26 Nosler or 6.5x300 Weatherby.

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buckhunter49

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I was interested in picking up a 6.5 in either 26 Nosler or 6.5x300WBY. Noticed on Brownings website that there aren’t chambering many rifles at all in this caliber. That makes me a little nervous as it might be a sign that this caliber is on the way out.
Anyone have any experience with these 2 calibers. I know Ammo is costly but I reload so not to concerned. Just hoping that reloads can match or better factory. Will be using it as a Whitetail/Moose gun.
 
6.5 PRC should receive alot of manufacture support for a considerable amount of time, with cheaper components and more platform options... lots of manufacturers are jumping on the PRC train... it is another option.
 
buckhunter49 said:
I was interested in picking up a 6.5 in either 26 Nosler or 6.5x300WBY. Noticed on Brownings website that there aren’t chambering many rifles at all in this caliber. That makes me a little nervous as it might be a sign that this caliber is on the way out.
Anyone have any experience with these 2 calibers. I know Ammo is costly but I reload so not to concerned. Just hoping that reloads can match or better factory. Will be using it as a Whitetail/Moose gun.
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In MHO i think you would be better off with a 28 Nosler - It will be around for a LONG time i think - Great range and type of 7MM cal bullets to load also ! RJ
 
I would go with the 6.5-300 pick up a good Weatherby (bite the bullet) so to speak and your done - sight it in and it will last a long time - if you want a fashionable 6.5 to shoot each weekend pick one up as well but you will cherish your Weatherby
 
hoytcanon said:
6.5 PRC should receive alot of manufacture support for a considerable amount of time, with cheaper components and more platform options... lots of manufacturers are jumping on the PRC train... it is another option.
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Thanks
I've been down the PRC train before. Liked it but finding ammo was and still is a very scarce endeavor. Couldn't find brass so had a limited amount of factory ammo only from Hornady.
Seems to be I can find ammo and brass for these 2. Also the 264 Win Mag is also a consideration.
 
buckhunter49 said:
Thanks
I've been down the PRC train before. Liked it but finding ammo was and still is a very scarce endeavor. Couldn't find brass so had a limited amount of factory ammo only from Hornady.
Seems to be I can find ammo and brass for these 2. Also the 264 Win Mag is also a consideration.
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The 2 6.5 Cartridges you first wanted are a BUNCH above the 6.5 PRC in Performance ! SO ??? what do you really want ? :p LOL RJ
 
I went through the 6.5 magnum phase recently. For me it was 264 Win Mag vs. 6.5-300 Weatherby. I decided to go with the old 264 as brass and dies were more plentiful and was quiet abit cheaper. Also found a rifle that was more appealing to me- Winchester M70 w/ 26" pipe. Yes im aware it having a 1:9 twist but i only plan on shooting Interbonds/Accubonds 130-140gr bullets which have plenty of BC to fly flat for my need (up to 600yards). Its only 100-125fps slower than the others. A 140 @ 3200 130@ 3300 fps is plenty.
 
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Ive had both, performance wise, they are identical. I think it is easier to find brass and ammo for the 6.5-300. I decided to sell both and I use a 6.5 wby RPM. Uses less powder, less recoil in an ultra light rifle and only 100 fps different with a given bullet weight between the 6.5 rpm and the 6.5-300. The hodgdon site has some good load data for all 3 of these. If you are dead set on a 26 nosler or a 6.5-300, I would go 6.5-300. Just my two bits
 
quarterman said:
Ive had both, performance wise, they are identical. I think it is easier to find brass and ammo for the 6.5-300. I decided to sell both and I use a 6.5 wby RPM. Uses less powder, less recoil in an ultra light rifle and only 100 fps different with a given bullet weight between the 6.5 rpm and the 6.5-300. The hodgdon site has some good load data for all 3 of these. If you are dead set on a 26 nosler or a 6.5-300, I would go 6.5-300. Just my two bits
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RPM does interest me as well. Did you go with the Backcountry in it?
 
I just bought a 6.5x300 in a Vanguard, it now sits in a Bell and Carlson stock and has been Cerakoted. Not as many options in a Vanguard so easy choice for me, the Vanguard is one of my favourite platforms, now if I can just find some time to shoot it.
 
Go with the 264. Cheap brass, can use 7mm rem brass easily. With a 26" barrel N570 and a 140gr accubond. 3200fps.

Who cares about the belt.
 
The question more is which on of the 6.5 mags turns your crank? They are all close enough in performance, powder capacity and barrel life that it doesn’t matter which very much. Who cares if a cartridge is on it’s way out now, brass is still available just buy enough to burn the barrel out, which won’t take much. If I was going for big overbores like this I’d go for the fastest, worry about the rest of the stuff later.

Let us know how it goes.
 
Naturally id go with the 6.5-300 as im a fan of weatherbys performance. But from everything ive read its a guaranteed barrel burner...unless youre actively range shooting on the regular with it, im sure it would last an average shooter his lifetime.
 
I have some experience with the 26 Nosler in a few different rifles. A very short list of suitable powders for this overbore cartridge. Retumbo max loads only fill the case around 90% full, H1000 even less.

Throat erosion will keep you adjusting the load often enough to stay in a sweet spot that it will likely become a frustrating chore. These days with excellent range finders and turrets/reticles for drop compensation, ballistic programs etc - uber fast muzzle velocity isn't as important to long range shooting as it used to be. I like the 6.5 PRC case size myself for the bigger end of the 6.5 caliber spectrum. Extremely accurate and it has some serious potential downrange with the right loads

I'd grab a 28 Nosler every time over a 26 Nosler for long range shooting
 
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