Which 6.5 for wife's gun

[Retterath]

I have a tikka t3 7-08 that I'm getting rebarreled to or was planning on a 260. I received a 6.5 benchmark barrel the other day and also got some new horandy 143 eld-x bullets I was gonna try. The barrel will be a 24". Now I'm not sure what caliber to go with.I was thinking 260,6.5-284 or maybe a 6.5-06. I used to have a 260 so was curious what the recoil difference would be in the 6.5-284 and 6.5-06 vs the 260? Does anyone have an idea what I would get for fps in the 260 with 24" barrel shooting those 143 eld-x bullets? She would be using this at our 1000 yard range shooting steel and deer,antelope and elk when she draws her elk tag.

 

[GKPrice]

Personally, and this is MY opinion only, why would you not just shoot the factory 7mm-08? at least to see what it does ? I've chased my tail and spent hundreds (NO thousands) trying to attain what I originally had in my hands - this is MY opinion only with no insult whatsoever meant

 

[Retterath]

I totally understand. I did when I got it. I shot 140 accubonds outof it and also 139 set out of it and it shot ok I did shoot one decent group but was never satisfied. I loaded for it for awhile and just couldn't get it to what I wanted. I have been shooting custom rifles for 8 years now and the guy that builds them for me is amazing and shoot awesome,so that's why I'm going to rebarreled and rechamber

 

[GKPrice]

I totally understand. I did when I got it. I shot 140 accubonds outof it and also 139 set out of it and it shot ok I did shoot one decent group but was never satisfied. I loaded for it for awhile and just couldn't get it to what I wanted. I have been shooting custom rifles for 8 years now and the guy that builds them for me is amazing and shoot awesome,so that's why I'm going to rebarreled and rechamber

OK, I get it

 

[Justin Crossley]

Recoil difference between a .260 and 6.5-06 is like a 308 vs a 30-06. The .260 is a great choice for a wife's gun. You should expect to get about 200 fps or so difference between the .260 and the other two with the same size bullet.

 

[bhylton]

my buddy went with 284, i went with 6.5-06. basically the same ballistics but the 06 brass is cheap and easily resized from 270 brass. tikka action can easily be modified to shoot long action rounds by grinding down the bolt stop and using a different magazine or modifying the original to get max performance from which ever long action round your choose

 

[Cahunter805]

What does a tikka mag length run? I'd look into 6.5 creedmore also.

 

[spdrman]

With a tikka its a simple bolt stop swap and buy a new mag and you have a long action, buddy just did it to his tikka 260 and I'm going to also do it to my 260 soon

 

[peddler]

Got my wife the Savage Lady Hunter in 6.5 Creedmoor. Great little rifle, she loves it.

 

[Terrapin]

I prefer the 6.5-284. While it seemed the 6.5-06 would be a great choice due to brass, I found that only 25-06 brass worked without neck turning, and at the time it was impossible to find. 6.5x284 brass is available from Lapua and is top notch. Better load data as well.

 

[6mm Remington]

I think I would go 6.5-06 and use 25-06 brass to make my rounds. It's a well balanced cartridge with impressive ballistics.

 

[GKPrice]

I think I would go 6.5-06 and use 25-06 brass to make my rounds. It's a well balanced cartridge with impressive ballistics.

I am enjoying reading the data and stories about the 6.5's although I doubt I'll venture there at this poing but the two cartridges that I've enjoyed the very most in my shooting career are 6mm/284 and 243 AI - they were both just plain fun to shoot AND load for, have to say between those 2 the 6mm/284 was the most fun, an outstanding cartridge

 

[Doug Campbell]

My little 260 Rem in a Savage Varmint has sure impressed me in both accuracy and killing power. 140 Berger VLD at 2762 fps, 1/2 - 3/4 moa. Tipped over a bull, 1 shot and a cow 2 shots but no need for the 2nd , both over 500 yards last fall.

That being said, there is always the urge to try something different. 6.5-06 is intriguing to me....

 

[Justin Crossley]

That being said, there is always the urge to try something different. 6.5-06 is intriguing to me....

If you haven't yet, take a look at this article on the 6.5-06 AI. It is another really great 6.5 option.

http://www.rokslide.com/2012-01-09-05-09-42/firearms/343-the-6-5-06-ackley-improved

 

[KurtR]

I would go creedmoor but you already would have known that

 

[Clarktar]

Well, its not a 6.5, but my wife has really enjoyed her 280 REM thus far.

 

[Retterath]

My little 260 Rem in a Savage Varmint has sure impressed me in both accuracy and killing power. 140 Berger VLD at 2762 fps, 1/2 - 3/4 moa. Tipped over a bull, 1 shot and a cow 2 shots but no need for the 2nd , both over 500 yards last fall.

That being said, there is always the urge to try something different. 6.5-06 is intriguing to me....

That makes me feel pretty good that u had good luck on elk with that. I'm sure shot placement is critical on a smaller round

 

[Retterath]

Well, its not a 6.5, but my wife has really enjoyed her 280 REM thus far.

I'm stuck too the 6.5 since I got the barrel

 

[castandblast]

I love my .260 m700 Ti. Very shootable and plenty of killing power.

 

[ST52v]

I would probably look at one of the larger 6.5 's. You can always load it down to Creedmoor or 260 ballistics and go all out when you want or need it.