lonniemike said:
Lets see if I got this right the CM pushes projectiles 200 fps faster than my Norma factory fodder. And the 260 will do 100fps better than my Norma. Interesting. Somebody explain how the 264 Winmag fits into the schemme of things?
Faster.
Low to high, in the 6.5 family, looking only at 140 gr bullets:
Using the 9th edition Hornady manual, highest published load
6.5 X 50 Jap: 2600 FPS
6.5X55 Swede: 2600 FPS
260 Remington: 2700 FPS
6.5 Creedmoor: 2725 FPS
6.5-284: 2700 FPS (this number seems low)
6.5-06: 2900
6.5 Rem Magnum: 2900
264 Win Mag: 3000
Lets also look at the latest Sierra manual (edition V, 6th printing)
6.5 X 50 Jap: 2500 FPS
6.5X55 Swede: 2700 FPS
260 Remington: 2700 FPS
6.5 Creedmoor: (no load listed)
6.5-284: 2900 FPS (that is more like it)
6.5-06: 2950
6.5 Rem Magnum: 2800
264 Win Mag: 3000
Now I have a 6.5-06, and I love it, but the barrel life is not great, in fact mine is due for a set-back/rechamber. Right now, if I was building a 6.5 target rig, I would look at the 6.5 CM or the .260 Remington (neither existed when I built my rifle). You get most of the performance of the 6.5-06 with a short action and longer barrel life, and in the case of the .260 excellent Lapua brass available off the shelf.
Slamfire said:
Still, process control technology has improved, and the steels now are much cleaner than they ever have been before
That is not just limited to steel, all manufacturing has come a ridiculously long way. I just got a flyer from Cabela's, listing a Savage Axis for $220 after rebate. Now they may not be much to look at, but that is an excellent shooting rifle for dirt cheap, and pretty much all the manufacturers are making sub-MOA shooting bargain basement rifles.
The other thing is scopes. In the old days, if you bought a cheap scope, you were asking for trouble, but that really isn't the case any more, pretty much any scope at the ~$100 price point will be quite serviceable, particularly for a hunting rifle where you zero it and leave it alone.