6.5-06 imp. vs 6.5 WSM

[The Game]

Ive been wanting to get another barrel for my TC Encore, A long range load in the 264/6.5 caliber. It is a toss up between the two mentioned above. So far I have found no info on a 6.5 WSM in an Encore and noone makes a barrel chambered in this round. I wonder if it is too much for an Encore?
Any ideas or thoughts?

[kailua custom]

Dear The Game,
I have done both and settled on a 6.5 SAUM [Rem Case] for my lightweight 600. I didn`t seem to get too much increase in performance with the 6.5/06 over the standard case. The 6.5 SAUM meets/beats a standard 264 Win Mag in a shorter barrel. The 6.5 WSM was ok but only got 94 FPS better than the Rem SAUM [6.5 SAUM] and took another 2" of barrel to get it. Wanting short[er] rifle for the hills here in Or I opted for the SAUM as my platform. The little "Buggywhip" 22.5" barrel is just right for me. I also used the 1-10 twist to be able to keep velocity up. The rifle shoots in the 1" @ 200 yds [if I can do my part] which is good enough for me. It weighs about 5lb 14oz with the scope. and is a pleasure to carry. Would this work on the Contender frame? I assume the new Encores are strong enough. As to who makes the barrels? I don`t know but there is a forum called specialty pistols that has a string all about the T.C.s You might try there. They are shooting a lot of pretty hefty cartridges it seems. Good luck with your project.
P.S. I am NOT dunning ANY of the other cartridges just passing on my own findings.
Aloha, Mark

[Rocky Raab]

TG, the reason you cannot and will not find anybody reputable to chamber a WSM in the encore is the barrel diameter. By the time you hog out all the steel to chamber that really fat little puppy, your chamber walls would be like foil. Well, not quite, but NOT thick enough to be safe with the WSM's 65K pressures.

Your choices would be a 6.5-.284, or a 6.5-06, or even the .264 Win Mag. That is, if the 6.5 Swede or 260 Winnie don't have enough "oomph" for you. All of those will work nicely in an Encore.

[RUMLUVER]

I am a big fan of 6.5mm rounds and am giving serious consideration to building a .260 Imp for a long range varmint rifle. Not so long ago I read an article by some gunsmith that did this round for himself and was able to push a 140gr bullet at 3000fps but it was with a 26" barrel. i would think this would be a good little round for a TC Encore.

[The Game]

Hey all
Thanks for the replies and opinions. I figured as much on the barrel dia. chambering for the WSM. As for barrel length I can put a 26" on the encore and still have a shorter than average total rifle length due to the lack of an action on the encore.I have yet to make up my mind and deer season will be here before you know it.I have a place where some nice deer come out of the woods across a wheat field that averages from 400 to 600 yards. I can do my part at that range with a good rest. The 2 rifles I have that could be used are a 7 mag remingtion and a 25 06 browning. The 7 carries enough mail to do the job but is not accurate enough to be sure of a definate kill shot at that range. The 25 may be a bit light in the seat of the pants to put one down at that distance. Although I have seen the 25 do some big things on medium sizes game. The 7 shoots well enough at 100 and 200 yards but as you know . A 1 to 1.5 inch group @ 100 gets pretty big at 600yds.Add in a little wind drift, yardage estimation, heart beat etc. and you are gambling pretty big.
That is why I wanted a fast accuraTE 6.5