THF Hunting rifle challenge

[dee]

I'm tossing around 6.5 Grendel, 6.5x47 Lapua, and 6.5 Creedmoor....

Pretty sure I want it to be 6.5mm, but also thought about doing a 6mm. Just not sure I can get the power I want from the 6mm...

6mm is more than enough in the Texas and up to Elk in the right circumstances.

[YALE]

I like the redding bushing dies a lot better. They seem to be a bit higher quality.

That makes more sense.

[motoman]

I'm tossing around 6.5 Grendel, 6.5x47 Lapua, and 6.5 Creedmoor....

Pretty sure I want it to be 6.5mm, but also thought about doing a 6mm. Just not sure I can get the power I want from the 6mm...

Being able to buy factory match grade ammo is what steered me to the 6.5CM. Don't get me wrong, I'll be reloading my own ammo but I know at some point I'll run into a situation where my work schedule doesn't allow me enough time to load what I need. Can't really complain about being able to get Hornady 140gr A-Max ammo for less than $25 a box.

[BlackGT]

Being able to buy factory match grade ammo is what steered me to the 6.5CM. Don't get me wrong, I'll be reloading my own ammo but I know at some point I'll run into a situation where my work schedule doesn't allow me enough time to load what I need. Can't really complain about being able to get Hornady 140gr A-Max ammo for less than $25 a box.

That's the reason I've stuck with .308 for so long. I do reload but didn't have the foresight to stock up on components. Now that powder and brass are getting more plentiful, I am thinking of broadening my horizons a little...

[dee]

Looks like I might be changing my criteria a bit and basing it on what barrel I can get. I already have a HS stock laying around although inletted for one contour there are several that will work. Now the only issue is the diameter they are in and twist. I can get a 6mm that will fit well but it's a 1:7 twist and that is extremely fast for my tcu idea but will work great for a 6mm Creedmoor. Dies can be made from 6.5 creedmoor dies by changing a bushing and I can get proper headstamp brass. There is also a lot of talk that hornady is going to bring it into the loaded ammo category soon as well.

[YALE]

Looks like I might be changing my criteria a bit and basing it on what barrel I can get. I already have a HS stock laying around although inletted for one contour there are several that will work. Now the only issue is the diameter they are in and twist. I can get a 6mm that will fit well but it's a 1:7 twist and that is extremely fast for my tcu idea but will work great for a 6mm Creedmoor. Dies can be made from 6.5 creedmoor dies by changing a bushing and I can get proper headstamp brass. There is also a lot of talk that hornady is going to bring it into the loaded ammo category soon as well.

Holy shit! A more accurate .243?

[dee]

Holy shit! A more accurate .243?

More efficient, uses a little less powder. Should have less case stretch with the steeper shoulder angle. A 243 can go faster but with the longer case heavy bullets have to be seated deeper than the Creedmoor, basically the same as when comparing the 260 and creedmoor.

[BlackGT]

It just got weeded out being that dies cost $260 alone plus I'll need another $40-$60 for neck bushings. I'm thinking I might be going 6mm TCU since I already have access to a reamer and formed brass.

Is it the "newness" of the round that is causing the high priced dies?

[YALE]

More efficient, uses a little less powder. Should have less case stretch with the steeper shoulder angle. A 243 can go faster but with the longer case heavy bullets have to be seated deeper than the Creedmoor, basically the same as when comparing the 260 and creedmoor.

Groovy.

[dee]

Is it the "newness" of the round that is causing the high priced dies?

I think it's the Lapua name. The round has been around about as long as tge creedmoor.

[BlackGT]

Probably a lot to do with the name and the fact it hasn't caught on as quickly as the Creed so not as much demand for those dies.

[dee]

I found some Whidden dies that aren't too outrageous on price so I might do a 6.5x47Lapua or 6x47Lapua.

[dee]

Spoke to Scott at Live Oak Friday and he seems like a great guy. He offered to order a reamer for 6mm Creedmoor since I was interested in it which is awesome. His prices are on par with most it seems and I will be dropping stuff off whenever the reamer shows up.

[BlackGT]

Awesome man! I've been researching barrels and calibers.
What barrel, length, and profile you going with and on what action?

[dee]

Awesome man! I've been researching barrels and calibers.
What barrel, length, and profile you going with and on what action?

I was about to order a Krieger from Third generation but he had a Bartlien in stock. I gladly accepted since he will profile to my liking. I'm 98% set on a 22" barrel but I might drop it to 20" before it's said and done. I want something around a light palma to hunter contour since I have a HS precision stock already inletted for that profile. I already have a ton of 700 stuff so that's the action and if anything needs a change the upgrades are cheap and plentiful.