I'm not a fan of smaller and slower for hunting. Keeping things simple has worked for me. The new sexy 6.5 is the Weatherby extended ranges don't require a Kestrel and a drop chart out to 500+ yards.
The new wonder caliber is a very nice short range deer and antelope gun if you aren't planning to twist turrets.
You are, I assume, being facetious.
Below are the numbers for the Weatherby factory ammo (130g Scirocco II) and with estimated values for a 147g Hornady ELD. For comparison, the Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor 147g ELD factory load is included. Also included, because I ran the numbers for my own enlightenment, is data for my 6.5-06AI 130g Scirocco-II handload and estimated values for a 6.5-06AI 147g ELD handload.
Using 'Point Blank' again, 50F, 7500', 10mph drift, MPBR zero for 6" target (+3" max rise, 3" max drop)
300 yards
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6.5 Creedmoor
4.58" drop, 3.32" drift, Hornady 147g ELD, .697 B.C. @ 2695fps, 24" barrel
6.5-06AI
1.42" drop, 3.39" drift = Swift Scirocco II, .571 B.C. @ 3161fps, 24" barrel, handload
2.36" drop, 3.04" drift = Hornady 147g ELD, .697 B.C. @ 2980fps, 24" barrel, estimated handload (subtracted 95fps from known 140g load)
6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum
0.05" drop, 2.60" drift = Swift Scirocco II, .571 B.C. @ 3476fps, 26" barrel, factory load
0.49" drop, 2.65" drift = Hornady 147g ELD, .697 B.C., 3300fps, 26" barrel, estimated handload (subtracted 95fps from WBY 140g load)
500 yards
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6.5 Creedmoor
36.21" drop, 9.99" drift, Hornady 147g ELD, .697 B.C. @ 2695fps, 24" barrel
6.5-06AI
23.45" drop, 9.91" drift = Swift Scirocco II, .571 B.C. @ 3161fps, 24" barrel, handload
26.73" drop, 8.65" drift = Hornady 147g ELD, .697 B.C. @ 2980fps, 24" barrel, estimated handload (subtracted 95fps from known 140g load)
6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum
17.02" drop, 8.75" drift = Swift Scirocco II, .571 B.C. @ 3476fps, 26" barrel, factory load
19.14" drop, 7.56" drift = Hornady 147g ELD, .697 B.C., 3300fps, 26" barrel, estimated handload (subtracted 95fps from WBY 140g load)
A couple other comparison points:
A new Weatherby 6.5-300 runs from $1900 up. With the naked action, Timney trigger, action truing, bedding, PTG reamer, a custom fluted/heavy Krieger barrel, gunsmithing work by Krieger, shipping and everything else, my Interarms Mark X 6.5-06AI was about $1710 all in. A Ruger American Predator in 6.5 Creedmoor can easily be had for under $400.
Weatherby ammo runs $98 a box. There is lots of 6.5 Creedmoor ammo available in the $20-$30 range with some lower and some higher. Norma's 6.5 Creedmoor/130g Scirocco II ammo lists for $40 a box at Midway USA. My 6.5-06AI 130g Scirocco II loads run $28 a box if I buy new brass, $16.40 if reusing brass. (Glad I reload!)
[Edited to add...]
Given the recoil differences, the 6.5-300 would be my last choice for most purposes.
[End edit.]
