Rifle cartridge for long range target AND deer hunting

[Mike 338]

As mentioned earlier, any of the 6.5's. I favor the ones with the small primer pockets. They'll give you amazing brass life on the already great brass that's available.

 

[Greyfox]

I have put many 1000's of rounds through the 6.5's for many years for hunting, competition, and simply banging various targets at long range. My attraction to the 6.5 began with the 260 which has served me exceptionally well in all of the disciplines. Of late, between my various 6.5's, for targets/competition, the 6.5x47 Lapua has won my heart. I really like the case design/Lapua Brass, still looking like new with 15+ reloads, no annealing, and still exceptionally accurate, holding 1's and 2's with single digit ES. Add long range hunting beyond 600-700 yards,the '47's big brother, the 6.5x284 steps in. Driving a 140 gr VLD at 3000FPS, it has a nice balance of match grade accuracy, ballistic performance, and low recoil, with "no fuss" reloading. IMO.

 

[Rick Richard]

I have put many 1000's of rounds through the 6.5's For many years for hunting, competition, and simply banging various targets at long range. My attraction to the 6.5 began with the 260 which has served me exceptionally well in all of the disciplines. Of late, between my various 6.5's, for targets/competition, the 6.5x47 Lapua has won my heart. I really like the case design/Lapua Brass, still looking like new with 15+ reloads, no annealing, and still exceptionally accurate, holding 1's and 2's with single digit ES. Add long range hunting beyond 600-700 yards,the '47's big brother, the 6.5x284 takes steps in. Driving a 140 gr VLD at 3000FPS, it has a nice balance of match grade accuracy, ballistic performance, and low recoil, with "no fuss" reloading. IMO.

What Greyfox said

 

[Farmerboy78]

well since you're going to reload, what about the 6.5-06. run heavy bullets @ 3000+ fps, brass is everywhere! it's amazing for a long range target and hunting load. have taken whitetail all the way out to 875yds with mine. I'm getting 3015fps with mine with 3/8" average grouping.

 

[surgeon260]

Take a hard look at 6.5x47 Lapua. It is the most inherently accurate chambering I have encountered, as well as the easiest to load for. Ballistics are great with a Berger 130 Hybrid going 2950. Cases and barrels last forever, and Lapua brass is perfect right out of the box. In my opinion it is the best of the medium capacity 6.5s.

 

[Farmerboy78]

surgeon260, what load are you using with that 130?

 

[surgeon260]

PM sent. That's a warm load so work up.

 

[Mike 338]

I too think the 6.5x47 is a sweetheart. I built up a cheap Remington 783 in this caliber. I'm shooting 123 gr. Lapua's with some RL-15. What a great rifle to shoot. It has a way of making you look like you know what your doing. I have at least 30 firings on the brass. I stopped counting. I annealed once just because but they're still going strong. At that rate, 100 pieces of brass might last through a couple of barrels, and the barrels last a long time. Feeding, extraction, accuracy and reliability seem great, and this is just a cheap-o action. Can't figure out why the military hasn't adopted it.

Also picked up a Savage 6.5 Creedmoor Longrange Hunter on sale. It had a couple minor bolt issues but once sorted out, it now shoots 143 gr. Hornady's like a match gun. With a fixed 10x scope, it pretty much covers any open country need I can think of.

These short action 6.5's have a way of helping the shooter rather than needing to be tamed.

 

[Molock]

I have a Model 7 Remington in .260.
It works great on deer and hogs using a 120grn Sierra Matchking bullet, little recoil for such a light rifle.
I also have a Kimber 84M in 6.5 Creedmoor. I took 3 deer between 200 and 237 yards with it this past November. I used a factory Hornady Superformance GMX bullet that shoots sub MOA.
Both rifles are a good choice without killer recoil. I'm trying to duplicate the factory load, have just this weekend started but so far no successful.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Odd choice of username, but welcome to the forum...

 

[Molock]

Odd choice of username, but welcome to the forum...

Thx, long story, great website with lots of info.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Thx, long story, great website with lots of info.

Cool. Just wanted to make sure you were aware of the name's meaning. Some folks pick random names not realizing what they chose.

 

[Sflutes]

I also like the 243. I just ordered one for my 8 year old son yesterday and also a Savage like HuntMeister & W33kender mentioned. Except I ordered the Savage Model 16/116 Lightweight Hunter which is a small synthetic/stainless bolt action. I think it is perfect for hunting anywhere for 200 yards and under and would be great for a blind/shooting house. I plan on using it myself. 243 ammo is available everywhere. Savage has a $75 rebate available right now as well.

 

[Molock]

Cool. Just wanted to make sure you were aware of the name's meaning. Some folks pick random names not realizing what they chose.

Cool. Just wanted to make sure you were aware of the name's meaning. Some folks pick random names not realizing what they chose.

Should have been spelled Molock, my bad. I'll change it, don't want anyone sacrificing their children on my behalf for sure...