STOMP442

I guess I'm just different because I take care of my hammer and shovels too. There is a difference in using tools and abusing tools.

260 packs a lot more punch down range. If you get one you won't regret it.

So basically these were a bunch of guys that had way to much money for their own good and treated equipment like crap. I don't care who you are or how many animals you have killed with whatever caliber, there is no sense in treating a rifle that way. A rifle is the one thing a true hunter should value most as without it your pretty much screwed on your hunt. It blows my mind when people bring me rifles to work on and claim they don't shoot when they look like they have been dragged behind a truck for a week and full of fouling because they are either to dumb or lazy to take care of their equipment.

Wow I think that is a first. I guess we can all just get along.

Given the fact you can go down to Walmart and pick up a brand new Remington 700 for under $400 makes a build pretty reasonable. Especially if you went with a remage system and kept the smith out of it.

Cool cartridge for sure. I have found the sweet spot for the 140 bergers in my Ackley and 6.5-284 to be right around 2950 fps. I've had both up and over 3000fps but the accuracy was never there. 2800,2950 & 3100 has been the accuracy nodes for most 6.5s I have ever messed with, at least with the berger vlds. You made the right choice choosing this one over the 6.5-284. Although an outstanding cartridge its probably my least favorite 6.5 cartridge. I look forward to seeing groups and range reports on this.

Why is the cap a big deal? Takes all of two seconds to unscrew the cap and you can just leave the cap off if that's what you want to do. I like mine capped especially while hunting because you don't want to mistakenly turn the turret on a tree limb or backpack and be off zero.

Sounds awesome I love me a 6.5. If you dont mind me asking what made you pick this particular cartridge? From what I understand this is pretty much a standard 260 with a 30° shoulder which makes for a little longer neck. Why not go with the 260 Ackley and get even better efficiency and a bit more capacity? Not trying to bash your build at all I just like to hear why people pick what they do. Build sounds awesome and I'm sure you will be well pleased.

Your scope already has turrets why not use them? I find a standard moa turret works great and you can always change loads or bullets without having to fork out cash for a new turret. Shoot your distances record you moa values at each range and your good to go. Same with windage if you prefer to dial, dial to whatever moa value your ballistics app says to and shoot. I don't like to dial windage, wind conditions change quickly and can vary greatly across canyons I prefer to hold off and with practice you can get to be pretty good about knowing where the bullet is going to hit. Works for me anyways.

Nope whacked em with the 6.5-06 Ackley Improved. I built this gun for the long shot and turns out we didn't really need it but it worked quite well.

How many of you that own Vortex scopes have had to use that "awesome" customer service and had to send them back for repair or replacement? I know what my experiences have been with Vortex and I know what some of my clients have experienced. I am interested in knowing what problems you had and the make and model. I have had lots of problems with the viper line including the hst models. Mostly tracking and repeatability issues, a broken turret, moving cross hair, and one that was full of moisture. I'm done with this company and try to talk everyone I know out of getting one. I could care less how good the warranty is, I would rather not have to use it and buy a quality product from the start.

I like the RCBS press a lot but as far as kits go the Lyman served me very well and is probably the best bang for the buck. You not only get the press but you also get a digital scale which is a big upgrade and saves a ton of time. It also comes with a case trimmer primer pocket swagers neck brushes and a chamfer and deburring tool. Not to mention the Lyman reloading manual to get you started. Basically all you need to get to start reloading is your dies and components. I used my Lyman crusher press for a long time and reloaded who knows how many thousands of rounds of ammo before I moved to the rock chucker press.

Hard to find factory ammo that gives consistent results in any rifle. sometimes people get lucky but that's why most serious shooters end up making their own to fit their needs and find what the rifle likes. I agree with lance though put the bullet in the right spot and you wont have any problems. If that match ammo shoots as good as you claim and reloading is out of the question then stick with what works.

Bullets differ dimensionally and by association fly differently. Different bearing surface lengths vary velocity which in turn changes harmonics. lots of things to consider. You say you are trying different bullets but are you changing your powder charges or adjusting seating depth with bullet changes. Each bullet you try will need to be tuned to your rifle, you may need to adjust powder charges a half grain our seating depth a couple thousandths to find the sweet spot again.

Leupold offers the VXII target which has MOA Turrets and adjustable objective. Having it on the side is nice but far from a deal breaker for me. You can find these from anywhere between $500 - $600 and are much more reliable than the Vortex and weigh a lot less. The VXIIIs are under a grand at most places and really not that much more money than the Vortex PST line. The Sightron scopes are really nice too, I like them a lot and they are a comparable price point as well.

I don't know what it is with Varget but I have never been able to achieve the accuracy I desire with it. I have tried it in 223,243,260,308,270 & 30-06 and have never found a load i am happy with. 4064 on the other hand has always shot great for me in everything I have tried it in.

IMR4064. Burn rate very similar to Varget and has always given me better results.

All lapping does is true up the ring so that there is even and positive lock up around the scope and to ensure the optic is not binding in any way. I use Burris signature zee rings with the pos align inserts as they provide good square alignment and lock up. I always lap if I can't get my hands on some. The optic is the most important part of shooting especially if doing so at long range.

They are all similar in burn rate. Use a starting load of one listed and work up.

Yes it is.

Are they nitriding the barrels? So you are saying you see pressure at 2950 with the 180 hybrid and 71gr of powder. Safe in your rifle and accurate. I have a 6.5-06AI pushing 140s at 3180fps and 59gr of powder, safe and accurate in my rifle. My 6.5 has much less case capacity than the 26 offers but velocities are similar lets look at real world data and compare. Lance do your thing and run the numbers.

This is true, but still doesn't change the fact that the 26 is ballistically identical if not superior to your 7 in everything but energy numbers.

A 140 hybrid at 3100fps which should be easily achieved in the 26 provides nearly identical wind drift numbers as your 7lrm. Were talking within a half inch. The 26 is even 6" flatter to 600. The only thing your 7 does is provide more energy. Rocks and steel would be equally as "cake walk" with the 26 if not more so if higher velocities were to be achieved.

Its mostly hype. Lots of options out there that perform just as well without using nearly as much powder or nearly as hard on barrels. 6.5-06AI, 6.5WSM, 6.5SAUM will all provide the same performance without burning nearly as much powder. Heck even the old 264 win mag is close. Keep in mind also that Noslers commercial is also using Noslers inflated bullet data as well. The 26 is a bad mother no doubt but there are other options out there much better in my opinion.

Leupold vxIIs and vxIIIs are way better optics for the money and have just as good of warranty.