the 6.5 rpm

[maddysdad]

thoughts on this cartrige for deer hunting at long range out to 1000 yards.i was looking for a cartrige that will work and fit ina 06 bolt face rather then a magnum.

[wyominghunter]

Well…I own one and it’s a good cartridge. I wouldn’t necessarily say it was designed or envisioned to be a 1000 yard cartridge, however.

I think it is a great cartridge out to 500 yards.

[txaggie]

some interesting data on the subject

https://backfire.tv/flat-shooting-cartridges/

According to this it shows to be in between the 6.5-300 (then 26 nosler as expected) then 6.5rpm outperforms the 264win/6.5prc as far as bullet drop.

I would say given a long-range platform and proper optics wouldn't be a bad choice. On my hunting platform in my backcountry i wouldn't hesitate 5-600 yards on bullet performance as long as I felt confident in the situation. I have a BC 6.5-300 and 6.5rpm for the wife both are extremely accurate.

[TexWeatherby]

I don't have one, but have heard good things and I believe it outperforms just about everything in it's class. I do think that 1000 yards for it may be stretching it just a bit and perhaps 750 yards may be a more practical range limitation.

[wyominghunter]

I would really think through your approach to a 1000-yard rifle. First question is…do you really think you’ll ever have to take a 1000 yard shot…realistically?

If not, then you are spending resources and making necessary sacrifices in other aspects of the rifle for a shot you’ll likely never take.

I have rifles capable of making that shot (my words chosen carefully), but depending on what you’re trying to achieve, you may end up with a 13 pound rifle…capable of making a shot you’ll never take. Weight of the rifle is a major consideration and trade-off.

It’s a lot easier to design and build a lighter, more practical rifle that will make a shot within 600 yards.

I have a 30-378 Weatherby that is certainly capable of making a 1000 yard shot, but I never said it was a joy to carry up a steep mountain. So unless I am absolutely convinced I would have to take that kind of shot, I’ll reach for other options in the gun safe first.

[Grouchy]

Deer hunting at 1000 yards allows too much flight time of a bullet for the critter that can move . JMO!

[oldchet]

Deer hunting at 1000 yards allows too much flight time of a bullet for the critter that can move . JMO!

+1

[wyominghunter]

I agree…and honestly…it’s a shot for which I’ve never had a choice to take. I don’t really worry about a shot at that distance.

I focus my energy on making shots under 400 yards…the distance where the vast majority of shots are taken.

[BB340]

Deer hunting at 1000 yards allows too much flight time of a bullet for the critter that can move . JMO!

+2

[224KING]

You need better stalking skills if you can't get closer than a 1000.Shouldn't be the rifle's problem

[wyominghunter]

The rifle in this photo is a 27 Nosler with a 5-20X Huskemaw scope, built by Hill Country Rifles. It is a tack driver, fast, and capable of a 1000 yard shot. It tips the scales at 8.7 lbs., but some compromises were made to keep the weight down to a reasonable level.

All of that said, I never intended to shoot anything near those distances, but rather have a great rifle capable of making 300-400 yard shots more reliably.

You could build something similar in a 6.5 RPM (probably a bit lighter) and have the same capability. When you make choices about stocks, barrels, scope, and scope mounts…you should have a plan and vision of what you want at the end.

The factory Weatherby Backcountry 6.5 RPM is actually pretty close. It is too light to make a 1000 yard shot, however (my opinion).

[maddysdad]

thank you for your thoughts.now i have alot to rethink.

[txaggie]

I had a similar passion about building something - well partial build. I had a 300 LH accumark re-barreled to 7mm stw with 1.8 twist to use heavy bullets for the reason of long range. To date the farthest I've shot a target is 600 yards and animal was just over 500 yards. It flings 195 grain berger bullets.

I have a few hunting rifles that i'm confident in with my dial scopes of shooting 5-700 yards given the right set of circumstances. But honestly I would also if there's a trophy on the line and money involved i'm a whole lot more confidence with that distance cut down. Now will I cull some ewe aoudad sheep in west texas for a landlowner or pigs at 1000 yards? Yep put me in coach I intend to try.

I think the rpm would be a fine choice with the bolt face you mention. I really like that round, report back!

[buffybr]

Deer hunting at 1000 yards allows too much flight time of a bullet for the critter that can move . JMO!

+3
Very true!  And wounding a game animal at that distance where it might take the shooter an hour to get to the animal and end it's suffering, in my mind, is totally unsportsmanship.  Wounding a terrorist Taliban or Hamas at that distance, so what, but not a game animal.

[wyominghunter]

There is a very interesting story that occurred recently.  It involved a female hunter with her husband and an Outdoor Life writer, Aram Von Benedikt.  I'll let you all Google the story, but the basics are that both parties probably took some shots at game much further than they should have and a dispute over the mule deer buck ensued. 

I get the impression that Mr. Von Benedikt was trying to get some kind of deer "grand slam" and was bound and determined to fill his tag.  Unfortunately, the whole situation ended with Outdoor Life parting ways with Aram Von Benedikt. 

https://www.ronspomeroutdoors.com/blog/aram-von-benedikt