Does anyone have experience with the 6.5 - 300wsm?

Bulldog

Bulldog

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
69   0   0
I am in the process of pairing down a number of rifles to one or two.

The one I'm looking for calibre advice on is a lightweight hunting rifle probably in 6.5mm.

I am ideally looking for a Longer range 6.5 calibre for hunting. I've got a 260rem now that I get a little nervous on deer sized + game at over 300 yards.

What 6.5 mm calibre would you recommend?
I was thinking 6.5x284, 6.5x300wsm, 6.5 x 06AI. My preference due to trying to keep it light is to keep the package in a short action which hurt the x284 and 06AI.


Help? Suggestions? Should I move up from 6.5? Staring at balistic charts isnt helping anymore, anyone with real world experience that can help steer me a bit?


Thanks in advance,
Craig
 
I was in the exact same boat and I decided to buy two rifles. The first being a 260 AI and the second being a .300wsm. Now me being me I have decided to go a different route all together and get the 7wsm which outperforms them both. The BCs of the 168 and 180 gr VLD bullets are very hard to beat and at 3000fps, its enough to launch them way out there.

Ivo
 
How far do you intend to go?

The 260Rem and a proper 140gr bullet is effective on deer sized game to 700yds IF you can shoot.

The 6.5-300WSM is essentially a 264Win mag. Unless you plan on using a longer pipe, you will make alot of noise and gain a couple hundred FPS. This only extends your effective range another 150yds.

If you are concerned with downrange horsepower, the only solution is a larger/heavier bullet.

Jerry
 
I built a 6.5-270WSM a couple of years ago, for all intents it is essentially the same as a 6.5-300WSM, you can resize the brass and get right to shooting without any concerns of reaming the neck.

I really like mine, I have competed at 1000 yards with this rifle with no problems.

Lots of good bullets available, and it is easy to get 140gn bullets to 3000fps.
 
The 270 WSM and the 300WSM are the same case if I am not mistaken. They both have a longer neck than the 7 WSM , making them the case of choice for building 7 short mags. It is a great cartidge.

"Inspector" is shooting a 6.5 WSSM and it is both wickedly accurate, and giving him velocities in the 3 grand neighbourhood with 142 Sierras Case shape can play a role in efficiency too.

Cartridge size does not affect the weight of the rifle except short- vs. long actions. A 223 hunting rifle and a 300 WSM weigh basically the same.
 
I do know that catnthehat shoots a 6.5 WSSM wildcat; necked up from a 243WSSM unless I'm mistaken.

He calls it the Long Nosed Dwarf.
 
Necking down brass, custom reamer, custom dies for what?

I am shooting a 140 grain Berger @ 3250fps, it is a mild load, no pressure and wicked accuracy out of my 7mmWSM.
 
6.5

Stick with your 260!! I would have no qualms shooting to 500 yards under ideal conditions with one. It's not what your shooting, it's where your hitting!! A deer hit in the ass with a 300WSM, is the same as one hit in the ass with a .260.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom