Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats 6.5 Remington Mag

Looking to build or buy a 6.5 Remington Mag. I would consider a factory model if the barrel length meets the capability of the bullet (I know that is a loaded statement) but they are difficult to find and I am not a fan of the 600s and 660s. If you have one that you could share success with I would appreciate it. I prefer a Sako action or Remington/clones Model seven or 700 for a build.
Thank you in advance
Kyle

There is Ren. 700 BDL on broker right now. I have 2 built on mauser 98 actions with 24 IN barrels and unknown twist but they love 120 grain TTSX barnes bullets. Formerly from Duluth now in south Texas LOL

https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/65-prc-vs-other-65mm-cartridges/372107


Brass availability being what it is I'd PRC

If I were to build a rifle in a 6.5 caliber, it would not be a 6.5 Rem Mag

6.5 Rem Mag is a really cool cartridge, now considered a novelty. 6.5 RSAUM, now there is a great starter platform.

Agreed. From a practical standpoint 6.5 PRC.

If I really really really had to have a 6.5 Rem Mag I'd start with either a Win 70, Kimber, or 700 clone (with extended magazine) in a WSM cartridge. Brass .. start with any belted mag, shorten, neck size, and neck ream. It's not a big deal for enough to hunt with, pain in the ass deal if you're trying to do it for a high volume varmint gun.

It might be simpler to build a .264 win mag.

I have a 6.5 RM on a Mexican Mauser action with 24 inch barrel. Good shooter.

I have a flat bolt Ruger 77 in 6.5 RM and it is obvious why Remington/Peters only loaded 100 and 120 grain factory ammo, the COAL limits of a short action magazine. If a key aspect of the 6.5 Creedmoor's superiority over the the 260 REM is that its shorter case length allows for longer/heavier VLD bullets to fit into short action magazines better, the same goes for the 6.5 RM. If you're going to build a 6.5 RM on a long action in order to eliminate the short action COAL limitations, why not opt for a cartridge that has the same approximate performance potential while being much easier in almost all aspects, the 6.5-06?

The 6.5-284 has approximately the same case capacity as the 6.5 RM and while brass is easier to come by, it has the same COAL limitation issues in a short action.

Thank you all, I think for a build you guys are right on, my builder went through almost the same conversation with me over a beer last night. I found a 6.5 Rem Mag from a member here that is a factory Rem 700, so that itch is scratched.
the build still needs to happen, I am leaning towards a PRC as of now…
Thanks, Kyle

Capt. John,
Glad to hear from another guy from Northern MN. Also proud to say I am not from Duluth!

Larsline - Formerly Duluth LOL - Not looking back!

Mine is a model 700 LA LH with a Bartlein or Krieger barrel (can't remember which ). I did this one because I just wanted one, as already have a 6.5-06. There isn't much difference in this one , the 6.5-06 and the 6.5-284 velocity wise. All of the 6.5's are flat shooting and fun. The Swede and the Creedmore are fun to shoot, and I also have a .260 AAR, which is very similar to the .257 Ackley necked up to 6.5. Whatever a person wants in 6.5 is going to be good, and it is hard to tell the difference in killing power in the field.

Yes, I would be very concerned about being able to find brass.

6.5 Rem was well ahead of its time. Remington got it all wrong. A 3.0” magazine would have set the world on fire. Even back then heavy for caliber .264 bullets held better characteristics for hunting with high BC and SD. It could throw a 140 grain bullet at 3,050 fps, only 100 fps behind the 264 Win Mag using a shorter action.

Faster than 6.5 PRC by 100 fps. Today the 6.5 PRC would be the choice for all the apparent reasons given and would show no difference on game.

Agree. It’s a has been, more better options today.
And I liked the 6.5 REM Mag but thought Remington really messed up on the marketing. It should have been promoted as a western long range rifle instead of a short barreled woods rifle.

Mine is a long action 700 Classic with 26" Douglas stainless barrel. 140gr Bergers/H1000 land one on top of another . Worst groups have been 1 3/4" with various other bullets. 100gr Sierra hollow points do a dandy job on groundhogs with sub-moa accuracy. 123 Scenars and 129 Hornadys are fine deer loads. Nice to have something out of the ordinary.

Lars,

I have a very nice Ruger flat bolt for you if you’re interested pm me.

Taylor