Help me select new rifle cartridge

[BjornF16]

I scored a Weatherby Mark V Backcountry in a raffle, AND I get to choose the cartridge.

Mark V® Backcountry - Weatherby, Inc.

Whoever said that “looks are deceiving” must have been talking about me. With my Kryptek® Altitude™ camo I deceive the eyes of wary big game animals like no other Mark V. *Accubrake varies on caliber.

weatherby.com

I currently have a 6.5 Wby RPM in the Backcountry. I hunt TX, NM and plan on starting in MT, WY, ID, UT.

I'm leaning 280 AI (I already have Kimber MA in 280 AI - in which case I would sell it).

300 Wby I'm thinking wouldn't be a lot of fun in such a lightweight rifle.

Given the thread on .223 on elk, etc., I'm considering the 6 CM.

The 7mm Wby is a 10 twist barrel as are the 270 and 257 Wby.

I'm curious on y'alls thoughts...

 

[Matt Cashell]

I hate the idea of you selling a rifle. I wish I had all the ones I sold back. You should go for something you don’t yet have. Like the 6 creed or 300 Weatherby.

If the included brake doesn’t tame the 300 enough, just replace it with one that does.

Congrats on the awesome win!

 

[EmperorMA]

6 Creedmoor all the way. It is twisted right and is the perfect round (little recoil!!) for a light rifle like the Backcountry.

That being said, the .270 Wby Mag is an amazing killer of all manner and size of game animals. It is very easy on the shoulder, as well. While it basically is a step up over your 6.5 RPM, it has a coolness to it and the effectiveness has to be seen to be believed.

 

[khuber84]

The 6.5 rpm will do everything the 280ai will. So either go 300, or go 6creed.

 

[Trogon]

All those dudes that voted 280 just did it so that your MA will pop up in the classifieds.

6CM all the way!

 

[BjornF16]

Great comments...I'm now leaning 6CM with a possible head nod to the 270 Wby.

Don't think I'm ready to give up the Kimber just yet...plus I do have a 300 WSM already.

I had hoped that Weatherby would release the next RPM cartridge by now...they were probably waiting until SHOT (which is now cancelled). If they offered a 338 RPM, I would jump on it!

But I can see letting one of my sons or grandson use the 6CM for hunting while I use the 6.5 RPM.

Question: What 6mm bullet for deer/antelope?

 

[ReddingArcher]

If I was in your shoes I’d pick the 6 creed, seems like a sweet little round! I’m considering one myself in either the Ruger just cause it’s cheap and I kinda want to put together a super cheap rifle and see how well it’ll shoot or rebarreling one of my tikkas.

 

[sndmn11]

Question: What 6mm bullet for deer/antelope?

6mm Creed!

I'd send a 95gr Barnes LRX. I think it is designed to expand more readily than the TTSX/GMX, but would stand the best chance of not wasting as much meat as some of the lead based options. *Suggesting purely based on paper and not experience with that bullet*

Comes as a factory load too

VOR-TX LR Rifle - Barnes Bullets

www.barnesbullets.com

 

[BjornF16]

I selected the 6mm Creedmoor. We'll see if Weatherby has it available or not.

I nearly went with the 270 Wby for the novelty, but was put off by the cost of ammo.

I like my Kimber MA, so it's not going anywhere (for now).

The 6CM will work great as a training gun on the Backcountry as well as cover me here in Texas.

 

[300 win mag]

if you consider everything involved.280i then either 257 or 270 bee.

 

[300 win mag]

also glad not to see a 223 listed.great caliber but im not one to buy into it for larger game.

 

[packgoatguy]

If anyone else is making this decision in the future... I found it interesting to compare the ballistics:

Assuming you believe that a hunting bullet should have a minimum of 1500 ft pounds of energy and still be moving at least 2000 fps by the time it reaches its target, you see the following max yardages (comparing factory specs for all cartridges with the hornady eldx... or the 140accubond for the 6.5rpm)

475 yards 6.5CM
595 yards 270win
600 yards 6.5rpm
720 yards 280AI
720 yards 300win mag
815 yards 300prc
970 yards 28 nosler

Again, comparing apples to apples, max yardage with a minimum of 1500ft lbs, 2000fps.

I think if the 6.5rpm was floating the 143gr eldx it would likely bump it up on the scale to 650-675 yards with the higher BC.

 

[amassi]

Did you ever get your rifle?

 

[BjornF16]

6 CM should be here this month...there was a SNAFU with the first delivery (wrong cartridge) back in April.

 

[300 win mag]

well as stated earlier not my 1st choice,but if for texas whitetails or antelope and game of this size it will do fine up to certain distances.as for elk,no period,as far as im concerned anyone that would hunt elk with a 6 creed does not take into account all variables and conditions.sorry and dont mean to offend.it shows zero respect for game animals in regards to clean quick kills.

 

[BjornF16]

Lol…the 6 CM will probably not see elk duty.

I am working up a Hammer Bullet load for my 6.5 RPM which may see MT duty. If not, then I have a 162 ELD-M load for my 7mm-08 or a 195 TMK load for my 300 WSM.

it’s good to have such tough decisions to make…

 

[amassi]

Lol…the 6 CM will probably not see elk duty.

I am working up a Hammer Bullet load for my 6.5 RPM which may see MT duty. If not, then I have a 162 ELD-M load for my 7mm-08 or a 195 TMK load for my 300 WSM.

it’s good to have such tough decisions to make…

124 hammer hunters?
Worked great in my rpm with retumbo.


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[BjornF16]

124 hammer hunters?
Worked great in my rpm with retumbo.


Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

Yes, 124 HH. Been looking for Retumbo but found some H1000.

Just started load development…up to 3200 FPS without pressure signs.

What load/ velocity did you settle on?

 

[amassi]

Yes, 124 HH. Been looking for Retumbo but found some H1000.

Just started load development…up to 3200 FPS without pressure signs.

What load/ velocity did you settle on?

66.3 gr Retumbo
Cbto 2.700, coal 3.330
3313 fps

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[Ropin4gold]

My brother in law has that rifle in 300. It’s a hoss so that’s how I voted. If you already have a 280 why not try something else?