which 6.5 and why?

I had a 6.5 Arisaka which I loved and I now own a 260 Remington.
Neither have much kick. Both were accurate. I can't speak to to 6.5 Creedmore, but the 6.5 Swede is probably in the same ball park if max pressure is a means to judge.

6.5 is just a well-balanced round and I can't say that you could go wrong with any of the choices.
 
The .264 Win mag is not a barrel burner. Its my first choice of the 6.5mm hunting rifles. Of your list, I would say 6.5x284. I have the .264 Win mag, 6.5 X 284, 6.5 X 55, and the 6.5 Creedmoor. The Win Mag is my hands down favorite for hunting. Long range paper punching, I favor the .6.5 X 284.
 
I would flip a coin between the .260 Rem and the 6.5 Creedmoor.

First of the month I put a Ruger M77 Hawkeye Predator in 6.5 Creedmoor on layaway. I decided on the Creedmoor just for the fact it was built with the 140gr pills in mind and that's what I'm going to mainly run in mine. It doesn't give anything at all up to the .260 Rem, ballistically they're the same. The Creedmoor actually marginally outperforms the .260 with the 140's thanks to case design.

So in summary, I decided the 6.5 Creedmoor because of the case design, my personal preference for something a little different, I reload, and the fact I'm planning on using the 140gr projectiles, which the Creedmoor was designed in mind.

If I didn't reload I would have probably went with the .260 Rem. But even if you reload Lapua now makes brass for the .260.

So honestly, which ever one you choose it's a win/win
 
As commented earlier the 264 mags reputation as a barrel burner has long ago been resoled with better alloy steels being used. As far as a light weight rifle your kind of limited to offered hunting calibers. I only knew of one guy that used a 6.5-55 Swede up in Colorado. He liked his. Took elk & muley's with it. But he also had a bum shoulder and couldn't handle much recoil was the primary reason for the 6.5-55 preference. I think your on the right track when considering a 260 Rem over the others as its so-to-speak established a reputation in the market place as a good short action American hunting round. Although in reality that Creedmore sure looks like it can can hold its own up against the 260. But will the Creedmore catch on and gather a large public following young and old alike that the 260 Rem has accomplished. As far as I know. That yet remains to be seen.
Link (below) is a comparison chart that might be of interest.

http://www.realguns.com/articles/255.htm
 
This is a real simple decision, go out look at rifles in 6.5 chambers. Find the one that you like the best in your price range and buy it. Since you reload, don't over think it. Roll up some test loads and go out and shoot.

You'll have more fun shooting whatever you buy, then sitting here discussing what to buy.
 
taylorce1

i see your point and i guess agree with it too.

it will be much more fun shooting than discussing. and like you suggested buy the 6.5 mm rifle i want and not worry so much about the chambering

makes sense and is likely the course i will take now just a waiting game the rifle i want does not go into production until may
 
You didn't specify the use of the rifle, which certainly makes a difference.

I'm finishing a 6.5- specifically .260 Remington Match, which has an additional .06 freebore compared to the standard .260. Hunting or target, VLD's or tangential ogive bullets, are all worthy of consideration specific to the intended use.
 
tobnpr

in post seven i did specify

"the rifle will be for everything really range time steel targets out through the woods, ground hogs, deer, boar whatever i decide is fit to be shot at, about the largest game i will encounter in NE PA is a black bear and i have a trusty ole 30-06 for bigger more dangerous critters."

i think that taylorace1 gave some real good advice. the rifle i really want is the new mod 700 vtr chambered in 260 rem, however they dont go into production until may
 
264win typically gets same barrel life as 6.5x55, so yes it is a barrel burner.
260 seems to get around 3000+ and 6.5x55 anywhere from 3000 to 5000.
If Pdogs and varmint hunting was going to be a big thing, I'd avoid something that's known for burning barrels.

If you want a factory rifle, then that will be the limiting factor in cartridge choice.
 
TRGg4w2, Sure you do not mean 6.5X284 in your above post? .257 Wby an .22 Chetah are burners. .264 Win mag. is a fine hunting cartridge.
 
Yes sorry, 6.5-284.

It seems 264 Win is just as fast, if not a bit faster than 6.5-284, and consequently gets about the same barrel. 6.5-284 on average gets 1200-1500 rounds before it starts dropping off, in same cases as high as 1800 rounds but other cases as low as 800.

It's what I'd consider a barrel burner.
 
I have a 260 Weather Warrior LH and a 6.5-06. The 6.5 likes 140s better with it's free bored throat (2935fps). The 260 has been a 1/2 MOA with any load I've fed it. I like the 260 the best.
 
well after some consideration and handling a few rifles i have decided that i want the ruger hawkeye predator in 6.5 creedmoor

as for the use of the rifle will be everything and will likley get shot a great deal. the creedmoor makes sense very little recoil does not take much powder nosler and hornady make brass for it.

it is not a real high velocity round but that is just fine as long as it shoots predictably and consistant


now the question is what glass to put on it
 
6.5 SAUM would be perfect. Extremely accurate at long distance better then any other rifle for barrel life and just darn impressive!
 
Top ranked long range competitors expecting and getting best accuracy from 6.5x.284 winning and setting records rebarrel at 800 to 900 rounds. Those using the .264 Win Mag will rebarrel between 600 and 700 rounds; this thing burns more powder. One guy used a 6.5-06 and rebarreled at 800 rounds.

Bore capacity for 6.5mm barrels is about 33 grains. Using 66+ grain powder charges eats away the throat pretty fast.
 
I was thinking about building a Creed, looks like a great round. But my dad gave me his Swede so I'm tickled pink since for me, it'll do the same thing & have the nostagia bonus!
 
"well after some consideration and handling a few rifles i have decided that i want the ruger hawkeye predator in 6.5 creedmoor"

Great minds think alike!

I've still got mine on layaway, I'll have it out at the end of the month and plan on doing a range review as soon as I get it, every predator range report I've read have all been extremely positive. All stated exceptional accuracy. I've got a Vortex Diamondback HP on the way to go on it as well. Don't confuse the HP with the standard Diamondback, it's a totally different beast. Same glass/coatings as the Viper just a different config.

As far as the 6.5 creedmoor, don't let anyone tell you you're giving anything up to the .260 Rem cause your not. The creedmoor actually does better with the 140s than the .260! Some consider it an improved .260 or the .260 done right. I've done extensive research on the round and I've got to say I have became a real fan.
 
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