Advice on best 6.5 cartridge?

saunders278

saunders278

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Hi,

I've been into long-range shooting for a couple years now, so still a relative amateur. I started with my dad's old 7mm Rem Mag until buying the 6.5CM (Tikka CTR) that I'm shooting and reloading for now. I'm mostly interested in practical-style competition and shooting steel in the backcountry.

Since I started reloading for my current rifle, I've only had a chance to shoot it at the gun range (260m), but so far, so good (never above 1 MOA, usually 1/2).

However, my recently acquired chronograph tells me that my ideal load pushes it at 2630 fps (143gr ELD-X with 40.6gr of H4350). Although I've heard not to chase velocity, I was hoping for something a bit faster.

My question is: when it comes time to re-barrel in a year or so, should I stick with the 6.5CM? Or go with something else? I've attended one competition so far, and I noticed virtually no one uses 6.5CM, and they're all talking about much higher velocities. But maybe I should be happy with a 143gr projectile going 2630 fps?

I'm pretty married to 6.5, since I'd like the option to hunt with this rifle. I obviously want something that shares the action and bolt face of the 6.5CM, and if possible, I'd like something that I can run through my over-priced CTR magazines.

Any advice is appreciated, thanks,

Keith
 
I push 140s out of my 6.5x47 @2770. I had found nodes higher and lower that were as accurate, but the higher node was teetering on being too hot.

Have you tried faster reloads out of it?

I dont think there are many major advantages of one 6.5 over another in the SA calibers. If you're tooled to reload for CM, shouldn't be a reason to leave it if you want to keep a 6.5.
 
6.5x55 is still hard to beat, some are faster but extra velocity isn’t needed for a hunting cartridge.
 
Tikka s run slow. Chase accuracy not speed. I am getting 147g eldms at about 2620 with 41.5g h4350. Guys like the 6mm for speed in prs.
 
rlaunay said:
I push 140s out of my 6.5x47 @2770. I had found nodes higher and lower that were as accurate, but the higher node was teetering on being too hot.

Have you tried faster reloads out of it?

I dont think there are many major advantages of one 6.5 over another in the SA calibers. If you're tooled to reload for CM, shouldn't be a reason to leave it if you want to keep a 6.5.
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I tried hotter loads but the goups started to open up and climb up away from my accuracy node (my ES increased as well). I crept a little past the recommended max load (41.8gr), but there were no improvements and I don't think I'm experienced enough to push it too hot.

Also, I should've mentioned that I have the original 20" barrel, and I gather if I rebarrel with something longer (maybe a tighter twist?) it can boost my velocities.
 
Shawn_338 said:
Stick with the 6.5 creed and an 8 twist barrel, your speed is good for a 20” barrel if you want faster put a longer barrel on it when you rebarrel.
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Exactly this. Stick with the 6.5 Creed but go with a longer barrel (26" being the norm, in PRS-type shooting, although some do 28") if you want more speed. a 26" barrel will get you around 2800 fps wth a 140. All the 6.5mm short action calibers (6.5 Creed, 6.5x47L, .260) are more similar than they are different, no reason to switch calibers if staying in a 6.5mm.
 
remington jim said:
28-30 " Barrel on a PRL gun that would be Handy ! :rolleyes: RJ
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The OP wants more speed, even though there are plenty of options to go faster with more powder, 6"-8" of barrel is THE elegant solution. All this business about it being "handy" is way over stated in my opinion. It will certainly make it feel "handier", but in practical terms what does that mean. I contend not much, and I'm not talking hypothetical. I'd suggest that the trend to shorter barrels is as much "fashion" as it is practical. I'm quite confidant to say this trend follows how Military Firearms have been steadily reduced in overall length since the 70's. You might be tempted to say "see", but they didn't shorten them overall to make the troops life easier, they shortened them so troops could be more effective clearing structures, and fighting from vehicles. At about 43" the FN C1 is about 7" shorter than my current 26" Bolt Gun, but still not exactly "handy". The only time I found it awkward, was going through a door, narrow hall, or exiting a vehicle. Since you aren't as a rule clearing rooms with a PRL gun I think this "handy" business is a little overstated.

The OP wants to go faster ("Do you want to go FASTER!" "YHAAAAA!"), two ways to do it, more powder, or longer barrel. I fail to see how 4"-6" is going to make a relatively heavy, long, somewhat awkward object any worse...and I'm speaking from actual practical experience.
 
redshooter said:
The OP wants more speed, even though there are plenty of options to go faster with more powder, 6"-8" of barrel is THE elegant solution. All this business about it being "handy" is way over stated in my opinion. It will certainly make it feel "handier", but in practical terms what does that mean. I contend not much, and I'm not talking hypothetical. I'd suggest that the trend to shorter barrels is as much "fashion" as it is practical. I'm quite confidant to say this trend follows how Military Firearms have been steadily reduced in overall length since the 70's. You might be tempted to say "see", but they didn't shorten them overall to make the troops life easier, they shortened them so troops could be more effective clearing structures, and fighting from vehicles. At about 43" the FN C1 is about 7" shorter than my current 26" Bolt Gun, but still not exactly "handy". The only time I found it awkward, was going through a door, narrow hall, or exiting a vehicle. Since you aren't as a rule clearing rooms with a PRL gun I think this "handy" business is a little overstated.

The OP wants to go faster ("Do you want to go FASTER!" "YHAAAAA!"), two ways to do it, more powder, or longer barrel. I fail to see how 4"-6" is going to make a relatively heavy, long, somewhat awkward object any worse...and I'm speaking from actual practical experience.
Click to expand...

Makes Some Sense I'm using 32 " barrel for F Class MY PRL will be Max 26 " so i will use a more powder cartridge - Too much barrel out there is BAD balance for my arms ! jmo RJ
 
Cart before the horse? Re barrel it in 6.5 creed, when you burn out the second barrel and can outshoot the gun/cartridge and have seen some other cartridge combo's you will have a better idea what will work better for yourself. I still wonder if we spent more time judging/calling wind we would not worry so much about finding the "magic" bullet/rifle combo.
 
For target shooting I would stick to the 6.5 creed if 6.5 is what you want. Just get a 26” barrel and tighter twist! Magnum will roast the barrel a lot quicker. Unless you were to hunt longer rangers and rarely target shoot. Or your pocket book is larger then by all means go 6.5 prc
 
Put an ARCA rail under your Tikka and go compete with it. There is nothing to be gained from a larger cartridge or longer barrel in PRS in BC... in fact, I have gone smaller.

Speed doesn't solve the issue of getting steady from a prop and judging wind on the clock. Recoil doesn't help either. Practise, practise, practise. As long as the rifle stock fits you and you can see through your scope in multiple positions, burn through as much lead as possible.

When you have burnt out this barrel (2500rds to 3000rds), you will have your answers on where to go next... and it may just be to keep replacing the barrels.

Jerry
 
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