Picking out a 6.5 cartridge

[Marky_mark]

I have a 6.5ss 6.5 creed 6.5x284 etc
If I were to do it again
I would get a 6.5 rpm

 

[Hard rock]

I have a 6.5ss 6.5 creed 6.5x284 etc
If I were to do it again
I would get a 6.5 rpm

. The 6.5 Prc is a very efficient case design, and hard too beat as a factory round . I'm getting 3728 fps with the 109 gr Hammer absolute , 3450 fps with the 123 gr Hammer absolute 3300 plus with the 124 gr Hammer and 3200 fps with the 131 gr Hammer using Vithivouri N165 and N560 the 560 seems too be a better choice of the 2 my next load work up will be N560 on all bullets mentioned I expect 3450 fps out of the 124 gr and 3500 from the 123 gr . The 6.5 PRC is hard too beat in the 6.5 cal and very easy too load for . My mag length is 2.980 most of my loads or 2.950 and under , My free bore is .145 instead of . 188 using a Bartlein 1-7.5 twist and a Proof 1-8 twist 26 in barrel. Good luck on your choice of cartridge and keep us posted.

 

[lancetkenyon]

So what are you getting out of your 260AI?

I am running a 140 Hyb at an easy 2922fps. Hit 3008 where I stopped but had not hit pressure yet.

 

[logman48]

I have a 20" 6.5SS, a 22" 6.5SLR, and a 24" .260AI. I am also building a 22" 6.5XXXXX as well.
All solid choices.
Make your determination off what bullet you want to shoot and what speed you want to shoot it at. Not all will get you what you want. I don't run mine at max, but still feel I get plenty for what I am wanting to do with them.

Lance,what powder are you using in your 260AI

 

[Marky_mark]

. The 6.5 Prc is a very efficient case design, and hard too beat as a factory round . I'm getting 3728 fps with the 109 gr Hammer absolute , 3450 fps with the 123 gr Hammer absolute 3300 plus with the 124 gr Hammer and 3200 fps with the 131 gr Hammer using Vithivouri N165 and N560 the 560 seems too be a better choice of the 2 my next load work up will be N560 on all bullets mentioned I expect 3450 fps out of the 124 gr and 3500 from the 123 gr . The 6.5 PRC is hard too beat in the 6.5 cal and very easy too load for . My mag length is 2.980 most of my loads or 2.950 and under , My free bore is .145 instead of . 188 using a Bartlein 1-7.5 twist and a Proof 1-8 twist 26 in barrel. Good luck on your choice of cartridge and keep us posted.

I would still take the rpm over the prc
And I don't think the magical hammer bullets are for me. So I would pass on those also.

 

[Hard rock]

I would still take the rpm over the prc
And I don't think the magical hammer bullets are for me. So I would pass on those also.

Go for it might be the best thing since sliced bread ,nothing ventured nothing gained ,the RPM is one I don't have , might even gain another 50 ft per second with another 10 grs of powder .

 

[hunter67wa]

6.5x55 Improved

 

[Grease13]

I couldn't make up my mind which 6.5 to build either. So I'm building two, a 260 AI on a Defiance anti SA, Brux #3 26" 1:7.5 twist, in a MCS-EH2. And a 6.5SS on a Kelbly Nanook SA Mag BF with a 24" Proof CF Sendero 1:8 twist, in a MCS-LRH, both will be threaded to use a TB7.
Will be dropping off parts at AxisWorks in a couple weeks. Should be a fun winter working on load development.

 

[kgunz11]

The Hornady 7PRC necked down to 6.5 really has my interest.

 

[Marky_mark]

Go for it might be the best thing since sliced bread ,nothing ventured nothing gained ,the RPM is one I don't have , might even gain another 50 ft per second with another 10 grs of powder .

I have a ss which is virtually the same thing. If anything it's an improved version of the prc. And I would still go with the rpm

 

[BrentM]

6.5-284 in a shorty is a no go for me. I have a pile of them. Work very well in a long barrel but was not impressed otherwise. Great cartridge tho.

I have a couple prc's. 22" and 18".
Love my 18. Running a 156 I'm at 2815. 143 is 2925. I prefer the 135 A tip at 2985-3000 tho. My 22" runs 100 fps for each bullet I shoot and I use the exact same charge etc. These are warm loads but certainly not hot. You could get more fps but don't like running the ragged edge as I use this rifle all year.

 

[Lab rat]

I think my next build in the 6.5 family will be a 6.5 WSM

 

[Mike Matteson]

I have a 20" 6.5SS, a 22" 6.5SLR, and a 24" .260AI. I am also building a 22" 6.5XXXXX as well.
All solid choices.
Make your determination off what bullet you want to shoot and what speed you want to shoot it at. Not all will get you what you want. I don't run mine at max, but still feel I get plenty for what I am wanting to do with them.

Well put! It's the caliber, bullet weight, and velocity that you really want or think you want. That will also kind of determine the action length too.

 

[SSG Graybush]

I'm looking at jumping into a different cartridge. I'm looking at a 6.5mm something or another, this will be built on a medium length action with the ability to change bolt faces. The ones I have been bouncing between is: 260 rem AI, 6.5-284, 6.5 prc, 6.5 saum, 6.5 Sherman max. I'm wanting something I can shoot the 140-156 out of for fun to distance and also put some heavier copper bullets in it to hunt with. Wanting to have a 20-22" barrel to run suppressed but not give up to much velocity. The 260 rem AI is the most intriguing to me, I'm mainly concerned I'll be giving up too much velocity in a 20-22" tube. Any thoughts or experiences with any of these cartridges are greatly appreciated.

6.5 sst. Looks just like a 270 wsm. Guy had one next to me at the range. Would get good speed with RL16 I would guess. Thats what I use in my 270 wsm with 130's, 58.2 grs at ~ 3042 fps and thats a low node. Factory Federal vital shock is 3300 fps in the 270 wsm, chrono'd. You could easily get 2900+ fps with a 22" barrel and a 150ish gr from the 6.5sst.