6.5 wsm or 6.5-284

[Redram]

Is there anyone making a 6.5 wsm wildcat or should I seek a 6.5-284? I am a huge fan of the 6.5 mm (264) and was looking for a new project.

[bigbrother]

Redram, I know a couple of gunsmiths here in PA are chambering both sporters, long range, and bench guns in 6.5WSM. I would assume that smiths out there are doing the same thing. Ray Romain (Romain's Custom Guns) in Brockport, PA has built a number of them as well as some other smiths in the Williamsport, Lock Haven area. I have no experience with anyone other than Ray. He built my 6.5x284 for my and I have no complaints....except the fact that now I have no need for anything else ;)

[Ol` Joe]

I "think" the 6.5x284 will give you just about all you will get from a short action cartridge. There is also lab tested data and good proper headstamped brass available.
Just a thought.

[Ridge Runner]

there is also the 6.5/06 and its AI'd version, the 6.5 Gibbs (Ray Romain smithed mine) if you want all you can get from the 6.5 diameter there is the 6.5 Allen Mag (sort of a 6.5/7mm RUM AI'd to the max. possibilities are almost endless.
RR

[Redram]

I have a 270WSM and I really like it. I was just thinking about a wildcat in a short action. The 6.5 WSM seems like a good choice, since I could rebarrel a used 270WSM. How much of a case capacity of the WSM vs the .284?

[Rapier]

I am a 6.5 kina of guy and have been since about 1962 when I shot my first 6.5 rifle.

One thing you need to understand about the 6.5 caliber is that 90% of what you read is hype and active imagination. Before you jump into the deep end, study the performance data and compare it very closely.

You will find that the 6.5x284 and the 6.5x06 have the same capacity and use the same load data. The two cartridges are basically equal in performance and accuracy. The 6.5x06 makes a better hunting round because it feeds from a magazine with more reliability. The 6.5x284 might be a wee bit more accurate, that is a very big "might be" though. The 6.5x284 is simply the current king of the hype pile.

Here are your capacity numbers:
6.5 x 55 56gr
260 56.5gr
6.5 x 06 & 6.5x284 68 gr
6.5 WSM 80gr
264 WM 82gr

The 6.5x06 will come to within 100 to 200 fps of equaling the 264 Win Mag with 1/3 less powder and the 260 will come to within 100 fps of equaling the 6.5x06 with heavy bullets and will equal or exceed the 6.5x06 with lighter bullets. With the 6.5 WSM it takes 41.6% more powder to get, at the very most, 200 FPS over the 260 with a 120! I have never shot a 120 in either of my 6.5x06 guns or I would relate the numbers to you.

The reality is that the 6.5x06 or the 6.5x284 will deliver excellent results without burning out the throat of your barrel. A burned out throat is what you can get with the added powder capacity from a 264 and the 6.5 WSM. I understand that the original 6.5 WSM burned out two barrels throats for Winchester before they could even finish the test of their own powders. Makes sense and is reported as the reason why you do not see a factory 6.5 WSM.

Best,
Ed

[Redram]

I own a 6.5X55 in a 1904 M96 rifle. I guess getting a factory 6.5X55 in a modern rifle will get me what I really want with a lot less powder. My old M96 will still outshoot most of the guns in my safe.

[Rapier]

Ah, the dreaded M-96 Swede, one of my favorite guns of all time. PO Ackley said of the 96 (94, 96, 38 all same) that it was the safest action of the 95 Mauser types, having a firing pin collar and a gas port. PO also noted in his books that gunsmiths were making custom 22-250 guns from the 96 action. However PO thought that the practice was borderline.

You already have what amounts to a 260 and a chambering that might well be the closest thing we will ever see to the "do-all rifle." The Swedes use the 6.5x55 to shoot everything from rabbits to moose. It will shoot sub 1/2 inch groups; it will do 3,500 fps with an 85 Sierra as a varmint rifle and near 3,000 fps with a Hornady 140 as a deer rifle. If you stick a 160 in it, especially the cooper nickel FMJs it can be used to shoot tanks or roaming APCs. ;)

Don't be sidetracked by the SAMMI penchant for down grading European guns/cartridges. The Swede is made from the very best steel. When a contract was made with Obendorf of Germany to produce guns for Sweden, the Swedes sent their steel to Germany to have their rifles built from. They did not like or trust the German steel!

Best,
Ed

[bigbrother]

I've only owned and shot one 6.5 and that's my Ray Romain smithed 6.5x284. It has a 28" douglas barrel on it. I shoot 140 grain Berger's out of it at 2940, it has shot 3/4" at 300 yds. What I know is that this gun and caliber has killed deer out to 1100 yards (lazer ranged). I've never asked anything more of it. In fact I think the closest deer that we've killed with it was 535 yards! My gun is an awesome shooter but like I said it's the only experience I have. My uncle shoots a 264 winmag and on whitetails and the couple elk that he's shot, he's never wanted anything else.

Take that for what it's worth. When it comes down to it I think it's a matter of personal preference. I've heard the 6.5 WSM is hard on throats though like I said I can't verify and dependant upon how much shooting you really do, you may never notice it anyway. For bench competitors it would mean rebarreling, for hunters shooting to 600 or 700 yards, it probably wouldn't matter. (meaning it will probably still shoot good enough)

So, just my 2 cents, but Petey and OlSpark can attest to how deadly the little 6.5 can be.

[Redram]

My M96 Swede will get dusted off this deer season and used. I have shot groups with all shots into one ragged hole. Hornady 140 gr interlocks, IMR 3031, and Norma brass will surely get it done this year.

[Larryjk]

No matter how much we may like them, the M96 Swede is a "softer" action than the Model 98s. I would not rebarrel to a cartridge with a higher PSI rating than the 6.5 X 55.
It is done, and usually people are not hurt, but I wouldn't want the liability knowing how soft that action really is.