6.5 sherman gets facelift

[elkaholic]

The original 6.5 Sherman built in '09 had over 2000 rounds thru it and still shot in the .3's but I wanted to test out the new longer throated reamer so decided it was a good time to screw a new barrel on. I had "Bigngreen" do the work since my last 2 builds, the 6.5 and 7SS are shooting very well. I put the same barrel on as my first go around, a Lilja #4, 3 groove, 8 twist. Rhian put a nice cerakote job on it which I like.
I shot a few rounds to break in the barrel and get it dialed in and then loaded up some 150 Matrix with RL26. This was a first try so I kind of guessed based on past experience. The bullets were seated approx. .005" off the lands. I have not reached max with this load, but is the heaviest charge so far.

 

[MudRunner2005]

****, that thing shoots good!

 

[elkaholic]

****, that thing shoots good!

Looks like it has potential with some load developement. Making 3200'+ with the 150's looks like no problem.......Rich

 

[MudRunner2005]

Looks like it has potential with some load developement. Making 3200'+ with the 150's looks like no problem.......Rich

I can only imagine what a Bartlein 26" sendero/varmint contour 7mm SS with 180 Hybrids would do...

 

[Pdvdh]

double post

 

[Pdvdh]

Looks nice. Didn't know you were shooting a thumbhole stock Rich. How do you like it?

What's the distance on your group/target?

 

[Scot E]

Rich, Are you still doing melonite or similar treatment on your barrels?

 

[elkaholic]

Looks nice. Didn't know you were shooting a thumbhole stock Rich. How do you like it?

What's the distance on your group/target?

That was at 100 yards. It is initial testing on new barrel and is shooting in the .3's so far. I have had the H-S thumbhole on this rifle since '09 and it is quite comfortable to shoot......Rich

 

[elkaholic]

Rich, Are you still doing melonite or similar treatment on your barrels?

I have not since the 30/375 S.I. but see no reason not to. I just spend too much on everything else

 

[reeldawg]

Looks good Rich. That is the same load I am running with the 150 Matrix. I am around 3050 fps. I am at sea level. So far the RL 26 seems to work very well in the 6.5 Sherman.


Jay

 

[elkaholic]

Looks good Rich. That is the same load I am running with the 150 Matrix. I am around 3050 fps. I am at sea level. So far the RL 26 seems to work very in the 6.5 Sherman.



Hi Jay.....This rifle has a VERY tight throat which is starting to break in and pressure/velocity is dropping. i will likely be closer to what you are or increase the load a little eventually......Rich

 

[waspocrew]

Looks good Rich! That thing shoots very well!

 

[elkaholic]

Looks good Rich! That thing shoots very well!

Thx! I think it actually shoots a little better than I am shooting so far. I have a pretty wobbly rest in the desert here and need to get something better.......Rich

 

[elkaholic]

I had a chance to get back out today and test the newly barreled 6.5 Sherman. It has been showing great promise under not so good conditions initially. I loaded up some 150 Matrix with RL26. The load was 60 grs. with a coal of 3.517' (just into the lands with the new throat). It was a cloudy, actually rainy day, so was eager to see what the rifle would do now that it is broken in. My plan was to shoot at 100 yds., chrono it, and then move out to 1000+ yards. I fired these 3 rounds (cold bore) and had to quit because it was raining too much to see through the scope. The barrel has settled in and the throat loosened up (it was tight) so velocity (pressure) has dropped off from early tests. This load turned up 3080' and was not at all high pressure. I may try to keep loading it up as long as accuracy remains good. I really like the fact that this rifle is only a #4 contour and the cold bore and follow up shots do not change. It is a 3 groove, 8 twist Lilja.