Short action 6.5 jobbies which one would you go for

[Laurie]

I've loaded and shot all three short 6.5s in competition to 1,000 yards, (and the 6.5X55mm for that matter too). There is nothing between the 260, Lapua, and Creedmoor in terms of components availability, quality, and price for those who handload. There is also little between them in terms of external ballistics and precision. The 6.5X47L has up to now been regarded as having an edge in precision in a top quality rifle, but that is maybe changing as small primer Creedmoor brass comes into use and more super-precision orientated competitors adopt it. The Finnish design has had a several year start in development (from an excellent base with Grunig & Elmiger + Lapua as its parents), but it was originally designed as a modest capacity 300 metre number to challenge the 6BR in ISSF / CISM competition rather than as a 1,000 yard F-Class or similar contender making it a little on the small capacity side.

Fashion / taste / resale value and desirability aside (where the 260 is the 'loser' as the oldest of the trio), the main pros and cons for the handloading shooter using a short-action magazine fed piece are:

the 6.5X47L and Creedmoor have shorter cases and therefore can happily accept long 136-142gn class bullets within the magazine dictated COAL limits (~2.875 inches for AI mags). These long bullets need over-deep seating in the 260 thanks to its 308 Win inherited case at just over two inches. There is a superb bullet (for all three) that gets around this design limitation - the 130gn Berger Tactical AR-Hybrid, a superbly made and very high BC design developed as the 'Tactical' designation suggests for these cartridges in repeating rifle use including police, military, paramilitary applications in semi-auto AR type rifles. The downside is that the AR-Hybrid is one of the most expensive models in a very expensive range.

If firing pin / bolt design and fit are issues (which they very much are for one of my 6.5s), then the 6.5X47L is a bad choice as it is only available in small primer brass. The 260 is all large primer unless 308 Win Lapua 'Palma' is reformed which entails more than a simple resize. The Creedmoor offers both including the very good LR Norma version alongside the not so very good Hornady original.

For factory ammo users (including those deerstalkers whose permissions don't allow handloads nowadays), then 6.5X47L should be avoided at all costs as only Lapua is available at frightening prices if you can find any. 260 Rem has lots listed, but actually not a great deal in gunshops and prices are a shock for a 20-round carton these days. (No European either bar Sako which is allegedly manufactured by Federal in the US anyway, and no cheap PPU or S&B.) After initial shortages, the Creedmoor is becoming a primary factory loaded standard alongside 308, .30-06, and 243 Win from American manufacturers at least, Norma in Europe - but I imagine it's inly a matter of time before other European manufacturers get onboard.

Lapua is (and always has been) the sole manufacturer for 6.5X47L ammo and brass, so all the eggs are in one basket should it ever go bust, or change policy, or its brass manufacturing plant burns down. I don't think it's likely that Lapua will withdraw the cartridge or brass anytime soon as the company has an excellent reputation in supporting its designs and products over the medium to long term (unlike one major US manufacturer I could name).

I went into these and more issues in Target Shooter online magazine at some depth:

http://www.targetshooter.co.uk/?p=2304

http://www.targetshooter.co.uk/?p=2333

http://www.targetshooter.co.uk/?p=2353

[Laurie]

Thanks for the replies I think I have got it sussed now.

A Tikka T3 Super Varmint in 6.5x55 first just need to sort out the certificate etc. Once I have acquired that then the short action can be rebarreled in whatever caliber I decide to go for.

Cheers.

Ah ... you might want to read Part 2 of the aforementioned series too, then

http://www.targetshooter.co.uk/?p=2100

[Alpha1]

Thanks Laurie interesting reading.