6.5 Sherman

Hoghead

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Sep 17, 2021
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I am currently shooting a 6.5-06 but am always looking for the next best thing. Dose anyone have experience with the 6.5 Sherman?

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Not personal experience, but looking at the load data it is doesn't really do much more than a 6.5 SAUM. I would say if you dig it then get it. If you are going for straight performance go 26 Nosler or 6.5 Sherman Max.

 
The 6.5 Sherman really never took off. The 6.5 SAUM is so efficient (and brass is plentiful) that there wasn't a big enough gain. Now with 6.5 PRC gaining popularity due to Hornady making it a SAMI cartridge coupling it with their YETI style marketing, the 6.5 Sherman doesn't make as much sense. If you are an avid reloader, do the SAUM, easier on the barrel and super accurate. If you want the option of buying factory ammo, do the PRC.

Heck, we all want to be like @KoozeDeer . Build the Sherman and kill some game!
 
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If I was building a magnum 6.5 it would be the 6.5 PRC for the reasons NBK state above. It's nice to have a cartridge that is sold all over the place. Only problem with PRC is it's basically a man bun on steroids.
 
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I am planning on a 6.5 SAUM next based on some conversations with @NBK
The Sherman looks cool but I decided on the SAUM
 
The good thing about the Sherman is I have about 700 peices of brass I can use and 500 bullets and I think I could still use the same powder. If I'm not mistaken I could just have my barrel reamed but not sure. I like the 6.5-06 but a little more won't hurt. Don't feel the need for the nostler. The prc doesn't really do anything for me but the saum is the other cartridge I was thinking about. Thanks for the input keep it coming the more information I have the better my decision will be.

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Screw the 6 5 saum, 7mm is where it's at.... 7 saum for the win.

Loved my 6.5 saum.... It got hot quick, ate barrels and had trouble keeping bullets stable past 1200 yards - slow twist to keep pressure down.... It was a laser beam of death and accurate as hell.

If you have sherm parts then go for it. It's a proven round with tons of data. The new bartlien tubes might help with barrel life
 
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I'm shooting 120 gr bullets with a 1-8 twist

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I'm shooting 120 gr bullets with a 1-8 twist

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If you are building any of the above calibers you will want to shoot heavier bullets for sure or it really defeats the purpose in my opinion. Those cartridges are built for the long high BC bullets.
 
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Dose anyone make a non lead bullet heavier than that. My main purpose for the rifle is hunting .

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Because you have an 8 twist barrel you wont be able to spin the heavier monolithic bullets. Below is pretty much your choice of what's going to work. All will be effective out to 600 yards with one of the short 6.5 magnums mentioned above.

Barnes LRX 127
Hammer 124
Cutting Edge 130
 
If I switched to a faster twist barrel is there anything heavier?

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If you shoot those larger bullets @Lungpopper mentioned you will need to go with a medium or long action to accommodate. And the longer bullets feed terrible. That is the trade off.

If you want heavier monolithic bullets, move up to a 7mm.
 
I might just have to build another gun and keep doing what I'm doing with the 6.5-06.

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The 6.5-06 is a sweet cartridge. The others aren't really going to buy you much for a performance boost.
 
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Sherman... hmmm i feel obligated to give my 2 cents.

I shoot the 7 SS specifically because I wanted to shoot a 7 in a short action. I wanted to load long bullets that would be in the proper location for the neck shoulder junction. The 7 SAUM does not allow that. (In a short action)

I also shoot a 6.5 SAUM in a short action, I believe the 6.5SS would offer a few FPS gain (possibly) but I would not make the decision to shoot a SS just for a few FPS gain.

If you wanted to shoot 150+ grain 6.5 bullets then the SS may offer some benefit.

Now if your a weirdo like me and just want to shoot oddball cartridges. Then GO FOR IT!!! Rich sells ADG brass but it is spendy.

Hope that helps
 
Is the 6.5ss the one based off of the 270 case?

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