Thread: 6.5mm questions....

Originally Posted by stevodog

what powder are you using? Seems to work ok on that ripper stag

I'm using Hodgdon superproformance and the 3 Tikka's I load for are all using 47. Something grains which seems to be the node and between 2811fps and 2860fps depending on barrel length.

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RL26 is your new friend if you have a 260Imp and a bit of barrel length. Im running 147 ELD M at 2900 with single figure ES. I've given up chasing the fps

My 2c, The CM for mag fed ease of use with better accuracy out to 600 Yd with longer BC bullets,
260 for closer work mag fed.... I use 120 Amaxes and about 3000 fps.... havent needed to put a 2nd shot down the tube but it is nice to have it in there.

Cheers for the advice fellas. I do reload so no worries about that. Prefer to stay with standard bolt face and avoid the mags. After reading seems that the 260 or 6.5 creedmore are where I'll end up. Anyone shooting the 260ai in a Sako 85 that can comment on COAL and feeing from the mag? Any issues here and I would have to default to the creed.

Originally Posted by HuntGatherRepeat

Cheers for the advice fellas. I do reload so no worries about that. Prefer to stay with standard bolt face and avoid the mags. After reading seems that the 260 or 6.5 creedmore are where I'll end up. Anyone shooting the 260ai in a Sako 85 that can comment on COAL and feeing from the mag? Any issues here and I would have to default to the creed.

I have a 85 finnlight, standard 260. I haven't had it very long, only had 1 range session.
I have only measured one projectile where mag length stops me kissing the lands, I think it was the Nosler 142gr LRAB (can confirm later), but can't confirm others that fit the mag actually feed okay. ELD-X 143gr 30 thou off the lands are definitely okay, as are 120 ballistic tip and 129sst at 10 thou jump.

Originally Posted by Cigar

I have a 85 finnlight, standard 260. I haven't had it very long, only had 1 range session.
I have only measured one projectile where mag length stops me kissing the lands, I think it was the Nosler 142gr LRAB (can confirm later), but can't confirm others that fit the mag actually feed okay. ELD-X 143gr 30 thou off the lands are definitely okay, as are 120 ballistic tip and 129sst at 10 thou jump.

Yeah, it's the Nosler 142gr LRAB that's more than mag length to be on the lands, by about 50 thou. The 143 ELD-X fits the mag with about 20 thou to spare as does the 130gr Swift Scirocco. I have some Sciroccos loaded but haven't tried them to see how they feed yet.

Originally Posted by Cigar

to be on the lands, by about 50 thou. .

Please clarify for me... On the lands or a 0.050 jump to the lands?

Originally Posted by LBD

Please clarify for me... On the lands or a 0.050 jump to the lands?

0.050 jump to the lands if loaded to mag length (may be slightly less, but at least 0.035)

The max useable COAL in my sako 85 7mm08 is limited by the longest live round it can eject. This is about 2.800". Longer rounds can feed and fit into the magazine but in my opinion are not satisfactory for all round hunting.

Note that the 6.5 PRC is a short magnum class cartridge with max COAL 2.955" compared to 7mmWSM at 2.880" and 6.5 Creed at 2.825. So the PRC could substitute in some 7mmWSM actions if you limit its length but not in 308 (Sako S) actions. It's meant for people rebarreling their 6.5-284 or WSM.

Originally Posted by HuntGatherRepeat

Cheers for the advice fellas. I do reload so no worries about that. Prefer to stay with standard bolt face and avoid the mags. After reading seems that the 260 or 6.5 creedmore are where I'll end up. Anyone shooting the 260ai in a Sako 85 that can comment on COAL and feeing from the mag? Any issues here and I would have to default to the creed.

The Creed has the better shoulder angle of 30deg and this helps in 2 ways, better burning of the slower powders and reduction in case stretch. The AI generally has 40deg shoulder and aids these points as well. You will find most target intended designs have the 30deg shoulder. Before the Creed made an appearance on the scene I organised a reamer from the US for a 260 30Deg Improved, i've been using this a while now and won't be changing. The Creed is essentially a 3mm shorter version of my 260Imp. I run mine in a T3 action with long mag and a long throat for the 143-147 bullets and I built it for long range shooting, both hunting and gongs.
If I wanted a 6.5 in a dedicated medium action with no mucking around I'd go the Creed, for the better case design.

I may be wrong but I'd assume the Ai and the standard 260 have the same COAL. @gimp has a seating depth on hand for the standard 260 in 85, I used his when setting up mine and it was primo. I cant remember as I sold the rifle a while back.

I'd point out that the 143gr ELD-X is a stone cold killer out to pretty decent ranges even when driven at modest velocity. Mine is doing 2760fps out of a 24" barrel with 42.4gr AR2209 and it flattens goats in the 500s, 600s with ease. Was whacking them just past 700m a couple of weeks ago. A 100-150fps difference in MV won't make a huge difference in range I wouldn't have thought, would have to check the energy numbers. A very accurate and low recoiling 6.5 makes for a highly effective 500-600m+ pest goat controller, doesn't need to be fast.

Originally Posted by Flyblown

I'd point out that the 143gr ELD-X is a stone cold killer out to pretty decent ranges even when driven at modest velocity. Mine is doing 2760fps out of a 24" barrel with 42.4gr AR2209 and it flattens goats in the 500s, 600s with ease. Was whacking them just past 700m a couple of weeks ago. A 100-150fps difference in MV won't make a huge difference in range I wouldn't have thought, would have to check the energy numbers. A very accurate and low recoiling 6.5 makes for a highly effective 500-600m+ pest goat controller, doesn't need to be fast.

I believe it's the combinations of bullet-length,plus rpm's (8-twist), and BC/SD, that make the 6.5's so efficient at the lower FPS. It appears to be one of the few calibers that gets everything right. With the 6.5x55, it was second only to 9mm parabellum, in having the highest no. of ballistics-experts, involved in its development.

Was working up a load using some SMK150gns. I dont have perminant access to a decent labradar or anything but using rwd i've figured im getting 2760fts with them. Almost same terminal speed at 500y as eldm 147's and i know they kick off at 2810fts in my rifle.
Yep they stabilise in my 1/8 twist barrel. Better precision than i've experienced with Eldm, x, berger etc. Seems to like more neck tension than less (funny enough).

But i wanted to add that during load development i did notice a tapering off of mv gain at 46.6gn of 2213sc. Chose 45.9 as it had the same velocity but seemed to node right there.

Shy of starting a new thread, have procured a Sako in 260 with 1:8 twist. Now the real question, to AI or not to AI...