The future of the 243/6mm and 6.5 options

[75]

I had a 260 built on a Sako III action - just be careful of OAL as the chamber will have to be cut short enough to allow the rounds to fit in the magazine, as the sako III mag is reasonably short. It means bullets need to be seated quite deep in the case and I struggled a bit to get some of the expected velocities (although it's very accurate). SAAMI spec for Creedmore is a touch longer than 260 so similar problem and you may not get the best out of either case with this action / mag.

If I had my choice again, with the same donor action, I'd go 6.5x47. A bit out of fashion, but the shorter case will give you more flexibility on OAL and seating depth and (I'm guessing here!) that you'd probably end up with similar "usable" case capacity compared to a short throated creedmore with a bullet stuffed deep in the case.

Someone more knowledgeable than me can probably give you more definitive advice!

 

[JabaliHunter]

If you go to the expense of a premium barrel throated for a specific bullet, just lay down a supply of brass and bullets that will see you through the life of that barrel. Then it doesn't matter which cartridge you pick...

 

[ChesterP]

I had a 260 built on a Sako III action - just be careful of OAL as the chamber will have to be cut short enough to allow the rounds to fit in the magazine, as the sako III mag is reasonably short. It means bullets need to be seated quite deep in the case and I struggled a bit to get some of the expected velocities (although it's very accurate). SAAMI spec for Creedmore is a touch longer than 260 so similar problem and you may not get the best out of either case with this action / mag.

If I had my choice again, with the same donor action, I'd go 6.5x47. A bit out of fashion, but the shorter case will give you more flexibility on OAL and seating depth and (I'm guessing here!) that you'd probably end up with similar "usable" case capacity compared to a short throated creedmore with a bullet stuffed deep in the case.

Someone more knowledgeable than me can probably give you more definitive advice!

which sort of defeats the point of CM which usually doesn't have the bullet stuffed short in the case . You could use exactly the same argument in fact for CM or any other of the 6.5's and you'd end up (comparatively) at an advantage over 6.5 x 47.

6.5 x 47 is a great round but to match CM or Swede or 260 Rem for equivalent velocities needs loading pretty hot. Your point RE magazine length is a good one though and this is where CM ticks the box as you can still load close to the lands if you wish or if using secant ogive or some hybrid designs. However, if the OP is commissioning a re-barrel, there's scope for customising the chambering for this flexibility but the limiting factor may still be the available mag options for current bottom metal or altering to suit whatever short action mag is chosen.

 

[ejg]

The Creedmoor seems to make the most sense out of the lot if it has to be 6.5. Several of our customers in Germany have had the Creedmoor, are over the phase and going back to 308. The Creedmoor seems fine on Roe but they all report of issues with pigs and losing too many. I would like to try one for long range fox and maybe Sika does/calves. Possibly just stay at around 120gr.
edi

 

[75]

which sort of defeats the point of CM which usually doesn't have the bullet stuffed short in the case . You could use exactly the same argument in fact for CM or any other of the 6.5's and you'd end up (comparatively) at an advantage over 6.5 x 47.

sorry, you’ve lost me?

My point was that if magazine length is the limiting factor and you end up with a Creedmoor that was chambered on the short side then you lost some of the advantages (particularly with longer, high BC bullets).

 

[ChesterP]

sorry, you’ve lost me?

My point was that if magazine length is the limiting factor and you end up with a Creedmoor that was chambered on the short side then you lost some of the advantages (particularly with longer, high BC bullets).

??? Why would you though if you were re-barrelling and deciding the chambering? Comparing apples with apples, not oranges.

 

[75]

??? Why would you though if you were re-barrelling and deciding the chambering? Comparing apples with apples, not oranges.

That's exactly my point! You wouldn't choose creedmore if you had to go for a shorter than normal chamber as it defeats the purpose. But magazine length in a Sako III may mean you HAVE TO chamber on the short side.

I think we're both in violent agreement!

 

[ChesterP]

That's exactly my point! You wouldn't choose creedmore if you had to go for a shorter than normal chamber as it defeats the purpose. But magazine length in a Sako III may mean you HAVE TO chamber on the short side.

I think we're both in violent agreement!

You could just be right. Can the bottom metal be altered then to accept a longer mag?

 

[ejg]

You could just be right. Can the bottom metal be altered then to accept a longer mag?

why I prefer a T3, plenty magazine options. CTR mag internal is a few mm longer than my old Sako was.
edi

 

[Selous]

You could just be right. Can the bottom metal be altered then to accept a longer mag?

The deluxe has a hinged floorplate rather than a DBM so no it cannot be modified and to be honest I wouldn’t want to change that. It will remain a wood stocked classically styled rifle as we have enough more tacticool rifles to hand!

 

[75]

You could just be right. Can the bottom metal be altered then to accept a longer mag?

Not sure to be honest - I was just flagging it as an issue to look into before committing to an option. I stuck with the std Sako mag but there may well be alternatives out there.

 

[25 Sharps]

Not sure to be honest - I was just flagging it as an issue to look into before committing to an option. I stuck with the std Sako mag but there may well be alternatives out there.

Assuming the same action is used for .308 which has a COAL of 2.8000" the creedmoor is only 25 thou longer at 2.825" so hardly loads of bullet stuffed in the case, especially as the magazine will not be bang on 2.800" so may well accommodate 2.825"!!

My 139 scenar load is most accurate at 2.812" so i think the mag will not be an issue for the OP if he goes creedmoor....