot the 6x45 with a 75 GR. Monolithic HP at about 2900 FPS and its deadly on Whitetail, Mule Deer, Antelope, hogs and Coyotes with shoulder shots..I would only use it in open country because sometimes these light calibers don't leave a very good blood trail..

I like the TCU round, just think the 6tcu can be housed better in a small short oal repeater than the 6.5 that has much longer bullets. I'd be content with a 6tcu L461 up thru deer using good bullets to 85-87 grains up to 250-300 yds with good shot placement, 85x may be a tad too hard at these speeds.....2800-2900 but a say Sierra or Hornady would not blow apart as from a higher mv larger round.

Ray, last I looked Barnes did not offer a 75x anymore, do they make any type of mono less than the 85?

A 90 ballistic tip might do well at these speeds also, I have heard very good things on the 95's on game. I just see more bullet flexibility and improved trajectory from the TCU case with bullets in 6 mil versus higher.

Back to the 6.5 = The 100 ballistic tip in 6.5 is said to be a good one, as also the Hornady per Seafire.

In the same train of thought I built a 25-204 (25x47mm Improved) 22" Pac-Nor 1-10 as a combo deer and coyote rig worked great for deer but a little heavy handed for coyotes, I'm still looking for a load that is fur friendly. I'm getting 3150fps with the 75's, 3000fps with 85's and 2800fps with 100's. I have it on a Savage SA action so I have plenty of room to load with a long COL 2.465". I have a small supply of Barnes 75gr X bullets That I'll be trying on coyotes next season.

375win

6.5BR, thanks for the note. I have considered the 6mm, but being such a huge fan of the 6.5 I will probably go with it. Lou

Obviously I like 6.5's also, let us know how it turns out, and what kind of performance you get, thanks.