Home Forums Hunting & Shooting AR and Tactical Rifles 6.5 WSSM AR?

Here is a link to a benchrest fourm re working with 6.5 WSSM. These boys seem to be pushing 3000 fps with 140 gr bullets... Dtech/others, what are your thought about an AR set up like this?

http://www.benchrest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8623&page=4

The WSSM in an AR does not have the pressure lattitude that a bolt gun does. The AR needs to run in a farily narrow pressure band. As I understand it from Mike (Dtech) the gun needs enough intial pressure to get the bullet started properly and also the right amount when the bullet passes the gas port to correctly run the action. So a 140 grain 6.5 at 3000 fps might or might not do that. I would imagine experimentation with gas port placement or gas tube diameter might/could work it out, but I don't think Mike has the time for those endeavors right now.

You do have me thinking about rebarreling a 223 to 6.5, though. I've had that thought more than once and wonder about a 6.5 AI as well since it would be a wildcat anyway. Might as well make it a good one! I posed that chamber on the wildcat forum and was surprised by the naysayers. Not many into the WSSM sized actions, I guess. That amazes me since the PPC cartidges are such accuracy kings and the short short action fits perfectly into that genre. But then the Hudson failed too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

isn't the 6.5 WSSM very similar to the 6.5 Grendle?

Not sure about similarity to the grendel, but gas can easily be controlled by an adjustable tube or start drilling the port very small if scared and work up till you get functioning, and maybe ream just a bit more for reliability. Not a big deal, unless you don't have the time to monkey with it as mentioned. But it can be handled.

Jeff

If the benchrest boys are even close about the fps, the WSSM 6.5 would make the Grendle seem slow. Hey RickyD I know where you might be able to sell that .243 barrel...now that it's old and mostly shot out and all... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

the wssm would be in 260 territory i believe. magazine restrictions (ar)would be there in 140's i have to think. i know the 25's are long from the factory....

the grendel is a ppc improved. much smaller in capacity..... fits the ar well.... check out the link.... 26 round ar mag for the grendel..... would be much fun in the deer woods <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

http://www.65grendel.com/

woofer

DPMS now makes a 260 on an AR platform...

The fps were coming from 28+ in barrels IIRC. I thought the reports were a bit optimistic too though. Still if a .25 WSSM will come close to a 25-06... a 6.5 WSSM might come close to a 6.5-06...
BTW, hi Woofers... has your lab had a chance to eat the rest of your house yet?<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, but it's a 10.5 lb AR 10... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif" alt="" />

This guy is chambering for it...
http://www.noveskerifleworks.com/chambers/

The 6.5 WSSM has a following with certain shooters but I don't know of anyone doing it on the AR-15 platform. I think that the length of the magazine pretty well kills it. I have had people talking of short-chambering a 6.5 WSSM and shortening the case so they could shoot the longer VLD bullets. I don't know of anyone that has done it.

RickyD had mentioned the pressure problems with the WSSM. The need for a pressure spike to seal the case-necks to the chamber is a problem for any WSSM, not just the AR. The AR does require a reasonable amount of pressure to operate the bolt when the bullet passes the gas-port, but that has not been a real problem. I have had more problems with the slow burning powders pulling the case-rim off than anything else. This problem has only been with the extreme slow burning powders and heavy bullets. An adjustable gas-block would take care of that problem.

Nice try. It's running pretty good.............in Iowa! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

2W, she has settled in on a diet of all platic and some household garbage <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

smart as a whip but just doesn't get the no garbage policy i have put forth....

woofer

Woofer,
Is that the chocolate you got from me?

Yeah, the one he bought moments before I got the ok from my Mrs... Maybe that wasn't such a bad thing after all<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Most labs are sneaky and have a hard headed side to them. Not as bad as Chessies, but it's there.

yes rick, the very same.... if i ever get a digital going i will definately post pics. she is perfect.. absloutley beautiful!! perfectly symetrical and her chassis is middle of the road (she still thinks she fits on my lap <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)


i am thinking a litter next heat (she is in her 3rd right now). i will let you know.................


woofer

woofer,
Glad you are enjoying each other. Have you hunted her yet?

nope. this fall we will go at it... buddy has a sweet chessie and duck work is on order... i have taken her many miles in the woods just pounding around... she does point to my amazement and loves ground animals.....

doug

I always like hearing that!