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aom22 11-28-2010 05:41 AM
6.5mm / .264: Information Repository
 
The 6.5mm (.264 Caliber) Rifle Cartridges
Quote:
It is hard to understand why 6.5mm (.264") cartridges in general have never caught on in North America.
The more I have learned about the various 6.5's, the more I have come to appreciate them.
North American hunters are missing out on a good thing!

For instance, the light 120 grain 6.5mm bullet has a SD of .246, the same as a 165 grain .30 caliber bullet.
The 125 grain 6.5mm bullet has a SD of .256, equal to that of a 170 grain .30 caliber bullet.
The medium weight 140 grain 6.5mm bullet has an outstanding SD of .287,
_which is essentially the same as a 190 grain .30 caliber match bullet.
And the heavy 160 grain 6.5mm bullet has a SD of .328, about like a 220 grain .30 caliber bullet.
Ponder these comparisons for a moment and it becomes clear why the 6.5's kill almost as well as the larger calibers,
_but with much less recoil and muzzle blast.

The legendary ivory hunter W.D.M. Bell was among these, and he went so far as to use
_his 6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenhauer with 160 grain solid bullets for brain shots on elephants.

Due to their high killing power and relatively low recoil, the standard 6.5mm cartridges
_are particularly well suited for the popular lightweight hunting rifles
_called "mountain" or "scout" rifles.

Articles:

The North American 6.5mm (.264) Cartridge Family
Quote:
Practically anyone who is not prejudiced against small bore rifle cartridges in general can find happiness
_with one or another of these 6.5mm cartridges.
All are available from at least one major ammunition manufacturer and several smaller,
_ specialty ammunition companies, _such as Stars and Stripes.
If you have not yet owned a 6.5mm rifle, you are in for a pleasant surprise when you finally do.
The Long-Suffering 6.5
Quote:
Originally Posted by aom22 (Post 2446526)
The caliber American hunters would love to love--but don't.

Quote:
However, if you put a 6.5-.284 Norma, 6.5mm Remington Magnum or even a .260 Remington cartridge
_into a .308-length action you do have concerns about bullets of 140 grains and over intruding into the powder space.
And that's another reason we haven't seen, and probably will not see, a factory 6.5mm short magnum ...

Of the many wildcats, the 6.5-06 is certainly one of the very best options;
_with modern propellants it's another cartridge that can easily equal the .264 Winchester Magnum...
Unfortunately, if you choose any 6.5mm cartridge you are very limited in your choices in factory ammo.
There are currently four American factory loads for the .260 Remington, just two for the .264 Winchester Magnum
_(Winchester and Remington, both 140-grain) and a single 6.5 Remington Magnum load...

To get the most out of almost any 6.5mm you probably should be a handloader.
I've played with both the 6.5-06 and the 6.5-.284 a bit.
Both are excellent cartridges that come very close to .264 Winchester Magnum performance,
_as does the 6.5mm Remington Magnum if you add a bit of length to both action and barrel....

However, if you put a 6.5-.284 Norma, 6.5mm Remington Magnum or even a .260 Remington cartridge
_into a .308-length action you do have concerns about bullets of 140 grains
_and over intruding into the powder space.
And that's another reason we haven't seen, and probably will not see, a factory 6.5mm short magnum.

Threads:


Ammunition:

6.5 Starter Kit
Quote:
Thinking of trying the 6.5 for hunting?
There are a lot more choices out there than you might think.

.256 Newton, 6.5-06, 6.5x54 Mannlicher-Schoenauer, 6.5x57 Mauser, 6.5x55 Swedish, 6.5 Creedmoor,
.260 Remington, 6.5x52 American, 6.5-.284 Norma, 6.5 Rem. Mag., .264 Win. Mag., 6.5 STW

Rifles:

Choosing a 6.5mm Hunting Rifle
Quote:
Of course, there are a number of excellent 6.5mm (.26 caliber) hunting cartridges, ranging from the mild 6.5x54 MS
_to the powerful .264 Winchester Magnum.
Inbetween are the .260 Rem., 6.5x55 SE, 6.5x57, 6.5mm Remington Magnum and 6.5x68 S.
Since I was looking for a moderate, general purpose cartridge, the 6.5mm Rem. and .264 Win. Magnums were out.
That narrowed the cartridge choice down to the 6.5x55 and .260 Rem.
Now the remaining problem is selecting the most appropriate brand and model of rifle.

aom22 12-18-2010 09:23 PM
6.5mm / .264: Unique Ballistics
 
The 6.5mm (.264 Caliber) Rifle Cartridges
Quote:
The advantage of deep penetration conferred by the excellent sectional density
_of 6.5mm big game bullets should not be underestimated.

It is the secret of the 6.5mm cartridge's success.

It is what allows 6.5mm bullets to get deep inside of even large animals,
_where they can do the most damage.

Articles:

Want Better Sectional Density?
Quote:
The 6.5mm's give the most penetration for the least recoil of any family of cartridges.
The Sectional Density of Rifle Bullets
Quote:
Recognized as effective for medium size big game animals.
264" (6.5mm) 120 grain, SD .247

For large game bullets with higher sectional density should be chosen.
.264" (6.5mm) 140 grain, SD .287

These are the top calibers and bullet weights for maximum penetration:
.264" (6.5mm) 160 grain, SD .328
The 6.5mm-284 Norma and 6.5mm Remington Magnum
Quote:
The sectional density of a 140 grain 6.5mm bullet is .287,
_which is considerably better than the .271 SD of a 180 grain .30 caliber bullet
_and nearly identical to the .288 SD of a 230 grain .338 bullet.
The excellent SD of 6.5mm hunting bullets has made the caliber's reputation as a slayer of big game animals.
It also contributes to the high ballistic coefficient of 6.5mm match bullets.
The Ballistic Coefficient of Rifle Bullets
Quote:
Ballistic Coefficient (BC) is basically a measure of how streamlined a bullet is;
_that is, how well it cuts through the air.
Mathematically, it is the ratio of a bullet's sectional density to its coefficient of form.
Ballistic Coefficient is essentially a measure of air drag.
The higher the number the less drag, and the more efficiently the bullet cuts through the air.
So for purposes of flying through the air efficiently, the bigger the BC number the better.
Shooting the "Other" 6.5mm's
Quote:
When all is said and done, however, the ballistics of these more obscure 6.5 mm rounds
_are unquestionably superior to those of many popular deer and black bear cartridges,
_due to their excellent sectional density and ballistic coefficient numbers.
Want Better Sectional Density? Here are Some Common Cartridges and Loads that Deliver
Quote:
A 6.5mm, 140 grain boat-tail spitzer bullet can also be designed for a very high ballistic coefficient,
_making it ideal for extreme range target shooting.
That is why so many long range match winners are shooting 6.5mm cartridges.
Compared: Hornady's 6.5mm Creedmoor and the 6.5mm-284 Norma for F-Class Shooting
Quote:
6.5mm Creedmoor
Bullet: Hornady A-Max, Weight: 120 gr , Ballistic Coefficient: 0.465

6.5mm Creedmoor
Bullet: Hornady A-Max, Weight: 140 gr, Ballistic Coefficient: 0.550

6.5mm-284 Norma
Bullet: Lapua Scenar, Weight: 139 gr, Ballistic Coefficient: 0.615

6.5mm-284 Norma
Bullet: Sierra MatchKing, Weight: 142 gr, Ballistic Coefficient: 0.595

Threads:

Wind Deflection - TCups
Quote:
Defining 'Superior Ballistic Performance'

Table 1. Shows what velocity other bullets need to match
_the wind deflection of the 6.5mm 142 gr benchmark at 2950 fps.

How windy is it where you will be hunting? - TCupsAmmunition:

Applied Ballistics ... Bryan Litz
Lilja: Calibers and Twist Rates

aom22 01-09-2011 07:46 PM
6.5mm / .264 : General Information ... Basic Comparisons
 
Articles:

Sensible Rifle Cartridges
Quote:
(Includes the 6mm Rem., .257 Roberts, 6.5x55 Swede, 7x57 Mauser, .300 Savage, .338 Federal and .358 Winchester)
The .270 Winchester, perhaps the optimum long range caliber, is not included because it is so well known
_that little more needs to be said about it.
Ditto the .308 Winchester and the .30-06, both eminently sensible cartridges and the .30-30, the best known
_and perhaps the most sensible deer cartridge of them all.
7x57mm Mauser, 7mm-08 Rem, 6.5x55 SE and .260 Rem
Quote:
Are these the best big game hunting cartridges?
The 6.5mm-284 Norma and 6.5mm Remington Magnum
Quote:
The 6.5mm-284 Norma and 6.5mm Rem. Mag. are well regarded cartridges among savvy riflemen,
_particularly those specializing in long range shooting.
These cartridges are comparable in performance, but they are based on very different cases

The sectional density of a 140 grain 6.5mm bullet is .287, which is considerably better
_than the .271 SD of a 180 grain .30 caliber bullet _and nearly identical
_to the .288 SD of a 230 grain .338 bullet.
The excellent SD of 6.5mm hunting bullets has made the caliber's reputation as a slayer of big game animals.
It also contributes to the high ballistic coefficient of 6.5mm match bullets.

Why long range target shooters have not discovered the 6.5mm Remington Magnum as an attractive alternative
_to the 6.5mm-284 is something of a mystery to me.
The two cartridges offer essentially identical performance.

.260 ... Versus:

260 Rem vs. 6.5×55 — Laurie Holland Compares the Cartridges
Quote:
“The 6.5×55 case has 6 or 7% more capacity than the .260s,
_even more in practice when both are loaded to standard COALs with heavy bullets,
_which sees them having to seated very deep in the .260 Rem using up quite a lot of powder capacity.
So loaded up for reasonable pressures in modern actions, the 6.5×55 will give a bit more performance
6.5mm Shootout: .260 Remington vs. 6.5×47 Lapua vs. 6.5 Creedmoor
Quote:
It's been a good year for 6.5 mm.
The .260 Remington has hit full stride after a ramp-up of several years,
_with top competitors at most field-style long-range matches shooting it.
Lapua's 6.5x47 saw the first wave of custom LR rifles built around it in 2007
_and proved to be just as good as people hoped.
Finally, Hornady is announcing its new 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge at SHOT 2008.
How do these three mid-size 6.5 mm cartridges stack up against one another?
I spent much of 2007 figuring out the answer to that question.
260's and 6.5x284 barrel life
Quote:
But the .260 is not a 6.5 X 284, it cannot match the ballistics since it will not drive a 139 to 2950 fps
_unless it is loaded stupid hot.
The .260 AI will hit 2950 with a 139 but at that point it's maxed out and maybe even just a bit past that
_and barrel life won't be any better.

The 6.5 Swede and maybe the 6.5 X 57 might be better alternatives than the .260 in comparison to a 6.5 X 284,
_but then you're still back to the fact if you equal the perfromance envelope of the 6.5 X 284 than you will have
_the barrel wear issues of the 6.5 X 284.
Cartridges We Can Live Without
Quote:
.260 Remington, 6.5mm Remington Magnum, .264 Winchester Magnum, 6.5x55.
Remington's short 6.5mm magnum is long gone, and the .264 is on the way out.

Only the relatively new .260 Remington is truly viable in the U.S.,
_and the author expects the great old 6.5x55 to bow out in American factory loads.
It will continue in European factory loads and is a great cartridge for handloaders.

aom22 01-18-2011 09:50 AM
.260 REM ... aka: 6.5mm-08 A-Square
 
260 Remington
Quote:
The 260 Remington is essentially the old wildcated 6.5-08, a 308 necked down to the .264 bullet.
The 6.5 bullets have very high ballistic coefficients and sectional density for their weight.
This makes for a light recoil round that has very good long range ballistics.
The North American 6.5mm (.264) Cartridge Family
Quote:
The .260 Remington is based on a necked-down .308 Winchester case.
Both Remington and A-Square (who called it the 6.5mm-08 A-Square) applied for SAAMI standardization,
_but it was Remington's application that was accepted.

Articles:

.260 Remington and 6.5-08 ... History
Quote:
In 1996, Arthur B Alphin, director of A-Square Cartridges (USA) applied to have the 6.5-08 wildcat
_standardized by SAAMI as the 6.5-08 A-Square.
A-Square was a member of SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers Institute) but for unknown reasons,
_the processing of Alphin’s application was very slow.
In 1997, Remington (also a SAAMI member) made a similar application to standardize the 6.5-08 as the .260 Remington.
Shortly thereafter, the Remington design was accepted and the cartridge dimensions standardized.
The Case for .260 Remington: A Better Cartridge For Practical Long-Range Shooting
Quote:
The .260 Remington cartridge is gaining favor with many long-range shooters for the simple reason
_that it slings the long, slim, high-BC 6.5mm bullets at respectable velocity.
It duplicates or beats the .300 Winchester Magnum's trajectory with less recoil than .308.
The .260 Remington blows .308 out of the water.
It has 35% less wind drift and about 10 MOA less drop at 1000 yards than the standard 175-grain M118LR load.
Despite a 35-grain deficiency in bullet mass, it has 31% more energy because it loses less along the way
_due to atmospheric drag, hitting 350 fps faster at 1000 yards.
260 Rem vs. 6.5×55 — Laurie Holland Compares the Cartridges — Olympian
Quote:
“To me, the .260 Remington has no advantage over the 6.5×55 if one is going to use a long action.
Likewise, the only advantage the .260 has in a modern rifle is it can be used in a short-action.

To me, if someone wants to use a short-action, the 6.5×47 Lapua is even a better option
_than the .260 for a target rifle.”
Threads:

6.5x55 Swede versus 260 REM ... BDC Scope
Quote:
The 260 REM is reasonably close.
But, the 6.5x55 Swede is closer - using factory ammunition.
As such, the 6.5x55 Swede would have been an almost perfect choice
for scope with a bullet drop compensation reticle.
Shoot Me Down: The .260 Rem. Is The Best All-Around Whitetail Cartridge
Quote:
The .270 is the perennial front-runner in this argument,
_but there’s very little you can do to a deer at typical hunting ranges with a .270
_that you can’t do with the .260 with less kick, and from a handier, short-action rifle.

Ammunition:

Procedures for Getting Best Results with Remington Brass

Lapua Commences Production of .260 Rem Cartridge Brass

Lapua .260 Remington Case

260 Remington Load Data




.260 Match Ammo ComparisonBrass:


260 REM Milestone ... Lapua Producing Brass


Lapua .260 Rem Brass Proves Very Uniform

aom22 01-18-2011 09:52 AM
260 Remington Ackley Improved ... aka: 6.5mm-08 Ackley Improved
 
6.5mm-08 Ackley Improved
Quote:
The 6.5mm-08 Ackley Improved (the model for today's .260 AI) is not a new cartridge.
The main reason to go with an improved version of the .260 Rem, is velocity.
For most people, the standard .260 reaches pressure limits with 140gr class bullets
_well before 2850 fps (with a 24"-26" barrel).
The .260 AI lets you drive those same bullets comfortably at 2930 fps or better.

Articles:

Terry's Tactical Two-Sixty AI
Quote:
Pushing 139 Lapuas, the .260 AI (an Ackleyized 6.5mm-08) delivers 6.5-284 ballistics
_in a more efficient, magazine-friendly cartridge.
Terry tells us "Ackleyizing the 260 really improves the round in every way you can imagine

--it gets you into that ideal velocity zone for the 139s or 142s, and the brass is very stable."
  • King of the Hill in Tactical Comps
  • 6.5mm-08 Ackley Improved--A Very Effective Long-Range Cartridge
  • 6.5mm-08 Ackley Improved
  • Procedures for Getting Best Results with Remington Brass
  • Parting Shot--Should the .260 AI Be Used by the Military?
Tilley's 260 Ackley Improved
Quote:
Ron campaigned a 260 Ackley Improved.
This is based on a 260 Rem case, with the shoulder blown forward to 40 degrees.
Improving the 260 Rem case adds just enough extra capacity to get the 140gr-class bullets
_into the 2900+ fps velocity window where they seem to perform best.
Article posted on Precision Shooting Website about Ackley Improved cartridges


Threads:

Would you go Ackley Improved?
Quote:
... and anything under a 6% gain is considered pointless.
260 Remington Ackley 140 grain bullet 4.3%

Ammunition:

260 Ackley Case Forming
Quote:
This article explains how Chris fire-forms his brass to create 260 Ackley Improved cases.

He covers two forming methods--one with bullets and one without projectiles.
  • Brass Selection and Prep | Fire-Forming with and without Bullets
  • The Dreaded Doughnut--Where Does It Come From?
  • 260 Remington Brass Preparation and Traditional Fire-Forming
  • Alternate 'No-Bullet' Fire-Forming Using Inert Filler
260 Rem Neck Testing Results
Quote:
TechShooter has been testing Remington 260 brass.
Chris reports: “I didn’t like the hassle of the inside neck-reaming the Lapua brass,
_as well as the possibility that this process could cause excessive runout.
TECH TIP: Form Improved Cases with Hydraulic Forming Die
Quote:
Now, thanks to Hornady, shooters who need to “improve” their cases
_have a bonafied alternative to fire-forming.
Hornady’s custom shop offers a hydraulic case-forming kit
_that allows you to form cases just using water and a conventional reloading press.

aom22 01-18-2011 09:53 AM
6.5 Creedmoor
 
Background of Cartridge
Quote:
The new cartridge was conceptualized by Dave Emary, Hornady’s Senior Ballistician,
_and Dennis DeMille, General Manager of Creedmoor® Sports and two-time NRA National High Power Rifle Champion.
Dave and Dennis wanted to provide factory-loaded ammo that would be 100% competitive with any High Power chambering,
_including the 6XC and 6.5×47 Lapua.
The 6.5 Creedmoor was purpose-built for match rifles, including the Tubb 2000 and DPMS/Panther Arms LR Series.
Its case is shorter than the 260 Remington, so you can load even the longest bullets into .308-Win length magazines.

Articles:

6.5 Creedmoor Finds Favor with Tactical Competitors
Quote:
While the venerable .308 Winchester is still the chambering of choice
_for most tactical shooters,
a growing number of tac competitors are switching to the 6.5 Creedmoor
_(as well as other 6.5mm chamberings such as the 6.5×47 Lapua and .260 Remington).
6.5 Creedmoor for High Power and Tactical Shooters
Quote:
While the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge was devised primarily for High Power
_and Across the Course shooters, it has also found favor with tactical shooters
_looking for a highly accurate round that feeds well from a magazine,
_but offers significantly less recoil than a .308 Winchester.
6.5 Creedmoor — .260 Done Right?
Quote:
Put simply, the 6.5 Creedmoor is what the .260 Remington should have been.
It looks like Hornady has the right mind-set to make its new cartridge a success
_in the competitive and practical market,
_unlike Remington who basically let the .260 languish in a few hunting rifles.
6.5mm Cartridges — Comparative Ballistics Performance
Quote:
Put in order of ballistic performance,
the 6.5 Creedmoor and the .260 Remington are almost neck-and-neck,
pushing the same weight bullets at about the same velocities
from almost identical case capacities.
Threads:

NEW 6.5 Creedmoor Cartridge from Hornady

6.5 Creedmore Addresses the OAL Limitations of the .260 REM

The 6.5mm Overlooked in America
Quote:
It looks like Hornady has the right mind-set to make its new cartridge a success in the competitive
_and practical market, unlike Remington who basically let the .260 languish in a few hunting rifles.

6.5 Creedmoor Versus:

The real truth about the new 6.5 Creedmoor v/s the .260 REM
Quote:
... the Creedmore will do one thing the 260 won't.
The dimensions of the cartridge allow one to seat a 140 without the base of the bullet
_extending below the neck/shoulder junction and still feed from a standard 308 length box magazine.
Compared: Hornady's 6.5mm Creedmoor and the 6.5mm-284 Norma for F-Class Shooting
Quote:
On the surface, the Hornady 6.5mm Creedmoor rounds appear competitive to the 6.5mm-284 Norma,
_which is the preferred caliber in F-Class Open competitions (no offense to those of you who use the 7mm or 300 WSM).
However, when you look closely at the ballistics data, it is another story.

Ammunition:

NEW 6.5 Creedmoor Cartridge from Hornady

DOWNLOAD 6.5 Creedmoor Illustrated Brochure

Shooting and Loading the Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor

Hornady Reduces 120gr Load for 6.5 Creedmoor Ammunition

Hornady Introduces the 6.5 Creedmoor to the Hunting World

aom22 01-18-2011 10:10 AM
6.5x47 Lapua
 
6.5x47 Lapua
Quote:
The ideal choice for extreme accuracy.
The 6.5x47 Lapua is a cartridge designed for serious competition shooting.
Lapua developed the 6.5x47 in conjunction with a Swiss rifle manufacturer, Grunig & Elmiger.
The chamber and throat dimensions are optimized for target bullets.
The 6.5x47 Lapua is CIP approved

Articles:

The 6.5x47 Lapua by Sak Smith
Quote:
Nammo Lapua Oy recently developed the new 6.5x47 Lapua cartridge specifically
_for long-range target shooting.
In cooperation with Grunig & Elmiger, Lapua set out to develop a cartridge optimized
_for 300-meter CISM shooting, a sort of military olympic competition prevalent in Europe.

The most compelling reason to choose 6.5x47 Lapua is the excellent brass.
Like the .260 Remington, the 6.5x47 Lapua provides long-range ballistics usually limited
_to the big magnums in a short-action package with low recoil.
6.5×47 Cartridge Information
Quote:
Lapua developed the 6.5×47 Lapua cartridge for International 300m competition.
Lapua wanted a cartridge that could match the “pure accuracy” of the 6mmBR,
_but with even better ballistics and good barrel life.
The 6.5x47L is now really coming into its own.
In the hands of NBRSA long-range Hall of Famer Don Nielson,
_the 6.5x47L has won two NBRSA 600-yard Nationals convincingly
Laurie Holland Talks About the 6.5×47 Lapua
Quote:
Also, as in the USA, many people want a multi-purpose longarm,
_and this cartridge is an excellent long-range fox/crow round and ideal
_for most of our deer species too.
6.5×47 Lapua Tactical TackDriver
Quote:
In summary, the 6.5x47 is a great cartridge for practical long-range shooting.
It hits the ballistics "sweet spot", shooting a high-BC 6.5mm bullet
_at competitive velocities from a medium-sized case.
It burns less powder than either the .260 Rem or .308 Win.
With a hunting bullet, it replicates the 6.5x55 Swede, which has taken
_big game in Europe for over a century.
Low-recoil, good ballistics, and excellent brass make the 6.5x47 Lapua
_one of several great choices for practical rifle challenges.
Is the 6.5×47 Lapua the Next, Great Do-It-All Cartridge?
Quote:
In addition to its paper-punching abilities, the 6.5×47 Lapua is a capable hunting cartridge,
_delivering velocities that approach a .260 Remington with 120-130 grain projectiles.
Considering all this — is the 6.5×47 Lapua the next, great do-it-all cartridge
— a chambering that can win a benchrest match one weekend and harvest a whitetail the next?

Threads:

6.5x47 Lapua Diagram Here

Re: 6mm br vs 6.5x47 at 600yds+


Ammunition:

6.5×47 Lapua Cartridge Diagram (PDF)

6.5×47 Lapua Ballistics Chart

6.5 x 47 Lapua Case
Quote:
The 6.5x47 Lapua case has base diameter and loading length similar to the .308 Win.,
allowing it to accept the same bolt heads and fit into similar actions and magazines.
Lapua’s 6.5x47 case is also the parent case of several popular wildcats,
and is frequently necked down to 6mm.
This modification allows the versatile 6.5x47 case to fulfil an even greater range of hunting,
varminting or target applications, aided by Lapua’s wide ranging selection of Scenar bullets.
The 6.5x47 Lapua is truly a masterpiece!

aom22 01-18-2011 10:13 AM
Special Purpose Cartridge: 6.5
 
6.5 Grendel
Quote:
Hanka, creator of 65Grendel.com, tells us: "The 6.5 Grendel is an evolution of the 6.5 PPC,
_first created by Dr. Lou Palmisano when he developed his famous 22 PPC and 6PPC.
Competition shooter Arne Brennan of Houston, Texas, saw the potential in Palmisano's 6.5 PPC wildcat.
He had a custom AR15 built to shoot it and used high BC bullets to take it out to 1000 yards

Articles:

6.5 Grendel Cartridge Guide
Quote:
The 6.5 Grendel was originally conceived for the AR15 platform.
The idea was to have a cartridge that performed better at long-range than the .223 Remington,
_while still retaining the ability to feed multiple rounds from a magazine.
AR15 National Match and cross-course shooters had turned to the long 80-90 grain VLD bullets


_in pursuit of better long-range ballistics.
  • The 6.5 Grendel--A Quick History
  • 6.5 Grendel -- Origins and Performance
  • 6.5 Grendel for Hunting and Long-Range Shooting in the AR15 Platform
  • Grendel Ammo, Components, Accessories, and Complete Rifles
The 6.5mm Grendel
Quote:
The AR15 rifle imposed severe constraints on the 6.5mm Grendel's design in the areas of back thrust,
_pressure (MAP 45,000 psi), and cartridge overall length.
The new cartridge had to function safely in an action designed around, and feed through a magazine
_intended for, little .223 Remington cartridges.
The Long Range AR - 6.5 Grendel
Quote:
European IPSC Rifle shooters are looking at this caliber as a potential competitive advantage.
The Grendel is powerful enough to score major in practical rifle.

Ammunition:

Grendel Ballistics

6.5 Grendel Ammunition

6.5 Grendel Lapua Reloading Components

6.5 Grendel - 6.5 Grendel 123 gr A-MAX®

Hornady 6.5 Grendel Brass

aom22 01-18-2011 10:41 AM
6.5x55 Swede
 
The 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser
Quote:
Originally loaded with 156-grain roundnose bullets at 2,378 fps,
the 6.5x55 followed other early-20th-century military cartridges
in their shift to lighter, faster bullets.

A 139-grain spitzer clocked 2,625 fps. Velocities for both were taken
from 96 Mauser rifles with 29-inch barrels.

Standard twist in early Swedish Mausers: one turn in 7.87 inches.

Designed for a pressure lid of about 45,000 psi, the 6.5x55 can be loaded stiffer
in rifles like the Winchester 70 and Ruger 77, two of few commercial rifles so chambered Stateside.

But traditional Swedish 94s and 96s lack the safety lug of the 1898 Mauser
and are best fed standard loads.

Articles:

6.5x55 ... History
Quote:
The next major power to adopt the 6.5mm bore diameter was Sweden.
The Swedish cartridge design again came from Swiss research and besides the 6.5mm caliber,
_the case followed the new rimless concept.
For a rifle, Sweden looked to Paul Mauser for the latest developments.
Mauser's newest rifle, the M93 (1893) chambered in 7x57 had just been sold to the Spanish military.
This rifle was a culmination of Paul Mauser's 22 years as a rifle designer and all of it's features were of his own design.
Sweden decided to adopt the M93 design and in 1894 the Karbin M94 in 6.5x55 became Sweden's military rifle.
The 6.5x55 SE
Quote:
The 6.5x55 is one of the great worldwide hunting cartridges.
It offers excellent killing power, adequately flat trajectory, and moderate recoil.
A best seller in Scandinavia, it is also popular all across Europe, Africa, Australia, and the New World.
6.5x55mm (6.5 Swedish)
Quote:
Recommendation: The 6.5x55m makes a very good Law Enforcement round
_as well as a very capable military sniping cartridge.
When using the heavier bullets the round is excellent at ranges up to
_and potentially beyond 1000 meters far out performing the 308 rounds.

Threads:

The 6.5x55 Swede
Quote:
The 6.5x55 has lasted longer than the .30-06 for good reason.
It is accurate; recoil is at a level that most any hunter or shooter can handle easily;
_the long, sleek .264 bullets penetrate farther than expected;
_and it will digest handloads and factory ammunition with equal aplomb.

Ammunition:

Lapau 6.5x55 SE

6.5 x 55mm Swedish Mauser

.264 (6.5mm) Caliber Bullets

aom22 01-18-2011 10:54 AM
6.5X284 Norma
 
6.5-284 Norma ... History
Quote:
When Winchester released the .284 Winchester in 1963, primarily for hunting,
many competitive target shooters saw great potential
in both the primary design and as a parent design for wildcatting.

The .284 case was short but wide and in comparison to the .30-06 length cartridges,
enabled shooters to experiment with a different shaped powder column
with hopefully excellent, if not interesting internal ballistics

When wildcatters necked the .284 case down to 6.5 during the late 1960’s,
the resulting 6.5-284 cartridge was able to fire a high BC 140 grain bullet
at similar velocities to the parent .284 but with much lower recoil.

With advances in 6.5 caliber bullet design and a growing understanding
of suitable reloading techniques, the 6.5-284 steadily gained popularity.

The wildcat produced excellent results in 1000 yard competition
and eventually gained the attention of a number of hunters.

Articles:

Wildcatting the .284 Winchester
Quote:
Along about 1999, after considerable prompting by the late Roger Johnston and with technical advice from this author,
_Norma standardized the 6.5-284, which had been a wildcat for decades.
Roger's epiphany is one of those revelations that, in retrospect, is quite obvious.
Since so many wildcatters and long-range target shooters were using the .284 Winchester case as a basis
_for various wildcat chamberings, particularly the 6.5mm, why not standardize a factory version?
Why the 6.5x284 For Long Rang Shooting?
Quote:
I find myself liking the 6.5 x 284 more than ever, mainly because the 6.5 x 284
_provides a well balanced combination of all the key factors needed for long range work
_(accuracy, velocity and down-range bullet performance, all with moderate recoil).
6.5x284 Norma
Quote:
Recommendation: The 6.5x284 will work great for military and law enforcement applications,
though there is limited variety of factory loads and rifles.
If this resolves itself, it can be an exceptional load.
Penetration is also a significant concern, as the sectional density of the 6.5 bullets can be very high,
_and penetrate deep, so watch over penetration if your agency selects this cartridge,
_though it provides good armor & barrier penetration
6.5-284 Cartridge Guide
Quote:
The versatile, ultra-accurate 6.5-284 cartridge has exploded in popularity in recent years.
From 600- and 1000-yard benchrest, to the tactical and F-class shooting disciplines,


_this round has made its grand entrance and is here to stay.
  • The 6.5-284 Cartridge
  • 6.5-284 Component Selection and Reloading Guide
  • Winchester Brand .284 Win Brass STATUS REPORT
  • KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid!
  • 6.5-284 Long-Range Load Map
6.5-284 Norma
Quote:
An excellent all-around hunting cartridge, the 6.5-284 completes any job you'd assign to a .270.
The 6.5mm-284 Norma and 6.5mm Remington Magnum
Quote:
As we have seen throughout this article,
_choosing between these two cartridges really comes down to the intended application.
The way things stand as I write these words,
_if you are looking for a long range match cartridge, go with the 6.5mm-284 Norma.
If you are looking for a cartridge for a hunting rifle,
_the 6.5mm Remington Magnum is the better choice.

Threads:

6.5x284 As Suggested by natman

Petzal: The 6.5/284, Part I

Petzal Reviews the 6.5/284 Cartridge, Part II

What would be a better longrange caliber a 6.5-284 NORMA or 6.5 Remington Magnum

The 6.5-284 Norma: The Perfect Deer Round
Quote:
The 6.5-284 Norma, as it is officially called (the Norma ammunition company first introduced it
_as a standardized, factory round in 2001), is my idea of the perfect, all-round deer cartridge.
It will essentially perform neck-and-neck with the .270 Winchester in a shorter,
_lighter rifle generating slightly less recoil.
With some loads it will shoot flatter and hit harder beyond 300 yards.

Ammunition:

6,5x284 Norma
Quote:
Whether one is a varmint hunter, a long-range target shooter, a big game hunter that is particularly sensitive to recoil,
or is simply looking for a lightweight "mountain rifle," the 6.5-284 Norma is a fine choice.
6,5-284 Norma ... Bullets

The 6.5-284 Reloading

aom22 01-18-2011 11:17 AM
6.5 REM Magnum
 
6.5mm Remington Magnum History and General Information.
Quote:
The 6.5mm Remington Magnum was introduced to the shooting public by Remington in 1966.
The 6.5mm Remington magnum cartridge case is simply a necked down version
_of the Remington 350 magnum to .264 in. diameter.
This cartridge is the second of the first true short magnums developed by Remington.

Articles:

The 6.5 Remington Magnum ... History
Quote:
The 6.5 Remington Magnum was introduced in 1966 for the Remington Model 600 short action rifle.
The design concept was to produce two compact yet powerful cartridges
_for the equally compact M600 carbine which had been in production since 1964.
The new cartridges consisted of the 6.5 and .350 Remington Magnum (see .350 Remington Magnum).
Unfortunately, the combination was for the most part, a complete failure,
_regardless of the cartridge’s performance.
The 6.5mm Remington Magnum
Quote:
The 6.5mm Rem. Mag., along with its running mate the .350 Rem. Mag., were the first short Magnums.
These sensible cartridges were first introduced in the mid-1960's,
_long before the present short magnum craze was a glimmer on the horizon.
They were way ahead of their time, but perhaps their time has now come.

The 6.5mm-284 Norma and 6.5mm Remington Magnum
Quote:
Why long range target shooters have not discovered the 6.5mm Remington Magnum
as an attractive alternative to the 6.5mm-284 is something of a mystery to me.
The two cartridges offer essentially identical performance....

The balance swings the other way if you are looking for a long range hunting cartridge.
The 6.5mm Rem. Mag. is a better design than the 6.5mm-284 Norma
for feeding from the box magazine of a repeating hunting rifle.
It has also been around longer as a factory standardized cartridge
and there are more factory produced rifles available on the used market....

The way things stand as I write these words,
if you are looking for a long range match cartridge, go with the 6.5mm-284 Norma.
If you are looking for a cartridge for a hunting rifle, the 6.5mm Remington Magnum is the better choice.
The Short Magnum Cartridges
Quote:
The first true commercial short magnum was the .350 Remington Magnum, introduced in 1965 by Remington.
The 6.5mm Remington Magnum followed it the next year.
These are short action calibers, designed to work through .308 Winchester length actions.
They are both belted magnums based on a blown out .375 H&H case with a 25-degree shoulder,
_reduced to a length of 2.17 inches.
Overall cartridge length is 2.8 inches.

Threads:

.260 REM vs .260AI vs 6.5 REM Mag vs 6.5x284 Norma
Quote:
Originally Posted by aom22 (Post 2440105)
Why, because it is my understanding the 7mm is the parent case of the 350 REM Mag
from which the 6.5 is derived from.
Quote:
Originally Posted by natman (Post 2444968)
From a Chuck Hawks comparison of the 6.5 RM and 6.5-284:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/6-5-284_6-5RemMag.htm
"Here are the case capacities of our two cartridges.
  • 6.5mm-284 Norma = 68.33 grains of water
  • 6.5mm Rem. Mag. = 68.64 grains of water"
So I don't see how the 6.5-284 can be "over-kill" since its capacity is slightly less than the 6.5 RM.
673 Guide Rifle
Quote:
The Model 673 debuted in .350 Remington Magnum and .300 Short Action Ultra Mag (SAUM) in 2003.
In 2004 it was chambered for the 6.5 Remington Magnum and .308 Winchester chamberings.

Ammunition:

Remington's Short History
Quote:
Belted groundbreakers: The 6.5 and .350 Remington Magnums set the stage for small-package powerhouses.
6.5mm Remington Magnum - Conley Precision Cartridge

aom22 01-18-2011 01:24 PM
264 WIN Magnum
 
264 Winchester Magnum
Quote:
The years following Winchester's introduction of the 458 Winchester Magnum (1956) saw furious activity
_by wildcatters and factory producers alike.
This resulted in a host of "short magnum" cartridges based upon the 458 WM case.
Amongst the factory numbers was the 264 Winchester Magnum, introduced in 1958.
This was the first commercial US 6.5mm cartridge since the 256 Newton, circa 1913.
Until introduction of the 260 Remington (circa 1997), this was the only American 6.5mm chambering
_to achieve any notable degree of success

Articles:

The .264 Winchester Magnum
Quote:
The smallest caliber in Winchester's series of standard length belted magnums,
_which includes the .264, .300, .338, and .458 Winchester Magnums, the .264 Winchester Magnum
_(a 6.5mm to Europeans) was designed to be the ultimate ultra-long range big game cartridge.
Winchester called it "The Westerner" in their early catalogs.
.264 Winchester Magnum ... History
Quote:
The .264 Winchester Magnum was the first U.S magnum
_to be based on the 6.5 caliber.
Released in 1958, the .264 was designed to compete against the popular
_Weatherby rifles and cartridges, at nearly half the price.
Introduced in the Model 70 Westerner rifle with a 26” barrel,
_the .264 quickly gained a solid following.
Unfortunately, its popularity ended almost overnight when
_Remington released their 7mm Remington Magnum.
264 Winchester Magnum History and General Information.
Quote:
The 264 winchester magnum is an excellent, accurate,
_and flat shooting cartridge _that is capable of taking any game
_in the lower 48 states and is one of the more powerful 26 caliber _cartridges, when loaded with 140 grain bullets at 3100 fps.
_It is a very adequate round for deer at 500 yards.
Classic Cartridge: .264 Winchester Magnum
Quote:
For one thing, it was a bit overbore capacity,
_meaning the caliber was a bit too small for the size of the case, especially with late 1950s propellants.
It really needed an extra-long barrel to burn its prodigious load of powder,
_and over time we learned that throat erosion was an issue.

Threads:

.264 Winchester Magnum
Quote:
The Westerner in .264 Magnum might well have become a popular rifle.
With a 140-grain PowerPoint at 3,200 fps, the big 6.5mm round certainly shot flat
--and carried more than enough energy for elk.
Winchester saw fit to load the .264 also with a 100-grain bullet at 3,700 fps.
Advertised as a magnum for the plains, for hunters after deer and antelope, coyotes and rockchucks, the .264 flopped.

Ammunition:

The .264 Winchester Magnum
Quote:
This sizzlin' 6.5 never fulfilled its commercial promise, which is a pity.
264 Winchester Magnum Ballistic Tables - Conley Precision Cartridge

aom22 01-20-2011 05:25 PM
6.5mm-06 Rifle ... aka: 6.5mm-06 A-Square
 
The 6.5mm-06 Rifle Cartridge
Quote:
The .30-06 Springfield is the parent case of the .25-06, 6.5mm-06 and the .270 Winchester,
_all of which are pretty similar both ballistically and visually.
Had the 6.5mm-06 been commercially adopted first, the other two
_would not have been necessary.

As an alternative to necking-up the .25-06 case is necking down
_the .270 Winchester case and trimming to length.
Whether it is worth owning a wildcat rifle to shoot bullets of the
_same weight that are 0.013" smaller in diameter from the same case
_is the question.
It is hard to see what the 6.5mm-06 wildcat can do that the .270 Winchester cannot.

Being a wildcat, there is no SAAMI MAP for the 6.5-06.
However, the MAP for the .270 Win. is 52,000 cup and the MAP
_for the .25-06 is 53,000 cup.
It would be sensible to keep the MAP of the 6.5mm-06 to similar levels.

It is interesting to note that, comparing data from the Hornady Handbook,
_the top velocities listed for the 6.5mm-06 with 129 and 140 grain bullets
_are 100 fps slower than the top velocities for similar weight bullets in the .270 Winchester.
6.5mm-06 A-Square
Quote:
The 6.5mm-06 A-Square Cartridge started as the wildcat .65-06
_or a 30-06 cartridge that was necked down to 6.5mm =.264" Diameter projectiles.
The case length of the 30-06 A-Square is the same as a 30-06 cartridge,
_but the shoulder is longer and has a 19 degree angle leading to
_a smaller 6.5mm or 264" diameter mouth.

Basically the 6.5-06 A-Square is the proprietary version of the 6.5-06 Wildcat.

Thread:

6.5mm-06 ballistics

aom22 01-20-2011 07:04 PM
The 6.5/.264 Repository ... Work In-Progress
 
As some of you may know, I own a Remington Mountain Rifle DM .260 REM.
During my research of the .260 REM, I learned much about the 6.5 in general.
Overtime, I've become very impressed with the versatility and capability of the .264.
And, by extension I've become an advocate for 6.5mm/.264 cartridges.

As such, I wanted a thread to consolidate the information and links I've accumulated.
For certain ... changes, additions and updates will be forthcoming.
Also, this is not a comprehensive list of all 6.5 calibers.

To begin with, only contemporary cartridges that are currently in-use were included.
For some, factory ammunition is readily available ... 6.5X284 Norma or 6.5x47 Lapua.
Or, constituent components can be found off-the-shelf ... 260 REM AI.

In hindsight, I overlooked the 6.5-06 ... the oversight was not intentional.
Simply, I've not encountered much information or discussion of the 6.5-06.
However, a Place Holder has been established.
In time, I might try to fill the post.

aom22 03-31-2013 07:42 PM
Centerfire Extended Comments and Opinions
 
Savage Firearm Technical:
Savage Actions


Savage Centerfire Rifles:
SAVAGE: Need Something Special ... Not Off-The-Shelf?
Savage 112 BVSS 6.5X284 ... Competition
Savage Model 25:
Savage Model 25 Derived From Savage Model 40
Savage Model 25 Lightweight Varminter Series
Savage Model 25 Classic Sporter .223 Rifle ... Model 25 vs CZ 527


Firearm Technical:
6.5x55 Swiss ... Mid Length Action

Other Centerfire Rifles:
Legacy Sports International ... Howa ... Vanguard
This is America - Darn't ... It's A Matter of Choice ... My Mountain Rifle

Mountain Rifle: 3-Shots ... Cool Down ... Repeat

Winchester '94 vs Marlin 336

Rifle Ammunition and Cartridges: Technical
Sectional Density ... Ballistic Coefficient

Rifle Ammunition and Cartridges:
The 6.5mm Overlooked in America
The Overlooked 6.5mm for Long Range Shooting
6.5 Creedmore Addresses the OAL Limitations of the .260 REM
6.5x55 vs .260 REM vs 6.5 Creedmoor
Problems With Super Long VLD Bullets
.260 REM vs .270 WIN
5.56 NATO vs .223 REM ... There is an Important Difference


Pistol Technical
Combat or Service Pistol ... Sight Picture
Pistol Ammunition and Cartridges


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