6.5-300 wsm

[ishootkittens]

Midwayusa has the parts you need to change bolt faces. You will need to determine if you have a small ring or large ring savage. Savage shooters website can help

Sweet. I thought so. I'm just thinking it may be cheaper to buy just the receiver/bolt and replace the head rather than buy a full rifle and tear it apart.

 

[yobuck]

If you build one on a Savage, which I did using a lefty model 11, the biggest issue will be getting the magazine to function properly. I would strongly advise using a WSM action to start with if you go Savage.
I used a 26" Brux 8 twist and had no problem getting 3300 plus with 140s. Problem for me was I can get more with my 7x300 Wby using 162s and 168s, so after 320 rounds it found a new home that appreciated it more. If I had built a 6.5x06 I no doubt would still own it.

 

[tbrice23]

Midwayusa has the parts you need to change bolt faces. You will need to determine if you have a small ring or large ring savage. Savage shooters website can help

Small shank / large shank.

 

[tbrice23]

Sweet. I thought so. I'm just thinking it may be cheaper to buy just the receiver/bolt and replace the head rather than buy a full rifle and tear it apart.

I used to think that was cheaper BUT now I just buy a rifle ,trued recoil lug, trued nut and custom barrel you will be about a grand. Sell factory barrel (however factory Savage barrels shoot very good). Good luck buying all the components for less. Especially hard to find a large shank with WSM magazine

action for sale.

 

[el matador]

I understand the 6.5 craze and everything, but I don't know if a 6.5 WSM is really the best option for your intended purposes. For one thing, at 300-400 yards there's not a lick of difference between a 6.5 and a 270 WSM. You're just asking for more work and a complete lack of factory ammo. The bigger concern I would have is the rate of fire. 70+ grains of powder from a WSM case puts out a lot of heat compared to the 45 grains in a .308 case. Barrel heating and throat erosion will be an issue, and for what gain? For shooting targets at 400 yards and under there's no need to burn so much powder.

Its always fun to be different though. If it were me I'd be looking at a 7mm-08. I bet you could hit 3100 fps with 120s in a 22" barrel.

 

[calib]

Great guys! Thanks alot. Few questions tho? Why go SS over WSM when the case capacity is VERY similar and 5 different manufacturers offer WSM brass (nosler, norma, winchester, federal, hornady) and I could use 270,300,325 wsm brass. So at least 10 different options for brass with no fireforming needed. A 40 degree shoulder is never a good idea in a repeater (in my experience). But it seems like a cool cartridge.

I've heard a few complaints about Tikka's but it's usually the stock or plastic parts. I just have no experience with the receiver itself and I wonder if it's as light as the rem/Savage and I've heard the recoil lug on Tikka's are a joke. There doesn't seem to be many aftermarket trigger options either. Just don't know which action to start with. Any Howa guys?

Dont forget Bertram brass, not to mention a batch of 6.5 wsm is on it's way now. A Google search will get you more info and you can pm

 

[yobuck]

I believe you will find that factory 300 wsm Savages are large shank actions, and the magazine and bolt face will work without a change or tinkering with it.
My original smith had the reamer which he claimed was a snug no turn neck. But it was a tad too snug and it caused pressure problems with the hotter loads.
Turning the necks helped, but I ended up using a different smith to fix the magazine issues and open the neck a little more. I also switched from Winchester to Norma brass which was better.
In hindsite I would not have used that cartridge.
There are lots of other 6.5 options that will give good results. It is a hot rod 6.5, but it dosent stack up well when compared side by side with larger diameter bullets for long range hunting.

 

[ishootkittens]

I believe you will find that factory 300 wsm Savages are large shank actions, and the magazine and bolt face will work without a change or tinkering with it.
My original smith had the reamer which he claimed was a snug no turn neck. But it was a tad too snug and it caused pressure problems with the hotter loads.
Turning the necks helped, but I ended up using a different smith to fix the magazine issues and open the neck a little more. I also switched from Winchester to Norma brass which was better.
In hindsite I would not have used that cartridge.
There are lots of other 6.5 options that will give good results. It is a hot rod 6.5, but it dosent stack up well when compared side by side with larger diameter bullets for long range hunting.

Yeah I think you are right, it will be the smartest way. I'll just start with a complete rifle and try to sell the barrel/stock. Who knows. Someone may want it.

As far as the cartridge, I've got plenty of hunting rifles and I'll agree that big animals require big bullets. I'll also be using Norma 270wsm brass. I use Norma brass for everything. It's expensive but cheaper in the long run after 10+ loads. Which brings me to the reason why I chose the wsm to begin with.

-5+ choices of brass (manufacturers)
-3 calibers to choose from (270,300,325)

-short action case with 70+gr capacity (short bolt throw, lighter receiver).

-short action with short barrel= lighter more rigid rifle (less flexing and whip). Hopefully I can go with a smaller barrel contour since it'll be shooting a 6.5 bullet vs my usual 30/338 bullets.

-can be loaded down and still be flatter and hit harder than most 6.5 cartridges

-case design and down-loading give great brass life (little taper and 35degree shoulder) and less trimming/flowing. COULD yield better barrel life but no way to tell.with the wsm cases there is more room for powder to burn in the case rather than down the barrel. So cutting off a few inches of barrel isn't as detrimental as say a 270 or 300 win.

-no need to fireforming and many options available for dies.

-in the 130-150gr class bullets, BC is always going to be the best with the 6.5's.For a 7mm bullet to surpass a 6.5 bullet it must be longer and heavier both of which I don't need.

-im still a lr shooter so if I want to stretch the distance to a mile on the weekends then so be it.

-if I go with Savage I'll be able to change the barrels myself as I'll need to quite a bit with a 6.5wsm. 800rds is what I'll shoot for. Maybe more with care and downloading.

-Twist rate. Most 6.5 bullets do well with a 1-8 twist regardless of weight (maybe not 120's but 130-150)

-lower recoil than my many mag cartridges. It would be nice not to need a brake or at least a small one.

So that's just a few reasons I am going with a 6.5-300wsm. my trouble is picking a donor action even though I think u guys have ALMOST talked me into buying a Savage 10 in 270 or 300 wsm. Now if I can find a good deal!! Would like to go with stainless but I guess it doesn't matter to much.

Thanks again guys

 

[L.Sherm]

Your biggest challenge with this cartridge is gonna be finding a reamer that has the correct freebore and neck dia. The company's that make pre-fits I highly doubt will even have a 6.5x300wsm reamer. You best bet would be to have your own made.
I tried the no turn first It didn't work nearly as well after I went to the .296 neck on mine

 

[Hiwayman92]

I'd be wary of hand loaded ammunition and wildcat cartridges in law enforcement due to liability. I know there have been a few lawsuits out there that have been related to the ammo manufacturer in an OIS. As much sense as it makes to have a great accurate and flat shooting gun, I think for LE purposes you'd be safer going with factory ammo.

 

[ishootkittens]

I agree, I addressed this in an earlier post, but like I said, if all else fails, or it can save my life, or someone else's life...I'll gladely let it sit in the closet or on the table in the trial. I understand the concern definitely. Good looking out sir

 

[yobuck]

Call and talk with Chuck Mac Intosh at Macs Gunworks on Hoe Creek Rd in Gillette Wy. He chambers for this cartridge which he refers to as the Leapard.
Chuck was the guy that finally got my gun straightened out. He even took me out to find a nice antelope to shoot with it.

 

[ishootkittens]

Sorry to bring this topic back up but I've been busy as of late. I broke my elbow and it looks like I'll have some down time for the next few months so I think I'll go with the Savage for my 6.5-300wsm build. Found that shilen and x-caliber barrels both chamber a no neck turn 6.5wsm in the prefit Savage barrels. Also found a nice B&C stock with an aluminum block on sale that will fit model 10/12. Now I just need a bottom metal that allows for AI Wsm mags (2.950" internal)

Problem is finding a Savage 10 with a top bolt release for under 500$. I'm trying to stay as close as I can to my budget.

Question is though, are all the model 10 savages the same in terms of dimensions. Example: are the ejection ports and mag-wells the same size? I'm worried if I find on in .308win the dimensions will be different than say a 300 wsm. I know I'll have to replace the bolt head and magazine but I'm going to replace the mags anyway and the bolt face is no big deal. Just want to make sure before I purchase a non-issue non-magnum model 10.

Thanks again guys

 

[Deviant]

Been a while gentlemen! I probably don't know half of you! My name's Cody for all the people who I haven't met! Appreciate all the help in advance.

Ive built a few rifles over the years, some I've kept, some I've sold, but I love em all! I have been in LE for quite a while now and my dept is starting to become a bit more relaxed on what we can carry. Been doing some training with our marksmanship unit and I've decided to build a budget rifle I can use on duty.

Here's what I'd like to do...
Most guys carry .308's shooting factory match ammo in the 150gr loads. The dept has used the 150's for as long as I can remember. The rifle needs to be light (SA) and a repeater. It also needs to be manuverable because we can't always shoot prone/from large cover. I'd like to have a flat shooting rifle as PBR does actually matter just like hunting. (When my range finder isn't available or malfunctioning, I'd like to know I can be off a few yards on my range estimation and still be relatively close (inside 3-400 yards).

So a SA flat shooting round that spits 140-150gr pills in a small package. Why not do a 6.5-300wsm. I'd like to think I can get 3100 fps with most 140-147gr bullets and in that weight range, what bullet has a better BC. IF I can manage that in a 22" barrell, I'll have it made. I've had a 270 wsm and a 300 wsm in the past so I have the brass ready to go. But my problem is choosing a ride/action to go with.

My dept isn't paying for the build (of course) and I don't need a 3000$ rifle to be thrown around in training/harsh situations...and I'm aware that a 6.5 creedmoor will do what I need it to do, sometimes I just like to be different and as a reloader, i don't see it as a bad thing.

So I'm looking to do a semi-custom build. I have been looking at the usual suspects (Savage, tikka, Remington) and I like the fact that Tikka's are LA (sorta) and the bolt throw can be shortened. I feel like a long seated 6.5 bullet in a light T3 action sounds good .But honestly, I've never owned a Tikka or Savage. All my builds were custom or from a rem700. Should I stick to the rem?

Basically I'm looking for any advantages a Tikka or Savage could give me over a rem in this situation (wsm based cartridge) because they are a bit cheaper than the Remington's. If anyone has any experience with either, I'd appreciate ANY feedback.

Thanks fellas
C-

6.5 GAP or if you want factory ammo 6.5 PRC.