which 6.5 and why?
- Thread starter kilotanker22
- Start date
Txhillbilly
New member
You really can't go wrong with any of the 6.5mm calibers. It all depends on if the shooter reloads,and the performance they are wanting.
I shoot a 6.5 Creedmoor custom bolt action that I built.
A 260 Rem in a DPMS LR-260H platform,that I use for hog hunting.
And,I'm almost finished building a 6.5-06 for a long range hunting rig. I have everything done except the stock,need to put 6 more coats of Tung oil on it.
The Creedmoor is an outstanding shooter,and allows the shooter to take advantage of the long match bullets,and remain an OAL that still fits into a magazine - something the 260 Remington rifles can have problems with.
I would've bought a 6.5 Creedmoor from DPMS if they offered it in a lighter barreled version like the 260 that I bought,but since they didn't,and I was only planning on using it as a hunting rifle,the 260 works fine for me.
My 300 WM barrel was near the end of it's competitive life,and I decided to change it into a 6.5-06 long range hunting rifle just because I could,and I've always wanted a 6.5-06.
I shoot a 6.5 Creedmoor custom bolt action that I built.
A 260 Rem in a DPMS LR-260H platform,that I use for hog hunting.
And,I'm almost finished building a 6.5-06 for a long range hunting rig. I have everything done except the stock,need to put 6 more coats of Tung oil on it.
The Creedmoor is an outstanding shooter,and allows the shooter to take advantage of the long match bullets,and remain an OAL that still fits into a magazine - something the 260 Remington rifles can have problems with.
I would've bought a 6.5 Creedmoor from DPMS if they offered it in a lighter barreled version like the 260 that I bought,but since they didn't,and I was only planning on using it as a hunting rifle,the 260 works fine for me.
My 300 WM barrel was near the end of it's competitive life,and I decided to change it into a 6.5-06 long range hunting rifle just because I could,and I've always wanted a 6.5-06.
603Country
New member
Txhillbilly, I think you've got the best answer to what 6.5, since you've got one of each.
kilotanker22
New member
what kind of money would i be looking at (if i had a savage long action standard) already?i would need stock and barrel. probably a hart barrel, or shilen select match. and matbe a stock like the ones on the savage f class.
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
Tx, very nice rifles!
What bullet in .260 do you use for pigs?
I wanted to buy some Speer HotCor 120s for this and general purpose self-defense, but midway says not available (like many bullets). Are all these unavailable ones coming back someday or gone? I assume gone, at least in the case of the Speer 6.5 hotcor 120s since Speer website no longer lists them.
Available
Not available, backorder ok
Not available, no backorder
The first two of these statuses obviously mean the bullet has NOT been discontinued. But that third status - no backorder - I cannot decide whether that means that it's discontinued or that they just have so many backorders they don't want to take any more new backorders just yet until they catch up some (or perhaps some combo - some with this message are discont. and some are not.... )??
What bullet in .260 do you use for pigs?
I wanted to buy some Speer HotCor 120s for this and general purpose self-defense, but midway says not available (like many bullets). Are all these unavailable ones coming back someday or gone? I assume gone, at least in the case of the Speer 6.5 hotcor 120s since Speer website no longer lists them.
Available
Not available, backorder ok
Not available, no backorder
The first two of these statuses obviously mean the bullet has NOT been discontinued. But that third status - no backorder - I cannot decide whether that means that it's discontinued or that they just have so many backorders they don't want to take any more new backorders just yet until they catch up some (or perhaps some combo - some with this message are discont. and some are not.... )??
stubbicatt
New member
6.5x47?
Is there no love of the 6.5x47 Lapua?
To my way of seeing things, it is an easy cartridge to hand load, brass lasts a very long time, more forgiving of marginally high pressure loads due to small primer pocket, will fit in a short action.
With its high sectional density, the 6.5mm bullet doesn't really need a lot of velocity to go "through and through" a game animal, and since dead is dead, the lower recoil and high degree of accuracy may make a more difficult shot a little easier.
An alternative I suppose. The biggest detraction has to be the dearth of factory rifles chambered for it.
Is there no love of the 6.5x47 Lapua?
To my way of seeing things, it is an easy cartridge to hand load, brass lasts a very long time, more forgiving of marginally high pressure loads due to small primer pocket, will fit in a short action.
With its high sectional density, the 6.5mm bullet doesn't really need a lot of velocity to go "through and through" a game animal, and since dead is dead, the lower recoil and high degree of accuracy may make a more difficult shot a little easier.
An alternative I suppose. The biggest detraction has to be the dearth of factory rifles chambered for it.
Call Jim Briggs at Northland. He's a great guy to deal with.
http://northlandshooterssupply.com/
You'll need an action wrench, barrel nut wrench and go/no-go gages. You'll also need a barrel vise (you can make this if you have a good bench vise) to remove the original barrel. If you have no concern for the original barrel, you could mount the action wrench in a bench vise and turn the barrel off with a pipe wrench.
For a stock, might want to call Kevin Rayhill at Stockade. He can also true the action if that's something you would be interested in. Off memory, I believe he'll mount / headspace your barrel at no cost if he's doing your action work. http://www.stockadegunstocks.com/
If you go with a long action, 6.5 Swede would be my choice. YMMV.
kilotanker22
New member
thanks Mtn
i will have to look into things i have never built a rifle before.
i still want to get that rufer predatorthough
i will have to look into things i have never built a rifle before.
i still want to get that rufer predatorthough
kilotanker22 said:
You're looking at around $500-800 to restock and rebarrel with a quality barrel. $300+ for a quality barrel, $100 for a stock like a Boyd's Taticool, $300+ for a finished out Rayhill stock. Then you'll have about $100 in tools, bedding supplies and miscellaneous parts to finish it out.
kilotanker22
New member
taylorce1
thanks. seems to me it would almost be better to go that route. for around the same money as the ruger i have been interested in.
thanks. seems to me it would almost be better to go that route. for around the same money as the ruger i have been interested in.
Just realize the quote I gave you is a low ball, more than likely you'll have more than that in it. Kevin Rayhill isn't going to do anything fast for you, nor is a company like McMillan. Average wait times are going to be over 7 months at the current time.
There is a lot of satisfaction to putting a rifle together, but if you want a rifle to shoot soon you might be better off buying the Ruger you were talking about.
There is a lot of satisfaction to putting a rifle together, but if you want a rifle to shoot soon you might be better off buying the Ruger you were talking about.
A lot of truth to that...
Unless you get lucky like me and snag the last Savage AICS off the shelf at Mile High and have it two days later
Cost darn near as much as the barreled action, but...oh well....I was beyond frustrated with the lack of availability for composite or laminate stocks for the .260 Savage I'm building for my son. A few choices for the blind mag action, nothing at all for the DBM. Manners politely told me five or six months, and I'm just too busy to custom make one for him.
However, if you're OK with the blind mag, there are some in-stock, stocks available for Savage, and I second NSS for the action and CBI barrel. You'll be able to assemble a very accurate stick without the wait for custom.