Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 6.5 Weatherby RPM Mo betta than a 6.5PRC??

ELD-X is down 34,2 inches @ 500 with a 200 yard zero. Maximum point blank range 300 yds at 3.9" of drop.
Just about identical to the 6.5 143 gr ELD-X if the 3,045 fps is do able with handloads. It might be a custom burn rate powder more like the light magnum loads so hard to do with canister powders, but I don;t know if this is the case. Anyway now I don't have to rush out and get one. But a titanium 257 WBY would float my boat if the price ever drops.
Mostly the cool factor as the titanium is less than one beers worth of weight lighter.

Just an FYI for anyone considering this cartridge.


Ammo is available for $41 and change here:
https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/713087936

I recently bought 6 boxes of the 127lrx for $35.96/box from wholesalehunter.com

Accurate Arms and Ammo have 1 more Redding 3 die set in stock after I ordered a set for $140 and change delivered. Redding is releasing the dies mainstream Feb 1st.

I’m awaiting Weatherby’s new Backcountry model from the custom shop with a deliver date of March 12th. Hope it’s a shooter.

AKwolverine,

"Still waiting to hear an independent verification of the case capacity. That shooting times table is all kinds of fubar."

Yep. Measuring case capacity by filling the case to the mouth is not the functional capacity. If it was, the .30-40 Krag's very long neck would count as "extra" powder space, even though with most bullets the neck is filled with, well, the bullet--not powder. You could shorten the neck 1/4" and it wouldn't make any difference in functional powder room.

On the other hand, the Weatherby fills yet another slot in the ever-increasing number of 6.5mm rounds.

As I have a Winchester Model 70 that needs a barrel and has a standard .473 bolt face this is another interesting proposition. wonder what the barrel life will be? The 6.5x284 has a reputation as being a bit hard when pushed. Another over bore 6.5?

The 6.5/.284 has a shoulder angle and short neck that tend to direct how powder gas right into the throat, just in front of the case mouth.

Case capacity is not the only factor in throat erosion.

OK, understand that. Will the Weatherby 6.5 RPM be a better choice? The three I am looking at are the 6.5X284, (many options, and not sure of the differences. Norma, Lapua etc. ) 6.5-06, and now the 6.5 RPM ?

well anyway my 6.5x284 shoot round 2850 fps and shoot very nice 5 shot groups even the stock Savage S.S. shoots 2850 fps and shoots 5 shot in little groups. i do like the 6.5 x 284 for longer target shooting but i still kinda like my Winchester pre64 264 WIN. Mag.s . if i was to buy a new cartridge it would be 26 Nosler, worried about erosion ? buy a cartridge that shoots slow its that simple

The 26 isn't nearly as bad on barrels as some apparently believe. Generally they last at least 1000 rounds, which is a lot more than the average hunter shoots from a hunting rifle.

That'a right. Once loads are worked up, as a hunter, no reason to keep on blasting. My 26 Nos does show thru the Hawkeye, the effects of 400 rounds, but is still a sub MOA shooter.

My 6.5-284 with even more rounds shows some erosion, but also remains a sub MOA shooter.

If I'm pushing 140 VLD's at 3K with RL-17 out of my 6.5-284 and I know some of the .264 guys post much better speeds than we've seen mentioned here,.

I'm waiting to see what "Fire" speeds we're gonna see out of the RPM and PRC...

Ya can't believe those books....

DF

Most of the guys worried about barrel life havent worn out a barrel. That and they make barrels every day.

Waiting for some first hand accounts of the rpm ... rifles and ammo appear to be available.

I picked up a box of Weatherby 6.5 RPM 140gr AB ammo, and yes its just an extended 6.5-284, I pulled the bullet and got 64.6grs of powder, looks like/similar R23 but not positive.

I got 80.1grs of H2o, the loaded length was 3.333", here's a cpl pictures for comparison,

6.5-284 / 6.5 RPM / 280AI






6.5-284 / 6.5 RPM / 280AI / empty 6.5 RPM

Is the rim of the RPM rebated? It doesn't look like it from the photos.

Rebated......

6.5 WBY RPM (Rebated Precision Magnum)

Weatherby has traditionally designed and built ultra-high velocity cartridges with unique case designs-belted magnums with a double-radius shoulder. This is seen in all of the existing Weatherby cartridges until now. The Mark V 6 lug standard action has been one of our best-kept secrets for years. The goal of the 6.5 WBY RPM (Rebated Precision Magnum) was initially based around maximizing the potential of this great lightweight action. Setting out to produce the best backcountry rifle and cartridge combination ever, it was a project not taken lightly. At our core, Weatherby prides itself in ballistic superiority. The rebated rim helps achieve the desired velocity and energy we were looking for while remaining compatable with our 6 lug action. The 6.5 WBY RPM packs a punch and is capable of being chambered in Weatherby’s new sub five pound rifle, the Mark V Backcountry Ti. This combination offers maximum downrange performance in the lightest rifle possible. After years of development, the 6.5 WBY RPM combination achieves the weight savings, ballistic performance and price that cannot be found in a rifle anywhere else.


THE CARTRIDGE

The 6.5 WBY RPM is based on a lengthened version of the existing 284 Winchester. This cartridge has a rebated rim, making it compatible with standard 30-06 bolt faces and reloading equipment. However, the large body diameter, low body taper, and 35-degree shoulder mean that case capacity is greatly increased, leading to higher velocities. In addition, bullet innovation in the 6.5mm category are highly efficient with less drop and wind deflection than many heavier calibers. All these details culminate into a cartridge that delivers 1,500 foot pounds of energy at 500 yards capable of ethically taking big game animals across the globe.

Pretty easy to get a 264 win over 3100 with a 140, even with a standard chamber. Mine shot great with 140 accubonds @ 3150 with reloder 22.

Hmm,a 6.5X280AI would look interesting.

Doh! and I thought RPM was revolutions per minute. Interesting cartridge and package I hope other makers pick it up. Seems like some long range target shooters would experiment with it. You could run it at 6.5x284 velocities and maybe get longer barrel life due to lower pressures and longer neck. In fact I think this could be the best niche for this cartridge.

Bccp,
Thanks for posting.
I think it may make for a nice option for a LA 6.5; hopefully some of the other ammo makers will pick up the chambering.
I could like a brown pounder adl, LA ti action, 8 twist rock #2, and TT special at a little over 5 pounds ....
Or just buy the weatherby offering - but what fun would that be!

Wby store shows brass available at around $1.5 a case.

I would always get a commercial offering over a wildcat.

It should feed much better than a PRC.

I like the 7mm rpm version better.