Looking to do a short(ish) 6.5mm build for use with suppressor. Cartridge choices? Pro/Cons/Opinions

[cdherman]

I have a spare Bartlein barrel in a Savage large shank prefit. Its a M24 (heavy varmint) taper, 26" long in 6.5 CM. About the stupidest build I've done. WAYYYY to heavy for deer hunting, and at the same time, 6.5 CM is overkill for most varmint (and I don't hunt varmints). As you can imagine, the barrel shoots great. And just collects dust. 200 rounds down the barrel, and it looks perfect with a borescope. (should anyone desire this barrel, I would sell it too, rather than hacking it apart)

I am getting a suppressor. I want a dedicated shortish (?? 20") barrel in a 6.5 caliber cartridge. I am thinking to cut the large shank off, rethread to a standard shank, shorten the barrel etc. And rechamber to a more powerful 6.5

But what cartridge? 6.5 PRC seems the current darling. I'd rather skip the belt, so Rem and Win mags are out. And the 6 Nosler -- seems like overkill. But who wants to convince me. 6.5 Sherman? Some depends on brass availability. I have NO need for factory ammunition. I am a bit partial to brass that has correct headstamps -- so would prefer to avoid an all out wildcat.

BTW, I want to go back to a standard shank savage action since I have not yet acquired the action for this project. Savage short actions are a tad longer than the others. But maybe I should go long action regardless? This is not really going to be a ultra long range gun though. So maybe keep the SA.

Ok, have at it. What say yee?

 

[blksno]

I love my 18" 6.5 PRC. Easily one of my most accurate rifles.
130 TGKs at a comfortable 2960 for medium game.

I've had multiple 18" hunting barrels and I know with absolute certainty...I'll never go longer.
I'm actually considering a 12-14" 22 GT for coyotes.

 

[WeiserBucks]

I'm basically doing the exact same thing right now. I chose a 20" 6.5 SAUM, little more speed than the PRC and great brass is available.

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

6.5Prc is the Easy Button.
But I would look at brass Cost and availability. Creed brass is half the cost and basically do the same thing.

 

[SO I HUNT]

I have both 18" barrels and my prc runs 3039 and the creedmoor runs 2707. I prefer the prc.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I have:

20" 6.5SS pushing 130 OTM @ 3084, or 156 @ 2914, neither are max loads. Headstamped brass available. Fits in a true short action.

20" .260AI pushing a 140 Hyb @ 2916 near max or 130 OTM @ 3029 max load. Wildcat, but you can get high quality parent case brass and have your barrel engraved ".260 Rem Imp 40" or
260 Rem AI

22" 6.5PRC/SI (Imp 40°) pushing a 156 @ 2989 or 140 Elite @ 3101, neither even close to max. Wildcat, but Lapua brass. Enough said.

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

I have:

20" 6.5SS pushing 130 OTM @ 3084, or 156 @ 2914, neither are max loads. Headstamped brass available. Fits in a true short action.

20" .260AI pushing a 140 Hyb @ 2916 near max or 130 OTM @ 3029 max load. Wildcat, but you can get high quality parent case brass and have your barrel engraved ".260 Rem Imp 40" or
260 Rem AI

22" 6.5PRC/SI (Imp 40°) pushing a 156 @ 2989 or 140 Elite @ 3101, neither even close to max. Wildcat, but Lapua brass. Enough said.

VERY NICE.

 

[cajun]

Whatever you do just buy another barrel. I'm not sure it's worth hacking on a savage barrel. Especially if you're paying for the machine work.

 

[cdherman]

Good info. So the 6.5 SAUM intrigues me. Same bolt face (magnum) as 6.5 PRC. 72 gr water capacity in the SAUM versus perhaps 67.5 in the PRC. And indeed there 6.5 SAUM brass (albiet expensive). Ironically, the action that went with this proposed donor barrel now has a 7 SAUM in it. And I have a massive 7 SAUM supply of brass (started with 200 pieces Remington, then moved to Norma trying for better accuracy)

I'm thinking of a cheap Savage 110 with accutrigger as donor gun. Buds has whole gun for $409 in 6.5 PRC. Might shoot the barrel, or perhaps just screw it off and sell it. Unfired Savage barrel has some value too.

The Savage magazine for the 6.5 PRC ought to handle the SAUM too, right?

I like hearing how people like a short barrel. I have a couple 28" guns. A 6.5x284 Proof CF barrel in a long action. Tossing the 156 Bergers at 3000 fps out of the 28" barrel. And accurate. And not too heavy. BUT -- no good for my deer blind, especially if I put a can on it. Now -- you don't really need a suppressor when hunting. Its just one shot.

But these deliberations are what you find yourself doing on a snowy day in January!!!!

 

[cajun]

If you have 7 saum brass just neck it down. OR build a short 7saum which is what I am doing. Still hung up on 20 or 22".

 

[ARlife4me]

Nothing wrong with belts as they keep the fan, water pump, power steering, alternator turning and pants up.

The wsm might be out due to acquiring brass.

The saum would be great if looking for more speed over the prc!

I only went prc way due to finding all components needed to reload. Could get 6.8w brass and neck down unless you want headstamped brass to match chamber?

Are you wanting a short mag or is a long action cartridge on the table? Long action possibility could include the 6.5rpm. No experience with any of the Sherman or rpm lines.

 

[cdherman]

Whatever you do just buy another barrel. I'm not sure it's worth hacking on a savage barrel. Especially if you're paying for the machine work.

Well, I understand that. And perhaps I should put the barrel up on the ads and see if someone wants it. But its a really really strange combo. A super heavy, long 6.5 CM, that has a Savage large shank. Perhaps you (cajun) are not aware but the Savage large shank receivers were used for the short magnums, think WSM. They are really common in that type of gun, so magnum bolt face, short action. But ironically, Savage never seemed to need large shank for long action magnums. (exception is 338 Lapua, but those actions are rare as hens teeth now)

I also just checked though -- they use the large shank on the 6.5 PRC as well. Its Sooo annoying that you cannot get a large shank in a LA receiver. If I could, I would transplant my 7 SAUM from the SA receiver to a LA receiver, and then use the SA receiver to build something new with the .264 barrel. I am DONE with 6.5 CM...... For me, it fills no niche. And my hunting buddy who I load for has a CM that he loves, so he can have my brass and we won't have to pay attention to which gun shot what.........

 

[OG-danimal]

I love my 18" 6.5 PRC. Easily one of my most accurate rifles.
130 TGKs at a comfortable 2960 for medium game.

I've had multiple 18" hunting barrels and I know with absolute certainty...I'll never go longer.
I'm actually considering a 12-14" 22 GT for coyotes.

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View attachment 635034

Awesome! What's your powder charge?

 

[ddman]

I just had a 16.5" 6.5 prc put together for a dedicated thermal gun. So far I've tried 107TMK's @ 3250
130 game changers @ 2950
135 a tips @ 2850
All shot well there but between work and snow I haven't made it back to the range. I have a couple different hammers I'm going to try hopefully this week and a little more tweaking with the other bullets as well to find just what it likes best.