Have a savage 111 donor action. I'm a 260 guy but now I don't know which flavor to pick. I'm going with a fluted #3 Shilen Select Match 1-8". 260 again, 6.5 CM, 6.5-06ai (leaning that way had a 6-06ai loved it but hated the overbore), 6.5x22-250ai, I was sold on standardizing the stable, but I'm a wildcat nut.

Since you have a long action....

6.5-284 since the shoulder angle and brass geometry is sexy! Probably makes for a low ES.

6.5-06 since brass is easy to come by, but the shoulder angle isn't as good as the 06'

I'd do the 6.5-06ai just to be different.

I give the 6.5x284 it's due. Heck I've gone thru 3, but I just don't care for it for some unexplainable reason. Why I left it off.

I spent months deciding on a caliber and finally decided on 6.5-06. Then I sold the rifle before I ever rebarreled it. Just gave up on the project.

6.5 Rem Mag. Good hot round. Chad might have brass.

6.5 Weatherby,
brass is easy to find, (.257 Weatherby),
Redding makes dies,
lots of H-1000 available.
140 Berger VLDH easy to get.
LR Match primers.

Of course I like it cuz I got one.


Or 6.5X47, they are all so close re; .260, \Creedmoor,

Too add to this I have a 6.5x257 wby and consider it one of the finest rounds on the planet. Also thinking of the wife and wanna give her a lil more range then her 6x45

The Mag bolt face rounds being mentioned, makes me ask, what's the original action's barrel chambered for?

It was a 30-06 savage 111

Change the bolt face and go 6.5 saum.

6.5/.284 or 6.5/.257 Weatherby are both good rounds. Fun to play with.

Isn't the 257 & 270 Wby case design based off a 7RMg's ?? Dunno just asking but I'd think 7mg brass would tons easier to come by and bigtime cheaper...no wait we already have a 7mg case with 6.5 boolit in it ...called a 264WMg as I recall.

OK so what exactly are the over riding benefits of using the medium sized Wby cases over anything else currently on the market....is Saum or Wby brass so plentiful that they make sense?

WSM brass is NOT for sure readily plentiful or CHEAP but there are plenny of guns out there at really cheap prices perfect fo using for a conversion, and is a proven conversion, and one reason I'm selling my cherry NH built M70 Classic Fwt 300WSM rather than convert it... as had been the back up planned usage. But then again nobody's beating my door down to buy it either...so it may YET become a 6.5 Whizzum to partner with my 260....rather than a tomato stake. Hmmm
Ron

Don't have a clue what the Wby case design is based on and don't care. I had a 257 Wby that I did not like that well. Had too much invested in the rifle to lose my butt so I decided to change it, which I did. Have a bunch of brass on hand that is already sized to the 6.5/257. My decision was based on my wants, one of which was to be happy with what I did. It turned out good for me.

After giving the OP's question a bit more thought, if he wants something a bit different and very effective, why not go for a 256 Newton. Very close to, if not the same as a 6.5-06. If the case shoulder is a bit different from the 6.5-06, that's even better. Who do you know that has a 256 Newton? Or...a 256 Newton AI? Makes me want one, just for when somebody asks what I'm shooting.

6.5-280AI provides a little more case volume than the other 06 family of cases even when they are improved since the shoulder was pushed forward a little to avoid it being able to chamber and shoot in some 270s.

Some of the ones mentioned the problem could be good quality case availability or case availability in general without a lot of work.

The 6.5-250AI is interesting but extremely close to the 6.5 Creedmoor.

One I have loaded for is the 6.5X57 which is easy for cases and if you AI that could be interesting. AI the X57 case and get another 3 grains of capacity at least according to quickloads

6.5X55AI picks up 5gr water capacity over the 6.5X55 and would another interesting one.

Decisions decisions decisions

That euro 6.5x57 is cool. A close friend has one built up. I forgot all about the swede. Man what a timeless and effective round and I have 200 pcs lapua brass. The decisions that come with this sickness.

This

6.5X55, another great LR Round

The 6.5 SAUM really intrigues me.

That 6.5 wsm/saum is sweet but will the rails need work? I

I would really consider brass cost/availability before going with any short magnum. Many manufacturers only do a "seasonal" run which lately has been every 3 years. For long actions, the 6.5x55, 6.5x57 or 6.5-06 would all have easily accessible brass.

I have about 200 pcs of 300 saum, 200 or so pcs of 270 wsm and 150 pcs of 300 wsm. So brass wise I'm good only reason I'm contemplating a wsm based cartridge.

I think a 6.5 wssm would be awesome but I sold a ton of it when I got laid off from Halliburton to pay bills. Wow that brought me some cash.

Anyone run the 6.5x6.8 or 6x6.8 this has me really intrigued