Which 6.5 Variant?

PGW Steve said:
Get the standard .260. When you can outshoot its capabilities and have worn out a tube or two, you might be served with a hotrod that gives you .5 min less wind at 1K in exchange for a dramatic loss of barrel life. Go for the long life and shoot lots. Unless you are playing the game for money, don't worry about all the fancy named rounds. My second choice would be the 6.5x47.
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Sounds like very sound, very simple advice to me. I did this exact thing, and I am a newbie, but it seems to be working out very well for me.
 
Maybe a different perspective can be drawn from all this good discussion. We all like to have a "car" that can perform at an economical level, but from time to time we would like that car to burn rubber just for kicks, or for use when passing a damn RV from time to time. People inherently try to get more out of their car than they were designed for. So goes the analogy below:

The Pros...
My experience with the 260 AI, you can run a 140 gr with ease at 2850 in a 28" barrel (similar to the top end of the 260 Rem road map where folks may tend to push it). But you can run the AI at 2950 in hod rod mode like throwing in a new chip on your cars computer.

I can say that it sure is eaier to manage brass with the Ackleyized versions, even if the horsepower gain is nominal. This equals less time fussing and more time to load and shoot. Also, I have found there is some amount of inherent efficiency with a more cylindrical case compared to ones with taper (less powder for the same performance over a non ackleyized version)

Cons....you have to play with and accept the wildcatting tricks, or pay more for more expensive dies to eliminate some playing.

In Jerrys comment before....the displacement is there. Id like to add that the displacement is there if you wish to use it.

I run my rig slower, it works great, and may emulate a 260s barrel life in the end. Also, if I wish to pass that damn RV, it is great to know I can hot rod it when I want to. Just no RVs in my way so far. My two bits....

Elky.
 
Shimmer, Yep, I am a 204-for-varmint addict as well. Not only do I use Hornady and Federal brass, I also use a totally stock Remington rifle not bedded and not even trigger tweaked. The worse thing that can happen if you miss is you take another shot. I volume dump my powder and spend zero time on case prep and load development. It is perfect for the lazy varmiont hunter that wants to spend way less time loading and far more time vaporizing vermin.

I have dabbled with several 6.5's. The Swede is my favorite but should have a long action. 260 is a very close second and can be used with anything having a 308 type boltface.

The 260 AI is what I would seriously consider if I had to stick with 6.5 and use in LR competition, but for absolutely no gains in performance over a Swede or the 260AI you can go with the simple-to-use 6.5-284. The draw back is that it will reliably give you under 1000 accurate rounds. Mine told me it was done with no warning and only 750 rounds.

If this was the "I need a 6.5 recommendation because I want to win the World FCC" I would go 6.5-284 or Swede Improved, and accept all the serious shortcomings with an accurate and proven performer that will break your bank but deliver.

If you want a gun that is easy to make work, is easy on barrels and will provide you plenty of life and opportunity to get to the point where you no longer have to solicit free advice from those with no stake in your choices, go 260.
 
Mystic Precision said:
Given the number of F Open shooters with the 260Rem that CAN'T reach 2900fps without all sorts of issues, I would not say it is easy to achieve. Low 2800's is where the 260Rem will thrive with the 140's.
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I reach 2950 with my .260 (6.5-08 HABU) quite easily with 142gr Sierras powered by 4831SC.

Only difference between the HABU and a .260 is the neck thickness so case capacity is identical.

Marc shoots his HABU at 2840-2850 with a lower load but is shooting the 140 Bergers and it seems the 6.5 Bergers like that velocity range.
 
I've done some other reading, and I think I'm going to stick with my original idea and got .260AI.

I've already got a Remington 700 in 22-250 that I will be rebarrellin, and a gun smith to do it. 260AI dies may not be the most common, but I have certainly seen them around. I really don't mind the bit of case forming. After all, it's not like I need to make 1000 cases, and I've read/heard that the sharper shoulders lend themselves to longer case life (all other things being equal).
 
Sapper33 said:
I've done some other reading, and I think I'm going to stick with my original idea and got .260AI.

I've already got a Remington 700 in 22-250 that I will be rebarrellin, and a gun smith to do it. 260AI dies may not be the most common, but I have certainly seen them around. I really don't mind the bit of case forming. After all, it's not like I need to make 1000 cases, and I've read/heard that the sharper shoulders lend themselves to longer case life (all other things being equal).
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Make sure that .260 AI feeds well from a magazine if you need a tactical rifle.
I almost made this mistake (going for a "improved" cartridge which doesn't feed as well as the "original").

Alex
 
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