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6.5 Rem Mag

Old 11-28-2015, 10:35 AM
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Default 6.5 Rem Mag

I may have an opportunity to buy one and I'm tossing it around. Anyone who has one let me know how you like it and how it performs. What advantage does it have over a 25-06?

Last edited by bronko22000; 11-28-2015 at 10:37 AM.
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Old 11-28-2015, 11:21 AM
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Originally Posted by bronko22000
What advantage does it have over a 25-06?
That it's a 6.5mm and not a .257 is one advantage.

Short action is another. Good accuracy.

Brass and ammo is harder to find tho.

I just did a wildcat based on the 6.5, it's necked down to 6mm with a different shoulder.
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Old 11-28-2015, 04:22 PM
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the 6.5 RM is a decent cartridge but to make good use o the really good high BC .264 bullets you need a long action or you take up a lot of powder capacity for bullet storage, its a clone to the 6.5/06
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Old 11-28-2015, 10:12 PM
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Lord that's an old cartridge brought back from the dead zone. If I recall correctly, if you are having a hard time finding cases, you may have an easier time locating .350mag cases and necking those down. I'd have to track down some of my old reloading books to be sure but I am thinking that 6.5RM was based off that 350M cartridge case. Correct me if I am wrong on that one RR as I am tired and old
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Old 11-29-2015, 09:29 PM
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Originally Posted by super_hunt54
Lord that's an old cartridge brought back from the dead zone. If I recall correctly, if you are having a hard time finding cases, you may have an easier time locating .350mag cases and necking those down. I'd have to track down some of my old reloading books to be sure but I am thinking that 6.5RM was based off that 350M cartridge case. Correct me if I am wrong on that one RR as I am tired and old
If being born in the 60's makes the 6.5 RM "old" then you must be "dead" Super!

The .375 H&H begat the 7mm RM which begat the 350RM which begat the 6.5 RM... The brass never got longer on that journey, so if you're really wanting 6.5RM brass and can't find any, there's plenty of other longer belted mag brass like 338wm, 300wm, 7mmRM, 375H&H, 264wm, 300 H&H, 458WM/Lott, etc etc to be had to shorten, neck down and fireform.

What's not to like about a high BC 6.5mm bullet at mach 3 for long range hunting? A guy can argue that there a lot of other cartridges that do nearly the same thing or even more (264wm, 7mmRM, 25-06, 270win, 6.5 Creed, 26 nosler, 6.5 swede, etc), but at the end of the day, none of them are the "wrong" answer, and other than subtle nuances for powder charge, barrel life, etc etc, they're all really the "right" answer.
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Old 11-29-2015, 11:15 PM
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LOL By old and dug up from the grave I meant it never really lived. That round, although I did like it and the engineering behind it at the time, just never took off. Like you said Mercy, just too many out there that does the same job as well or better with MUCH more easily found brass that you don't have to do 20 procedures to have some brass.
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Old 11-30-2015, 11:11 AM
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Just so you guys know this is in a mint condition Rem 600. The guy also has a Rem 660 in the same chambering. Also mint. The he has a newer Rem 763 in it unfired. The guy is 78 and decided to start selling off
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Old 11-30-2015, 02:08 PM
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Well Bronk, since you now know the difficulty you may or may not have in finding ammo or components for building ammo, you have to make the decision if any of those rifles would be worth it to you. I can tell you the round was a good one back in it's day but like Mercy told you, there were just too many other rounds out there that did the same job as well or better with much easier access to ammo. As RR said, one thing about it is it IS short action and your best 6.5mm bullets are a bit on the long side so seating depth taking up powder capacity is an issue. I don't think there is anyone else on this forum that knows more about 6.5mm loadings than RR and I would take his advise on them myself.
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Old 11-30-2015, 03:43 PM
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ifyour going to buy one I'd go with the 660 if you like the dogleg bolt, or the 673 they have a bit longer barrel, the rib on the 600 is plastic also and it pretty fragile. not sure about the rib on the 673
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Old 11-30-2015, 05:33 PM
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I was pricing ammo and also brass and wow is it salty!
I know about the bullet/seating depth problem with this cartridge and the short action. And looking at the ballistics - they aren't too impressive. I'd just as soon get one in a 7x57 or even a 308 and be happy. I like the little 600s even though I'm a lefty. I had purchased one years ago in 6mm Rem for my son. He hunted one year and decided he didn't like it. So like a dummy I went and sold it. Another one of those kick yourself in the butt moves. That was a sweet little rifle and the 6mm Rem /244 Rem is a dynamite whitetail round.
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