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Big 6.5 for long range

CowboyBart

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 14, 2007
477
8
North West WY
I have a 700 long action with a magnum boltface and am looking at building a 6.5 "laser beam". This would be a heavy barreled 28"+ length 8" twist set up. I want to shoot 140gr-160gr bullets.
I have a 29" Lilja barreled gun in 264 WM and am looking for something with more case capacity/efficiency. I'm thinking standard RUM case or shortened RUM case, shortened 338 Lapua case, not familiar with the Lazaroni cases but would be interested in looking at them. I looked at the 6.5x68S but didn't think it offered anything over the 264 (other than not having a belt). I might consider a 6.5/300 Wby but I am trying to get away from the belt.
I have the 264WM a 6.5 WSM as well as most of the little 6.5's ('06, '06AI, 260, x55, x57, Grendel...), so I don't need to hear about the value of the smaller cases. I want to go right up to the edge of overbore - then a little past it.
 
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I have a 700 action with a magnum boltface and am looking at building a 6.5 "laser beam". This would be a heavy barreled 28"+ length 8" twist set up. I want to shoot 140gr-160gr bullets.
I have a 29" Lilja barreled gun in 264 WM and am looking for something with more case capacity/efficiency. I'm thinking standard RUM case or shortened RUM case, shortened 338 Lapua case, not familiar with the Lazaroni cases but would be interested in looking at them. I looked at the 6.5x68S but didn't think it offered anything over the 264 (other than not having a belt). I might consider a 6.5/300 Wby but I am trying to get away from the belt.
I have the 264WM a 6.5 WSM as well as most of the little 6.5's ('06, '06AI, 260, x55, x57, Grendel...), so I don't need to hear about the value of the smaller cases. I want to go right up to the edge of overbore - then a little past it.

Given your parameters, you might want to take a look at necking down a 300 Norma Mag to 6.5mm. I'd say you are well past "I want to go right up to the edge of overbore - then a little past it." with 6.5/300NM as the 6.5 WSM is a little past overbore IMHO.
6.5/300NM should fit your requirement for 6.5 "laser beam".
 
I think lazzeroni would fit the bill too. You basically have to say "laser" to pronounce the name.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk
 
The 6.71 Blackbird is looking good. Seems I found some info on the 26 Nosler as well. Also looking at the 6.5 RUM based on the 7 RUM case/shoulder.
 
IMO, would opt for the 6.5RUM, and have one or two additional barrels chambered at the same time (maybe just get a six-pack?).
 
The .300 Norma Brass is some of the very finest I've seen. It is excellent to use as a parent cartridge and short enough to use in a standard length long action. A 6.5mm-300 Norma Magnum has win-win written all over it.
 
The 6.5 Allen Mag is based on the 338 RUM case (shorter than the 300). A 6.5-7mm Dakota would be easy enough to build. I have & love my 6.5 WSM with the 160 Matrix VLD....

Lazzeroni does not offer the Blackbird anymore but John may still have some brass in the warehouse...

You could buy some 7mm LRM from Gunwerks/BOTW & neck it down to 6.5mm.

A gent that used to frequent Longrangehunting.com used a 6.5 STW to launch 130's to nearly 3700FPS.... The 160's should be pretty bad ass in the 6.5 STW.

Look up Sin Arms out of South Dakota. His 6.5 Sin is launching 160's over 3500fps.



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So what would the barrel life be in an animal like this...toast @ 750 rounds?
 
So what would the barrel life be in an animal like this...toast @ 750 rounds?

My experience with 6.5/284 is about 500 rounds before X's become difficult at 1000 using irons. Such brief accuracy made me re-think everything, that's to say the point of it all. My conclusion, I can not afford to shoot in NRA LR match rifle, or any/any rifle division at HM level and expect to win from my talent alone if any on the firing line have similar talent and a fresher barrel; thus, I now shoot in NRA LR in Service Rifle division, shooting a match conditioned commercial equivalent of the M16 A2. My scores are on average about 10 points lower but wins are possible and I like a talent based win over a win much in part based on equipment brought to the firing line.
 
I have never shot at 1000 yds using irons - if I did attempt it I doubt I could get ANY X's!!! I built my 6-284 with a 1.2" OD for 9". I plan on setting it back a few times. I will do the same with this barrel - 1.2" for the first 9"-10". I figure 1 set back at 6.5 RUM (or whatever cal I decide), then a set back to 264, then 6,5 WSM, then rethread and set back to 6.5-06 or 260 and put it on a Mauser action.