brant89
Well-Known Member
Getting good velocities with Hornady Superformance pushing the 129AMAX out of a 6.5CM. Haven't finished load development so I can't comment on accuracy, but it might be another powder to try. Meters like a dream too.
6.5 mm short action round choice
- Thread starter C Mahoney
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ARKLITE881South
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- Joined
- Apr 19, 2014
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Funny you should ask about the 6.5, i was just talking to a gunsmith about putting a 6.5x55 for me, i have 2, .260's really like both of them. I have a old 6.5x55 sweade in krag action, fun rifle to shoot. But, have been getting serious about 6.5x55 with a 26'' barrel, remington 700 trued action, timney trigger, and B&C stock, not sure about the barrel just yet, but, i'm leaning toward a little bit heavier profile than normal, but, not a varmint profile. I've got a couple of barrel makers i in mind but, haven't settled on that just yet. . Plan on shooting 140 Amax bullets at this time. I should add, IMR 4350 is my go too powder, i really like the results i get with the .260
What's your muzzle velocity with a 140 and IMR 4350 in your .260s?
Trickymissfit
Well-Known Member
please note, the basic action length of a Savage is roughly 5/32" longer than a short action Remington 700. The SAMMI spec is 2.8" for the COL in the .260. Will be the samething for the .260AI, as the case length is not supposed to change (don't believe that). Of course you can seat the bullets out much deeper with the Savage and yet still cycle them thru the magazine.
The difference between the .260 and the .260AI is slightly more than nil. Your moving the neck around, and expanding the shoulder diameter about .006". How one would gain 200fps to 300fps is similar to walking on water. Perhaps 100fps max is in order.
gary
brant89
Well-Known Member
I will probably be one of the only Ackley guys on the entire internet machine who will agree with Gary. I got 2840fps max out of my 26" 260 Rem and 2930fps max out of my 28" 260AI, same pills and powder. Take two inches off the 260AI and you're probably looking at more like 50fps gain. But I like never trimming my brass and I like having something a little different. Plus it's a sexy looking cartridge with a cool name. Haha. When that barrel is done I will buy another 260AI.
stomp442
Well-Known Member
Its true that you don't gain much by Ackley improving the .260 but what it does get you is just enough to put you right in the sweet spot for the 140 Bergers and puts you just about neck and neck with the 6.5-284 performance while using much less powder which results in less barrel wear, less recoil, less trimming and more shooting.
elkaholic
Well-Known Member
The 6.5 SS will get you up to 3300' with 140's in a 26" barrel and will cycle through the savage to boot. In fact, you can cycle the 150's through the action and reach 3200 with the bullets seated where they are supposed to be. You can not do that with a SAUM, GAP, 6.5/284, any of the A.I.'s, etc. If you don't need that kind of performance, you can load it down to 3000' and have very mild pressures and great accuracy. It is already easier on barrels than a 6.5/284 even at higher velocity.......Rich
brant89
Well-Known Member
Hmm, I may have to look into that when the AI tube goes south. That sounds pretty sick.
elkaholic
Well-Known Member
It has been a REALLY good performer so far. Keeps right up with the long action 6.5 Sherman .......Rich
brant89
Well-Known Member
You will have to give us an update on the actual barrel life. That would be the biggest deciding factor for me.
elkaholic
Well-Known Member
We have a couple of 6.5 Shermans with around 2000 rounds that still shoot very well. The Sherman shortmag holds 4 grains less powder, has a .020" longer neck and the same shoulder. There is no reason to believe that it should not be even better than the Sherman but we haven't shot them enough yet to say for certain. Mine has around 650 rounds through it and I suspect that there are others with that many.....Rich
