Holy smokes! Too many to choose from. I've narrowed it down to 6.5 Creedmoor ... 26 Nosler ... 260 Rem ... 264 Win Mag ... 6.5 x 55. What gives? I want one but once I fill this gap in my current lineup, I don't want regrets. I have a big void between my 22-250 and my 30-06 that I think a 6.5 would fit perfectly. Here's what I do know, I reload so ammo is not an issue except maybe finding brass. I also don't plan on shooting it a TON, maybe 100rds a year max, except hunting occasionally so barrel life really isn't a factor. Recoil might be something I shy away from, not saying I can't deal with it but I just plain shoot better with low recoiling rifles. Also, a big factor can be what manufacturers currently offer in these chamberings. I don't typically do much to my rifles, the way I get them is usually how they stay. I have done a stock swap on occasion but that's about it. Advice???
............Well, it is going to depend on what your budget is (if you have one) and what kind of downrange performances you are looking for.
Of the five 6.5mm choices you mention above, the 26 Nosler given the same bullets and bullet weights, will give you the best MVs, the flattest trajectories and the best retained downrange velocities and energys. The only production 6.5mm round that exceeds the 26 Nosler ballistically is the new 6.5/300 Wby. But then you'll be looking at about $2300 or so for a new Wby Accumark.
So! Do what I'm going to do to fill my void as I have nothing smaller than 30 caliber. If you are looking for a top notch 6.5mm performer as I am, then look no further than a Browning X Bolt chambered in the 26 Nosler. Even though the 6.5mm/300 Wby has better performance, I cannot see spending another grand or so extra for the Accumark over the X- Bolt just to get another 150 or so fps.
26 Nosler ammo is plentiful here, at least in So Cal anyway. And brass availability should not be a problem either. Brass/ammo can be ordered from Nosler and Midway USA.
Concerning recoil? The 26 Nosler Brownings have muzzle brakes. Should be a recoiling pussycat. If you can handle the recoil of your '06 ok, then the 26 Nosler should be a piece of cake. Among other videos, you can go on you tube and see a video review showing the 26 Nosler being fired from the bench chambered in the Nosler Liberty rifle.
Obviously imo, Browning saw great potential in both the 26 and 28 Nosler rounds or they would not be offering them in the X Bolt.
Although I have no need for either, I sense 30 and 33 Nosler offerings coming from Browning too.
Cannot go wrong with a Browning.
