I have a 6.5 I stumbled on build by Selby great lighweight gun. I have only shot factory rem 120 core locts out of it not too impressive I know this gun is capable of a ton better. Any suggestions on loads bullets and primers. Was hoping to get 120's to 130's to shoot well out of it for packing in after blacktails. It has a 23" shilen so I hope to be around 3000fps. Someone mentioned 129sst, rl-22 and rem 9 1/2m primers i dont have any experience with any of these choices. My only reloading has been for my 7 mm STW using cci mag primers. Thnx
6.5 Rem Mag Help
- Thread starter Blacktail
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elkaholic
Well-Known Member
Try some R-17. It usually gives great velocity and accuracy in a case of that design......Rich
woods
Well-Known Member
Hey Blacktail, I have a 6.5 rem mag built off a long action Browning 300 win mag
I have loaded 140 gr Sierra Game Kings, 130 gr Accubonds, 130 gr Scirrocco II's
Generally speaking I would recommend RL22 or RL25 for the 140 gr and RL17 for the 130 gr loads. I managed to get 3100 fps out of the 140 gr and 3200 fps out of the 130 gr
My load now is with the 130 gr Scirrocco II's at about 3175 fps with RL17, remington cases and Fed215 primers
If you want to try the RL17 then a good starting point would be 51 or 52 grs and start working up. That is a full 3 to 4 grains below where I wound up and I never did get any pressure signs. Also working on multiple reloads with my cases. The Scirroccos in my gun like to be seated at .060" off the lands
I have loaded 140 gr Sierra Game Kings, 130 gr Accubonds, 130 gr Scirrocco II's
Generally speaking I would recommend RL22 or RL25 for the 140 gr and RL17 for the 130 gr loads. I managed to get 3100 fps out of the 140 gr and 3200 fps out of the 130 gr
My load now is with the 130 gr Scirrocco II's at about 3175 fps with RL17, remington cases and Fed215 primers
If you want to try the RL17 then a good starting point would be 51 or 52 grs and start working up. That is a full 3 to 4 grains below where I wound up and I never did get any pressure signs. Also working on multiple reloads with my cases. The Scirroccos in my gun like to be seated at .060" off the lands
woods
Well-Known Member
I couldn't get the Scirroccos to shoot good out of my 300 win mag, 30-06 or 280AI
BUT, decided to try them in the 6.5 because of the high BC of .571 and they shoot good. Have another buddy that tried them in his 264 win mag and they shoot in his gun. So I would give a box a try. Definitely kill the hell out of hogs! Shot a 120# and a 180# hog 2 weeks ago and both went through with a big exit and neither moved a step. If it will shoot in your rifle you can not get a better terminal performance bullet (IMO)
My gun has a 26" Douglas 1 in 8 barrel so you might not get quite as much velocity
Here are the pics of the 2 sets of Audette and the seating depth test
START LOW AND WORK UP LIKE I DID
BUT, decided to try them in the 6.5 because of the high BC of .571 and they shoot good. Have another buddy that tried them in his 264 win mag and they shoot in his gun. So I would give a box a try. Definitely kill the hell out of hogs! Shot a 120# and a 180# hog 2 weeks ago and both went through with a big exit and neither moved a step. If it will shoot in your rifle you can not get a better terminal performance bullet (IMO)
My gun has a 26" Douglas 1 in 8 barrel so you might not get quite as much velocity
Here are the pics of the 2 sets of Audette and the seating depth test
START LOW AND WORK UP LIKE I DID
elkaholic
Well-Known Member
Woods......I agree 100% on the Swifts. I could never get them to shoot in my rifle but in the tests I ran for performance, they were as good as it gets......Rich
elktaxi1
Well-Known Member
i have a ruger no1 in 6.5 shots great groups under 1moa at 300 with 130 and 3100 with h4831 started at 54 grains and worked up. also have one in rem 660 but the barrel limits volocity with the 20in tube but very accuate
OKIE2
Well-Known Member
most acurate I am shooting is the Hornady 123 A-max .510 BC
AA3100 56.0 grains 26" varmit barrel
3 shots .090 group
The 149 A-max are .520 BC
AA3100 56.0 grains 26" varmit barrel
3 shots .090 group
The 149 A-max are .520 BC
Twodogs10mm
Well-Known Member
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You haven't mentioned if this rifle is built on a short action or a long action. I have a 6.5 Rem built on mauser 98 action. I seat the bullets out to the full length allowed by a mauser action. This gives you quite a bit more useable case capacity. Both the 125 partition and the 129 gr Hornady SST can be driven to pretty impresive velocity with RL22. If you have a short action you lose some case capacity. With the short action Mag Pro powder will give you some decent velocity. Hope that helps
