Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting 6.5 Rem Magnum---old cartridge new powders

What is not to like about that -

Very, very nice...

With the post about pushing 140 VLD's over 3K, I see you're up to 3,120 fps, which is impressive.

At what point would it be prudent to swap to target VLD's with their slightly thicker jackets, when pushing the Berger VLD's over 3K? Looks to me like the target version may hold together better at that velocity.

Or stated another way, at 3,120 fps, would the Target VLD be a better hunting bullet than the Hunting VLD?

DF

It's a neet sweet kinda sexy cartridge. I thought long and hard about it at one time.

But the belt and short neck gave me hessitation and it's really a short 6.5-06.

The speeds are impressive but how's the accuracy at those speeds?

I saw a post by a Fire contributor who had experience with the 6.5-284 and the 6.5-06. He preferred the latter because that round has a longer neck and different shoulder geometry that he said was easier on the throat. The 6.5-284, as you know, has the a barrel burner reputation. I would think the 6.5 RM would be as bad if not worse. My thinking, in a hunting round, that may not be so critical.

It would be interesting, however, to compare throat errosion between the 6.5 RM and the 6.5-06 AI. That's not quite apples vs. apples, but would be an interesting comparison. The AI would change the '06 shoulder geometry, but the longer neck would still be a factor.

DF

I have the 6.5RM, 6.5-06, 6.5-284 and 6.5x55 and for hunting they are pretty much peas out of the same pod, especially the first three. I use them for hunting so throat erosion has not been an issue. Favorites? Swede and 6.5-06.

My two are a M-70/Krieger 6.5-284 and a 98 FN Mauser/Shilen 6.5x55.

The 6.5-284 is set up for longer range Whitetail and Pronghorn hunting, the 6.5x55 for general purpose hunting.

DF

No, John Burns is shooting the hunting VLD out of his 264 at least another 100 fps faster.
I think his success speaks for itself.


It's a bit more than a 6.5-06, it holds 4 more grains of powder and 5 more than the 6.5-284.

That allows me to send the same bullet weight and speed with less pressure and throat wear than both the 6.5-06 and 6.5x284. My goal was to have a lower pressure round in a 6.5 with the ability to up the speed if I wanted to.

I am not a belt fan but being able to load and go/shoot without necking brass up or down won out over the 6.5 SAUM.

I've had two 6.5x284 and to get 3,000+ you really have to lean on it hard.
If DF is getting close to 3,100 in his 6.5x284 not doubt his pressures are really up there, over 65K.



I strongly doubt that, more myth than fact. Also, the 6.5 RM and the 260 Rem are just about the same length neck with the 260 having a 20 degree shoulder compared to 25 degrees for the 6.5 RM.
You don't hear about the 260 Rem having problems and I doubt I will with the 6.5 RM.

Again, I will be shooting the same bullet at the same speeds you are with your 6.5x284 but my 6.5 RM will be doing it with a lot less pressure.

Are you shooting your 6.5 RM in a long action with a COAL of 3.160?

Or, is it in a short action with a a 2.820 COAL?

Makes a big time difference.

Thanks for that info.

You're right. At 3,100, the 6.5-284 was showing strain with those 140 VLD's. Pressure was probably North of 65K, maybe higher. At 3,000,fps, no sweat. I think that's a tribute to RL-17.

Isn't the .264 WM a barrel burner as bad as, if not worse than the 6.5-284? I hope the 6.5 RM isn't a barrel burner, but it could be. I'd like to look down that tube with my Hawkeye after 4-500 roungs...

DF

I strongly doubt it. My goal is 3,000 mv with a 140 and my pressures will be a whole lot lower than your x284.

I would have to up my speeds another 100 to 150 fps to approximate your pressures.

And really, as far as being barrel burners. We aren't shooting F class here. These are hunting rifles. We take care of them and don't fast shoot them, they'll last many hunting seasons.

I hear ya.
I can get to 3000 pretty safely with the 6.5-06. THat's about all I'll ever need from a 139-142 class bullet in the hunting rig.

I agree with the up/down sizing but at least with the 6.5-06 it's pretty simple. I HATE to FF brass.

I'll have to agree with the shoulder geometry and short neck thing you quoted above. I think you'll find the life of such will be reduce more than the 6.5-284. However is should be a great deal of fun!

IF it wern't for the belt I might own one.

Burns has had great success.. but... build 2-3 more and if they have as much success I'll be a believer.

I hate FF'ing, too. That's the main reason for building a .22-204 instead of a .223AI. But, that's another story.

How much advantage, if any, would you expect from a 6.5-06AI vs. a std. 6.5-06? Would it be worth the effort?

The '06, reportedly, doesn't improve very much with AI, but the 6.5 version, who knows...

DF

I hate belts too! But went with them anyways, seeing them better than the alternative.

Here are the neck lengths of the
260 Rem .259
6.5 RM....261
264 WM...254

The 260 on paper, has a shorter neck. Does anyone here think it gets poor throat life as a result?

Also, I look at it this way. I've owned 3 264's and got barrel life up to 2,000 to 2,500 rounds with plenty of hunting accuracy. I babied those barrels.
If my 6.5 RM gets me within 100 fps of the 264, burning 12 to 15 grains less powder with less recoil.
I have a winner!

That is a main reason Burns likes the 264 WM, it has less recoil than the other larger caliber magnums.
For long range hunting, less recoil works better for him and others.

I really checked into that one big time. I came to the conclusion of a Big Time No!

Just asking, as I hate FF'ing.

Sounds good to me.

DF

260 has a short neck BUT considerably less powder burnt too...

In my book the 06" AI version wasn't even worth the effort.

the 6.5-06 isn't new and sexy but is surly fits the "work horse" bill once the right boolit for the application is applied.

No, my 6.5RM is a factory 673.... it was my intention with a long magnum action I had to build what you did but didn't get it done before recoil started to be an issue for shoulder problems. I have enjoyed following your thread on your new adventure!

Love my 6.5 rem mag

Browning BBR 300 win mag donor action
Douglas XX #4 contour 1 in 8 twist 26" barrel
McSwirly stock
Zeis 4.5x14x44 RapidZ 800 scope
130 gr SSII at 3175 fps with 54.5 gr RL17





Building on a long action is definitely the way to go, seat those long 6.5 bullets way out there



I have a fairly tight neck at .292" which means I have to do a full neck turn down to .0125". Have yet to lose a piece of brass even running 140's up to 3100 fps.

About time you showed up Woods.

Thanks for the photos and load data.

What is your COAL?

It is a sexy cartridge