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[OverInfinite]

So I have been reloading for a while, mostly for 6.5CM some .223 Rem, a lot of 22-250 and 30-06 for my dad. I thought about stepping up to a magnum to push velocity a little further for hunting. I picked up a 7mm Rem Mag in a howa action and got some stuff ready for making loads. I shot some, but just never liked the recoil. I know it's not a big giant rifle, but I spent years behind a 6.5 with a brake.
That said, I have saved up a lot of IMR4350 and H4350, a couple pounds of Varget, a couple pounds of H1000 I think I have a pound of H380 as well and I also snagged 3,000 magnum primers as well as non Magnum primers ...
To get to the question: I am ready to part with the 7 RM, but I still want something between the 7RM and the 6.5CM. But I also want something that I can use alot of what I've saved, and pick up powders easy.
I've narrowed it down to:
6.5 PRC
6.5-284
6.8 Western
270 win.
Or a short action 7mm.
I am wanting a standard rifle clambering, will probably have about $800 for a decent rifle that I can build with time. Ammo on shelf doesn't matter, but custom barrels and chambers would be a tough no for me.

 

[TxLite]

So I have been reloading for a while, mostly for 6.5CM some .223 Rem, a lot of 22-250 and 30-06 for my dad. I thought about stepping up to a magnum to push velocity a little further for hunting. I picked up a 7mm Rem Mag in a howa action and got some stuff ready for making loads. I shot some, but just never liked the recoil. I know it's not a big giant rifle, but I spent years behind a 6.5 with a brake.
That said, I have saved up a lot of IMR4350 and H4350, a couple pounds of Varget, a couple pounds of H1000 I think I have a pound of H380 as well and I also snagged 3,000 magnum primers as well as non Magnum primers ...
To get to the question: I am ready to part with the 7 RM, but I still want something between the 7RM and the 6.5CM. But I also want something that I can use alot of what I've saved, and pick up powders easy.
I've narrowed it down to:
6.5 PRC
6.5-284
6.8 Western
270 win.
Or a short action 7mm.
I am wanting a standard rifle clambering, will probably have about $800 for a decent rifle that I can build with time. Ammo on shelf doesn't matter, but custom barrels and chambers would be a tough no for me.

Of those choices I would personally go with the 6.5prc or 270 since you are wanting a factory rifle chambering. I’d lean 6.5prc for better quality of brass availability. My limited knowledge of 6.5prc vs 6.5-284 is that they are ballistic twins, but there are far fewer factory rifles chambered in 6.5-284.

 

[Mag_7s]

Based on your list I agree with Txlite, the 6.5 prc will be your best bet. 6.5x284 is a sweet cartridge though. .284 win would be another I'd consider based on components you already have.

 

[OverInfinite]

With the 6.5prc, I figured the imr4350 would be a little slow of a powder, and h4350 would be ever worse. That's why I thought maybe the 270 or the 6.8 western would fit the bill, but I wondered about bullet options compared to the 6.5. I'll look more at the 284 win. What is the twist rates of a 6.5-284? Would they spin a 145+ gr bullet okay?

 

[Mag_7s]

The twist required will greatly depend on specific bullet. What bullet are you thinking?

 

[OverInfinite]

The twist required will greatly depend on specific bullet. What bullet are you thinking?

I've loved shooting the 140 berger elite but I've wanted to try out the 156gr EOL and the 150gr accubond LR. but the 140 has been plenty. Seems like there's a lot more options in the 140-145 gr category

 

[Mag_7s]

Without looking, I'd say those will need a 1/8 recommended twist. The 6.5 prc was designed to shoot the longer heavier bullet, thus factory chambered rifles will likely have the appropriate twist to stabilize.

 

[Mag_7s]

With the 6.5prc, I figured the imr4350 would be a little slow of a powder, and h4350 would be ever worse. That's why I thought maybe the 270 or the 6.8 western would fit the bill, but I wondered about bullet options compared to the 6.5. I'll look more at the 284 win. What is the twist rates of a 6.5-284? Would they spin a 145+ gr bullet okay?

I think you'll find the 6.5x284 in 1/9 and 1/8 twists.

 

[OverInfinite]

Why not the 6.8 western or 270? They seem like a pretty neat middle road, but I've never shot one.

 

[S-3 ranch]

.270 WSM , my buddy’s wife won one in a raffle and he runs 130 ttsx @ 2900 fps which is a mild load for a WSM should be around 3200-3300 +

 

[Mag_7s]

To be honest I don't really know too much about the .270 class. They have kinda been off the radar in popular cartridges, and until recently bullet selection hasn't been that great. Not to say they aren't cool cartridges though. If I were to go down that route, I would check who is making quality brass, and what the availability is before I bought a rifle in that chamber.

 

[Harvey_NW]

With the 6.5prc, I figured the imr4350 would be a little slow of a powder, and h4350 would be ever worse.

Those are on the fast side, the slower powders usually from about 4831 to H1000 or Retumbo rate are more optimal in the magnums. I was burning IMR8133 with good results in the 6.5 PRC I was loading.

 

[SouthPaw]

6mm Creedmoor.

Factory chambered rifle options, less recoil, higher velocity, can use some of your powders, cheaper to load, more fun to shoot.

 

[9.1]

To clarify, you have the 6.5cm and 223 right? Your dad owns the 22-250 and the 30-06?

Any reason you're not considering a 280AI? Just not enough factory rifles?

 

[Gorp2007]

Disregard, avoiding custom chambering takes 284 Win off the table.

 

[OverInfinite]

Thanks guys, to clarify, the 6mm creedmoor is a little on the light side for me. I have a target fast twist 22-250, a 16" .223 for coyotes and javelina, a couple 6.5cm and my dad runs a 30-06. I want something between the 6.5 and the 7mm rem mag.
I went to a couple gun shops today just to see what's common locally.
30+ 6.5CM per store!
I did find 6 or 7 different 6.5 PRC's but the rest were 243's and 300win. The amount of 6.5 CM's was staggering

 

[Mag_7s]

Disregard, avoiding custom chambering takes 284 Win off the table.

It's unfortunate, .284 Win is a pretty cool cartridge.

 

[Lou270]

Of what you listed, I would pick a 6.8W as a good step up from 6.5cm, however, recoil will not be much different from 7rm. With brake it is mild but not sure want to run brake. Else would go with 6.5prc or 270win. Both are step up in power from 6.5 cm and shoot similar weight bullets (130-150gr) to similar velocity. The 270 win is much more common and easier to find components/ammo for. The 6.5prc is new cool and has some higher bc bullets. For me, I prefer the premium 150s available to the 270 (150 partition, aframe, interbond, accubond,etcs…) to the higher bc match type stuff where the 6.5prc shines in this bullet weight range but to each their own

Lou

 

[Harvey_NW]

I want something between the 6.5 and the 7mm rem mag.

280ai, or 7 PRC when it hits production.

 

[keystone112]

Another vote for the 270 Win.

Is the 280 AI a possibility?