Yet another 6.5 build thread... 6.5-280ai vs 6.5 WSM

[Rugerjim]

Hey team.
Yet another 6.5 thread, however specifically I need a gully jumping deer round that bucks some wind out to about 700-800meters max.

The gun :
How's long action in a beautiful Mark V weatherby timber stock. 26" bbl
Swan barrel

To be clear,
So I can't say why but I have to run a 6.5. Can't go 7 etc etc, so right from the start, it's a 6.5!

Most shots are within 10 feet or 500 meters, very open hilly country but with many creeks and rivers between.

So my options are
6.5-280AI (cheap 270 brass everywhere, must be fireformed). more rounds in the mag. 140s up to 3200???

6.5 WSM no fireforming, ? Stratospheric speeds. Barrels toast in 500/600 shots. A ***** to tune?

6.5 PRC. Just a magnum version of the creed... and we all know about "those" creed shooters. Brass is super expensive though.

Looking to hear thoughts on the matter.

 

[JMW67]

When you can find 280 AI peterson brass you can just neck down and not have to fireform the 6.5-280ai runs with the 6.5saum you will pick up some fps with the wsm for sure my last build was a 6.5-280ai and I love it

 

[Rugerjim]

When you can find 280 AI peterson brass you can just neck down and not have to fireform the 6.5-280ai runs with the 6.5saum you will pick up some fps with the wsm for sure my last build was a 6.5-280ai and I love it

Thanks JMW, what kinda speed do you run 120-130s and what powder does it like? Thanks mate. I got really good results with 2209 in my 6-06. Much better than 2213SC

 

[Jud96]

What is the rifle chambered in now? I would choose the cartridge that has the same bolt face as your action has already.

 

[waspocrew]

This ^^^

 

[Mikecr]

There is another angle to consider here: ACCURACY
I'll just declare up front that accuracy is the most powerful of ballistic attributes.

With this, long brass life and long barrel life better provide accuracy in the long run (instead of fleeting).
The fastest powder filling a case for SAAMI max doesn't hurt (when comparing one capacity result to others).
In 26cal, ~140gr bullets, ~28" barrel, I doubt you can better the overall performance(accuracy-wise) provided by 260AI capacity.
There are many options to hit this capacity, in highly improved designs.
Before you think I'm crazy: Consider it. Run the numbers.

Long term, I can leave a 6.5x284 back in a ditch with my 26wssm imp, using way less powder.
Same capacity(by design) as 260AI

 

[BEEMAN]

Could also go 6.5 Sherman. Mine with a 28" Hart shoots 140 Berger's at 3339 FPS with a max load of N570.

 

[Winnett1]

Hey team.
Yet another 6.5 thread, however specifically I need a gully jumping deer round that bucks some wind out to about 700-800meters max.

The gun :
How's long action in a beautiful Mark V weatherby timber stock. 26" bbl
Swan barrel

To be clear,
So I can't say why but I have to run a 6.5. Can't go 7 etc etc, so right from the start, it's a 6.5!

Most shots are within 10 feet or 500 meters, very open hilly country but with many creeks and rivers between.

So my options are
6.5-280AI (cheap 270 brass everywhere, must be fireformed). more rounds in the mag. 140s up to 3200???

6.5 WSM no fireforming, ? Stratospheric speeds. Barrels toast in 500/600 shots. A ***** to tune?

6.5 PRC. Just a magnum version of the creed... and we all know about "those" creed shooters. Brass is super expensive though.

Looking to hear thoughts on the matter.

For ease of loading and not having to fireform, excellent performance and accuracy, don't over look the 6.5-06.
Just my opinion

 

[Quintus]

The 6.5-06 ^^ is fantastic and so is the 6.5WSM. I have not had issues getting either to shoot very well. If I were going bigger than 6.5PRC (my favorite) I would go 6.5x257WBY. If I had a standard bolt face I would go 6.5 RPM.

 

[Rugerjim]

The 6.5-06 ^^ is fantastic and so is the 6.5WSM. I have not had issues getting either to shoot very well. If I were going bigger than 6.5PRC (my favorite) I would go 6.5x257WBY. If I had a standard bolt face I would go 6.5 RPM.

Hey Quintus why is the PRC your favourite out of curiosity? I feel like having owned all/most of them you'd know the ins and outs. Would love to hear more experience from you.

We can get ammo and brass here for Prc, but it's worth more than diamond... but dies are a dime a dozen too.

 

[Rugerjim]

The 6.5-06 ^^ is fantastic and so is the 6.5WSM. I have not had issues getting either to shoot very well. If I were going bigger than 6.5PRC (my favorite) I would go 6.5x257WBY. If I had a standard bolt face I would go 6.5 RPM.

Hey Quintus why is the PRC your favourite? We can get ammo and brass here, but it's worth more than diamond... but dies are a dime

There is another angle to consider here: ACCURACY
I'll just declare up front that accuracy is the most powerful of ballistic attributes.

With this, long brass life and long barrel life better provide accuracy in the long run (instead of fleeting).
The fastest powder filling a case for SAAMI max doesn't hurt (when comparing one capacity result to others).
In 26cal, ~140gr bullets, ~28" barrel, I doubt you can better the overall performance(accuracy-wise) provided by 260AI capacity.
There are many options to hit this capacity, in highly improved designs.
Before you think I'm crazy: Consider it. Run the numbers.

Long term, I can leave a 6.5x284 back in a ditch with my 26wssm imp, using way less powder.
Same capacity(by design) as 260AI

I actually have a 22-243 AI and considered a 260AI too. (Same brass and all.) but just really wanna reach out with some serious clout.

 

[Quintus]

Hey Quintus why is the PRC your favourite? We can get ammo and brass here, but it's worth more than diamond... but dies are a dime a dozen too.

It is a useable difference in added velocity over the 260/6.5 Creed especially with heavier bullets. It is still very easy to shoot, fairly easy on powder, very easy to tune, and works just fine in a short action. I have a CA Mesa in short action and a Fierce Fury in long action and while I do have a little more flexibility in the Fierce the Mesa still maintains the performance advantage over standards. A true happy medium versus the bigger cases. This can be done without pushing all that hard, so Hornaday Brass works fine and has good longevity. I do have alot of brass and RL26 and RL22 which also helps.

 

[azsugarbear]

I have both a 6.5-06 AI and a 6.5 PRC. In equal length barrels, the 6.5 PRC runs about 75-100 fps faster depending on the weight of the bullet in the load. Isn't a 6.5-280 AI just another designation for a 6.5-06 AI? After all, the parent case for the 280 is the venerable 30=06.

 

[264 Win Mag Man]

I have both a 6.5-06 AI and a 6.5 PRC. In equal length barrels, the 6.5 PRC runs about 75-100 fps faster depending on the weight of the bullet in the load. Isn't a 6.5-280 AI just another designation for a 6.5-06 AI? After all, the parent case for the 280 is the venerable 30=06.

Maybe you might look at the 264 Win mag along with the 6.5-06AI.
I have both and like them very much. A extra is the availability of 30-06 brass. Just a thought.