Dear Ron, what’s your opinion on the 6.5 Rem mag?

Q: Ron, I love your articles and YouTube channel! What’s your opinion on the 6.5 rem mag? Also...why did Remington chamber it in a 20" barrel?! I'm thinking a 6.5 Rem mag in a 24" barrel would smoke all the .264 contenders...even today! Thanks.

A: Thanks, Kelley. I think the 6.5 RM was ahead of its time (1966.) A short-fat that, if it was released today, would get oos and aaahs — although the belt is now out of fashion. Remington was famous for doing silly things like putting fire-breathing magnums in too-short barrels. Who knows why? The original Model 600 in 6.5 Rem. Mag. wore an 18.5-inch barrel. Later the Model 660 came with the 20"-inch barrel. I guess they thought woods hunters would want the convenience. Both the 6.5 and 350 RM gathered a small cult following of elk hunters who used them for hunting those big deer in deep forests. Today's version of the 6.5 Rem. Mag. is the 6.5 PRC. Both have a similar powder capacity, driving 140-grain bullets about 3,000 fps from 24-inch barrels. Remington did eventually chamber their M700 in 6.5 RM and 24-inch barrels. Find one of those used, handload, and you’re golden.