Hi all. I'm contemplating the acquisition of a precision rifle in 6.5. Don't know if it will be a purchase or a build (except that it will not be based on a 96 action). I have no experience whatsoever with 6.5's other than the 6.5X55, which I love. WHat would be your recommendations? Creedmore, Grenfell, X55, etc., and why?
Possible 6.5 rifle
- Thread starter Papaclaude
- Start date
I've been (for the lack of better words) "drooling" over the Tikka Tac A1 chambered in 260 Rem. If I didn't have a human baby on the way I'd have one of those baby's on the way, maybe I'll name my boy Tikka and have the best of both world's,
The 260rem is a solid performer right between the 6.5x55 and 6.5 Creedmoor, with the poor marketing done the cartridge was overlooked when compared to the popularity of the 6.5 Creedmoor although I'm sure the ease and now well used social media pages also have a part in the self marketing aspect that gains the creedmoor a huge variety of factory produced ammo over the 260, and even old faithfull 6.5x55. All are basically identical in real world conditions, (Just saying no need to get into the 2" differences for hold overs with different loads from me) as there are lots of debates between them all puonded to death and realistically your holds will be very close to ring steel at distance. The Tikka Tac A1 in any of these cartridges would be a great combo I do like the layout of the platform and smoothness of my tikka. The 260 COAL is slightly longer but not as long as the x55 which is a long action, (and really I don't mind moving the bolt back and forth an extra milisecond for the x55) giving minor restrictions on Bullet seating depth in non-tikka actions, however in the Tikka action you can play with your seating depth just as much as you could with a Creedmoor with respect to the ease of changing out or the bolt stop, and running a long action Magazine if you found you really needed to seat that long skinny 150 gr out further to gain, I personally have never run into a seating depth issue with the 260 compared to the Creedmoor because luckily my rifles seem to have the sweet spot for different bullet seating depths just under mag length,
Long and short of it is If you are looking to Run Factory ammo, I'd suggest the Creedmoor for huge factory variety, if your handloading I'd suggest the 260 Rem, because it's got just a hair more gain, really though your holds will be very close with either cartridge in that platform.
My humble 2 cents! In the end of your research get the one YOU like most! The biggest aspect as you know is personal preference, Good luck!
The 260rem is a solid performer right between the 6.5x55 and 6.5 Creedmoor, with the poor marketing done the cartridge was overlooked when compared to the popularity of the 6.5 Creedmoor although I'm sure the ease and now well used social media pages also have a part in the self marketing aspect that gains the creedmoor a huge variety of factory produced ammo over the 260, and even old faithfull 6.5x55. All are basically identical in real world conditions, (Just saying no need to get into the 2" differences for hold overs with different loads from me) as there are lots of debates between them all puonded to death and realistically your holds will be very close to ring steel at distance. The Tikka Tac A1 in any of these cartridges would be a great combo I do like the layout of the platform and smoothness of my tikka. The 260 COAL is slightly longer but not as long as the x55 which is a long action, (and really I don't mind moving the bolt back and forth an extra milisecond for the x55) giving minor restrictions on Bullet seating depth in non-tikka actions, however in the Tikka action you can play with your seating depth just as much as you could with a Creedmoor with respect to the ease of changing out or the bolt stop, and running a long action Magazine if you found you really needed to seat that long skinny 150 gr out further to gain, I personally have never run into a seating depth issue with the 260 compared to the Creedmoor because luckily my rifles seem to have the sweet spot for different bullet seating depths just under mag length,
Long and short of it is If you are looking to Run Factory ammo, I'd suggest the Creedmoor for huge factory variety, if your handloading I'd suggest the 260 Rem, because it's got just a hair more gain, really though your holds will be very close with either cartridge in that platform.
My humble 2 cents! In the end of your research get the one YOU like most! The biggest aspect as you know is personal preference, Good luck!
This above ^^^^^^^
If you reload, go .260 Rem.
If you just want to shoot factory ammunition then 6.5 Creedmoor offers a way better selection.
I reload and have a few buddies who shoot .260 Rem so I went that route when I bought my Coyote. Couldn't be happier......
If you reload, go .260 Rem.
If you just want to shoot factory ammunition then 6.5 Creedmoor offers a way better selection.
I reload and have a few buddies who shoot .260 Rem so I went that route when I bought my Coyote. Couldn't be happier......
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
6.5x284, 6.5-06, 264 win mag, 6.5 prc are some other options to look at.
rifleman762
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
My next 6.5 (wife has a 6.5x55) will probably be a 6.5-284 in a long action. The 6.5-06 is also an interesting cartridge. I had a guy swear up and down that his Creedmoor could match the trajectory of my 300 Win Mag. Sure, if you compare a Berger VLD bullet in the 6.5 to a Nosler Partition in the 300! The 6.5-284 or 6.5-06, on the other hand, WILL match the velocity of a 300WM with bullets of similar BC.
Are you only going to use this rifle to shoot PRS? Some hunting? Either way my vote would be 6.5X47. I have a heavier RBROS build that drives 130 Bergers at a comfortable 2985 fps (PRS type rifle). Then I also built a lighter (finished 8 lb) hunting X47 which shoots 130 AccuBonds at 2900 fps. Both bullets are amazing on deer size game. If you want to step it up then I would look into the SHERMAN line-up. I have a 6.5 SHERMAN full custom that shoots 140 Bergers at 3339 fps out of a 28" HART. I believe Rich is know offering formed brass for the SS line, so this is the route I would go. I like my Sherman, just not the brass prep that goes with it. If I went 260 I would make it a 260AI. Other than that a standard 260, creed and X47 are all very close performance wise.
I have a custom .260 Rem AI and it's fantastic in both accuracy and speed. The only "drawback" is that you have to reload and fireform the .260 Rem brass. Even with fire forming loads, accuracy of 1/4" at 100 yds were common and consistent. I agree with others here, if you plan to reload, .260 Rem is a very good choice.
My least favourite part as well but once it’s done, you never have to trim cases! ;p
When I was between the 260 Rem and the 6.5 Creedmoor I ended up going Creed for a few reasons. The main reasons were component, ammunition and platform availability. Although the 260 does seem to be having a bit of a resurgence due to the hipsters of the shooting community.
That being said, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the 6.5 offerings.
I think you have it backwards, the "Hipsters" went all in with the 6.5 Creedmoor.........The older, grumpier guys go with the .260 Rem.
Hmm What do you mean ? the 6.5-06 outperforms the other 6.5 s other then the 264 Win mag or other large cases such as 26 Nosler - 6.5-300 Wbee ! RJ
I currently own a 260 and a 6.5CM, and have owned the 6.5X55Swede. In the field or on the range there isn't a lick of difference between the three! Maybe a click or two here or there, but to 1000 metres they are all between 8.8mils to 9.2mils with the bullets and powders I used. I would base the decision on what you are capable of as far as reloading is concerned, if you reload all three make sense as they are equally easy to find loads for. If you are a factory ammo shooter, 6.5CM is the easiest to find ammo for, the other two require varying degrees of difficulty to find ammo as not every LGS carries it.
Just to be different....I'm doing a 6.5x55AI, 1-8 twist 32" straight pipe. Single shot for F-open. Why, because why not. The last 6.5-284 gave up at 1100 rounds. This should get the same performance without the throat erosion. Or at least that's the theory. Smith just texted that it's chambered now to play.
I think you have it backwards, the "Hipsters" went all in with the 6.5 Creedmoor.........The older, grumpier guys go with the .260 Rem.
I thought "oh another 6.5mm banter" was about to puke until I seen this post, now I'm still laughing.
so fitting
Choose if you want a short or long action. If you want short action, you're looking at the x47 Lapua, Creedmoor, or the 260 Rem. As has been said, the Creedmoor has the factory ammunition support, but it also now has the same benefits as the x47 and the 260 in reloading components.
it$_unreel
New member
- Location
- East Kootenays BC
Another vote for the 6.5x47 Lapua if you want the upmost in accuracy. The cartridge tends to be exceptionally accurate in pretty much every rifle I have seen it chambered in...my own recent build is proving to be a tack driver and is extremely pleasant to shoot...less recoil than the 6.5x284 or the 260 rem...burns less powder and the brass has amazing reload life.
If I was buying off the shelf ...I'd go with the Bergara HMR 6.5 Creedmor and I'd load small primer Lapua brand brass
If I was buying off the shelf ...I'd go with the Bergara HMR 6.5 Creedmor and I'd load small primer Lapua brand brass
