various 6.5 cartridges over the years

[catnthehat]

The 6.5Creed/270 Win thread got me to thinking of the different 6.5 cartridges
I have owned, shot, and/or worked with over the years.
I even forgot a few at first!
Here's the list:
1: 6.5 Greek Carcano

2: 6.5X54 MS

3: 6.5X 55 Swede

4: 6.5X 55Swede IMP.

5: 6.5X57 Mauser.

6 : 260 Rem.

7 : 6.5X303 Epps IMP

8: 6.5WSSM

9: 6.5 WSM ( Badcat)

10:6.5X284

11: 6.5SAUM

12: 6.5/06

13: 256 Newton ( actually uses a .264 bullet.)

14: 264 Win Mag.

15: 6.5STW

16: 6.5Creedmoor.

17: 6.5 PRC
There my be another one or two, I will have to check my log books, this is from memory!
All were fun to shoot, the Carcanos were the least favorite, and the 6.5WSSM was a very frustrating adventure!
The 6.5STW is a screamer and the fastest of the bunch , but also uses a scoop shovel full of powder.
The 260 is an incredibly accurate rifle with a Ron Smith gain twist tube on a highwall
The 264 Win Mags made some impressive kills , but the most impressive of the bunch were the three 6.5 Badcats, one that David Henry built for Sullijr on a Ruger action with a Ron Smith barrel, and two that Paul Reibin and Mick McPhee built on an 1885 and a B78 action.
All three of these rifles were outstanding right out to 1K and beyond!
I think it had more to do with well built and chambered rifles than anything else , however.
Cat

[markg]

Your missing the best one, the 6.5 x 47 Lapua. Its probably the most forgiving cartridge ive ever loaded for.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by markg

Your missing the best one, the 6.5 x 47 Lapua. Its probably the most forgiving cartridge ive ever loaded for.

Not missing it , believe it not I have never owned or worked with one, these are the only ones I have personal experience with .
The vast majority of these rifles were in hunting configuration , not match rifles.
In fact the Creed was the only one put together specifically for match shooting , although I competed with many of them in rifle rodeos .
Cat

[David Henry]

And the 6.5 Rem Mag is another that still gets asked for in the rebarreling shops.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by David Henry

And the 6.5 Rem Mag is another that still gets asked for in the rebarreling shops.

Yup there ya go, I KNEW I forgot at least one!
Mine was not in a 600 though. It was on a 700 action and really let that case push a 140 the way it should!
Cat

[6MT]

Originally Posted by markg

Your missing the best one, the 6.5 x 47 Lapua. Its probably the most forgiving cartridge ive ever loaded for.

Yes! The easiest load I ever developed. Very forgiving round. And with the 139gr Lapua Scenar, I have hit steel at a mile. (That bullet was designed for the 6.5x47L.)

Love that round!

[Dmay]

One of my favorite up-to-1000 yd target rifles is in 6.5-08 A-Square.
Of course the designation has since been renamed.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by 6MT

Yes! The easiest load I ever developed. Very forgiving round. And with the 139gr Lapua Scenar, I have hit steel at a mile. (That bullet was designed for the 6.5x47L.)

Love that round!

If I were going to build another 300 meter Free Rifle I might consider the 6.5x47, but 6mm BR is pretty much the king there as it is light recoil and very accurate.
My days of building match rifles is pretty much done anyway, and for that matter the only cartridges that qualify for the class I shoot are the .223 and .308.
It is still an interesting little cartridge though .

As far as a hunting round goes, I also have no need , desire or funds to build another one , my .303 works perfectly, and if I were to rebarrel it, it would either be a .6.5x59R or a 6.5x303 Epps IMP
Cat

[MountainTi]

Oddly enough the only 6.5 I've ever owned, and I believe ever shot, is the RPM I bought last year. It does shoot though
Sheep hunting partner bought one last year as well. Killed a desert and a California bighorn, both at 500 yards, as well as a 340" elk with it last year and a stone sheep with it this year. He hasn't complained about it yet lol

[catnthehat]

OPPS! Just remembered another , the 6.5x54 Finnish designed for Biathlon shooting.
That was another very accurate iron sighted rifle!
Ones that I never did try are the are the
RPM, the 6.5x300 Weatherby. 6.5 Grendel, 6.5mmBR. Or the 6.5/ 222 Rem Mag.
I considered two of these however at one time. The BR and the Rem Mag versions .
Cat

[303carbine]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

The 6.5Creed/270 Win thread got me to thinking of the different 6.5 cartridges
I have owned, shot, and/or worked with over the years.
I even forgot a few at first!
Here's the list:
1: 6.5 Greek Carcano

2: 6.5X54 MS

3: 6.5X 55 Swede

4: 6.5X 55Swede IMP.

5: 6.5X57 Mauser.

6 : 260 Rem.

7 : 6.5X303 Epps IMP

8: 6.5WSSM

9: 6.5 WSM ( Badcat)

10:6.5X284

11: 6.5SAUM

12: 6.5/06

13: 256 Newton ( actually uses a .264 bullet.)

14: 264 Win Mag.

15: 6.5STW

16: 6.5Creedmoor.

17: 6.5 PRC
There my be another one or two, I will have to check my log books, this is from memory!
All were fun to shoot, the Carcanos were the least favorite, and the 6.5WSSM was a very frustrating adventure!
The 6.5STW is a screamer and the fastest of the bunch , but also uses a scoop shovel full of powder.
The 260 is an incredibly accurate rifle with a Ron Smith gain twist tube on a highwall
The 264 Win Mags made some impressive kills , but the most impressive of the bunch were the three 6.5 Badcats, one that David Henry built for Sullijr on a Ruger action with a Ron Smith barrel, and two that Paul Reibin and Mick McPhee built on an 1885 and a B78 action.
All three of these rifles were outstanding right out to 1K and beyond!
I think it had more to do with well built and chambered rifles than anything else , however.
Cat

My favorite for the big boomer 6.5's is the 6.5x300 Weatherby Magnum.

[David Henry]

Another one that was chambered back in the 70's was the 6.5 International which at the time was popular on the bench rest circuit. It was a 250 Savage opened up to .264" with no other alterations if I recall. I don't believe it was ever offered in Remington's 40x or any other manufacturer for that matter. D.H.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by David Henry

Another one that was chambered back in the 70's was the 6.5 International which at the time was popular on the bench rest circuit. It was a 250 Savage opened up to .264" with no other alterations if I recall. I don't believe it was ever offered in Remington's 40x or any other manufacturer for that matter. D.H.

We used the 6mm International fior 300 meter Free Rifle shooting before the 6mmBR made the scene, but never did try the 6.5 International .
Cat

[markg]

Originally Posted by 6MT

Yes! The easiest load I ever developed. Very forgiving round. And with the 139gr Lapua Scenar, I have hit steel at a mile. (That bullet was designed for the 6.5x47L.)

Love that round!

Funny thing is I just ordered 1000 of them!

[Coiloil37]

I saw a beautiful matched set blazer 6.5X68 and 8x68 a few weeks ago that tempted my wallet. Probably two cartridges that never made many inroads in NA. As a general rule I find blazers quite hideous but this set had fantastic furniture and a beautiful case.