6.5CM in LA and Alternative Youth Cartridge Options

[safeskies]

I am building a custom rifle off a long action and plan to use pre-fit barrels to reload two calibers. The first will probably be 7 PRC, but the second is what I’m pondering. I have the reloading dies and brass for 6.5 CM and wanted to use that suppressed for a deer-and-under gun for my wife and kids to use. I figured that with the suppressor, it should recoil less than a 243, but have a little better takedown power. I also understand the need and am fine with getting a second bolt.

First, will 6.5 CM properly feed in a LA Defiance action in an MDT HNT26 chassis? There have been plenty of discussions about short action in a long action, but most responses are just advising to buy a SA as there is no advantage in using a LA. But will it feed properly or will I have issues?

Second, what would an alternative cartridge be that has similar recoil and use as a youth deer-and-under gun but may be better suited to a LA?

Thanks!

 

[swavescatter]

Why not just develop a reduced load 7PRC? Use the spicy 180gr for grownups and a softer load for the little ones.

 

[safeskies]

That is an intriguing idea I hadn't thought of... So a 7 PRC, or I assume most cartridges, could be loaded with a lighter bullet (160?) and a reduced charge to somewhat match the ballistics and recoil of a 6.5 CM?I'm not tied to round per se, my biggest concern is the recoil and ability to take deer sized game. I would reserve a hotter load for elk. If a reduced load doesn't come with additional complications this may be the ticket!

I would also, however, appreciate an answer to the two specific questions in the OP. Thanks!

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

.25-06 is a superb mild recoiling LA, and since you're a reloader, you can maximize it's potential with a pre-fit in standard length/shoulder or go with .25-06AI (40 degree shoulder) to reduce/eliminate case trimming. Make sure to get in a fast twist barrel 1:7-1:7.5, and you can easily load 85 up to 135 grain bullets depending on your target. Ace, Berger, and Hornady (2023) make high BC bullets from 130-135 grains in .25.

Here are a couple load tables for the .25 from Berger. One is .25-06 and the other is .25-06AI. Plug any of those from 2900-3000 into a ballistics calculator, and you'll understand the versatility and effectiveness of heavies in the .25 LA.

 

[jjohnsonElknewbie]

Regarding your first question re: Defiance action, I can't help you.

Sorry for the edits, I re-read your OP and see your planning on a 7 PRC and a second rifle for a SA/LA swap. In a Tikka Action, to swap between 6.5 CM and a non-magnum LA cartridge all you would need is the LA bolt stop. 6.5CM and the .30-06 family of cartridges share the same bolt face diameter. The only other thing may be mags, I’m not sure if the 6.5 will feed correctly out of LA mag.

 

[swavescatter]

That is an intriguing idea I hadn't thought of... So a 7 PRC, or I assume most cartridges, could be loaded with a lighter bullet (160?) and a reduced charge to somewhat match the ballistics and recoil of a 6.5 CM?I'm not tied to round per se, my biggest concern is the recoil and ability to take deer sized game. I would reserve a hotter load for elk. If a reduced load doesn't come with additional complications this may be the ticket!

I would also, however, appreciate an answer to the two specific questions in the OP. Thanks!

Looks like Hornady offers several 139gr 7mm bullets. I bet those could be worked up to a mild 2600fps cartridge?

But if I was looking for a deer and under cartridge I've been itching to buy a 6mm Creedmoor (spiffy new 243)...

 

[sndmn11]

The 6.5cm is fine. My "kids" rifle sends 85gr bullets from a 6.5cm and it is more than I could have hoped for on every level.

 

[wildwilderness]

Is there a reason you are going LA? Do you already have it?

If it’s LA then by all means use an appropriate Cartridge! The already mentioned 25-06 would be perfect, especially with a higher twist rate barrel. I don’t own one yet, but plan to!

Other deer cartridges the would work better in a LA and very effective on deer would be a 6,5x284 or the 6,5x55. Suppressed they will be mild and deadly. 257 Robert’s is a great mild round as well. These all do well in a medium action but LA would be better than SA

 

[Tmac]

May be worth seeing if you can use trail boss powder for reduced loads. It takes up a ton of space and can basically fill a case with a reduced power load in grains. Doubt any data is out there for a 7 PRC, but I bet an experienced reloader could get there. There is info out there on it for reduced loads for other rifle cartridges.

 

[Tmac]

Was looking at this a couple days ago. It’s a start.

https://hodgdon.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/trail-boss-reduced-loads-2018.pdf

 

[gerry35]

.25-06 is a superb mild recoiling LA, and since you're a reloader, you can maximize it's potential with a pre-fit in standard length/shoulder or go with .25-06AI (40 degree shoulder) to reduce/eliminate case trimming. Make sure to get in a fast twist barrel 1:7-1:7.5, and you can easily load 85 up to 135 grain bullets depending on your target. Ace, Berger, and Hornady (2023) make high BC bullets from 130-135 grains in .25.

Here are a couple load tables for the .25 from Berger. One is .25-06 and the other is .25-06AI. Plug any of those from 2900-3000 into a ballistics calculator, and you'll understand the versatility and effectiveness of heavies in the .25 LA.

View attachment 515978

View attachment 515979

The fast twist 25-06 looks to be a beast with those new bullets. Nice to see it starting to get some fast twists and modern bullets. With light bullets recoil should be real mild.

 

[safeskies]

Thanks for all the food for thought!

Does anyone know if a 6.5CM will feed properly in a long action? This is the only question I can't seem to find an answer to. Thanks!

 

[Unckebob]

I cannot speak for the Defiance action, but my barrel maker wasn't confident a 6.5CM would feed well in my Origin built. I ended ordering a short, light, threaded 270 barrel to go with my 280AI barrel.