- Location
- Vancouver Island BC
How about a 6.5-300 Weatherby mag,it's a long distance moose killer.
The good, the bad, and the ugly of 6.5mm magnums
- Thread starter Jayph
- Start date
Mystic Precision
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Summerland, BC
If limited to a 26" barrel, I don't think you are going to gain much from the 264Win mag/WSM to a 6.5-300RUM monster. Yes Martha, it is available.
Also, most match bullets don't like going much over 3100fps. Poly tipped hunting bullets can go faster accurately...maybe.
As much as I love the 6.5, I would suggest a 7mm simply because you can take advantage of all that powder to push 180gr Bergers to over 3000fps. Now you have both a ballistics and impact advantage.
I have had a 6.5-06 and loved it. About as big a case I could utilize in a 24" pipe and 140gr slugs. An improved 6.5-06 aka 6.5 Gibbs would equal the RSAUM for case capacity. More rds in the mag and a no brainer for feeding.
Jerry
Also, most match bullets don't like going much over 3100fps. Poly tipped hunting bullets can go faster accurately...maybe.
As much as I love the 6.5, I would suggest a 7mm simply because you can take advantage of all that powder to push 180gr Bergers to over 3000fps. Now you have both a ballistics and impact advantage.
I have had a 6.5-06 and loved it. About as big a case I could utilize in a 24" pipe and 140gr slugs. An improved 6.5-06 aka 6.5 Gibbs would equal the RSAUM for case capacity. More rds in the mag and a no brainer for feeding.
Jerry
Quote: "Not too hot for a swede ? I wanted to convert one to 6.5-06 but I was told not to, a few smiths refused outright."
My Win M70 can handle a 6.5-284.
The swede has a larger head than a 06. Maybe the conversion problem of the 6.5-06 was the need to cut off some chamber to get diameter down? The 284 head is larger (rebated rim) so it can fit into a swede chamber.
If you had a M96, the smiths may have been concerend about the small ring mauser.
My Win M70 can handle a 6.5-284.
The swede has a larger head than a 06. Maybe the conversion problem of the 6.5-06 was the need to cut off some chamber to get diameter down? The 284 head is larger (rebated rim) so it can fit into a swede chamber.
If you had a M96, the smiths may have been concerend about the small ring mauser.
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
I have a Swede in 6.5-06. Had it for years. No problems so far. Swedish steels are very, very good. - dan
6.5 in a magnum
If I were building a 6.5 and it had to be on a magnum case three cases to consider WSSM,WSM & SAUM. They all have enough powder capacity to drive the 140gr at 2900 F/P/S.
Non magnum would be 6.5X47L,6.5X55,& 6.5X284.
If I were building a 6.5 and it had to be on a magnum case three cases to consider WSSM,WSM & SAUM. They all have enough powder capacity to drive the 140gr at 2900 F/P/S.
Non magnum would be 6.5X47L,6.5X55,& 6.5X284.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
I like the 6.5WSM, also have a 6.5WSSM which is also very good, but more finicky.
The 6.5X55 is my present favorite, but I also like my 6.5/303 Epps, and the kid's 6.5.284.
Asas stated by oldbadger, if Ii was to build another, it would be a 6.5SAUM, simply because of the case capacity.
Cat
The 6.5X55 is my present favorite, but I also like my 6.5/303 Epps, and the kid's 6.5.284.
Asas stated by oldbadger, if Ii was to build another, it would be a 6.5SAUM, simply because of the case capacity.
Cat
If case capacity were real important I'd have a 6.5-06 in a heartbeat, but the next one for me is a 6.5-08. Been messing with a new 7mm-08 and it's real interesting. Small case sure, but deadly accurate. (Already have a 6mm-08 aka .243 and I love it). As far as more conventional stuff goes, the .264 Mag is a great choice and got a bum rap about eating up barrels and eroding throats overnight. Powders are way better now, bullets are superbly built and that 140 gr 6.5 bullet just plain kills like a genius. The Swede? Great within it's limits, mild shooting and a blast to shoot but not having that 3rd lug like the 98's stops me from filling up the cases with powder. They've been flattening moose in Europe for probably a 100 years with it - gotta be a good reason.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
When I mentioned case capacity it was because we have decided (9 after a friend built one around brass that I neck sized for him) that the SAUM is a better case for 6.5 than the WSM.
My personal 6.5X55 is built on a double rifle with a true rifle action, not one from a shotgun action.
it works great and is all that gun I need for mooses!
Cat
Slightly less case capacity, I would expect. Makes for a more efficient round. - dan
I agree that you want to make full use of the mag length, but there are alternatives to re-throating. The Hornady 160gr and Remington 140gr are "two-diameter" (smaller diameter than 0.264" ahead of the cannelure) bullets that can be seated way out. If those bullets suit you and group well in your gun no need to extend the throat.
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
Yep, the short throat is an issue (unless you have a supply of winchester power points) especially shooting 140gr, even the 130 gr. TSX is fairly long. im getting mine done after hunting season, no sense tinkering anymore until its done.
Pathfinder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Northeast Ontario
Interesting, I had no idea about the remingtons, core lokt psp's I guess ?
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- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
There are no issues with the throat on the winchester in question, it just doesn't do what some of his other 6.5's will.
besides, you have to realize that although he LOVES firearms, OB HATES the M70 !!
Cat
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
We think that the SAUM case is just a bit more tolerant of loading capacities, throat erosion, etc.
The case is also a tad thinner so it resizes a bit easier.....
Cat
