Author Topic: Best 6.5 cartridge? (Read 6987 times)

saltydog · « **Reply #30 on:** July 31, 2007, 03:33:28 AM »

I would break this area into military vs modern rifles - a vintage M94 in 6.5 Swede and a Rem 700 260 Remington would be my top choices - with my old WIN 70 264 Mag coming in a close second.

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #31 on:** July 31, 2007, 02:03:14 PM »

This is a long thread, my preferred is the 6.5-284. It is long range, and I did not want to carry this rifle hunting, ie Deer. However a setup could do a good Antelope at long range. With a 140g bullet it will reach out to 1000yds, which I believe a standing Antelope is very possible good kill. I don't want to hear the tree huggers BS on inhumane shooting. Long range shooters put better groups at 1000yds, than most hunters can do at 100-200.
Jim

crow_feather · « **Reply #32 on:** July 31, 2007, 03:19:52 PM »

If you want a 6.5-06 or a 6.5-284, buy a 270. Your shells and rifles will be cheaper, but work the same as the wildcats and the 264 Win Mag, which only really works well with a long barrel. The 260 is a modern 6.5x55, just as the 7mm-08 equals the 7x57. I had a 264, and a 6.5-06, but I still have my trusted 6.5x55.

(Actually my wife has it and won't give it back)

C F

Graybeard · « **Reply #33 on:** July 31, 2007, 04:40:33 PM »

Quote

Long range shooters put better groups at 1000yds, than most hunters can do at 100-200.

While that is true Jim they are NOT putting those groups on a live animal that moves around and might move before the bullet arrives but after the trigger has been pulled. They also do it from a solid bench not from an unsteady field rest and lastly they have an opportunity to sight in on the range and check the rifle before firing for record and hunters don't. So comparing long range target shooting to hunting is about like comparing apples and oranges.

The Sodbuster · « **Reply #34 on:** August 01, 2007, 11:17:01 AM »

Quote

Long range shooters put better groups at 1000yds, than most hunters can do at 100-200.

I'm far from a 1,000 yard shooter; but, I would expect range estimation becomes pretty important at those distances. I'm not sure how you range an antelope with confidence at 1,000 yards. Sure, lots of rangefinders can range a barn at that distance, but darned few of 'em can laser off an antelope sized target at that range. Those that can are way out of my price range.

As far as best 6.5 goes; I'd like to get the classic - the 6.5X55 Swede, preferably in a full length, mannlicher type stock and a low power scope for a smooth swinging, fast rifle.

crow_feather · « **Reply #35 on:** August 01, 2007, 03:53:28 PM »

You got it Sodbuster

Go get em GB

BigLost · « **Reply #36 on:** August 02, 2007, 07:51:24 AM »

The 6.5 M/S has proven itsself for 100 yr.s,as has the 6.5 S.E.,,the 260 is just a modernized Mauser offering from almost 100 yr.s ago,,,and on and on.Americans are the velocity nuts of the world,,,we have the space,,,but the Euro.s have proven that all these cartrdges work on game large and small all over the world,AT PRACTICAL HUNTING RANGES,i.e. 200 yd.s and under,,,most at 100 yd.s and less.Pick one you like,,in a stick that shoots true,,,an appropriate bullet for the game chased,,,practice,practice,practice,,,,then go kill something with it!!!!!!

crow_feather · « **Reply #37 on:** August 02, 2007, 08:01:56 AM »

You must be an eastern hunter, as the max practical range in my part of the country is about 300 yards. Most of my rifles, including the 6.5, are set to shoot 3" to 4" high at 100 and 6" to 10" low at 300 depending on the speed and BC of the bullet.

C F

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #38 on:** August 02, 2007, 11:15:54 AM »

Quote from: BigLost on August 02, 2007, 07:51:24 AM

The 6.5 M/S .. Americans are the velocity nuts of the world,,,we have the space,,,but the Euro.s have proven that all these cartrdges work on game large and small all over the world,AT PRACTICAL HUNTING RANGES,i.e. 200 yd.s and under,,,most at 100 yd.s and less...

Don't know where you live or how much you shoot, but I have news for you - "PRACTICAL HUNTING RANGES" extend well past 200 yards for many folks.

californiahunter93 · « **Reply #39 on:** August 02, 2007, 12:04:24 PM »

The 300 winchester and weatherby being my favorite the 6.5 x 284 is my third favorite.

crow_feather · « **Reply #40 on:** August 02, 2007, 01:11:19 PM »

What is there in Calif that needs a Weatherby?

BigLost · « **Reply #41 on:** August 03, 2007, 10:42:52 AM »

SORRY!!!!!!!!

californiahunter93 · « **Reply #42 on:** August 03, 2007, 05:33:26 PM »

the 4 to 500 pound boar we got up here are what i use the 300 weatherby on i have shot boar at 500 yards across small cliffs that have dropped on the spot. and still saving up for the Colorado elk hunt but for now use it on big hogs could do it with the 30-06 only thing is i have been charged by big hogs after shootin them with an 06.

crow_feather · « **Reply #43 on:** August 04, 2007, 10:44:50 AM »

Wow! I lived in Calif. for 50 years, hunted for 35 of them from San Louis Obispo to the Oregon border and never did see that many 4-5 hundred pound pigs. You have quite a good hunting spot. My best area was up around Dye Creek Ranch in Redding and even there, the pigs were mostly 200 - 250 pound size. I found that with their bad eyesight, they rarely charged a person, just happened to run in the hunter's direction. I myself would rather use a pistol than a scoped rifle when something was running at me. You fire one shot, and can never get back on the target again. Especially with a Magnum.

Do me a favor, when and if you hunt out here, save the 500 yard shots for your 500 pound pigs. Even with that porker blaster of yours.

In Sweden, the 6.5 with a 156 grain bullet is frequently used on moose It seems that the long pointed bullet with a mild recoil works better than a lot of the harder kicking, faster flying rounds.

Good luck on those pigs.

C F

californiahunter93 · « **Reply #44 on:** August 04, 2007, 12:58:24 PM »

I hunt in central california and are constantly shooting 400lb boar.

tuck2 · « **Reply #45 on:** August 04, 2007, 05:10:37 PM »

I live in wide open country and hunt mule deer and pronghorn. The Winchester Model 70 26 inch barrel .264 Win. Mag w 4.5 -14 scope with a 140 Gr hand load bullets works for me. I could get by with a smaller case 6.5 cal rifle but I dont plan on getting one.

crow_feather · « **Reply #46 on:** August 04, 2007, 06:35:23 PM »

californiahunter93

Do you pay the farmer after or before you shoot it?

Slamfire · « **Reply #47 on:** August 05, 2007, 02:09:22 AM »

Quote from: ms on January 16, 2004, 12:03:59 PM

I think lawdog right about the 6.5 swede just ask JFK. :wink:

I don't know if he'd have an opinion, since Lee Harvey Oswald used a 6.5x52 Carcano.

californiahunter93 · « **Reply #48 on:** August 05, 2007, 05:48:38 AM »

I am the farmer.

TNrifleman · « **Reply #49 on:** August 06, 2007, 12:54:28 PM »

My vote goes to the great old 6.5x55 Swedish cartridge. It has worked quite well for me for years.

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #50 on:** August 10, 2007, 01:45:32 PM »

I have shot several Antelope in WY. On the run at 200 yds 90 degress out you would have lead this animal as you would a goose with a shot gun. To make the shot you will be so far ahead of the target it will not be in your scope. A 1000 yd shot at a Antelope with a 6.5-284 is not that difficult using a good scope and knowing how to shoot long distance, and the game is standing, like up against the fence!!!
Jim

Tracer · « **Reply #51 on:** August 11, 2007, 01:43:29 AM »

6.5x55mm Excellent performance on deer that I have shot. My 90 year old 96 Gustav will shoot 1.5" groups at 100 yards with iron sights (that's about the best I can do with my old eyes). T

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #52 on:** August 11, 2007, 01:06:33 PM »

I need to amend my last reply. Somewhere in the distance the Antelope will be watching you, say 400+yds. They can see you better than you can see them using a min of 7x50 Bino's, because they are so curious chances are very good they will be standing still looking at you and body aliigned 90 degrees. There speed is there defence, there curiousity is there weekness. They have another problem, for some reason they can not jump a fence. I have found a lot of dead Antelope messed up in a fence. I think a long distance shooter can do well with this game, true you would need a better platform to shoot from than standing profile.
Jim

6.5BR · « **Reply #53 on:** August 19, 2007, 03:51:22 PM »

Well, my name says something about how I feel on calibers and cartridges. Love the 6.5's, the x55 is tough to beat in my book, and would be the last to part, but I like being different, would have considered the 6.5BR, but now we have the Grendel w/in 1.5gr capacity, albeit PPC head size.

If I wanted a short carbine in 6.5, and I were building, I would really look at the 6.5x47 Lapua. Let's say a shorter version of a 260, but very efficient, and up to 130 gr, gives nice speed. Quality brass gives it a nod over a 260 in a custom for through deer.

I like the Swede day in day out for ALL types of hunting for proper twist-8" in nearly all factory mfg. rifles, wide range bullet weights not hampered in longer action.

That said, a 130 accubond or 125 partition in 260 or 6.5x47L would make an elk or moose, bear whatever VERY sick if hit square.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #54 on:** August 19, 2007, 06:23:39 PM »

If I was choosing a 6.5 it would be a .260 or a custom 6.5-06. Since I already have a .257 Roberts, the -06 would probably be of more interest.

sabretip · « **Reply #55 on:** August 22, 2007, 04:37:31 PM »

My vote is for the 6.5x50 BMG,great lil gopher getter.............

jim dab · « **Reply #56 on:** September 06, 2007, 02:29:38 PM »

The 6.5 X 68mm only being mention once surprises me. I almost had one built, but was kind of talk out of it as I didn't want to be replacing a barrel every few years. With this rifle being built costing me what amounts to two months wages it was an easy choice to drop back to a 6.5 X 65mm and save a barrel.

.270 instead of a 6.5

Jim

Cheesehead · « **Reply #57 on:** September 06, 2007, 05:22:59 PM »

6.5 WSM

Slamfire · « **Reply #58 on:** September 08, 2007, 08:26:17 PM »

Quote from: 6.5BR on August 19, 2007, 03:51:22 PM

If I wanted a short carbine in 6.5, and I were building, I would really look at the 6.5x47 Lapua. Let's say a shorter version of a 260, but very efficient, and up to 130 gr, gives nice speed. Quality brass gives it a nod over a 260 in a custom for through deer.

Mauser tried that, ages ago, with much the same results, a fine chamois rifle for a youngster or lady. Why give up the heavier bullets?

6.5BR · « **Reply #59 on:** September 09, 2007, 09:23:45 AM »

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

Draw your own conclusions on the 6.5x47. Nothing wrong with any of the old 6.5's. This one will shoot ANY bullet weight to a velocity very close to 260 or 6.5x55 and OAL should NOT be an issue, even in a short action. I MEANT to say it would be great up to 130's, but I can assure you when I build one, it will be throated AND twisted to handle ALL weights. 8 twist if not 7.5 and with Lapua brass, accuracy is up to the shooter, with good loads and good smithing.