Best long range 6.5mm/.264 caliber for hunting deer sized animals

[broish]

Unfortunately the tried & true 6.5x55 is not up there as that would be my first choice, that being said i would go with either the 6.5 SAUM or the classic .264 Win Mag.

 

[lancetkenyon]

6.5-284 using 137 grain Hammer bullets with a stout load of RL17 pushing the bullet at just under 3,000 fps and you've got a leathal combination to take deer at almost any range.

What twist rate are you running?

 

[rcol317]

I have several different 6.5s and my favorites are the 6.5x55 and the 6.5x284.

While I've had and have numerous 6.5's I'd have to agree that the little Sweed is my go to rifle and then next is the 6.5x284. Come to think of it I shoot my 260 quite a bit as well. I guess truth is I love the .264 and have a tough time picking a favorite.

 

[Rudolph Ferdinand]

264 Win Mag. Easy to get brass, lots of power, and has a LOT better barrel life than people will let you believe. I feel the 264 win mag is really coming to life with the bullets and powder available.

What is the cost for brass 264 Win?

 

[Rudolph Ferdinand]

You get 2 votes. Make em good.

Other than the 6.5 Creedmoor, the other cartridges, I know nothing about them, and I have never seen one any... .30 caliber guy up until about a year ago.

 

[Rudolph Ferdinand]

Well if it was me, 6.5 CM with a 140 eld @ 2948fps out to about 700. Past that 6.5 prc from those choices, but that's why I own a 7mm rem mag

Barrel length?

 

[walter351]

What is the cost for brass 264 Win?

Depends what you want. Winchester/hornady is around $40 - 45 for 50. I have norma brass which I paid $115.00 for 100 x 3 . Nosler is at $75 -85 for 50

 

[John 264]

What is the cost for brass 264 Win?

Norma brass is 125.75 for a 100 pieces you don't want Winchester or hornady because of the different weights I have seen Winchester and hornady weigh 10 to 12 gr different in a 50 count lot the norma is very consistent

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Barrel length?

26in and using rl-26

 

[JarHeadTim]

280 AI...

Sorry, had to say it...

 

[Irish Neil]

The Scandinavians have been knocking moose and smaller with the 6.5 x 55 for over a hundred years. I have a 30 year old Varberger in 6.5 x 55 that has been taking an average of 10 deer a season since I bought it. I have started using Sako 120 gr in place of the 140 gr bullet at the range. It is grouping tight at 300 mtrs so have to wait for the season to open to see how it deals with our fallow and sika.

 

[coop2564]

Got it. I don't run RL26 in anything any more. I find it is like RL22, and it gets hot when temps hit 85*+. When hunting temps can run from below zero to 115+, I can't use it. If it stays below 85*, it works awesome.

I shot it 2 summers now using RL26 in 100+ no problems at all. Like any powder speed increases a little but no pressure spikes. Like Creedmore shooter I found my guns max and backed off a little. Any powder can give you a spike in heat if you run max at 50 degrees and go shoot in 100.

 

[Deleted member 48126]

All of them listed!

You forgot the 6.5 grendel!

 

[LongestShot]

What twist rate are you running?

I'm running a 1:8 twist, I have a tendency to favor heavier bullets. I know a lot of people chose 1:9 twist and have no problem running 140 grain bullets.