Scarbelly
Newbie
For the "regular guy" - is a 6.5 among the better choices for a long range (800 - 1,720 yards) precision (capable of effectively engaging a man sized target) gun?
The Appeal of the 6.5 - High Ballistic Coefficient in a Small Bullet
6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 x 284 Norma, and 260 Remington have gained a lot of popularity due to the high BC's you can get from relatively lighter weight bullets. 6.5mm cartridges have been popular in Europe for a while, but companies like Hornady and Nosler have capitalized on the growing trend in the US with the introduction of the 6.5 Creedmoor and the new 26 Nosler. The higher BC's result in less drag, which of course means that the wind won't blow it off course as easily, and it will retain more velocity down range.
The Cost/Benefit of Larger Calibers - size, performance, and $$$
I understand that you can get much higher BC's from 7.62/.300, .338, .50 caliber bullets, but this is due to the fact that you can push a much heavier bullet (more mass means more inertia). This also means you have to use a larger/heavier rifle with a larger action, you have greater felt recoil (unless you use a muzzle brake/compensator, which can add more weight and noise), and the the ammo and rifles are significantly more expensive.
For a government entity, often the cost isn't the limiting factor. These heavier bullets perform better at longer distances, many already exist in the logistical supply chain for heavy machine guns, and are procured for highly specialized Soldiers whose training far exceeds the value of the per unit cost of these long range precision platforms.
Being Practical, but Not Close-Minded
Some of you will counter that quality .300 Win Mag is widely commercially available at a reasonable price, and you can buy a hunting grade rifle that will shoot about 1 MOA for less than $800, and that would fit the bill as a starter setup for the "regular guy". I would agree.
Also, long range cartridges above .308 caliber get to be cost inhibitive - to the tune of $2-5 per round.
I'm a pragmatist, but I'm also a marketer in the firearms industry - so I end up looking at new options, evaluating their strong/weak points, and deciding how to best market a product honestly (I know, you're either rolling your eyes or trying to figure out how I haven't been fired). Looking at the numbers on 6.5 Creedmoor and the new 26 Nosler, I've been very intrigued.
Nosler has marketed the 26 Nosler primarily based on it's "415 yard point-blank range"; doubtless this is geared toward old-school hunters using duplex reticle scopes who have zero interest in dialing in DOPE and shoot less than one box of ammo per year.
There are hundreds of videos on YouTube of shooters using custom rifles from shops like GA Precision chambered in 6.5mm rounds like the 260 Remington, to engage targets out to a mile. They can do this because of the relatively high BC from 6.5mm bullets, and the higher velocities they can push them at because they are lighter weight.
Direct Comparison - 6.5mm to .308
Compare a 6.5 mm 142 gr Accubond LR to a .308 cal 210 gr Accubond LR
Both bullet have extremely high advertised BC's for <= .308 caliber bullets.
Direct Comparison - 26 Nosler to 300 Win Mag
For the highest weight loaded ammunition offering using VLD style bullets, here are the numbers for the Nolser 26 in a 129 gr bullet vs 300 Win Mag in a 190 gr bullet:
If you look at the velocity, energy, and drop, a few things seem apparent:
The velocity and energy from 600 - 800 yards is bleeding off faster from the 26 Nosler, but the 26 Nosler drops about 60" in that range bracket compared to 80" of drop from the 300 WM. I would need to punch in the numbers to see how this would affect the 26 Nosler at a mile, but given that lower velocity cartridges like the 260 Remington can pull it off, it shouldn't be an issue with quality equipment and ammunition.
The Perceived Benefits
The Perceived Detriments - "...no such thing as a free lunch"
Conclusion
Jack Nicholson said "People who speak in metaphors should shampoo my crotch" - he'd probably think the same thing about analogies, but I'm going to make the comparison anyways.
I often see people on gun forums asking for advice on how to turn their $120 surplus Mosin into a "sniper rifle". They are asking opinions about aftermarket stocks and other TapCo grade equipment to "upgrade" their gun, when in my opinion, they'd be better served buying a Ruger American in 308 Winchester for $350 and building on that.
I think 6.5 cartridges for long range precision work border on that mentality - trying to play in a high stakes poker game with your lunch money. I can see them being very useful for LE agencies, as a lighter weight bullet with limited penetration for ranges from 200-600 yards. For the "regular guy" it's going to cost you more than 300 WM, and the benefits might be marginal. There are plenty of hobbyist ringing steel at a mile with 6.5mm bullets, but no studies or statistical data that I know of regarding the terminal effects at ranges beyond 1,000 yards.
I like to tinker and occasionally make dumb decisions - I have a 26 Nosler rifle on order, and I'll be comparing notes with my buddy who's shooting a 300 WM. Until then, I look forward to reading your comments.
*Disclaimer - I'm an Armored Cav guy who shoots long range rifles as a hobby, not a profession. I know I am addressing a group with a high level of experience and understanding - I know some points in my post are more basic, but I didn't want to write something that would exclude beginners.
The Appeal of the 6.5 - High Ballistic Coefficient in a Small Bullet
6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 x 284 Norma, and 260 Remington have gained a lot of popularity due to the high BC's you can get from relatively lighter weight bullets. 6.5mm cartridges have been popular in Europe for a while, but companies like Hornady and Nosler have capitalized on the growing trend in the US with the introduction of the 6.5 Creedmoor and the new 26 Nosler. The higher BC's result in less drag, which of course means that the wind won't blow it off course as easily, and it will retain more velocity down range.
The Cost/Benefit of Larger Calibers - size, performance, and $$$
I understand that you can get much higher BC's from 7.62/.300, .338, .50 caliber bullets, but this is due to the fact that you can push a much heavier bullet (more mass means more inertia). This also means you have to use a larger/heavier rifle with a larger action, you have greater felt recoil (unless you use a muzzle brake/compensator, which can add more weight and noise), and the the ammo and rifles are significantly more expensive.
For a government entity, often the cost isn't the limiting factor. These heavier bullets perform better at longer distances, many already exist in the logistical supply chain for heavy machine guns, and are procured for highly specialized Soldiers whose training far exceeds the value of the per unit cost of these long range precision platforms.
Being Practical, but Not Close-Minded
Some of you will counter that quality .300 Win Mag is widely commercially available at a reasonable price, and you can buy a hunting grade rifle that will shoot about 1 MOA for less than $800, and that would fit the bill as a starter setup for the "regular guy". I would agree.
Also, long range cartridges above .308 caliber get to be cost inhibitive - to the tune of $2-5 per round.
I'm a pragmatist, but I'm also a marketer in the firearms industry - so I end up looking at new options, evaluating their strong/weak points, and deciding how to best market a product honestly (I know, you're either rolling your eyes or trying to figure out how I haven't been fired). Looking at the numbers on 6.5 Creedmoor and the new 26 Nosler, I've been very intrigued.
Nosler has marketed the 26 Nosler primarily based on it's "415 yard point-blank range"; doubtless this is geared toward old-school hunters using duplex reticle scopes who have zero interest in dialing in DOPE and shoot less than one box of ammo per year.
There are hundreds of videos on YouTube of shooters using custom rifles from shops like GA Precision chambered in 6.5mm rounds like the 260 Remington, to engage targets out to a mile. They can do this because of the relatively high BC from 6.5mm bullets, and the higher velocities they can push them at because they are lighter weight.
Direct Comparison - 6.5mm to .308
Compare a 6.5 mm 142 gr Accubond LR to a .308 cal 210 gr Accubond LR
Both bullet have extremely high advertised BC's for <= .308 caliber bullets.
Direct Comparison - 26 Nosler to 300 Win Mag
For the highest weight loaded ammunition offering using VLD style bullets, here are the numbers for the Nolser 26 in a 129 gr bullet vs 300 Win Mag in a 190 gr bullet:
If you look at the velocity, energy, and drop, a few things seem apparent:
The velocity and energy from 600 - 800 yards is bleeding off faster from the 26 Nosler, but the 26 Nosler drops about 60" in that range bracket compared to 80" of drop from the 300 WM. I would need to punch in the numbers to see how this would affect the 26 Nosler at a mile, but given that lower velocity cartridges like the 260 Remington can pull it off, it shouldn't be an issue with quality equipment and ammunition.
The Perceived Benefits
- Long range performance with lower recoil
- More affordable than 338 Lapua and other calibers larger than 300 WM
- A lighter/more compact rifle
- Reduced recoil
- Potentially higher muzzle velocity than 300 WM - at longer ranges, more precise adjustments can be made due to the lower rate of drop.
The Perceived Detriments - "...no such thing as a free lunch"
- Higher performing 6.5 mm cartridges are newer, not thoroughly vetted, and as of yet not as widely adopted as .308 caliber rounds, or even 338 Lapua and 50 BMG. There is not as of yet a wide selection of ammunition, and a lot of it is expensive. 6.5 Creedmoor has more offerings as it is marketed and accepted as both a hunting and competition round. Higher performance rounds like the 26 Nosler are not likely to see much diversity beyond premium hunting ammo, although reloaders (like myself) will be able to load quality ammo for a reasonable price.
Even for those who reload, there isn't a wide experience base like what you would find with 300 WM or even 7mm Rem Mag (which was used as a sniper cartridge by the USSS). It's all uncharted territory.
Regardless, in an emergency, you won't be able to find 6.5 mm cartridges as easily as 300 WM - although the same could be said for 338 Lapua and 50 BMG. Although, in an economic panic (ie, Sandy Hook panic buying of guns, then ammo, then reloading components), good luck finding common NATO rounds on shelves - you'll find plenty of 26 Nosler, 260 Remington, and other niche cartridges. - Decreased barrel life - for un-chromed rifle barrels, generally speaking if you push the velocity with smaller calibers, you end up with accelerated throat erosion. The 6.5 Creedmoor is pushing a 140 gr bullet at about 2800 FPS, but the Nosler 26 will probably push a 142 gr bullet at close to 3200 FPS. I know that some companies are chrome lining barrels chambered for 26 Nosler, which should increase barrel life substantially.
Conclusion
Jack Nicholson said "People who speak in metaphors should shampoo my crotch" - he'd probably think the same thing about analogies, but I'm going to make the comparison anyways.
I often see people on gun forums asking for advice on how to turn their $120 surplus Mosin into a "sniper rifle". They are asking opinions about aftermarket stocks and other TapCo grade equipment to "upgrade" their gun, when in my opinion, they'd be better served buying a Ruger American in 308 Winchester for $350 and building on that.
I think 6.5 cartridges for long range precision work border on that mentality - trying to play in a high stakes poker game with your lunch money. I can see them being very useful for LE agencies, as a lighter weight bullet with limited penetration for ranges from 200-600 yards. For the "regular guy" it's going to cost you more than 300 WM, and the benefits might be marginal. There are plenty of hobbyist ringing steel at a mile with 6.5mm bullets, but no studies or statistical data that I know of regarding the terminal effects at ranges beyond 1,000 yards.
I like to tinker and occasionally make dumb decisions - I have a 26 Nosler rifle on order, and I'll be comparing notes with my buddy who's shooting a 300 WM. Until then, I look forward to reading your comments.
*Disclaimer - I'm an Armored Cav guy who shoots long range rifles as a hobby, not a profession. I know I am addressing a group with a high level of experience and understanding - I know some points in my post are more basic, but I didn't want to write something that would exclude beginners.