Spike Camp

6.5-300 Weatherby...Why?

6.5-300 Weatherby...Why?
« on: September 30, 2015, 05:07:54 PM »
I've read a lot of posts and have done some reading on the new cartridge.  I own a .264 Win Mag, so I do have some experience with 6.5mm magnums.  I hate to play Devil's advocate here...but I fail to see the purpose with this cartridge or the 26 Nosler.  I know the 6.5-300 was used in 1000 yard matches as a wildcat years ago...but let's face it...99% of the people that hunt and shoot won't be faced with a 1000 yard shot and most likely couldn't make the shot if presented with it (I include myself in that number).  I hunt in Wyoming and I just can't see the utility in the 6.5-300 here; maybe there is a good application with whitetail deer.

I used my .264 to hunt antelope once and did take a buck with it.  I had to shoot it multiple times however, so that led me to the conclusion that the 6.5mm bullet isn't any giant killer.  I am much more of a believer in a 7mm or .308 bullet than a 6.5mm for all-around use

I can appreciate the excitement of a new caliber, but I don't get this one.  This same concept has been around for a number of years - Lazzeroni had a 6.71 Blackbird that is probably faster than the 26 Nosler or 6.5-300 Weatherby and it didn't fly off the shelves.  I realize that Lazzeroni rifles are expensive, but you can rechamber a large number of rifles for his cartridges. 

I fail to see the point with this caliber.  :-\
JK

Re: 6.5-300 Weatherby...Why?
« Reply #1 on: September 30, 2015, 05:16:56 PM »
I thought hunting ment get as close as you can . I have buddies that have shot game at 1000 yards and they said they would never do it agian.
Dont stop shooting till their lungs are empty

Re: 6.5-300 Weatherby...Why?
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2015, 05:19:25 PM »
It's because we asked for it and got it.
I can't even use it for deer around here and I want one just cause and most people prolly will fit into that, just cause.
I like things that are different. Nobody on my block will have on either😊
Chris Kiefner

NRA Life Member

Re: 6.5-300 Weatherby...Why?
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2015, 05:25:52 PM »
I will admit it does have a cool factor to it . But my wife might disagree with me ;D
Dont stop shooting till their lungs are empty

badsection

Re: 6.5-300 Weatherby...Why?
« Reply #4 on: September 30, 2015, 05:26:32 PM »
I too have a 264 Win Mag with a 26 " barrel ( Montana Rifle Company ASR). Bet the ballistics quoted were with a 24" barrel! IF they offer it in a Vanguard, I`ll consider  getting one.  It is a good response to the hundreds of posts on the subject of a 6.5mm from Weatherby. I  appreciate that!  My typical game shots here in the jungles of south Florida is 50 yds. or under. You just can`t see further!  Want and need are 2 entirely different things.   ;D

Re: 6.5-300 Weatherby...Why?
« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2015, 05:28:04 PM »
But all the new rounds do fit in with what all the social media and tv are saying is cool :D
Dont stop shooting till their lungs are empty

Re: 6.5-300 Weatherby...Why?
« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2015, 05:34:23 PM »
Id like to see something like a 338 federal in a vangaurd that to me would be cool
Dont stop shooting till their lungs are empty

badsection

Re: 6.5-300 Weatherby...Why?
« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2015, 05:52:13 PM »
Id like to see something like a 338 federal in a vangaurd that to me would be cool
Weren't you the one saying you never saw the need for any 30 caliber the other day?    ;D

Re: 6.5-300 Weatherby...Why?
« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2015, 05:57:15 PM »
Didnt say i had a need for it  :D just said it would be cool and you are correct 30 cal to be exact
Dont stop shooting till their lungs are empty

fuonlynu

Re: 6.5-300 Weatherby...Why?
« Reply #9 on: September 30, 2015, 06:00:27 PM »
Same reason anyone wants a Magnum anything, in reality any standard cartridge will do the same thing we just want different things for different applications the 6.5 bullet has high BC and SD factors it will do what a 30 cal will do with less effort and less recoil even in a magnum case. So every ounce of confidence is worth a pound of certainty, or maybe not!. I've decided I do not need the Magnum 6.5-300 and I am ordering a 6.5 Creedmoor instead.

Re: 6.5-300 Weatherby...Why?
« Reply #10 on: September 30, 2015, 06:09:30 PM »
Why?  Why the hell not?  Having rifles of different calibers with different purposes is interesting and fun!  Why go to the moon?  Because by God we can!  Why do people buy Ferrari's and Corvette's and such?  They waste gas and tires and aren't necessary.  People buy them because they perform at a higher level than the norm, and they are fun!  A great friend of mine works for a very large firearm manufacturer, and one time a "higher up" in the company (who had zero firearm experience but had business experience) asked him what the number one rifle caliber was for the company and if they sold more wood or synthetic stocks.  My friend answered 30-06 and synthetic.  The guy seriously stated that the company should only make synthetic 30-06's! The '06 is great but how boring would it be to be limited to one cartridge? I commend Weatherby for listening to the Nation and filling the 264 gap that's been missing from their lineup.  The point is to create the highest performing 6.5 on the planet.  Mission accomplished.  It certainly won't be for everyone, but it will generate new interest in the company and it's performance can't be denied.  By the way, I'll bet it will do pretty well on game under 1,000 yards.
BPH

Re: 6.5-300 Weatherby...Why?
« Reply #11 on: September 30, 2015, 06:18:04 PM »
Id like a nice stainless 45-70 marlin in stainless
Dont stop shooting till their lungs are empty

eford

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Re: 6.5-300 Weatherby...Why?
« Reply #12 on: September 30, 2015, 06:27:45 PM »
Why?  Why the hell not?  Having rifles of different calibers with different purposes is interesting and fun!  Why go to the moon?  Because by God we can!  Why do people buy Ferrari's and Corvette's and such?  They waste gas and tires and aren't necessary.  People buy them because they perform at a higher level than the norm, and they are fun!  A great friend of mine works for a very large firearm manufacturer, and one time a "higher up" in the company (who had zero firearm experience but had business experience) asked him what the number one rifle caliber was for the company and if they sold more wood or synthetic stocks.  My friend answered 30-06 and synthetic.  The guy seriously stated that the company should only make synthetic 30-06's! The '06 is great but how boring would it be to be limited to one cartridge? I commend Weatherby for listening to the Nation and filling the 264 gap that's been missing from their lineup.  The point is to create the highest performing 6.5 on the planet.  Mission accomplished.  It certainly won't be for everyone, but it will generate new interest in the company and it's performance can't be denied.  By the way, I'll bet it will do pretty well on game under 1,000 yards.

Exactly. Perfect.

I have a 6.5mm Creedmoor that a gunsmith friend of mine built. It is a top-notch hunting rifle, if accuracy is any measure of a rifle. I'm taking it out for the December rifle season. If the big buck I saw during muzzle loader season is still alive then I have a #1 deer on opening day. If things go well, I'll post a picture of the deer with me and the 6.5mm Creedmoor. By the way, I have a 308 Win, a Korean War vintage M-1 Garand in 30-06, but those didn't keep me from wanting nor getting a 300 Weatherby (which is my favorite rifle, but the way.)
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PARA45

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Re: 6.5-300 Weatherby...Why?
« Reply #13 on: September 30, 2015, 06:53:14 PM »
Why?  Why the hell not?  Having rifles of different calibers with different purposes is interesting and fun!  Why go to the moon?  Because by God we can!  Why do people buy Ferrari's and Corvette's and such?  They waste gas and tires and aren't necessary.  People buy them because they perform at a higher level than the norm, and they are fun!  A great friend of mine works for a very large firearm manufacturer, and one time a "higher up" in the company (who had zero firearm experience but had business experience) asked him what the number one rifle caliber was for the company and if they sold more wood or synthetic stocks.  My friend answered 30-06 and synthetic.  The guy seriously stated that the company should only make synthetic 30-06's! The '06 is great but how boring would it be to be limited to one cartridge? I commend Weatherby for listening to the Nation and filling the 264 gap that's been missing from their lineup.  The point is to create the highest performing 6.5 on the planet.  Mission accomplished.  It certainly won't be for everyone, but it will generate new interest in the company and it's performance can't be denied.  By the way, I'll bet it will do pretty well on game under 1,000 yards.

Exactly. Perfect.

I have a 6.5mm Creedmoor that a gunsmith friend of mine built. It is a top-notch hunting rifle, if accuracy is any measure of a rifle. I'm taking it out for the December rifle season. If the big buck I saw during muzzle loader season is still alive then I have a #1 deer on opening day. If things go well, I'll post a picture of the deer with me and the 6.5mm Creedmoor. By the way, I have a 308 Win, a Korean War vintage M-1 Garand in 30-06, but those didn't keep me from wanting nor getting a 300 Weatherby (which is my favorite rifle, but the way.)

Excellent points.  I also wish Weatherby would bring back the 224 Weatherby.  :-\  I'm missing that one caliber, but I don't see myself buying a Varmintmaster for almost 2K.  :P 
Senator John Kennedy  " If you support defunding the police, you've tested positive for stupid".

Re: 6.5-300 Weatherby...Why?
« Reply #14 on: September 30, 2015, 06:54:38 PM »
Let me start off by saying I was one of the first guys who jumped in wholeheartedly and supported Godscountry's idea of a .264 Weatherby Magnum.  I also proposed that it be based off the .300 Weatherby Magnum case and did so because I believed if it wasn't the .264 Weatherby Magnum would repeat the history of the .264 Winchester Magnum.  Several people suggested that it be based on the .257, .270, or 7mm Weatherby Magnum cases which in reality is a .300 Weatherby Magnum case that has been shortened and necked down.  Doing that would put it in the shadows of the 7mm Weatherby Magnum as this is the case with the .264 Winchester Magnum and the 7mm Remington Magnum since both of these cases are extremely similar when you compare each dimension between them.  These dimensional similarities would also carry over to the .264 Weatherby Magnum when comparing it to the 7mm Weatherby Magnum so for me it was logical to go with the .300 Weatherby Magnum case to prevent this from occurring again and obtaining every bit of velocity possible. 

I have a .264 Winchester Magnum and like it a lot.  I always wanted one and when I saw the rifle, a Ruger M77 with the tang safety, I bought it and never gave it a second thought.  It's very accurate, I've used it to take a lot of white-tailed deer, and never had to shoot any of them a second time.  Regarding your comment that the 6.5 caliber not being a giant killer you're right, they're not.  But they are right at home out in the planes and mountains of the West where the shots are long and open and the same will hold true with the 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum.  This was one of the reasons Winchester called their model 70s that were chambered the .264 Winchester Magnum the Westerner. 

As for if we really needed a 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum not really but there's the want factor.  Oh yes the want factor, that is the proverbial ace in the hole so to speak.  Many many times over want has trumped need and will continue to do so until the end of time.  Let's be realistic here, do I really need my .338-378 Weatherby Magnum to kill a white-tailed deer or black bear in Pennsylvania?  Hell no, never did and never will but I wanted it from the moment I first say the Accumark and read the ballistics on it.  The same holds true for my 8mm Remington Magnum, .375 H&H Magnum, and .458 Winchester Magnum all of which I've shot white-tailed deer with, there's never going to be a day on God's green earth when I needed to use any of them to kill a deer however I wanted to.  Crazy?  I'm sure there's a lot of people out there who would say absolutely but it's what I wanted to do.  No matter what caliber you're using you have to exercise proper shot placement or you'll end up having to fire multiple shots.  The 6.5 or .264, which ever you prefer to call it by, caliber has been gaining a steady following in the past few years.  People are starting to realize that it's a decent caliber that in many cases is inherently accurate especially with the variety of bullets that are available today and are using it more and more often.  There's people out there that are going to buy a 6.5-300 for no reason other than it's a Weatherby where as there's others that see the true potential of it not only for hunting but for long range shooting and even target shooting.  There's also a number of people who've become bored with the stagnant line up of calibers.  For me I want one because I like the 6.5mm caliber, I see the potential of the round, and I had a hand in supporting the idea which has now become a reality.  As for the need part, I need one to complete my Weatherby collection.  Oh one other thing, the 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum sounds really cool and impressive if you ask me.
Nothing is better than a Weatherby, big bore magnum, or a Colt.