Choosing a 6.5

[marvee]

Morning All! I am looking at building a 6.5 on a remington 700 long action. I have narrowed it down to .260AI, 6.5PRC or 6.5x55 Improved and I am leaning towards the 6.5x55. My problem is that I am am seeing 6.5x55 Ackley Improved, 6.5x55 BJ AI (Bob Jourdan Ackley Improved) and regular 6.5x55 Improved. AmmoGuide is where I get my initial info and they only list the 6.5x55 Improved. It has a 54 degree shoulder which I like more than the 30 or 40 degree shoulder of the other two but I cannot find any other sources that list a 6.5x55 Improved with a 54 degree shoulder.

Anyone have any insight into the 6.5x55 confusion? I am thinking that 54 degree shoulder may give me a little more barrel life over the 30 or 40.

Thanks!
Mark

Get the Bob Jourdan. Read up on it, you will like it.

 

[BoatTail]

Just curious have you considered the 6.5 WSM? While some of the others mentioned may produce better barrel life, velocity on the WSM seems to be higher for a given bullet weight. Barrel life should be much better than a 26 Nosler . I'm considering converting my 270 WSM to a 6.5 WSM. I've ordered new Barrel and die set.

 

[L.Sherm]

I'm running a 140 VLD at 3220 FPS in my 6.5x300 WSM in a 26" tube with H1000

 

[JTB]

I use three 6.5s (06, creed, PRC). The 6.5-06 is by far the most difficult to dial-in a consistency accurate load for but has been taken on more successful hunts than all my other newer rifles. My old 270 is in a class all it's own in that department. The creedmoor and PRC are very easy to dial-in. They will basically shoot anything <1 MOA and with a little experimenting do much better that. It doesn't seem right to be able to take a scopes 6.5 lb Creedmoor and consistently knock down 1000 yard targets as well as my 12 lb PRC but it does. Now that I am old enough to not want to carry a heavy rifle I will have no problem throwing the creed in my backpack for most hunts. The only reason I did not go with a 6.5 WSM over the PRC was complaints over short barrel life but as stated that can be mitigated by spreading out shots and keeping the barrel cool. I am using the 160 Matrix in my PRCs but have been experimenting with the 156 EOL; looks really good so far. 142 ABLR in the creedmoor is more effective then it seems it should be. If the 270 had as many options as the 6.5 I would have stayed there but with all the options the high SD 6.5s are hard to beat

 

[marvee]

most if not all 6.5x55 domestic cartridges are .473 bolt face. i built a 6.5x55 BJAI off of a browning a-bolt 30-06. just had Pac-nor build the barrel and my gunsmith did his magic. according to Bob Jourdan load info at the time it will shoot right with the 6.5-284 without all the hassle building to shoot. BJAI reamer which i have and fire form and your done.

 

[FIGJAM]

The 6.5-06 is by far the most difficult to dial-in a consistency accurate load fo

Is this a product of the cartridge or the rifle itself? I think we put too much blame on the cartridge when accuracy and the ease of tuning a load has more to do with the rifle itself.

 

[L.Sherm]

I just finished up with a 6.5x06AI over the 4th of July and it was a Laser beam out to 1,000 with Berger 140's

 

[Slick8]

Opinion are all over on tbis, a little more than expected...

Lots of good thoughts with one key point needs id like to emphasise. It sounds like what you're looking for requires a heavy vld of 140ish at 2900 give or take to accomplish your goal. Pick a good round that meets your goal.

The 65x284 would be a great choice but I feel like a 260AI would meet your needs and really shine in accuracy, speed and barrel life if all were given equal weight of consideration.

 

[TRG65]

I have a 6.5 Addiction. It is a 6.5x55 not fully AI'ed, there is still a little body taper and it has a 37 deg shoulder. With 4831 and 147s, I'm getting 2900 from a 24" barrel. It was easy to dial in that load. Lots of folks are having great luck with RL 26. I worked up a load at 2975, but it wasn't quite as accurate as the H4831 load. I really like the 6.5 AI. I've shot it in several PRS matches. The only drawback I have is sometimes I have to wait on the plates to slow down the swinging for follow-up shots.

 

[Kimber7man]

So what should a fella with a Tikka 6,5x55 do? Have a gunsmith run a reamer in the factory barrel and punch it to 6,5 AI (30 or 40 degree?) or even go 6,5 Addiction even though its set up for medium length 3.15" COAL?

 

[TRG65]

If you go to an Addiction then you can use standard AI mags which gives you more flexibility if you decide to switch stocks.