I've debated on the Grendel, Swede, .260, and creedmoor. I'm looking at the Grendel and creedmoor whilst leaning heavily towards the creedmoor due to more of an abundance of production rifles available. Does anyone have/ use or know of anyone using one of these in a youth configuration? (Shorter lop, lightweight and 20-22" bbl) do we need a longer barrel to make either of these shine for deer, hogs, pdogs and coyotes? I'm loading the 6.5-.284 Norma so a ballistic little brother for one of the munchkins seems to be in order... something we "need" around here lol.
6.5 bolt gun for youth
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While i really, really, like the grendel i dont think its a very good youth cartridge, unless said youth is experienced at taking game (not just shooting targets). The penetration is good to excelent, but there is little shock do to the low velocity, wound channels tend to be smaller then any of the larger cartridges (and smaller than the fast 22s that only penetrate 10"s or so). That said, the round is excellent as long as bullets are placed properly, and your willing to track, or you break bones. The only production guns im aware of in the Grendel are the Howa1500 minis, I have a regular howa in 6.5 creedmoor and would not hesitate to buy one in the Grendel if i could find one.
The creedmoor, Swede, and .260 are all pretty much the same round when were talking about taking game. One maybe 100fps faster with a given bullet weight than the others but it wont matter too much. I havent shoot any game with my 6.5, but Ive seen a ton (and taken quite a bit myself) shot with the .243, the extra 25 grains and larger frontal area would make the 6.5s quite a bit more effective than the .243, this is considering keeping velocity in the 3K-2800 range, which is where i like to launch most of my bullets. This would be my choice, as you can get pretty much ANY bolt rifle you want in one of the short action 6.5s. Theres a 12" lop howa stock on ebay Ive looked at a few times just to have for the future, as i said else where while its effective im not a huge fan of the .243 as a beginners rifle either but i think the 6.5s should be excellent.
The creedmoor, Swede, and .260 are all pretty much the same round when were talking about taking game. One maybe 100fps faster with a given bullet weight than the others but it wont matter too much. I havent shoot any game with my 6.5, but Ive seen a ton (and taken quite a bit myself) shot with the .243, the extra 25 grains and larger frontal area would make the 6.5s quite a bit more effective than the .243, this is considering keeping velocity in the 3K-2800 range, which is where i like to launch most of my bullets. This would be my choice, as you can get pretty much ANY bolt rifle you want in one of the short action 6.5s. Theres a 12" lop howa stock on ebay Ive looked at a few times just to have for the future, as i said else where while its effective im not a huge fan of the .243 as a beginners rifle either but i think the 6.5s should be excellent.
Chuck R.
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A couple years ago I bought my son a REM MOD 7 in .260 REM, and mounted a 2.5-8X Leupold V3 on it. Nice compact little whitetail gun that at 13 fits him well, I've been loading 100 grain ballistic Tips for it and so far its work on the couple deer he's taken with it. Brass can either be bought on line, or is easily formed from .243 WIN brass.
Chuck
Chuck
Deaf Smith
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Hate to say this but a plain .243 Winchester will do fine.
Deaf
Deaf
Sure would and sure does. I don't hate saying it myself. Already got a couple that see plenty of use. This is going to be an "expanding horizons" kinda thing. Something they can practice with now, hunt with now, and take the longer shots or bigger critters later with something they already know like the back of their hand. Besides all that, it would be something fun to load for too.
Loonwulf I do remember your experience with the Grendel on deer and that's when I started looking at the faster 6.5s (though I'll probably be picking up one for myself farther down the line). I knew there was little difference between the cm and the rem but since Remington seems to fail at marketing consistently I'm shy at placing a bet on how long and how easily it will be to get .260 brass and I don't wanna mix with my current .243 supply. Still curious if the shorter barrel will cripple any of these cartridges too much and if a lighter stock will increase felt recoil too much, overall weight with scope 8# or less.
I think the supply of .260 brass will be solid for a long time, its a pretty popular round.
Im more concerned with the 6.5 Creedmoor, theres less manufacturers currently supporting it. With so many guns available in the chambering now tho i expect to see more become available. Ive made brass from my .243 just to see how hard it would be, and its not. I haven't checked to see if the creedmoor will fit in the .243 chamber yet...that would suck.
I get the feeling youll lose some velocity but not enough to make it a loss. My grendel 20" shot about 100fps slower than my 24, so bout 25fps/inch. Id figgure 35-40fps on the faster rounds and loads.
Oh found some reports!
http://rifleshooter.com/2016/02/6-5...el-length-on-velocity-cutting-up-a-creedmoor/
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/260-remington-bbl-length-vel-82716/
Im more concerned with the 6.5 Creedmoor, theres less manufacturers currently supporting it. With so many guns available in the chambering now tho i expect to see more become available. Ive made brass from my .243 just to see how hard it would be, and its not. I haven't checked to see if the creedmoor will fit in the .243 chamber yet...that would suck.
I get the feeling youll lose some velocity but not enough to make it a loss. My grendel 20" shot about 100fps slower than my 24, so bout 25fps/inch. Id figgure 35-40fps on the faster rounds and loads.
Oh found some reports!
http://rifleshooter.com/2016/02/6-5...el-length-on-velocity-cutting-up-a-creedmoor/
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/260-remington-bbl-length-vel-82716/
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Thanks for the links! That was most helpful!!!
CapnMac
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Just as a wager, a person could probably find a few more .243 stocks that could be cut to fit the youth in question (since that stock is going to need to grow a bit in a year or so). Might could fins Swede mauser stocks, too. But, that's just a guess.
Olympus
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Also, 260 brass can easily be form from 243 or 308 brass. So even if the 260 cartridge fails, you'll still be able to form brass. So I wouldn't worry about that.
I'm anxiously waiting the CZ527 in 6.5 Grendel myself. I already have a 527 in 22 Hornet and it's gorgeous, slim, light, and shoots like a dream!
I'm anxiously waiting the CZ527 in 6.5 Grendel myself. I already have a 527 in 22 Hornet and it's gorgeous, slim, light, and shoots like a dream!
Chuck R.
Member
All I did for the boy's .260 was switch to a faster powder (4320) and I'm getting just shy of 3100 FPS with a 100 grain out of a 20" barrel. Will be no issue staying close to published velocities for factory loads, and no animal on the planet is going to miss the velocity loss from 2" of barrel anyway. 260 will be around for a while and IF it isn't 7-08, .243, and .308 will be. Very, very, easy to form .260 brass. Making it out of .243 is my favorite, just run it into the .260 FL die and trim it. IF you don't want to mix up .243 brass (I also load for two .243s) then just make .260s with .308 or 7-08.
You could always do what I do and buy a lifetime supply off the bat, I anneal regularly and I'm getting 10+ loadings per case now.....
Chuck
What about taking a savage youth stock and slapping it on a savage .260 or 6.5 cm action?
Newtosavage
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Of course, every "youth" is different, but in my experience of helping young shooters and women, even the .243 is more recoil than they want. This is why I keep my 7.62x39 bolt action Savage around. It's a very pleasant shooting rifle for young shooters and women, it's supremely accurate, and it has good ballistics at the ranges young shooters will be shooting.
Now, regarding 6.5mm rounds, I would personally get a 6.5 Creedmoor and hand load reduced loads for it using H4895.
Now, regarding 6.5mm rounds, I would personally get a 6.5 Creedmoor and hand load reduced loads for it using H4895.
On the .243, our 9 y/o already drills holes with anything I load for her from .22 lr to .223 to .243 full house deer loads, I've considered the x39 but it doesn't move the b.c. that I'm looking for for when they start varminting at longer ranges, nor would it be something I'd consider mid-long range big game ready. The 6.5s are something they'll be able to use no matter where they go or what they aim at. As you said I can put together reduced loads to practice with too.
farmerboy78
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Get the howa mini in 6.5 grendel. I recently purchased an ar in the grendel and used it to take 2 deer this afternoon. First was 326yds and hit it in the neck (facing me) and it dropped right there. Second was 278yds broad side and I punched it right behind the shoulder and it went 75yds tops. Both were shot using factory hornady 123gr amax. The grendel in an excellent deer cartridge with very little recoil.
jmorris
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After hunting with a 7mm BR pistol for awhile with great success I decided a I wanted a 7mm BR rifle for hog hunting at night. Then before I started the project I came across a model seven in 7-08 and just reloaded it to match the 7mm BR.
One could do the same thing to turn the fastest 6.5 into any of the slower ones.
One could do the same thing to turn the fastest 6.5 into any of the slower ones.
Hokkmike
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I shoot and love the 6.5x55. Did you know because of its inherent accuracy that it was once an Olympic target rifle choice? Also has great sectional density. It can be had in a number of spectacular and reliable rifles - the Winchester feather-light is one. I currently use a SAKO Finnlight. I hand load with 129 grain ballistic tips that will shoot the eyeballs off a gnat. But, it sounds like you know what you are doing. Best of luck in your decision.
Newtosavage
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Sounds like the 6.5 creedmoor with hand loads is your answer. Good luck and enjoy those kids!
Averageman
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Savage makes a number of rifles now in 6.5 Creedmoor.
http://rifleshooter.com/2016/03/building-a-custom-savage-model-10-in-6-5-creedmoor/
I recently purchased one and I'm very happy with it. I didn't go so far down the road as the author of the article did, but it might give you some ideas.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Sava...95080&CQ_search=savage+6_p5+creedmoor&CQ_st=b
http://rifleshooter.com/2016/03/building-a-custom-savage-model-10-in-6-5-creedmoor/
I recently purchased one and I'm very happy with it. I didn't go so far down the road as the author of the article did, but it might give you some ideas.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Sava...95080&CQ_search=savage+6_p5+creedmoor&CQ_st=b
RPRNY
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If you can find one of the thousands of Swedish Mauser artillery models (18.5" barrel, with a little sleeve at the tip to meet pre 1964 GCA regs) on Gun Broker that were imported by Century in the late 50's (and often bodged and butchered - I have one that was rather nicely sporterized in a Fajen stock), it is an absolute treat. They are light, handy, and the Swede packs plenty of wallop. The Barnes 127 gr LRX boat tail is great for antelope and whitetail while the Swede, with it's 1:8 twist and long chamber (why I prefer Barnes' longer bullets in the 127 gr range), allows for 160 gr RNSP that will be very effective on bear and elk. Mind you, the Swede is really a reload only proposition. Non CIP spec factory ammo is anemic.
They are incredibly accurate for military rifles and I have found that with Varget, the short barrel really loses very little velocity. Light handy rifles. One of the earlier Kimber companies made up a bunch of them in black polymer stocks at some point, also worth looking for. My 13 year old has used my Swede that past two years on Mulies with success both years.
They are incredibly accurate for military rifles and I have found that with Varget, the short barrel really loses very little velocity. Light handy rifles. One of the earlier Kimber companies made up a bunch of them in black polymer stocks at some point, also worth looking for. My 13 year old has used my Swede that past two years on Mulies with success both years.
Speedo66
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I've had some experience with a Swedish Mauser in 6.5x55, thought they were both a great rifle and great cartridge. Nothing wrong with any of your choices, but it seems to me the 6.5x55 brass will always be available, while some of the others may fade away in time. Norma has been making brass and loaded cartridges in that caliber forever, and as a Swedish company ,will, no doubt, continue to do so.
Newtosavage
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Savage lightweight hunter in 6.5 CM. Out of the box, more accurate than most. Thank me later. 
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