6.5-300 Weatherby

[Mickp7]

New to the Weatherby rounds but thought it would be fun to try out.
Bought some Peterson brass and 127 LRX bullets. I also have some 140 elite hunters and 156 Berger's. Powder-wise, I have Retumbo, H1000, and N570. Plan to start with Retumbo.
Any suggestions are welcome!
Main questions are:
-what sizing dies do you recommend? I like SAC dies but they don't have this cartridge.
- what headspace comparator do you use for this? My comparators are also SAC so I'll need another brand.
- this will be the first belted cartridge I've loaded. The little research I've done says treat it like any other casing?
Appreciate any feedback.

 

[Cushion909]

Redding Type S match bushing dies full length is likely your best bet. You can use a bushing to control neck tension for the specific brass and bullets you're using (you'll need a .293" or .294" bushing for Peterson brass and 0.264" bullets, measure your loaded round neck OD and subtract ~0.002"). They are precise and built for accuracy.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

Considering the short lifespan of a barrel chambered in 6.5-300Wby, I'd avoid using any VV 500 series powder which would cause even faster throat erosion.
Given the case capacity of the 6.5-300Wby, I'd be looking at the heaviest bullets that your twist will accommodate.

Good luck

 

[Frank in the Laurels]

..about at the limit of what we can achieve for any cartridge..like a lightning bolt but certainly not a daily driver unless you got Bartlein on speed dial..

 

[eshell]

I don't know what you guys are talking about with this "short life span" and "limited barrel life" - I got 750 rounds out of mine.

 

[Mickp7]

Does anyone make a headspace comparator for the casing?

 

[just_jon]

IMO, N570 and the 6.5-300 are like peas and carrots. My go to load with the 156 Berger is 80.0 grains of N570 running 3177 fps from a 26" barrel. The closest to the 127 LRX I've tested is the 124 hammer hunter. Load is 86.0 grains of N570 at 3540 fps.

 

[Mickp7]

IMO, N570 and the 6.5-300 are like peas and carrots. My go to load with the 156 Berger is 80.0 grains of N570 running 3177 fps from a 26" barrel. The closest to the 127 LRX I've tested is the 124 hammer hunter. Load is 86.0 grains of N570 at 3540 fps.

Sounds like two hammer loads!

 

[Mickp7]

Sounds like two hammer loads!

Crazy that the loads are 6 grains apart

 

[just_jon]

I just went back through my notes looking for Retumbo results, The only bullet I tested it with was the 144 grain Berger LRHT. Final load is 80.5 grains at 3254 fps.

 

[Mickp7]

I just went back through my notes looking for Retumbo results, The only bullet I tested it with was the 144 grain Berger LRHT. Final load is 80.5 grains at 3254 fps.

Appreciate the info. I'll likely start with Retumbo.
What do you use for a head space comparator?

 

[just_jon]

I use the .420" comparator from Hornady.

 

[daddaman]

IMO, N570 and the 6.5-300 are like peas and carrots. My go to load with the 156 Berger is 80.0 grains of N570 running 3177 fps from a 26" barrel. The closest to the 127 LRX I've tested is the 124 hammer hunter. Load is 86.0 grains of N570 at 3540 fps.

I run the N560 82.0 gr with MB 125 Copper Rose at 3711

 

[lancetkenyon]

Crazy that the loads are 6 grains apart

It is about best load. Not max load.