Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Which 6.5 and why?

Thanks!

Scenars are great bullets, just ask Pat.

I have 136L and 139 Scenars. The 139 is the bullet of choice for my 6.5x55. I'm still shooting 140 Berger Hunting VLD's in my 6.5-284 at around 3K with RL-17; been too busy with the 26 to mess with that one. Actually it shoots too good to switch...

I think the concern my friend had was speed and how a bullet would perform with a less than ideal shot. I learned from Berger that they don't want their 140 Hunting VLD's running much over 3,100 fps., in fact their top 26 Nos load data for that bullet maxed at 3,150. I talked to a tech and told him I could easily push that bullet to 3,300+ before I started leaning on it. He then said maybe I should use the heavier jacketed Target VLD's. That's about the time I pulled my test VLD bullets and moved on.

We're thinking 3,500-3,600 fps may be a good fit for mono-metals. But, we've changed horses before and the research continues...

I think Scenars will stand more speed then Bergers, just how much more I don't know.

What I don't know far exceeds what I do know...

This is all new to me and to those working with this round. The 26 Nos is a lot of fun, a screaming laser beam...!

DF

It is silly to run a 6.5 mm bullet more than about 3100 or so when you can step up to a 7mm with the infinitely better bullets- this coming from a hard-core 6.5 shooter. 6.5-284, 6.5-06 and similar are about all you should do with this caliber. A 7WSM is a shoulder better in performance than a 6.5-284 if you can stand the recoil.

The 6.5-284 and 260AI are very easy to get to shoot well. Never fired a Creedmoor but it's probably great too. Been working with a 6.5x47L and it is a real dog. Too bad.

Well, you make a good point.

It is fun to blow the living chit out of a critter...

gunner500 said it reminded him of a big .220 Swift...

The LR guys will claim the wind issue should be easier with the extra velocity. The target guys will complain about barrel life.

I still like my 7's, haven't given up on them. To me, going over 140 gr., I step up to a seven. Some may take issue with that. I know long, heavy for caliber is a trend, but it gets harder to maintain velocity with those. Jump a caliber and the speed is there.

BTW, if it was sane or if it made sense, it wouldn't be Loony...

DF

I've been running some JBM with different bullets of differing weights and BC's and velocities with the 6.5mm. I have bullets from 100 grain up to 142 grains to play with when I can. One of the cases holds 109 grains of water and the other 84 grains. The wind drift is my main concern. It seems there is only four to five inches at 700 yards difference with the highest BC from the 106HV and the 142 Matrix.

Lord will' I will be at the range this Thursday with the smaller case rifle. I will start with the 106. The heavier ones will be saved for the larger case. It's been too long of a wait.

Dog? How so?

My friend, get yourself a nice low round count pre 64, mod 70 Westener in .264 win mag, I was able to find a case or so 140 gr accubond ammo and some cheaper Rem core locs to use to zero a gun that had not been shot since Winchester stamped the WP on it. I do baby the gun, it wears a 4.5X 14 ,40 AO Leupold with the varmint reticule, I bore sighted the old way by taking the bolt out and 4 shots I was in the black at 100, 3 inch orange stick on target with 1/2 inch black diamond bull. I walk every shot to not heat the barrel.... I am all about the cold bore one shot at any range BUT 500 or less on SW GA whitetails. First trip to woods yielded a neck shot 200 lb freezer buck. I have dies but this factory ammo ( I bought for the brass)is so accurate I doubt I will hand load the gun...I am Winchester die hard but plenty can build on your Remmy... very best WinPoor

That would depend on what your purpose is, wouldn't it?

Seems there's a trade off between velocity and B.C. The really long for caliber, high B.C. bullets won't move as fast as lighter ones with lower B.C.'s.

So, which is the more potent factor, B.C. or velocity?

Seems a ballance is in order and for hunters, bullet construction and terminal performance enter into the equation.

That's why the 127 LRX looks pretty good for now as a high performance hunting bullet. It's fast, the B.C.'s aren't that bad and it has proven terminal performance, especially at high speeds.

That's why it's today's favorite.

Who can say what tomorrow's favorite may be.

DF

You must have accumulated a certain quantity of 7mm SAUM brass by now.
perhaps a 6.5 SAUM is in order?

Pat - what magazine length does that like ?

The more you write about it, the more I regret building a new 7mm..Shoulda just re barreled the old one and built the 6.5..

Damn you

From 2.820", to 2.945". COAL on the 136, and 139 scenar will be shorter than JLK's, Berger VLD's and Berger Hybrid bullets, with the same Base to ogive measurement because of the shorter ogive.

These loads will work in a short action with a Wyatt's box, or AI mags with the front plate removed. Accurate-Mag also manufactures a magazine without a front plate for .300WSM/.300SAUM that work well. Alpha Industries also makes an extended detachable mag that holds seven rounds, that's only slightly longer than a five round AI mag.

Say it taint so Joe. The 264 WM Woodleigh 160gr PPSN at 3261fps runs circles over any 7mm Rem Mag. Or you can go to the 6.5Pro and hit 3500fps with the 160gr bullet.

With the 6.5Pro energy is still over 3000 ft. lbs. at 300 yards.

I will have to be forgiven for asking.... how one gets 3261 fps from a 160 gr bullet in a 264 WM,when the exact same case will not give that velocity safely when necked up to 7mm?

What charges and how long a barrel does it take to do that?

Maybe he's shooting downhill????

42 inch barrel.

The higher velocity for the .26 is really only just a less more clicks on a scope turret in real life.

Depends on how far you're shooting. At some point the .308 class runs out of steam.