Which 6.5?

[keeki]

The journey is where it's all at. I have no interest in buying a gun that'll shoot a 1/2" group or having anything that I can buy off of a shelf. I like doing it myself, getting it to do the best it can and then move on to the next project

[Sleeper99]

In that case I might go with 6.5x55 swede. Only because it interests me. Just pick the one that turns your crank and start sourcing components. You seem to keep going back to the -06AI so clearly that one is of interest. I say go for it.

[bc160]

I have experience with all of them. The 6.5-06ai is a friend of mine, bit we shoot extensively together. For what it is worth the creedmore is nothing short of magical in the accuracy categorie. If I had to make do with one gun that would surely be it. With that said we have not noticed much difference velocity wise between the 06 and 284. If I was building another one between those two it would be the 284 based. Buy a box of laupua brass and your good to go. All of them are more than plenty accurate. I'm not to sure about the finicky comments on the 284, I have never ran into that as of yet.
Good luck with the choice

[n10sivern]

6.5x55 is my favorite caliber. I have two chambered in it and maybe a third in the near future.

[Dialing long distance]

I have a 260 Remington, in my opinion, the Creedmore the Lapua, the Swede, the 260, are all pretty much a wash. Sure the Creedmore is a more efficient case, but you're not going to notice a difference down range they're all super accurate. Muzzle velocities are very close with all four, and to be honest, I'm not going to cry about using 43Grains of powder to get what I want out of my 260 verses 41 grains with a different case. If you want to load a hot 6.5, consider 26 Nosler.

[jeffreybehr]

Your (sic) right, but I keep telling myself I'm gonna stop with the wildcats, but I cant (sic).

Then how about the 6.5-284 Shehane? Burns two or three more grains of powder and is closer to the about-65-grain 6.5-06AI you seem to be drawn to. I think short, sometimes-squat cases have been proven the last several decades to be more accurate than longer cases, one can buy the world's best cartridge cases (Lapua) in 6.5-284, and one can seat bullets WAY out with the '284 case in a standard, '06-length action, which one can't do with a 6.5-06, AI or not. See http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/65x284/ for more info.
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k220/jeffreybehr/1000-yard%20stuff/ScenarBerger_1000w.jpg (http://s89.photobucket.com/user/jeffreybehr/media/1000-yard%20stuff/ScenarBerger_1000w.jpg.html)

You will pay a barrel-life penalty with any of these about-55-to-65-grain cartridges compared with the 260 and even more with the Creedmoor or the '47, but that seems not to bother you. What glorious times we shootists live in, with so many excellent choices! :-)

[jeffreybehr]

...but hey the devil is in the details. You seem to be leaning toward the long action, then I'd do the 6.5-06; the 6.5x284 is just to (sic) much, a barrel burner but if you like that why not the 26 Nosler. JMHO

Indeed the devil is in the details. And one detail you didn't get right is the comparative case capacities of the 6.5-06 and the 6.5-284. In fact, the 6.5-06 has a higher case capacity by a couple grains than the 6.5-284.

[Rackfreak210]

I can get more speed from several of them, i reload and don't shoot factory stuff through anything. 6.5-06ai or the 6.5-284 is gonna be 200 - 250 fps above the creed. Accuracy is the key and how easy it is to obtain accuracy. The 6.5284 is accurate, but I've heard it was very finicky, the 6.5-06ai I've heard was easy to obtain accuracy and so is the creed


I disagree with the 6.5x284 being finicky to load for. I am a novice reloader and got my weather warrior shooting in the 2's and 3's in less than 40 rounds down the pipe. Easiest load development i have ever done. It shot everything good that i fed it.

[Rackfreak210]

I will also say that I couldn't stand it and jumped on the 6.5 creedmoor train and am very glad i did! I have never had a rifle that was this easy to shoot with factory rounds. Mine shoots 3 different types of ammo into one hole

[Rondogg]

Don't believe all you read. Many internet trolls and everybody has an opinion. Go to a PRS match and see what is being shot. The hype you hear and read is all true. The 6.5 Creedmoor has taken over at matches. There is 6.5 Creedmoor ammo everywhere now, and for a reason.

[Rondogg]

Wanted to clarify. There are many very knowledgeable and outstanding people on this site as well as others providing a ton of info, and I have nothing but respect for them and their knowledge.

[Hvylvy]

I'm working on a 6.5 Creedmoor build and I have to say from the research that I've been doing, it seems incredible. The gun currently is a 7mm-08 and I thought that round was pretty great, but the CM tops it! I'm excited to get the barrel on and start sending rounds!


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[chetc]

someone mentioned the 6.5x284. i built one 8or9 yrs ago to shoot 1000yd competition, actually never did follow up and compete, but this rifle has a Brux 8.5 twist and it now has 81 rounds thru it, was built by Jim See at Centershot rifles, this rifle will shoot in the .2 and .3's at 200yds with the 140 Amax or the Sierra 142 MK, the caliber is accurate, i built it after watching John Hoover shoot at Williamsport 1000yd range. i don't shoot it anymore cause it is very accurate and no fun anymore. i am now playing with a Savage 10T i really enjoy shooting and load testing. not nearly as accurate as the 6.5x284, my friend who is 20yrs younger with good eyes actually shot 3 shots in the 1's at 200yds, i have a feeling this gun would be very competitive at 1000yds.

chet

[Baller]

Has no one considered the 6.5-300 Weatherby Mag? I guess this is a Savage forum.

[deerhunter99]

I sure like my 6.5x284 Norma, I do not target shoot a lot but it is my main hunting rifle !!!

[yobuck]

Has no one considered the 6.5-300 Weatherby Mag? I guess this is a Savage forum.

Yep they did, 50 years ago it was the most popular long range hunting cartridge on the planet.
You know why? because back then there was only one good bullet, and it happened to be a 6.5.
Do a google search on Alex Hoyer, Lewistown PA.
When better bullets for other cartridges became available, the 6.5 (died) as a long range hunting cartridge.
But then there are lots of things being reinvented now days. lol

[Cmgoff]

I know the initial question was related to the 6.5 caliber but this is also a hunting gun, and a long range hunting gun at that. Maybe a little more info is needed. What is the game we are hunting and what is the range you expect to shoot?

Recently I have switched to a straight 284 win and could not be more impressed. I'm not struggling to push it hard to get high velocities. It's a short action case that I run in a long action so I can load 180 hybrids way out there. Feeds flawlessly and it's a laser and doesn't notice the wind.
Don't let me highjack this discussion but I think the 284 may fit all your interests and needs.


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[JeepsAndGuns]

I am surprised at how little love there is for the old 6.5x55. I built my target rifle off that caliber and love it. I guess it's just too old of a cartridge for most people.

[wbm]

I am surprised at how little love there is for the old 6.5x55.

Guess we are on the wrong Continent! I love mine though.

3100

[Robinhood]

6.5 Allen Mag or the 6.5-338 if you need to hit something in the next county. Otherwise the 6.5; Creedmoor, -06 or the SAUM cover everything.