First Look: 6.5-300 Weatherby Mag.

by
posted on May 6, 2016
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
65_wby_jj_f.jpg

Roy Weatherby was the godfather of the “speed kills” mantra, and so he designed his rifle cartridges to be the fastest and therefore the hardest hitting. Over 70 years later, the company is, er, sticking to its guns with the release of what is the fastest production 6.5-caliber cartridge, the new 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum. Here are five things you need to know.

1. It has game-hammering speed.
Fired with a factory-offered 127-grain Barnes bullet, the 6.5-300 leaves a 26-inch barrel screaming downrange at 3531 fps, producing 3088 ft.-lbs. energy at 100 yards and 1704 at 500. As Roy himself knew, that’ll do the trick.

2. It offers superior 6.5-caliber sectional density in a magnum caliber.
There’s a reason 6.5-caliber bullets are so popular with long-range target shooters these days, and that’s because the diameter is a sweet spot between weight, recoil friendliness and sectional density that delivers downrange energy better than others. As such, is a tremendous round for long-range competition and long range hunting.

3. It will be available in several Factory loads.
Weatherby offers the new load in a 172-grain Barnes LRX, a 130-grain Swift Scirocco, and a 140-grain Swift A-Frame. As such, the factory loadings offer the non-reloader on option for all of his needs, from varmints, to targets to big game.

4. It's flat shooting.
When zeroed at 200 yards, a 130-grain bullet from the 6.5-300 Wby only drops 4.7 inches at 300 yards. This means that from 0 to 300, the rifleman can hold dead-center and expect to hit any big game animal if he does his part.

5. It's reloading ready.
Factory Weatherby brass is known for its quality, and the 6.5-300, with its giant case capacity will, of course, accept all types of premium 6.5-caliber bullets. From lighter, blistering varmint rounds to heavier hunting loads, your imagination—and your powder supply—is the only limitation in reloading this new Weatherby missile.

Latest

Success
Success

Building the Ultimate Elk Bow

Elk are remarkable creatures that dwell in some of the most hellish landscapes on earth. An elk bow needs to be tough, light, and ultra-accurate. Here's how to build the right one for you.

First Look: Spandau S2 20-Gauge

Spandau Arms, a brand of SDS Arms, has announced that the  Spandau S2 Shotgun is now available in a 20-gauge model in both a Mossy Oak Bottomland and a traditional wood finish.

Count Some Quail, Tally Some Turkeys

The Arkansas turkey season ended in May, but there’s still good reason for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to keep the birds in mind when they head out to their favorite hiking trail or drive the backroads of The Natural State. Outdoorsmen who scare up coveys of quail are welcome in the survey as well.

2025 Online Firearm Sales Continue to Grow

While nationwide firearm sales have held steady this spring, guns.com is reporting significant growth, surpassing 10-percent year-over-year gun sales growth in the first half of 2025, according to the company's internal data.

#SundayGunday: Henry Special Products Division HUSH

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re checking out the HUSH Series, from Henry’s new Special Products Division, SPD for short.

New for 2025: Federal’s Personal Defense HST .44 Rem. Mag.

Federal Ammunition has recently added a new HST .44 Remington Magnum “Light Magnum” load featuring a specially designed hollow-point bullet, ideal for those seeking HST performance for self-defense with magnum revolvers.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.