Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Need feedback on possible 6.5 build !

Well....I'm thinking of a couple of options on a 6.5 mm build. I have a nice creedmoor so I want to go up one notch power and velocity. I had a nice custom 6.5 -06 ackley but sold it(stupid on my part) but that is the life of a rifle looney. I have considered a factory model 70 extreme weather in .264 win mag. Pretty gun and nice set up for a grand, My other thought has been to build a 6.5 RSAUM. That seems to be the new darling in the 6.5 world. I most likly would build it on a Tikka T3 action and Manners stock.....bartlein barrel of shilen barrel 1-8 twist 24-25" long. This would cost more for sure. What do you guys think? All freedback is welcome. goodshot

I dont have much experience with the RSAUMs but I'm in the same boat as you right now and have been seriously considering a 6.5-0ai build.

I already have a 260rem, 6.5 creedmoor and a 6.5x47 lapua so I figure a 6.5-06ai would be a nice step up and should still feed easy from a mag box and brass availability is plenty if you're forming from 270win brass.

Any particular reason to build on an Tikka, what is the purpose of the build (target, hunting to what distance, etc.) and what is your budget?

Because it is the best off the shelf rifle action available under $1000.

One of the smoothest actions available

Comes with an excellent trigger

Action doesn't require any trueing ($600 savings )

Plenty of aftermarket accessories available nowadays.

Shod

What bullet do 6th want to push and how fast? I've been through a pile of 6.5's myself. I'm sold on the 260ai now. It's shoving 140 class bullets 2900 easily. I end up with good barrel life, low recoil, easy to find brass and ammo, still feels "nichy" like a loony needs. If top speed is your goal, the 264mag has it in capacity. The 6.5-06 as you know will need action work to seat out long. The smaller cases seem to always feed well and you can carry another couple in the mag.....

No dog in this one but I think there are lots of options on actions for under a grand. I was asking the original poster if he had a particular reason for wanting to use a Tikka, just curious and always willing to listen.
IMHO, if you are going full blown custom saving a few hundred on an action "can" be a false economy if it is not exactly what you want.

I am having a 6.5-06 put together right now. My current 6.5-06 is going to get the Ackley treatment. I also have a 264 WM and a 6.5 WSM. I'd like to have a 6.5 RUM in the future.
If you are looking for performance from a small pkg then the short mag is the way to go. If you are going to build on a long action I would go with a 264WM or 26 Nosler. A 700 or other longer action will allow you to seat the bullet out further after you have your barrel throated.

If your goal is to up the velocity a notch from a Creedmoor I would go 6.5 SAUM. No fireforming and great barrel life as compared to many other 3000+ FPS 6.5's. Brass may be a bit higher $ than a 6.5-06 but Norma is available in the SAUM variety and quality counts for something. 264 Win Mag brass isn't very easy to find.

I am currently enjoying my 6.5 Super LR which is a tick more capcity than the Creedmoor, but less than a 6.5-06. Pushing 140's at 2900 via H4350 in a 24" barrel with no brass stress. I'm forming brass out of Winchester brand 243 with one simple pass through a FL die. There's alot to like there.

The Extreme Weather is a nice package, if you want an off-the-shelf rifle. I wouldn't "build" a 264WM though.

Guys, the reason for the Tikka is as follows:
Center line feed(big deal with RSAUM case )
Like clips
Manners has a drop in stock
Trigger is good
Action is true enough
Used for 400-500 bucks
I already have 5 custom model 7 or 700.
Want to try somthing different.

Sounds like you have a plan! I have a growing itch for a 6.5 but suspect if I do anything about it I will go with a 260 (or creedmore) or the swede. It would surely cover all my deer hunting requirements!

I've been thinking lately about taking a Winchester Extreme Weather WSM and having it rebarreled to a 6.5 SAUM. I think that wouod be quite a darling hunting rifle.

I like the Tikka for your project, I did the same and it worked perfectly. The 6.5 SAUM seems like the ticket, will fit the Tikka action nicely.

When looking at the Manners check out the mini chassis, it gives you a lot of room to move going forward.

Randy

My latest 6.5 projects have been 256 Newtons. Of course, they are not short and fat so not interesting to the modern hunter! GD

Nobody has mentioned the 6.5 Weatherby. It's my go-to deer and elk setup. Pushes 140 partitions at 3350 fps - and McWhorter Rifles gets the 140 Bergers going 3400 fps with H1000. Just run .257 Weatherby brass through the die and you've got brass. It's the very best of the fast 6.5's in my opinion.

Maybe you should look at this one.

Posts: 459





6.5 Prometheus (6.5 PRO) 140 gr. 3700 fps

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Prometheus.... the Bringer of Fire..... is reborn !

Bullet Weight:
140 gr

Muzzle Velocity:
3700 fps

Muzzle Energy:
4257 ft-lbs



AmmoGuide is now... "Interactive"!



The original case dimensions were created in May 2011 for the "7.62 PRO" then re-designed and necked down to 6.5mm in February, 2012 by Pro Martusheff specifically for the Sako TRGS M995 action. The idea evolved in the spring of 2011 and became reality when KRG Welcome to KRG made a stock for the SAKO M995 that uses AICS "CIP" length 5-10 round magazines, The parent 338 Norma Magnum was perfectly suited for this action and and AICS mags.

Given the amount of powder it burns for the 6.5mm bullets, the wildcat was originally named "6.5 Prometheus" to pay homage to the Greek Titan Prometheus (the bringer of fire) who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to man. The short name for it is 6.5 PRO (Precision Rifled Ordnance). Basically it's a 6.5mm cannon that brings fire. The shoulder was changed to 35� and neck length to .342", the base of the case was retained at .589", the shoulder pushed forward to 1.9549" , I wanted a bit more taper in the case for extraction when shooting high pressure max loads and the width at the top of the body is .570" giving the case a .019" taper


Attached Thumbnails - Click to View Larger
6.5 Prometheus (6.5 PRO) 140 gr. 3700 fps-6.5-prometheus.jpg 6.5 Prometheus (6.5 PRO) 140 gr. 3700 fps-6.5-pro-drop-table-3.jpg

6.5 Prometheus (6.5 PRO) 140 gr. 3700 fps-6.5-pro-drop-table-.jpg 6.5 Prometheus (6.5 PRO) 140 gr. 3700 fps-6.5-pro-drop-table-b.jpg

6.5 Prometheus (6.5 PRO) 140 gr. 3700 fps-6.5-pro-drop-table-c.jpg 6.5 Prometheus (6.5 PRO) 140 gr. 3700 fps-6.5-pro-drop-table-d.jpg

Shod,
Are you serious? I'd take a trued 700 100 to 1. Not to mention a Stiller Predator.

Tikka plastic magazines suck. Tikka floating recoil lugs suck. Their barrels are usually quite good for a FACTORY RIFLE. NO NEED to put a custom barrel on a Tikka receiver... Truing depends on the action. One would be foolish to rebarrel ANY factory action without basic truing work.. Who told you truing cost $600? Hell you can buy a BLUEPRINTED 700 SA with a Custom PT&G One Piece Bolt for less than that.

Your $600 figure buys http://shop.pacifictoolandgauge.com...ath=282_283_286_290&products_id=2152

Your $1000 figure buys http://shop.pacifictoolandgauge.com...ath=282_283_286_290&products_id=2161

Long Actions Blueprint Kits on the way..

If you've talked yourself into the Tikka build that is fine. Just don't expect to get away with "best off the shelf rifle action under $1000".

We live in a time when a $1000 can buy a damned nice custom action that you'll never approximate with anything from Finland. If you want an Oberndorf Trigger Guard they are readily available and cheap for Remington 700 foot prints. If you want a super dependable detachable magazine( Accuracy International ) there are more system being built than you can throw a stick at and cheaply. Look at Pacific Tool & Gauge...

Best of luck with your rifle but don't paint yourself in a corner unless you've decided that is the only way to go...

Regards, Matt.

I have built myself a 260 with 10" twist Douglas on VZ24 action.
I have built myself a 260 with 9" twist Shilen on Com Mauser action.

I have bought a 6.5-06 reamer and dies.
I have a Shilen 6.5 barrel blank 8" twist ratchet rifling.

I have Savage 110, Rem700, Win pre 64 M70, commercial Mauser, sporterized Mauser, and sporterized Mosin Nagant actions lying around waiting for a barrel.

If I had not hit the house with a tree, I would have built a 6.5-06 in time for the 2014 hunting season.

All I know so far, is that the 6.5-06 dies are not just lying around used. They are hard to find used.

Clark,
Let me sell you a new Bartlein .264/256", 1-8" twist, SS, in a Remington Varmint Contour. You CLEARLY need a 1-8" 260...(grin)

I have multiple Pre-53(one piece bolt)Model 70s actions available as well. Can't have the two piece bolt with the hole in the end of it. Not and be a true snob. Not to mention your choice of D'arcy Echols Legend Pre-64 stocks with either Sporter of Heavy Magnum/Varmint barrel channels...

Will even sell you new Lapua .260 Remington Brass well below cost. Not to mention Redding Comp Dies and enough RL-17 to shoot out several barrels...

I am here for you...

Regards, Matt.

Agreed on truing the action. I believe his gunsmith told him the Tikka needed no truing. Lol. He still has a lot to learn. But I have confidence that he will come around soon. I say this having had only 1 cup of coffee

As to OPs original question, I would rather build a racecar based on a Yugo than a custom rifle based on a Tikka......