If I was going to build a 6.5 today, it would be the new 26 Nosler. High BC bullets are good, but high BC bullets pushed fast and hard are even better.
My 6.5-284 Pre-64/Krieger has been my go to WT, Pronghorn and hog gun for several years. It shoots 140 Hunting VLD's at near 3K with RL-17. Last 400 yd. group with the Z5 3.5-18x44 BT was under 2", (three shots at 1.7").
I haven't hunted with that gun since building a 26 Nos on a fire damaged 7RM, 700 BDL. It has a 26" Shilen Match barrel, Z3 4-12x50 BT scope and really likes 120 E-Tips at 3,450 fps. (near half MOA at 400). I've got 127 gr. LRX's to try and they'll go near 3,600 fps., best accruacy at 3,575 fps. My hunting bud shoots 140 NPT's at 3,300 in his 26, built at the same time, barreled by the same smith on an early '60's 7RM 700 BDL that was shot out. Same barrel, 3-9x40 Conquest scope.
I really like the 26 Nos. It makes the 6.5-284 seem sorta boring...
DF
