6.5 build

[Twodogs10mm]

Originally Posted by woods

Hey 2dogs, I just seated a 130 gr Accubond at the length I wanted to stick it out of the case (3.100") and told the smith to set the beginning of the lands where it would have .025" jump. I'm no smith, but I believe they can set the leade and lands where they want with a piloted neck reamer. Is there a reason you are purchasing your own reamer?

The smith had the reamer. I don't know if he owned it, borrowed it or rented it.

Bullets are tricky and will take some tinkering with a comparator. Long time ago I discovered that in the 270, the 130 gr TSX was longer from the point where the comparator hit to the tip of the bullet than the 140 gr TSX was. IOW sometimes the lighter bullets are "pointier" than the heavier ones. That being said, I would just seat a 140 gr VLD (if I was considering loading them at all) where the base of the bullet was even with the neck/shoulder junction and tell the smith (or the reamer manufacturer) to set the lands .025" off that.

Personally I love the 130 gr Scirrocco and a friend of mine also loves them

Three 6.5mm bullets, head to head for elk/deer - 24hourcampfire

but am thinking of trying the 120 gr TTSX

(I like pass thru's)

Thanks Woods, I think I well get some 130 gr Scirrocco's too and seat them even with the neck/shoulder junction to compare with the 140 gr VLD's. Hopefully the length to the ogive will be close enough I can just adjust seating depth a little and be able to shoot both.
The reason I'm thinking of having a reamer made is: A reamer made to my specs (throat length) will cut the chamber and the throat in one cut, which would theoretically be more concentric than cutting the chamber with the reamer and then making a second cut for the throat with a piloted neck reamer. And the Gals at Shilen said thier reamer is 20 years old and hasn't been used since 2007, and the person she talked too said it might be a good idea to have a new reamer made. Also Dave at PTG said one cut would be more concentric and I could use the reamer to make my on seating die.

I will have to do more bullet comparisons, the reason I'm trying the VLD's is the high BC, and they expand at long range. I am new to the long range game and will not take a long range shot at an animal until I prove myself and equipment capable. With that said for a true long range shot I think one should have time to rechamber a round and replace a cartridge with a less frangelble bullet for say 400 yards and in for a more frangeble long range bullet like the VLD.
Thanks again for your input Woods it helps.