Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting 6.5x64 Brenneke?

I have done the Google search and can't find any threads on this cartridge. I have also read every thread here on any of the 6.5's I could find, so I KNOW that some of you out there know what you are talking about.

What can you guys tell me about it? Is it worth doing vs. 6.5-06?

I have a Montana Rifle Company Model 1999 action in an Accuracy Innovations stock that is going to need a new barrel. The action is long enough for a COAL of 3.640", and it has a .473" bolt face.

I'm looking for something to shoot critters up to Mule Deer & Caribou size animals at 500-600 yards and love the 6.5's
After a recent deer hunting trip to Kansas and seeing very nice bucks at those distances, I would like a rifle capable of making those shots.
After getting the rifle, then it's all up to me.
I have no interest in the 7mm's or .30 calibers as I already have rifles in those.

Is there a barrel maker out there that makes particularly good barrels in 6.5 cal?
Reamer manufacturers?
Throat length?
What rate of twist would you use? (I'm thinking of concentrating on 120-125gr bullets, but may shoot 140's)
Who is your recommendation for a good 'smith to put it together?
Would you use .270Win brass or .280Rem brass to make cartridges?

I can use all the help I can get (and not just on this project, according to those who know me... )

Ed

I'd go 6.5x64 and I have a 6.5-06. Just shot a 140 berger 450 yards into a whitetail buck. It exited and he died fast. Hart #2, 8 twist, 24", seat 140 berger out as far as you want and send to smith. Buy RL22 or H1000 and neck down 270 brass.

6.5-06 is fine but you have to trim 270 to length is all. 6.5x64 would save that step. Build it light and practice to around 800 or 900 yards. Good stuff. Figure on 2900 fps.

What about 6.5x55AI or BJAI? In your action you will already be able to stoke the Swede cartridge up to modern pressures and with the AI/BJAI you will surpass those numbers by enough to be knocking on the door of the previously mentioned cartridges without the extra expense of the other two, more rare cases.

You could just go 6.5x65 RWS - RWS makes great brass.

Or if you really wanted to be exotic a 6.5x68 Schuler.

All these euro calibres are available in brands such as Voere, Blaser et al..

From what I remember it is comparable to the 264 Win Mag. Any 6.5 barrel would work but reamers, and dies, brass etc maybe hard to find.

Ed, probably go with a 6.5 X 06 with easy brass cheap dies and it will work for you. Had Dave at IT&D rebarrel my MRC 6.5 X 284 with a 24" light contour Douglas. Shoots great.

I looked at a build and contemplated the same thing as you actually. I read up on both a lot, and I opted for going with the 6.5-06 (I shoulda AI'd it) and necked up 25-06 brass. I believe there is a maker of 6.5-06 brass that is properly headstamped but don't quote me, IIRC it was spendy compared to the 25-06 and wasn't phenomenal. I ended up selling the rifle to a friend before load development because I needed some money to help move my wife down after we bought our house/moved a few years ago, but I digress. that rifle shoots amazing groups and I miss it. If I were to do it over I would still do the 6.5-06 over the brenneke and probably AI it.
most recent build to replace it is a 280AI. now you could go with a 6.5-280 and really give yourself a headache comparing ballistics then AI it? forget about it! it has been done and I hear good things, but it's a lot of expense without a lot of gain all things considered.

I used McGowen for my 6.5-06 and have zero complaints other than regretting I sold the rifle! they also barreled my wife's 6x45 mini mauser and it shoots sub 1" groups at 200 yards with a variety of bullets. I would use them again in a heartbeat.

Dave has given me great service in my wildcats. 1-810-953-0732

http://www.mansonreamers.com/

I believe it is identical to, same cartridge as, a 6.5x270

Like 30338 say, you can form brass from 270WCF without the need to trim it, like you would if the cartridge were a 6.5-06 and you were using 270WCF brass.

Either than that, 6.5x270 and 6.5-06 are ballistic twins.

I looked at that one, too, but couldn't find a ready source for brass.
That's one of the reasons I was looking at the Brenneke. You can make it from .270 or .280 without any real issues and not a lot of work.

Ed

30338 - Is that 1:8" twist any issue if you want to shoot 120 or 125 gr bullets?

I like Hart barrels only because I have owned exactly one rifle that had one and it was very accurate.

Kurt, who is that gunsmith you are referring to? I'm not sure I know who you are talking about.

Would it make any sense to build a 6.5x.270/.280 and "AI" it? Would I really gain that much?
I know that Mule Deer has a formula for calculating gains, but right now, I can't find that either.

Thanks for all of the input, folks!

Ed

I had good luck with the 123 Scenars in it. I just bought a few 136 Scenars to try as well. But my hands down favorite for this one is the 140 berger vld. I'd shoot those into any of the critters you mentioned. It shot 130 and 140 accubonds quite well too.

I was having a hard time getting dies when I built mine so I finally found an RCBS full length die and have been seating bullets with a 6.5x55 Redding die. Mine likes a jump to the lands with the VLDs and it is the rifle I have been carrying the most the last few years. Love that rig.

rws brass is great. finding it may be a problem

It is a problem already.

Ed

Ed here is IT&D link http://itdcustomgun.com/


Yours is a Long Action which is why I suggested a 6.5 X 06
I called Dave at IT&D today around $450 to re-barrel.

Huntingtons has got some 6.5x65 rws brass in stock right now. Im debating the x65 or the 26 nosler for my next project, the x65 if i can find another small ring and the 26 if not. Will IT&D use a barrel blank that you send them? They seem to be getting alot of good reviews here, might have to check them out. I don't really think you can lose with any of them.


http://www.huntingtons.com/store/product.php?productid=20191

$2 per brass case is a bit much for this country boy.

Thanks, the last time I looked they were out.
I'm still leaning toward something that doesn't require specialized brass.
This won't be mine forever and I'd like to be able to pass something on that won't be a hassle to load for.

Ed

That's kinda where I'm at, too. If I can afford to build a custom and shoot it, that's one thing. Passing it on to another person who may or may not be able to find or even afford $2.00/ea. brass is another thing.

Does anyone here have or has had a rifle in 6.5x54 Brenneke or its generic 6.5x.270/.280?

Ed