Opinions on caliber 6.5 mm

[Slamfire]

I don't want any kind of 6.5 magnum, they are way over bore capacity. Why waste a perfectly good barrel, trying to reach hyper velocities, when the moderate 6.5 kill so well.  :lol:

[kombi1976]

I don't want any kind of 6.5 magnum, they are way over bore capacity. Why waste a perfectly good barrel, trying to reach hyper velocities, when the moderate 6.5 kill so well.  :lol:

Touché!   :wink:

[roper]

One of the things that always stopped me on the 6.5 was bullet selection but that sure has changed.  Got that new 130gr Swift bullet and your seeing more and more 260AI,6.5wsm and 6.5x55AI and they have factory 6.5x284 ammo so to me it's kind of pick which one you want to play with.  IMHO when you get to the heavier bullets a 284 etc case is alittle better more case capacity.  I shoot a 6.5x284 and 264 mag both custom rifles and I keep think about a 6.5x55AI or 6.5wsm.   On www.benchrest.com on the LR forum alot of good information as to bullet velocity on the 6.5 and barrel wear at higher velocity.  Well good luck.

[Lawdog]

I don't want any kind of 6.5 magnum, they are way over bore capacity. Why waste a perfectly good barrel, trying to reach hyper velocities, when the moderate 6.5 kill so well.  :lol:

Just being a “magnum” doesn’t mean one will be wasting a barrel.  I”ve got “magnums” with over 2,000 rounds fired thru them and they still shoot under MOA.  Lawdog
 

[kombi1976]

This is just an observation but when you look at rounds like the 6.5x55 & .260 which already have a reputation for long range accuracy and killing power above their paper performance, which real-world gains do you really obtain from upgrading to a supercharged round like 6.5/284, .264 Win Mag or 6.5 WSM?
I realise these rounds have a flatter trajectory and therefore further range than their standard cousins but is it actually necessary?
I know many would say that the Swede doesn't fire heavy 160gn bullets as effectively as the more muscle bound cartridges but I think 100 years of successful hunting has proved that the Swede's quite up to it.
The game hunted most often with these cartridges doesn't really need the extra 50yds or so that the added powder gives it.......or does it?

[roper]

This is just an observation but when you look at rounds like the 6.5x55 & .260 which already have a reputation for long range accuracy and killing power above their paper performance, which real-world gains do you really obtain from upgrading to a supercharged round like 6.5/284, .264 Win Mag or 6.5 WSM?
I realise these rounds have a flatter trajectory and therefore further range than their standard cousins but is it actually necessary?
I know many would say that the Swede doesn't fire heavy 160gn bullets as effectively as the more muscle bound cartridges but I think 100 years of successful hunting has proved that the Swede's quite up to it.
The game hunted most often with these cartridges doesn't really need the extra 50yds or so that the added powder gives it.......or does it?

Don't know if your comment were meant for me but one of the nice things when you get to build a rifle for yourself is you get to pick the caliber.  I see by your early post and this one you don't like as you call it supercharge rounds like the 6.5x284 etc.  The 264 mag was out long before the 260,6.5x284 and 6.5wsm the 6.5x284 is a proven 1000yd match rifle not that I'd shoot that range and I think the 6.5wsm is doing well as is the 6.5x55AI.  Nothing wrong with the 6.5x55 or 260 but for me I won't waste my money build either.

[Lawdog]

roper,

The 264 mag was out long before the 260,6.5x284 and 6.5wsm the 6.5x284 is a proven 1000yd match rifle not that I'd shoot that range and I think the 6.5wsm is doing well as is the 6.5x55AI. Nothing wrong with the 6.5x55 or 260 but for me I won't waste my money build either.

Well said.   :wink:   Not everyone is against a little added velocity.  Lawdog
 

[kombi1976]

roper, I think you misunderstood what I said. :|
Without any doubt I acknowledge the superior performance of the 6.5/284 and 6.5WSM in long range target shooting.
I know little about the .264 apart from it's muscle bound capabilities so I won't comment on it.
And it isn't a case of not liking "supercharged" cartridges as such.
I just don't see them as applicable to me.
The old Euro rounds hold much more appeal.
It's like firing a piece of history, which really does excite me. :grin:
And besides, most of the game here are medium sized.
Like goats, roos, pigs, foxes and the odd dingo or wild dog.
And since I have a 8x57 for deer the extra grunt is a little unnecessary. :roll:
That said I wouldn't mind a 270 WSM which is just above the 6.5 WSM so I guess I'm not immune. :oops:
And who's to know.
In a few years when I have paid off my college loan, my kids are a little older and I have some more dollars in general a 1000yd target rifle may be high on my priorities. :wink:

[roper]

roper, I think you misunderstood what I said. :|
Without any doubt I acknowledge the superior performance of the 6.5/284 and 6.5WSM in long range target shooting.
I know little about the .264 apart from it's muscle bound capabilities so I won't comment on it.
And it isn't a case of not liking "supercharged" cartridges as such.
I just don't see them as applicable to me.
The old Euro rounds hold much more appeal.
It's like firing a piece of history, which really does excite me. :grin:
And besides, most of the game here are medium sized.
Like goats, roos, pigs, foxes and the odd dingo or wild dog.
And since I have a 8x57 for deer the extra grunt is a little unnecessary. :roll:
That said I wouldn't mind a 270 WSM which is just above the 6.5 WSM so I guess I'm not immune. :oops:
And who's to know.
In a few years when I have paid off my college loan, my kids are a little older and I have some more dollars in general a 1000yd target rifle may be high on my priorities. :wink:

The 300H&H,300win mag,308,30-06 and afew other have proven them  selves on the traget range and they make fine calibers for hunting and when you get into build say a wildcat like the 6.5x284 or 6.5wsm there is enought information out there if wanting to build a hunting or target rifle in those calibers and really great 6.5 bullets now.  You build the barrel and bullets will follow the 6.5x284 has got the bullets to the shooter and renewed interest in the 6.5 cal the 6.5wsm is just upping the level.  In my part of the country the 6.5x55AI and 260AI are big.  Both my rifles are for hunting and they are the only 6.5cal I own.  Now that we don't have to hunt deer in the same season as elk kind of nice to get a deer rifle again.  I don't know if the 270wsm is above the 6.5wsm but we have a gunsmith in town who build alot of 270wsm and most  of his customer base is from SCI he is trying to get me on the bandwagon and at times I think he may be on to something he also builds a pretty nice 6.5wsm.  In forty years of reloading I've learn never to close my mind on a caliber remeber
 back in the 60's I swear I'd never own a lousy barrel burning 264mag.  Well good luck.

[AntlersDS]

Hey Fortress49,

In my experience, you can not go wrong with the 6.5 calibers.  I have a Model 7 synthetic .260 my son has used for a few years and I have too.  Have never lost a deer yet.  Very accurate as some others have said.  I also, found a Win Mod 70 Super Grade 26" barrel .264 Mag that is a real shooter too and not quite as much recoil as my 7 Mag.  It has become my rifle of choice now and has never let me down yet.  Not that much game taken with it but have shot 2 Whitetail Bucks and a mule deer buck and they all went down where they stood.  Also shot a hog last weekend here in Texas and he dropped also.  I don't reload for it but get ammo from Superior Ammunition 140 gr Nosler Part.  Winchester and Remington also offer it in the 140 gr.  I even found a Winchester 70 Featherweight 6.5 x 55 Swede with a Weaver 4x scope in Dallas the other day for I believe $499 and almost bought it, but as they say you can only hunt with one rifle at a time.  Good luck in you choice.