I was looking at the 6.5x43mm today and noticed how they dropped the bullet weight down to bring the speed up... sound familiar.
Speed wins...
Speed wins...
Speed Wins...
- Thread starter Lowlight
- Start date
I am a big fan of the 6.5x43mm (.264 USA/.264 LICC).
I talked to Troy Laughton for a bit on it, and that case is super neat in that the projectile diameter can be easily manipulated to allow everything from 6mm to 7mm projectiles, and handle a wide variety of possible weights depending on the application. It also has adequate powder capacity to allow loading to under 6.8 pressure while still getting adequate velocity to do what it needs to do.
Low perceived recoil, minimal change to the size and weight of the system.
Arguably the best infantry cartridge that exists.
I am, however, apprehensive that the cartridge will get real traction. I really hope so, but without a good US domestic commercial interest, it will likely struggle to get adequate support.
I talked to Troy Laughton for a bit on it, and that case is super neat in that the projectile diameter can be easily manipulated to allow everything from 6mm to 7mm projectiles, and handle a wide variety of possible weights depending on the application. It also has adequate powder capacity to allow loading to under 6.8 pressure while still getting adequate velocity to do what it needs to do.
Low perceived recoil, minimal change to the size and weight of the system.
Arguably the best infantry cartridge that exists.
I am, however, apprehensive that the cartridge will get real traction. I really hope so, but without a good US domestic commercial interest, it will likely struggle to get adequate support.
Ya the numbers are right, the size, I see this as a change in direction from the heavies to light, bringing the 140gr talk down to 120gr.
Nudging toward 6.5 Creed, but not quite apples to apples.What's the performance of the 6.5x43 compared to the 6.5 creedmoor? It's obviously smaller but does the steel case make up for it due to higher pressures? Kinda want to see it in a 25 cal
I think .25 would be really neat.
Too big for small frame, but doesn’t need a large frame. True intermediate cartridge.
These shellshock cases aren’t operated at higher pressures. While they gain velocity through increased case volume, these were generally loaded to standard pressures. The case head can handle more, but they don’t stick to the chamber like brass during firing and need a beefier bolt to handle additional thrust.
In this application, they are in the realm of 6.5 PRC, significantly higher than .308 or 5.56.
I think that this is a good path, as the 80kpsi of the 6.8 Gov ammo starts to bring on some problems that aren't easy to overcome.
I heard Chris and you talking about the 100 grain rounds on the podcast. At the end of your video you said you'd go to 3050 if you could. Would it make sense to use the 100 grain loads and drop the barrel length to 18 or 20"? I don't compete, I'd imagine you still want it balance on the props.
I think most guys’ wives/girlfriends/boyfriends/whatever would beg to differ, but… 
For what it’s worth, I agree. I’ve always tried to chose loadings that strike the best balance between the energy I need on target (whether that’s knocking down steel or putting meat in the pot) vs. a high velocity that gives me a flat trajectory that spends as little time in the elements as possible to reduce their effect on my shot. Everything’s a compromise, but when speed is an option, I tend to take it.
For what it’s worth, I agree. I’ve always tried to chose loadings that strike the best balance between the energy I need on target (whether that’s knocking down steel or putting meat in the pot) vs. a high velocity that gives me a flat trajectory that spends as little time in the elements as possible to reduce their effect on my shot. Everything’s a compromise, but when speed is an option, I tend to take it.
If you actually talk to a chick, huge is just as bad as too small, girls have a sweet spot, just like we are talkingI think most guys’ wives/girlfriends/boyfriends/whatever would beg to differ, but…
For what it’s worth, I agree. I’ve always tried to chose loadings that strike the best balance between the energy I need on target (whether that’s knocking down steel or putting meat in the pot) vs. a high velocity that gives me a flat trajectory that spends as little time in the elements as possible to reduce their effect on my shot. Everything’s a compromise, but when speed is an option, I tend to take it.
I talked a lot about the weights this morning on the live. Got to shoot the 120s vs the 100s and I was surprised how far down in speed the 120s went.
100gr was 3200fps, the 120s were 2855fps. The Lapua 123s are 2910fps close to perfect with an SD of 5fps.
The Lives has my thoughts vs writing it down for those wanting to go deeper.
Oh I wasn’t talking size, I meant speed. You said “speed wins,” but I think most of them want to be on the ride for a little more than 30sec…
But 100% on finding the “sweet spot.” I worked today so no live for me, but I’ll check it out for the deep-dive for sure!
Last edited:
Similar threads
