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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Rifles

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Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Weatherby 6.5/300 article
      #284380 - 24/06/16 12:18 AM

https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/...m_campaign=0616


Many a Weatherby caliber has been celebrated, maligned and at times surpassed. But none can be called insufficient for the job. Today, 71 years after the company’s founding, with the introduction of the 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum, the company again claims the high ground.

It is the first cartridge in 17 years stamped Weatherby.

It is formed by necking down the .300 Wby. Mag. to 6.5mm. Case capacity is 101.1 grains of water. The cartridge develops pressure of 65,000 pounds per square inch, which is awfully high but in keeping with Roy Weatherby’s legacy of developing high-power calibers. The capacity of the parent case launches the cartridge’s lightest bullet, a 127-grain Barnes LRX, from the muzzle at 3531 fps. Such speed makes it the fastest commercial 6.5mm cartridge on the planet.

Two other loads include a 130-grain Swift Scirocco II at 3476 fps and a 140-grain Swift A-Frame at 3395 fps. Weatherby makes all the ammo for the 6.5-300 at its Paso Robles, Calif., headquarters.

The 6.5-300 actually was designed by Roy about 60 years ago. Its release now follows timelines of other cartridges Roy tinkered with but the company did not release initially, such as the .30-378 and .338-378.

After proofing New Mark V rifles at company headquarters, our press group traveled to an outdoor range, sighted-in at 100 yards and thereafter plinked gongs at 200, 300, 500, 700 and 900 yards—no sweat. Yes, this 6.5 is fast, flat and accurate. Zeroed at 100 yards, the 127-grain LRX impacts 1.68 inches low at 200 yards, 6.99 inches low at 300 yards and 30.64 inches low at 500. Compare that to Hornady’s 6.5 Creedmoor: Its 129-grain SST Superformance load, zeroed at 100, impacts 3.09 inches low at 200, 11.45 inches low at 300 and 47.4 inches low at 500. Also compare it to the .26 Nosler: Zeroed at 100 yards, the previous king of the 6.5mm hill flings a 129-grain Accubond LR 1.9 inches low at 200, 7.62 inches low at 300 and 32.46 inches low at 500. So the Weatherby cartridge is flatter-shooting than some 6.5mm competition, but it should be considering its case capacity.

There are caveats. While it beats competitors to the punch at 500 yards (barely), its velocity suggests barrel life may be reduced.

Cartridge overall length (COAL) might be a concern for hunters who want a svelte rifle. COAL of the 6.5-300 Wby. Mag. is 3.45 inches minimum, 3.6 inches maximum, according to company data. That’s about the same as the .26 Nosler’s 3.34 inches, but almost an inch longer than the Hornady cartridge (2.67 inches).

Consider cost. Hornady Superformance 6.5 Creedmoor 129-grain SST costs $41.21 a box; Nosler Trophy Grade .26 Nosler 129-grain Accubond LR costs $77.50; Weatherby Select-Plus 6.5-300 Wby. Mag. 127-grain Barnes LRX costs $95. That’s steep, to be sure, but riflemen who like to play with fast toys likely won’t balk.

Finally, understand that when you touch off the 6.5-300, you know you’re shooting a round tied to a .300 magnum. However, the 8-pound-3-ounce “light heavyweight” New Mark V Accumarks we shot ably soaked up recoil off the bench. This cartridge is not nearly as bad as its big brother, no doubt due to the lighter bullets it flings. In the field, I can say I noticed nothing when I fired—dead-on accurately—cross-canyon at a 200-pound boar hog, and dropped it with a single 127-grain Barnes LRX, the only round we could shoot in the nontoxic “California condor zone.”

But let’s be honest: When did any of this become a problem? If you drive a muscle car, you’re not concerned with gas mileage. Likewise, if you shoot an uber-magnum, you’re not concerned with barrel life, unit cost or recoil. You want the latest, the greatest—and the 6.5-300 Wby. Mag. delivers it. It should be an able performer on many species at long range.

If all this doesn’t sell you on a new cartridge, understand Weatherby also has introduced the New Mark V, which, like ammo for the 6.5, is made in California. It features the first significant refinements of the company’s flagship bolt-action since its introduction in 1958. The stock sports reduced grip diameter, right-hand palm swell and a slimmer fore-end. Barrels are hand-lapped. The LXX trigger is adjustable down to 2.5 pounds of pull weight. Overall weight is reduced, and every flagship is certified sub-MOA.

New Mark V Accumark, Accumark RC and Ultra Lightweight rifles are chambered for the 6.5-300. So hunters who must have the new king of speed can get their ammo and their gun from the same plant. Such a package is a helluva statement.

Technical Specifications

• Caliber: 6.5mm
• Bullet: 127-gr. Barnes LRX, 130-gr. Swift Scirocco II, 140-gr. Swift A-Frame
• Muzzle Velocity (advertised fps): 3531 (127 gr.), 3476 (130 gr.), 3395 (140 gr.)
• Muzzle Energy (advertised ft.-lbs.): 3516 (127 gr.), 3487 (130 gr.), 3583 (140 gr.)
• MSRP: $95 per 20-rnd. box

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

Edited by Ripp (24/06/16 12:19 AM)


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gryphon
.450 member


Reged: 01/01/03
Posts: 5487
Loc: Sambar ground/Victoria/Austral...
Re: Weatherby 6.5/300 article [Re: Ripp]
      #284399 - 24/06/16 07:17 AM

I think the need for speed has to stop somewhere.Of course someone will want to best those figures..one day!

I also reckon the .264 Win mag does enough of it for me.

--------------------
Get off the chair away from the desk and get out in the bush and enjoy life.


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Brithunter
.300 member


Reged: 17/03/10
Posts: 184
Loc: Lincolnshire, England
Re: Weatherby 6.5/300 article [Re: gryphon]
      #284403 - 24/06/16 08:52 AM

I suppose they needed to do some thing to try and drum up and revive flagging sales. I will say now that I have never owned anything Weatherby it is also unlikely that I ever will. The few Weatherby's that I came into contact with left a very poor impression on me hence my less the enthusiastic response.

--------------------
Don't let the bastards grind you down!


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Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Weatherby 6.5/300 article [Re: gryphon]
      #284408 - 24/06/16 12:44 PM

Quote:

I think the need for speed has to stop somewhere.Of course someone will want to best those figures..one day!

I also reckon the .264 Win mag does enough of it for me.




Used my 264 Win. mag for this bull on opening morning a few years back..just a bit over 400 yards..dropped to the shot..


Agree it is plenty...here in the US the 6.5 caliber has really (finally) taken off..and everyone wants a piece of the action..hence, 6.5 creedmore, 26 nosler, 6.5/300 weatherby, 6.5 grendel..and more

Having said all this, I really enjoyed shooting the 26 Nosler last fall..got it too late to use on game..but plan to use it some this fall

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..


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Homer
.416 member


Reged: 07/04/09
Posts: 3081
Loc: Canberra, Australia
Re: Weatherby 6.5/300 article [Re: Ripp]
      #284410 - 24/06/16 02:29 PM

G'Day Fella's,

Thank You for sharing Ripp.

Yes, I have for a long time now, been a bit non owning 6.5mm fan.
Finally got a 6.5 x 47 chambered barrel for my heavy switch barrel rifle and WOW, does it shoot!
Currently, trying to find the time to assemble a lightweight 6.5 Rem Mag rifle (on a Rem M-7 S/S action), to pair up with my Rem 673 in .350RM.
Not sure if I need a 6.5/300 Weatherby but nice to see that its available.

Cracker Elk/Wapiti you got there Ripp, well done and great shooting!!!

Avagreatweekendeh!
Homer

--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"


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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26414
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Weatherby 6.5/300 article [Re: Homer]
      #284415 - 24/06/16 03:29 PM

Hi Homer - I used a 6.5 Rem Mag Carbine (20") for Eastern Ground Hogs (Woodchucks) back in Ontario when I was a kid.
I was driving 100gr. Speer HP's out at about 3,200fps - worked a peach to about 400 yards.

I loaded some 140gr. Sierra Spitzer Boat-tails out at about 2,800fps or a bit more for black bear. I didn't see any and back South in the gophers fields, they opened up the chucks just like the 100gr. HP's. The rifle's 9" twist might have been the reason the bullets were breaking up.

H380 worked well with the lighter, 87gr. bullets too - 57.0gr., if I remember correctly for around 3,450fps and something around 54.0gr. for the 100's.

I had a model 660 Rem., with a 20" bl.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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Homer
.416 member


Reged: 07/04/09
Posts: 3081
Loc: Canberra, Australia
Re: Weatherby 6.5/300 article [Re: DarylS]
      #284420 - 24/06/16 07:46 PM

G'Day Fella's,

Daryl, I remember you telling me about your 6.5 R/Mag in the past, so your responsible for this as much as anybody! And Thank You for that!!!
As you mention Daryl, it's a quite a performer, even with a 20" barrel!
I plan to use the 24" carbon wrapped barrel in the below image, so hopefully that will increase velocities a bit.
I hope to get 3150+ fps with Nosler 129grn Accubonds and over 3000 with Woodleigh 140grn PP's?

Here is a link to a image of some of the parts for this project.
http://enoughgun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5952

I'm still trying to find an appropriate synthetic stock for this rifle.
And just for something different (for me at least), this will probably be a carbon fiber stock.

Avagreatweekendeh!
Homer

--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"


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Ripp
.577 member


Reged: 19/02/07
Posts: 16072
Loc: Montana, USA
Re: Weatherby 6.5/300 article [Re: Homer]
      #284423 - 24/06/16 09:50 PM

Quote:

G'Day Fella's,

Daryl, I remember you telling me about your 6.5 R/Mag in the past, so your responsible for this as much as anybody! And Thank You for that!!!
As you mention Daryl, it's a quite a performer, even with a 20" barrel!
I plan to use the 24" carbon wrapped barrel in the below image, so hopefully that will increase velocities a bit.
I hope to get 3150+ fps with Nosler 129grn Accubonds and over 3000 with Woodleigh 140grn PP's?

Here is a link to a image of some of the parts for this project.
http://enoughgun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5952

I'm still trying to find an appropriate synthetic stock for this rifle.
And just for something different (for me at least), this will probably be a carbon fiber stock.

Avagreatweekendeh!
Homer




Mcmillan makes lightweight carbon fiber as does Christenson Arms that would fit that Remington action..I am in the process of building a lightweight and have been in contact with both..FYI

https://mcmillanusa.com/mcmillan-rifle-stocks/
https://christensenarms.com/


thx

Ripp

--------------------
ALL MEN DIE, BUT FEW MEN TRULY LIVE..

Edited by Ripp (24/06/16 09:52 PM)


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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26414
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Weatherby 6.5/300 article [Re: Ripp]
      #284438 - 25/06/16 04:25 AM

That 6.5 with the 100gr. Speer HP's used to lift chucks that were prone and eating, up to 12' in the air with a low belly hit. It was incredible to watch! WHUMP - then a 3 to 4 seconds low motion flight. Warren, my school chum would say- Daryl - your shot, lets see how high you can lift this one - it happened right out to about 350-400yards. Those were really long shots in South Western Ontario farm land.

Ripp - you're 6.5 screamers should be absolutely spectacular on rock chucks - about like a .220 Swift on a gopher.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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Homer
.416 member


Reged: 07/04/09
Posts: 3081
Loc: Canberra, Australia
Re: Weatherby 6.5/300 article [Re: DarylS]
      #284466 - 25/06/16 10:37 AM

G'Day Fella's,,

Thank You for the tip on the stocks Ripp, Very Much Appreciated!

Daryl, it sounds like Warren and you used to have a Phat Ole Time, back in W/Ontario!
Some of the best days I have ever had in my life, were spent Decking Varmints with good mates!!!

Avagreatweekendeh!
Homer

--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"


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