6.5 WSM (Winchester Short magnum)

The 6.5 WSM was first written about in Outdoor Life magazine in 2007. Yes, 2007. This is well before the current 6.5 crazed world we live in. It was dubbed the 6.5 Leopard. You can still find that article and all the info still rings true.

We knew from the beginning this would probably be one of our most popular calibers. It's the FASTEST 6.5 CARTRIDGE IN AN AR PLATFORM! The variety of bullets make the 6.5 caliber in general, very versatile. With high BCs and bullet weights up to 160gr, we felt it fit the bill for hunting out to 1,000 yards. It makes for an amazing bench gun as well. 

Our ideal setup for this caliber is a 20" barrel and a Surefire or SilencerCo silencer. It gives the AR or Bolt action great balance while not giving you a very long gun. With a 20" barrel, the 6.5 WSM is around 250fps faster than a 24" 6.5 Creedmoor and rubbing shoulders with the 6.5 PRC that uses a 24" barrel. 

Put this bad boy in a 24" barrel on a bolt gun and you are in a new dimension, looking in the rear view mirror screaming, "If you ain't first, you're last!" - Ricky Bobby...

For comparison- 

 24" Barrel 6.5 Creedmoor Hornady 143gr ELD-X Precision Hunter Ammo. 

2700 FPS at the muzzle. 700 yd performance -  1793 FPS 1021 FT LBS

Midway USA $35.99 a box of 20.

 24" Barrel 6.5 PRC Hornady 143gr ELD-X Precision Hunter Ammo. 

2960 FPS at the muzzle. 700 yd performance -  1998 FPS 1268 FT LBS

Midway USA $41.99 a box of 20.

24" Barrel 6.5 WSM VA Silent Arsenal 143gr ELD-X Production Ammo

3100 FPS at the muzzle. 700 yd performance - 2142 FPS 1457 FT LBS

From us $34.99 a box of 20. Other ammo manufacturers out there!

Below are some numbers from our production and custom ammo lines. The last section MER (Maximum Effective Range) is based upon the bullets minimum expansion velocity and what we feel will be adequate for a clean harvest on medium sized game.

(Loads can vary 50 FPS depending on climate and elevation) 

20" Barrel TXH-F10

Bullet                                       Velocity                             MER

143gr ELDX                             2825 FPS                         800 yds

147gr ELDM                            2800 FPS                        N/A Match

140gr Accubond                   2875 FPS                         700 yds

142gr Accubond LR              2850 FPS                         800 yds

22" Barrel TXH-F10

142gr ABLR                            2900 FPS

20" Barrel XSA-MAGNUM

142gr ABLR                             2925 FPS                        1000 yards (Whitetail or smaller)

156gr Berger EOL                  2850 FPS                        850 yards 

24" Barrel XSA-MAGNUM

156gr Berger EOL               2950FPS(Can get 3100 FPS)