Don't ask me why but I have a buddy who wants to build a 6.5 wildcat based on the 30-30 case for his Encore.

Anybody ever hear of one?

Sounds very similar to the .25 and 6mm Bullberry, so there is some precedence. It would be perfect (I think) in a Contender. I personally wouldn't want it in the heavier, bulkier Encore if I had the option of using the sleeker Contender.

I used to have a 6.5 Grassl Rimmed barrel for my contender. It is the 7mm Intl Rimmed necked down, which is a 30/30 w/ 38 degree shoulder. I was able to get 6.5 JDJ performance with a few less grains of powder, ie 120 gr @ 2400 fps from a 14" barrel.

The one problem I had was case head seperations, the brass would begin to sepperate after 3 firings, though this could have been due to the way the previous owner fireformed the cases.

Personally, if I was going to do it on an encore frame, I'd either go with a 260 rem for a factory round, or have a smith cut a 260 rem chamber w/ rim counterbore and longer neck for a 444 based 6.5. That way you can use 260 rem dies. The other option would be the 307 win necked down, ie a rimmed 260.

6.5 BRM from E Author Brown products. "Improved" 30-30 which duplicates the 6.5JDJ(225 Win case). Have one in Brown's Mod 97 single shot rifle.