6.5 WSM Loads

[Rhovee]

I have a 6.5 WSM that i am having chambered and will be ready here in the next few weeks. I currently have VV N-570 and Retumbo to work with. I am curious if anyone knows which powder is easier on throats, and what velocities and accuracy you got?

Benchmark 1:8 24"
Berger 140 Hybrid Target
Sako donor action from 7mm mag

 

[Engineering101]

Ball powders like Ramshot Magnum are supposed to be easier on throats than stick powder but I took a different approach. Since the 6.5 WSM is seriously overbore I figured to go with a really slow powder - the slowest in fact, RL-50. And I backed it off a bit to 3,025 fps to make the barrel and brass last. First shot accuracy with a dirty cold bore is outstanding. I can usually hit a 1 inch square from 200 yards or a 3 inch square from 600 yards.

My load is 69.5 gr RL-50 with Fed 215s. I had it throated for the 143 ELD-X so my COAL is 3.115". The barrel is a 25" Krieger bull sporter 5R with a 1 in 8 twist. I'm using necked down 270 WSM brass. I could run it 3,200 fps plus but the deer will be just as dead with less meat damage at 3,025 fps. Barrel life will probably still suck but this is a hunting rifle so it should outlast me. I practice with 143s in a 260 Rem.

 

[parshal]

Here are the loads I've tested in my 6.5 WSM's. All with CCI 200's and all near max and with a 26" barrel. I use R26 near exclusively now and have settled on 62 grains with the 140's. That gives me 3200 fps with either the Berger EH or ELD and accuracy is outstanding. With my latest barrel I get pressure signs with any higher charge.

I did a test a week ago with the 62 grain R26 load using Fed 215M, CCI 250, Fed 210 and Winchester magnum primers. Velocities differed by less than 10 FPS and all SD's were less than 10.

N570
66 grains
140 Berger Elite Hunters
3194 fps

4831SC
63 grains
140 Berger EH
3172 fps

4831SC
62.5 grains
140 ELD
3180 fps

Reloder 26
65.5 grains
Berger EH
3300 fps
SD 3.4

Reloder 26
64.5 grains
140 ELD
3315 fps
SD 5
Noted, loaded round left in hot chamber resulted in ejector mark

Retumbo
68 grains
140 VLD
3207 fps

 

[Rhovee]

That's some great info. Thanks for all the different loads. I enjoy doing load development, but on this one I think I am going to pick a powder and a bullet and go with it. The barrel life is my biggest concern. I think with retumbo being more popular i will just roll with that.

 

[stomp442]

I've built a few 6.5WSM and my pet load for them has been 63.0gr of H4831sc and a 140gr Berger VLD. That combo seems to shoot at least half MOA every time. I had one that preferred Retumbo and I believe that load was 63.5gr and was giving me 3130fps. There was lots of room to push it harder but the accuracy wasn't there.

 

[Rhovee]

After playing around with h1000 for a few sessions I didn't quite get what I was after. I think I was trying to get to much out of it. I did get my paws on some RL26 and shot these two three shot groups. One to the left is 63.5. One to the right is 64. Think I'll load 63.7 and call it a day.
24" bench mark barrel
Fed 210M
Rl26
63.5-3185
64-3220

 

[L.Sherm]

Nice Rhovee, that should work. I have found RL26 is a little faster than H1000. But looks like it's working for you. As I stated before I am impressed with these new RL powders.

 

[Rhovee]

Ya it worked great. It is faster. I tried h1000 and gave it a good shot. 26 seems to be where I am going to stay. Thanks for the help. Now I just need to sell my 8lbs of h1000

 

[L.Sherm]

No problem Rhovee, enjoy the cartidge it is hard on barrels but it's wonderful for hunting.

 

[Rhovee]

Went and tried 63.5 again tonight. Velocity went up 45 fps. Right around 125 rounds down the tube. Must of speed up. Grouping was not good. Hit pressure. Guess I am backing it down. I thought it might be rl26 was spiking with it being 75 out. Threw them in the truck for 10 minutes with the ac. It didn't help.

 

[calib]

Any new news on the rl 26 spiking?

Did you stay with it or leave it.

 

[Rhovee]

I ran 26 with no temp issues. Node was around 3100 with 147 eld M

 

[tbrice23]

Went and tried 63.5 again tonight. Velocity went up 45 fps. Right around 125 rounds down the tube. Must of speed up. Grouping was not good. Hit pressure. Guess I am backing it down. I thought it might be rl26 was spiking with it being 75 out. Threw them in the truck for 10 minutes with the ac. It didn't help.

Was this your final load or did you go with a different load?

 

[Rhovee]

I ended up around 62. I was trying to push it to hard. Really wanted 3200 but it wouldn't group.