What chamber in 6.5

lrshooting · 10-02-2015, 03:17 PM

So I was thinking I have a 308, a 7mm I'm going to chamber to a saum, and I can't see a reason to have 6.5 except if I want a cartridge for ranges to around 1500 and less that's cheaper then saum.

That being said, Im trying to figure if I do buy another barrel (I don't even have my 7mm yet), then what should I chamber it too. 284, creed, .260? It's a short action and I've heard 284 won't fit without seating deeper, but I use AI mags and they can be modified for an additional .040 clearance

**J.Baker** · 10-02-2015, 04:42 PM

I'm not an authority on 6.5's, but I'm fairly certain any cartridge you choose (Creed, Lapua, .260, etc) when loaded with the longer VLD-style bullets isn't going to fit in a S/A magazine without seating the bullets deeper than is ideal. When I built my Axis in .284 Winchester I made the mistake of ordering a S/A stock and even with standard 140gr deer hunting bullets I'm having to seat them a little deeper than I'd like for them to feed from the S/A magazine.

Have you considered a 6mm instead? The 6mmBR and 6mm Dasher cases are both a little over 3/4" shorter than a .284 which would give you a lot more room in the magazine for the bullet. Seems all the top long range benchrest shooters have abandoned the 6.5's in favor of 6's here in the eastern part of the country.

**LoneWolf** · 10-02-2015, 04:56 PM

The 6.5x47 and 6.5 creed are your primary options for standardized cases out of an AI Mag. 260AI has been done with a proper matching of barrel configuration and dies to load to 2.82OAL. If you go to Alpha type 2 mags you can get 2.95 or so. It's doable with those 3 options. the 260AI will get you to 2900-2950 with a 139Scenar-142SMK. The Creed and Lapua cases will get you to 2750-2850(Tops).

I am very read up on these cases if you have questions. I shoot a 243Win with 105 AMAXs at 3025 for competition because components are more affordable for the amount of rounds I shoot regularly, but debating on a 6.5 for the barrel life aspect. We shall see.

lrshooting · 10-02-2015, 05:07 PM

I wouldn't mind getting more mags like alpha type IIs. While 6 mm would be ok, I hunt with this gun in all its configurations so it needs to have adequate terminal energy at extended distances for coyote. I don't shoot deer further than 600-700 if I can help it so that's not much of a problem. I don't know how 6mm does.

Then again 6.5 creed is based off 308 right? If so, I'll have brass already.

**LoneWolf** · 10-02-2015, 05:10 PM

It takes a good amount of work to reform 308 brass to 6.5 creedmoor. You'd be better off just buying a lot of 500, keep what you need and sell the rest. Or shoot factory ammo until you have enough to appease you. The Hornady 140AMAX ammo performs very well.

lrshooting · 10-02-2015, 08:06 PM

I see. So I was doing some research and a 260 seems like it will out do a 6.5 creedmore or 6.5x47. Same case as 308 so it's simply necking down. Since 260 is not a common round anyways, I was thinking a 260 AI might be the best possible round I can get since I already have 308 cases and I'm going to need new dies anyway. Maybe not though. That's why im asking people who actually know.

**psharon97** · 10-02-2015, 08:26 PM

Your splitting hair when comparing the 260 to the 6.5creed. The only advantage for the 260 IMO is you can purchase lapua brass already made and chambered for 260 remington. Although you can get nosler brass chambered in 6.5creed. Pick one and go with it.

lrshooting · 10-02-2015, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by psharon97

Your splitting hair when comparing the 260 to the 6.5creed. The only advantage for the 260 IMO is you can purchase lapua brass already made and chambered for 260 remington. Although you can get nosler brass chambered in 6.5creed. Pick one and go with it.

I see. Thanks!

I only see it getting cheaper and cheaper to find 6.5 creed stuff.

**LoneWolf** · 10-02-2015, 08:42 PM

Probably the most popular round right now right after 223 and 308.

**Newsshooter** · 10-02-2015, 09:15 PM

What lone wolf said, a lot of the guys I shoot with are shooting 260, but we're almost all shooting SA mag fed rifles for tactical matches. You can get a little more powder behind the 260 but it isn't a huge difference from the 6.5 C. A lot of the PRS guys are moving to 6mm these days was well. I have plenty of room to run lapua 139 scenars in a magazine.

**FW Conch** · 10-02-2015, 09:42 PM

I shoot and hunt with the 260Rem and really like it.

For shooting and hunting less than 300yds I have the 6.5 Grendel and it is very efficient.

**Bunky-Shooter** · 10-02-2015, 10:01 PM

I've been using a 260 rem. for quiet some time now thats really accurate.. Brass wise you are better of buying brass in 260 form or resizing 7mm-08.. It is quiet a bit of work to do 308 win. down to 260 correctly.. 7mm-08 just resize to 260 rem. trim neck and you are good to go.. 308 resize to 7mm-08 then to 260 remington.. Now you have to cut neck and shoulder so they are not to thick... after all this you have to trim neck ... lot of work to use 308.. good luck !!! happy shooting !!!

**JASmith** · 10-02-2015, 11:11 PM

The 260 is a great hunting and very good long range target cartridge.

The Creed does as well for hunting but is designed to accomodate the long-nosed high BC bullets so is more competitive for long range target shooting.

Go with the Creedmoor.

**darkker** · 10-03-2015, 12:15 AM

Making Creedmoor brass from a 308, only takes a lot of work if a full length sizing scares you.
Trim to Creedmoor length, run it through a FL die, and check length for safety. Been doing it for years, and I'm not alone.
Short action, the Creedmoor allows long cartridges, the 260 has you stuffing bullets deep.

The whole notion behind Lapua quality, is by people who love overloading cartridges and want to pretend they don't.
You run SAAMI pressures, and there are no issues. My first chunk of Hornady brass has over 20 reloads on it with absolutely no issues.

If it makes you happy, by all means use it!! If you think Moses brought it down from the mountain, he didn't.

Choose the one that intrigues you the most.

Twinsen · 10-03-2015, 01:09 AM

Go with the one you can get components for.

The 260 Rem is 308 Win length brass using bullets longer than 30 cal bullets, so they get set deep.
6.5 Creedmore fixes that by being shorter, with a better shoulder angle.
6.5x47 Lapua improves on that by having better brass and uses small rifle primers to extend brass life and strength.
6.5 Norma is long action and has the barrel life of a 6mm cartridge so I never looked into it.

**kamml** · 10-03-2015, 03:38 AM

6.5 Creedmoor is low recoil, plus it has cheap Hornaday factory ammo. The Creed has a very dedicated LR shooter fan base that can help solve your problems based on tons of actual experience. There is brass available and the 6.5 has the BC to be an excellent all around rifle for both hunting and target applications. Plus with its slightly smaller case capacity you have a very efficient cartridge that saves powder yet delivers well above its weight class.

**CharlieNC** · 10-03-2015, 08:12 AM

6.5x47 is designed at a shorter length and fits mags without problem. I use 140 vld hunter bullets fine. All the 6.5 variants perform comparably, but my Lapua achieves a little higher velocity than reported for the other calibers.

LongRange · 10-03-2015, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by CharlieNC

6.5x47 is designed at a shorter length and fits mags without problem. I use 140 vld hunter bullets fine. All the 6.5 variants perform comparably, but my Lapua achieves a little higher velocity than reported for the other calibers.

how much more?

**CharlieNC** · 10-03-2015, 01:12 PM

Power Pro 2000MR has given me great accuracy and increased speeds vs other powders I have tried. Driving 123Scenars at 3050 and 140VLD at 2900 fps. Looking at loads from others I have not seen comparable velocities for 6.5CR of 260, but then I have not observed anyone else using this powder either. Both these are on a high node, at lower charges than were evaluated, and did not see any signs of pressure issues. I have not seen load data for this combo published, and I elected to try it based on the good results reported in 308, and working up incrementally and carefully.

LongRange · 10-03-2015, 03:19 PM

gotcha...heres my last 260 barrel shooting 139g lapuas with no obvious pressure signs,flat primers,hard extraction ECT...this was a little fast...

...2850 to 2870 and 2900 to 2920 ended up being the 2 higher accuracy nodes and 2780 to 2800 was the low node...this was just a plan jane 260rem but when chambered right the 260 will run AI speeds...id say 80% of the rounds shot through that barrel were at the 2850 to 2870 load...I only shot the higher load when it was going to be windy the day of a match.

Twinsen · 10-03-2015, 03:21 PM

I plan to be very happy if I can get 140gr up to 2800fps in my 6.5x47. I won't be using that powder.

LongRange · 10-03-2015, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by Twinsen

I plan to be very happy if I can get 140gr up to 2800fps in my 6.5x47. I won't be using that powder.

you wont have any problems doing that.

**CharlieNC** · 10-03-2015, 03:54 PM

Good deal LR. All of the 6.5 options are great to have. My brother-in-law wanted to get into long range shooting, and since he does not load I suggested 6.5CM; using the "economical" Hornady match it shoots well. I just finished prepping 165 6.5x47 brass, and I just may have to push the charge to regain the championship!

LongRange · 10-03-2015, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by CharlieNC

Good deal LR. All of the 6.5 options are great to have. My brother-in-law wanted to get into long range shooting, and since he does not load I suggested 6.5CM; using the "economical" Hornady match it shoots well. I just finished prepping 165 6.5x47 brass, and I just may have to push the charge to regain the championship!

LOL...ive shot them faster but no accuracy...the CM is a great round if you do or don't reload...a few guys shooting them at our matches with factory 140g amax ammo and do well.