Introducing the 6.5 BC - a Wildcat Special: The 6.5 BC takes its first Wild Game!

Incredibly, the crew has developed a load that not only functions but does so well enough to be worthy of taking on an antelope hunt in Wyoming. In true dirtbag fashion, Mark, Jimmy and our video man Cooper loaded up the Subaru for a turn and burn trip to a unit with limited public land in hopes to shoot at least one doe antelope each. As the title implies, the cartridge worked as intended, but to hear just how it all went down you’ll have to tune in! What do you guys want to see in the future with the 6.5 BC? How about other calibers? We’re hoping to continue to tune it for accuracy and really get it coming out like the rocket we think it can be in the future!
As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation™ podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.
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[@johnmalloway8330]

Man, the car/heater/sleeping conversations was so good.

[@madmod]

im rolling right now watching this

[@vanb0057]

The 6.5 BC series of videos have been fun to watch

[@sebastianblythe154]

“I’ve had some phenomenal naps in the stand”

[@devongreen7308]

This comment made him saying it even better 👏

[@jaredanderson2009]

As have I

[@maddazzshooter]

I’ve done my first wildcat to improve on the.25-46 Sharps. Just as the .224 Valkyrie improved on the.233/5.56 ,a friend and I used the Valkyrie case necked up to.257 caliber to make the .250 Goldilox. The short comings of the Sharps was bullet selection and case capacity. By using the Valkyrie case both issues were resolved and a highly efficient tiny little HUNTING cartridge was born….. not too little (bullet) from 85gr -110gr not too big (case) and able to function in the AR15 ,hence the Goldilox name. As we continue to work load data I will check in with you guys with some of our numbers.

[@wahyasaquii7563]

This is an amazing idea! I wonder what the projected FPS would be with a lightweight TTSX?

[@ChallisVenstra]

My Pronghorn experience: in Utah it’s a limited entry tag. Took 8 years for my wife to draw. We scouted all summer, (summer 2020,) had a few bucks we liked, all on private land. Found the landowners, got permission on most places, not for the buck we liked best though. Opening day we had 3 bucks in the crosshairs, but not the one she wanted. We run into a guy that works for the landowner we wanted on, he says ok. We don’t ask questions. We’re getting ready to stock out there, dude shuts us down right there. “You won’t get within 500 yards doing that. Take this side by side out there, drive right up to where you want, take your shot.” This was in a pretty dry and empty part of the state, all the antelope live on the hay fields, all irrigated with pivots. So we drive out onto the grain stubble, stop about 80 yards away, she pulls out her Tikka T3 Lite .243, loaded with a 95 Grain Hornady SST at 2800 FPS, (pretty mild, but she’s rather small and slender, she didn’t like MY loads 😂) put 1 in the lungs and done. Poor thing ran 20 yards and died in the pivot rut. Delicious. Fun hunt. Not what we expected.

[@jonathanross4184]

This series was a BUNCH of fun!

[@1917jmb]

OK, you guys kill me :). I don’t know what was funnier, the conversation about sleeping in the car, or the bit where Jim was telling Mark (I think I have the names right) “ do the thing where are you look at your apps on your phone”. As well as informational, you guys are hilarious, and I always enjoy your videos!

[@jaredanderson2009]

Loving this 6.5 BC saga

[@MrPh30]

You need a episode on the 7x57 and .375 H&H also.

[@johnkeisterelquattro2553]

Y’all are a hoot!! Antelope are playing binocular soccer 24/7 😆🤣😂 and the phenomenal naps in the stand…. Heck yeah! Some of the best sleep I’ve ever had!! Especially with a slight breeze on a crisp fall day with the smells and the colors of the Wisconsin leaves changing…. And that tree swaying a bit. INCREDIBLE SLEEP!

[@martinsavoie1390]

its the best series of podcast and im new to reloading 1 years now and im learning so much whit that series and its push me to continue and become better and better at its thanks you for the free entertainment!

[@TheChampionp]

You now have a responsiblity of loading it with sierra 85gr varminters or hornady 95gr V-max to get the velocities up there with the 22-250 for coyote and varmint hunting

[@fliesbyme]

Seriously. I', just going to put this out there but these podcasts are absolutely top shelf. Keep doing what you're doing. And Ryan. I'll do a cigar.The two lads can watch how it's done.LOL

[@brenn330]

Great podventure. Looking forward to the antelope cooking episode

[@craigmcmullen231]

I’m a big fan of the nosler ballistic tips for antelope. The 140gr in the 6.5 BC should dump a ton of energy and still get good penetration on a lope. I’m a 7mm and .308 caliber guy. So I’m not super familiar with the 6.5. I used to have a Creed and shot 140gr Partitions in hunting situations along with the 120gr Barnes TTSX. Both performed beautifully.

[@JJ-qy8xu]

With regards to the light loads exploding. Think of it this way the powder on top ignites and the powder underneath doesn't. Then suddenly with elevated temperatures and pressure the powder under ignites. BOOM. Smokeless powder burns on a progression starting at ambient temperature and pressure. This is how it is designed and tested. To start otherwise is to throw the burning rates out the window. Love your videos!

[@wsollers1]

Ya'll should take a field trip to Hornady Sierra or Berger and go over with them how they start up load development & testing for new cartridges

[@williamworsham6554]

And/or what steps they include to design a new cartridge.

[@chipsterb4946]

You could just go over everything they do with a new bullet. That’s the one part of the 6.5 BC project that stayed completely established/commercially available. I would love to get into the geekdom of designing a new bullet that needs a specific range of effective velocities, works well in multiple cartridges, handles variations in throat and leade length (or not), and I don’t know what else. That would be wicked cool. 😎

[@deanbowe4070]

The 6.5 B. C. wildcat project is an interesting and educational series. I copied a wildcat (.358 WSM) that Bryce Towsley did based on Mark's favorite, the .300WSM. It was way easier than what you guys did, only involving necking up the brass to fire .358 bullets. Still fun to have a unique rifle that almost nobody else has. Keep up the good work guys!

[@tedb.5707]

Why won't this let me leave multiple thumbs-ups? Great series! I have a Jeep Liberty that's destined to be converted into a hunting truck. Hard to sleep-in though.

[@chadillac95]

I had to look up bino soccer after Jim mentioned it and I think it'd be funny to watch them play with beer goggles too

[@chadillac95]

I hope this makes it to factory production. It'll be pretty cool to see something between the 26 nosler and 6.5-300 and the 6.5 creedmoor

[@misfitsportsman8171]

I enjoyed all three of the videos on the 6.5 BC, but would like to have seen a couple pics of the animals taken with the rifle and the guys with their game. Good luck with the development!

[@boxy8438]

LOL I had to stop using tree stands because of falling asleep. I was smart enough at least to tie myself in.

[@chrisnegenman]

Shoot the 6.5 B.C through some ballistics gel. Would be a cool way to see the potential wound channel.

[@deltabud1]

The lightly built ballistic tip will drop them in their tracks, even if you hit them a little off, for both deer and Pronghorn

[@jeremyTLD]

Hello guys, love your job, best regards from a french long range shooter & youtube guy.

[@keithprinn720]

build that relationship with the farmer and bring him a gift of something he needs or ask him what you could pick up and share game with him at end of hunt, did all three hits taken with development rifles for this bc? if so rifle details please and love to see the load details and comparison with other 6.5 like PRC and Creedmoor. Loved how later in the blog you answered the fact that legality and repeatability plus development and more research required just shows what SAAMI requires etc just so interesting for me in this area of hunting. Also wonder on the development of 6.8 western if development allowed by availability of rifles and components and dies.

[@benwallace4581]

Just found this series and I really enjoyed it and honestly would love to have this cartridge and see what velocity you can get with Hornady 153 grain A-Tip projectiles

[@joeydupre6153]

Sleeping in a stand vs a car: Complete lack of stress and maximum calmness is my guess.

[@smittysmith4828]

I understand the shortage piece but maybe a little slower burn powder might help filling the volume of the case? I love the process and the time you fellows have put into the 6½BC.

[@johnsanders7337]

I also think a 30 cal "tom Cat" would be great

[@DanielBoone337]

To hell with back on topic this is comedy gold... I agree if your vents are closed and you don't open them then you freeze for 3 hours that's on you!!! LMAO

[@crackerbobfromgreencovespg6144]

You guys ought to have a animal sound at the end of your podcast. You know like an elk bugle, bear growl, deer dogs baying Etc would add that little something something to your podcast

[@jeremymckenzie3014]

I’ve been thinking about something similar to this for quite a while for F class open

[@ianhenrikson4390]

I shoot a 6.5 cm,don’t handload,nonetheless really enjoying watching this cartridge develop and seeing the Itch Cat reach it’s potential!

[@VanLohnRanch]

Love all your videos, going through the list. I can't wait until the day I can shoot the 6.5 Bitch Cat.

[@russellgavin1820]

Awesome cartridge. Also can we get another food podcast.

[@jayshindledecker7457]

What do you think about this as an option for a 20-24” Precision Semi Auto? Sounds like a great alternative to the heavy .300 Win Mag ARs with better ballistics and more power than the 6.5 Creedmoor and .308 options.

[@terryslaton5582]

Yup...just like the 6.5 PRC!

[@justice1327]

Obviously they are lacking experience if they have not slept in a stand. It is part of the experience of hunting...IMO

[@letstalkcaliber704]

I love this stuff more than anything. How do I get a job at Hornady? Would kill to be a ballistician.

[@robvest7321]

Would love to talk ballistics over a couple of stogies with Ryan M. Oliva V, Arturo Fuente, Rocky Patel Disciple

[@Viking_bowhunter]

Drew estate sweet jane cigars are good starter cigar. Good flavor nice smoking.

[@TheThirdH]

Cigars are rarely ever a bad idea... I’m all about the Nicaraguan variety after having so many around the world... but also please work on the 7mm BC ASAP for subjecting Ryan to all that 6.5 madness (JK).

[@RumblestripDotNet]

Cigars and Bourbon any day my friends! Or, as we call it, ATF nights, Gun range, then afterwards cigars and bourbon.

[@CyborgNation83]

I just want a continuation of this series.... Because I wanna see the full potential of a 7mm BC... 3100 with 175 eldx?

[@chadillac95]

I don't think you'll get those velocities with that same case with that bullet weight. Probably 2800-2900. I'm by no means a pro, but that's just my guess. I did notice that it's the same parent case as the 26 nosler, but I think it's a shorter case (not positive since I haven't found specs on this yet) so the 7 BC would probably have similar results as the 28 nosler, just a couple hundred FPS slower

[@nathanmanley4203]

I want one myself

[@rickstrandberg6398]

Now that there are more 6.5 cartridges than all other calibers, when will the 6.5 hard- on end?

[@MRxxWH33L5]

We need an update!!

[@paulnelson7384]

A good madro and a great 25 year old single malt scotch

[@colewalker46]

What ever happened to that cartridge did u guys ever turn the volume up on it or did you guys leave it pretty conservative ?

[@dougblessin]

more Bitch Cat guys!... Cant wait to see and hear some more. :)

[@vikingsoftpaw]

I look foward to the 7mm version. 6.5 is so overplayed.

[@codyrivenburgh6007]

The 7mm has ben played out since the day the 7mm rem mag was launched like 50 years ago

[@craigmcmullen231]

Im usually not a huge belted magnum fan but I do like where you guys are going with this round. For me personally I’d love to see it in a 7mm or .308. My only question or wonder is, or pertains to, the brass you guys are using. Turned brass isn’t cheap or easy to obtain. How or what would the pressure changes be when loading with typical brass? I’ve been loading and shooting for many years, (Not that many as I’m 37) but for quite a while. I’ve never messed with turned brass like you guys are using. If things do change drastically by using regular brass, are you limiting the use or popularity of the BC by using turned brass?

[@shitsngiggles8371]

The 6.5 bc is not a belted cartridge

[@craigmcmullen231]

lego myeggo that’s my mistake. I thought it was based off the 338 win mag. But it’s actually the RUM. My mistake.

[@jasonrad9332]

I’m still shocked Mark can’t drive a manual transmission. Jim, need to teach him.

[@Traderjoe337]

I’d like to know how the 6.5 BC compares to the 6.5 PRC. I mean Hornady took the 6.5 creed and wanted to squeeze more out of that projectile so they designed the 6.5 PRC. After I finish typing this I’m going to go look at 6.5 PRC load data. Then I’m going to finish tumbling my stainless steel pins so I can have fresh pins to tumble my next 1000 .223 cases.

[@Traderjoe337]

So I peeped the data and they’re maxing out between 3100-3200 FPS with 140gr bullets. I did hear y’all say you’re thinking you can push it to 3300-3500. Which would be pretty badass. From what it sounds like. Y’all need to get a lot more powders. I think you’ll hit those velocity’s much quicker than you think. I appreciate y’all doing it the right way and staying safe.

[@BustedLimbOutdoors]

7MM BC **cough** sounds like a good time

[@randalllewis2036]

We need a 6.5 BC update guys, did y’all get 35 out of her?

[@VortexNation]

We'll see what we can do! Stay tuned for an update!

[@ryanmckenzie583]

@@VortexNation we need more on the 6.5 bc hell maybe even sammi spec it lol

[@Wilt11-14]

We need a 1 year review of the 6.5 BC

[@adamwilson4834]

I wanna know how you get three guys worth of camping gear, cameras food etc for a multiple day trip in a subaru.

[@adamwilson4834]

I would seriously watch a video on how you packed and what you brought.

[@VortexNation]

Luckily it was a short turn and burn trip, or things likely wouldn’t have fit. Heavy duty springs installed in the Forester when we rebuilt it were key here - the thing was packed and our camera guy Cooper was literally just part of the luggage we had in the back - he barely even had one window to look out. That said - we stuffed it all in after some serious Tetris magic. The Forester is surprisingly spacious!

[@adamwilson4834]

@@VortexNation i have the same car, just not nearly as nice of shape lol

[@VortexNation]

@@adamwilson4834 Lol ours barely ran and looked like hell before we rebuilt the whole thing, so we know how that goes!

[@Leehealy-wheninthewoods]

What waivers do I need to sign to give this thing a shot lol

[@banaheewreck]

sign me up for the 7mm bc. pair up nicely with my 7mm08

[@BushmasterM4A3]

Need an update on the BC!

[@VortexNation]

Stay tuned!

[@tylarhaugan7908]

I wish some one made a 160 gr bonded 6.5 bullets

[@outdooranalyst8697]

Red rum.. I mean do 300 Rum!!!!!

[@YaketyYakDontTalkBack]

Cigar fan here. 👋

[@johnwhitty9069]

I just found this and the time stamp is 2020. Where has it gone In the last year. What's happened with it. Please give an update.

[@7989maw]

Come to Gillette,WY I have 10 that never leave my yard

[@robertbroxson4582]

I like a good cigar

[@mryang3644]

Compared to 6.5 PRC? Good enuff 6.5 or just another repeated performance 6.5 caliber?

[@fivex4756]

Comparing the BC and other 6.5 to the short action PRC is like comparing bananas to an orange. I have been working with the PRC for about a year now. The PRC was developed for PRS competition. Short action, reasonable recoil / barrel life, more power, using longer bullets , box magazine fed . I think next year will show if the PRC begins to dominate in competition . For someone who already has a bigger 6.5 it probably is not worth it, unless you want to try the longer bullets . For someone starting out the 6.5 PRC is worth a serious look. Of course, it costs more to shoot factory ammo.

[@mryang3644]

@@fivex4756 i already have 6.5 creed and a 260 rem already... and an owner of 257 wby, semi retired lol.... But wit the new Blackjack bullet, i may just reExplore the 257... caliber again.

[@kzimmerman311]

Where they are currently loading it, 6.5 PRC is roughly equivalent. There is a lot of room left in 6.5 BC to outpace the 6.5 PRC at the cost of barrel life, recoil and the other downsides of a larger round. 6.5 PRC is considered a big enough magnum for most people, or a happy compromise between 6.5 CM and some of the crazy 6.5 magnums.

[@TsiRoadkill]

@@fivex4756 The prc was not made for prs.

[@fivex4756]

@@TsiRoadkill " While in its commercial infancy, the bloodline of the 6.5 PRC dates back to early 2012 when the Precision Rifle Series was formed and published its rule book, stating that cartridges must be 30-caliber or under, with a maximum velocity of 3200 fps. At that time George Gardner of GA Precision was exploring a high BC 6.5mm magnum to fit this series and Aaron Davidson of Gunwerks was doing the same. ... "

[@ryanrykhus8123]

What was the cost to go from soup to nuts on this project?

[@chrislucas3451]

Have we got a 6.8 Bitch Cat yet? I’m ready for a 6.8 BC...

[@bandit848]

Can we get a "1 year later" update video on the BC?

[@VortexNation]

Stay tuned! 😉

[@ryanmckenzie583]

@@VortexNation yes we need more of the 6.5 bc

[@johnsanders7337]

I wanna be on the show... ya ll need a southern... person... to add to things.

[@indoe7375]

Ghay

[@danielprsguitar]

Obligatory "do an episode on all the Weatherby cartridges" comment.

[@demetriuscooksey7147]

If it kills the animal humanely that's what counts. My son killed his deer this year with a round that pushes a 115 grain bullet at a whopping 2,575 fps. 215 yards, one shot and bang flop - instant death. I think some people are too obsessed with velocity and whiz bang fancy high dollar bullets. I think the 6.5 BeCause should really shine on bigger critters than antelope, especially with that bonded bullet.

[@duckslayer11000]

6.5 BC seems extremely unnecessary. We already have 6.5 grendals up to 26 nosler. How in the world could we need more of them?

[@Daltonbrake]

Because freedom

[@DaveL9170]

Don’t hunt over a tank. Hunt over a POND!!!!!!

[@kevincloinger3328]

Tesla's for camper mode. Just saying.

[@MrJav1986]

These guys have a podcast but not a truck to hunt out of..... You guys still poor college kids or what?

[@mik55tv22]

Mark should be kicked off this podcast he's very confrontational and always starting fights and arguments its making the show less and less fun to watch