6.5 STW Findings

[stcummingsjr]

Just wanted to pass along some info after getting my feet wet with my 6.5 STW .
This rifle has a 3 grove 1-9 twist Pac Nor finished at 28 inches.

I started into this project hoping like everyone else to hit 3400 fps with a 140
class bullet. I had 140 amax, 130 scirocco , 140 smk and 142smk to try out...In
hopes of squeezing the most accuracy/speed out of this class/ weight of bullet.

I started with the 140 amax hoping to find a good load to use on LR coyotes
around the ranch. I worked my way up to 86.6 of wc-870 at a vol. of 3385. It
shot 1/2" groups and I tested out to 500 yrs on rocks with great results.

I then got curious and decided to see what other combos it would shoot well.

Tried - Retumbo, Ramshot mag, RL-33 in addition to Wc-870 & 872

It shot the 130 scirocco's at a max load of 81.2 grs of RL-33. They shot at an
avg. of 3470 fps into the .7 range. This load was around 70 to 80 fps faster
than I could initially reach with Retumbo or Ramshot mag in this rifle before
seeing pressure signs. This bullet like others have found was little slower in regards to vol. than I had hopped for.

At this point I had around 150 rds through this rifle.

I decided to take my old 140 amax load out for a stretch ...It would
consistently put three shots 3/4" apart at 200yds, but then it started throwing the
3rd or 4th shot 2" out of the group... ?

I then shot a group after allowing the barrel to cool completely after each
shot...it shot without incident, no 2" flyers!

So.... I believe that with a little extra heat from the shot string and my
increasingly rougher throat, that I started to see issues with the amax at my
speed of 3385 with my 3 grove 1-9 twist barrel at around 150 rds. Anyone else run into this with
the 6.5 amax's at this speed? I steered clear of 140 vld because of not wanting to wast time
and barrel life on a bullet that would not hold up at extreme speed/pressure but
may have run into the same issue anyways.

I knew that my combination was prone to this type of issue, 3 grove/thin jacket/
high vol. but did not realize that Amax's may also have been prone.

I then ran 3 rds of tubs Final Finish throat maintenance before trying to
perfect my next load.

I loaded up a few 140 smk that I had on hand... Worked up to 86.2 gr of wc-870
... shot 3rds at my 450 yard target....3" group....hum.... Some promise.

Set up the CED Chronograph and shot 3 rounds loaded at 86gr. of 3400fps into a
tiny little hole at 100yds.

Stepped out to 350 yds and printed a 1.3" group with a it's max load of 86.8 grs
of wc-870


I backed it back down to 86.0 gr. of wc-870 to save on brass. This load produced
a 10 shot ES of 19 fps.. Which was as low as any other powder I tried in this
rifle.

Other loads tried so far..worked up to max

140 smk
Fed 215
86.2 gr wc-870- ave 3415 fps
86.8 gr.* Max load 3440 - 1.3" group@ 350yds
86 gr. wc-870 ave 3400- .352 group!!! (continues to shoot well, my working load)



130 scirocco ii
Fed 215
79 gr ramshot mag- 3375 fps
*Max load- slight pressure
1inch group

130 scir
Fed 215
79.5 remtumbo- 3344
Max load
1.2" group

130 scir
Fed 215
88.2 gr wc-870 - 3350
1/2" group

130 scir
Fed 215
Rl-33 81.2- 3460
*Max load
3/4" group


I'm hoping to start testing the barns 127 LXR Shortly in order to find a Good
non lead load for our lead free zones here in CA.

And waiting on some of the matrix 6.5's

The Testing platform

 

[Outlaw6.0]

That's a nice looking rig (I like it even more because of the bolt handle location). I was bit by the 6.5 but about a year ago & haven't looked back since. If you are looking for a good non-lead bullet, I highly recommend Cutting Edge. The G05 (130grn Match/Tactical/Hunting) has been a hammer at 3400fps out of my 6.5WSM. I've read reports of the STW pushing that bullet a good bit higher than that. They are a mono-metal hollow point made on CNC lathes, they are pricey but have been of EXCEPTIONAL quality.

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/updated-10-29-terminal-performance-6-5mm-130gr-ceb-99656/


Good luck my southpaw brother,


t

 

[stcummingsjr]

Will definitely give the CE G05's a try! .. I'm just worried they won't shoot out of a LH rifle...
Backwards and all.....Thanks STC

 

[Outlaw6.0]

You're welcome & don't forget to post your findings here. I'm loaded some 160grn Matrix VLD's this weekend for the WSM. With an approximate BC of ~.700 I'm REALLY hoping they stabilize in my 8.4" twist.


T

 

[stcummingsjr]

Well I finally got a chance to run the 130 CE bullets and a few of the 160 gr. matrix VLD through my STW

As hard as I tried, My STW would not stabilize the G05 130 grain cutting-edge bullets... My 1-9 twist here at sea level Struggled...

I believe I was right on the ragged edge of stabilization ... If I ran the velocity up to Max in this rifle they would stabilize to some degree.. Two would touch, then I would get some slight keyholing and groups would open... Very little consistency.. Some would , some would not be stable..

When I backed the velocity down to just under 3500 fps (My max load where I could still get three firings ) the groups were plagued with Oblong holes.

I tried reloaded 33, reloader 25, retumbo , and wc-872

My best velocity came from Retumbo with Rl-25 being a close second.


I did put down a few 160 grn matrix vld today!! Ran them up to 3200 fps.. With a heavy dose of wc-872.

160's running at 3200 fps here at sea level appear to need a-little more twist..

I'm going to put a few more down range before I give up on them..

Next barrel will have a 1-8.5 twist or better!!!!!! #%^*dam!

 

[Outlaw6.0]

Well I finally got a chance to run the 130 CE bullets and a few of the 160 gr. matrix VLD through my STW

As hard as I tried, My STW would not stabilize the G05 130 grain cutting-edge bullets... My 1-9 twist here at sea level Struggled...

I believe I was right on the ragged edge of stabilization ... If I ran the velocity up to Max in this rifle they would stabilize to some degree.. Two would touch, then I would get some slight keyholing and groups would open... Very little consistency.. Some would , some would not be stable..

When I backed the velocity down to just under 3500 fps (My max load where I could still get three firings ) the groups were plagued with Oblong holes.

I tried reloaded 33, reloader 25, retumbo , and wc-872

My best velocity came from Retumbo with Rl-25 being a close second.


I did put down a few 160 grn matrix vld today!! Ran them up to 3200 fps.. With a heavy dose of wc-872.

160's running at 3200 fps here at sea level appear to need a-little more twist..

I'm going to put a few more down range before I give up on them..

Next barrel will have a 1-8.5 twist or better!!!!!! #%^*dam!

Thank you for the update, 3500+ is screaming! If you want to sell the G05's drop me a PM & i'll take them off your hands. I know your feeling about the twist, I was just as disappointed when my 1-8.4 would not stabilize the G10- 140's @ 3200fps & 4500ft. But luckily enough, it will stabilize the 160's @ 3100+. In fact, I still have some of those loaded hotter for more testing... One of these days i'll actually get to the range!


t