6.5-06 Keyholing 160 Grain bullets

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windy

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Hi All,
I have a first model Newton rifle that has been rechambered in the past from 256 Newton to 6.5-06. I am trying the 6.5mm 160 grain Woodleigh PP SN using Hornady 160 grain round nose load data. I started with the recommended low load data using IMR 7828 and all bullets keyholed. I worked my way up to mid range load data thinking that maybe more speed would help but there was no change, still more keyholing. The Newton barrel has a 1 in 10" twist. Is that just to slow of a twist? Should I try to creep up to max load, (no signs of over pressure at mid load range) will more speed help? I unfortunately forgot my tripod for the chrony so I don't have any speed data. I have been shooting 125 grain Nosler partitions out of this rifle with great success but thought I would try a bigger bullet in case an Elk found me one day while out for White Tails.
Thanks.
Windy
 
I too have a 6.5-06 and have developed some loads for 160 gr bullets that all shoot well, but I have a 1:8 twist. https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...907-Seven-155-gr-Bullet-Loads-for-the-6-5-06?

A 1:10 twist in a 6.5 mm bore is an odd duck - it just might shoot some of the shorter (less ballistically "sleek") 140 gr bullets, but you might be stuck with 130 gr or even 120 gr bullets. You can only know if you try.
 
Yup, i agree with the above posters, too slow of a twist rate, my CZ550- 6.5x55 has a 1-8.65ish twist, and i have trouble stabilizing even the long 140s. Maybe try find some 120-130gr premium bullets, at '06 velocities, you'll need something that can hold together. I can send you a few 120gr TTSX to try if you like?? Dogger
 
I have a Win 70 FWT I think is 1-8.25 and it won't shoot the 160's without tipping at 100 yards but 156gr Sako bullet all make one hole.My son's T3 wont shoot 160's either and haven't tried the 156gr yet....The Swedish mausers are 1-7.25 and shoot the 140-160gr just fine......Harold
 
Harold,
The twist rate for the Swedish Mauser is 1:200 mm, so, 1:7.87" (most of the times rounded up to 1:8").
It was intended to handle the 10.1 gram bullet (156 grains) RN @ 2380 fs but was kept for the later "Torped" of 140 grains.
 
Many years ago I bought bulk /1000 Sako 156gr from Higginson for like $9/100 and squirreled them away.You can eat right up to the bullet hole and I've never recovered one even from moose regardless of angle............Harold
 
A 1-10" twist will not reliably stabilize any 156/160 grain bullet in a 6.5mm.
Normally, a 1-8" twist [or faster] is needed to spin those long bullets.
Dave.
 
Eagleye said:
A 1-10" twist will not reliably stabilize any 156/160 grain bullet in a 6.5mm.
Normally, a 1-8" twist [or faster] is needed to spin those long bullets.
Dave.
Click to expand...

I still have that Winchester mod 70, chambered in 6.5-06 with a 1-9 twist rate I bought from you over a decade ago. It will stabilize 140 grain flat base bullets very well at velocities over 3000 fps. It shoots 129gr monolithic bullets like they were made especially for it.

140 grain sp/bt bullets just don't stabilize reliably so I don't even bother trying with them any longer.

160 grain bullets are just to long as mentioned above by most posters.

IMHO, GOOD 140gr flat base bullets in 6.5 cal are excellent penetraters on large animals such as Moose and Elk. They do the job well. The monolithic offerings are also very good as long as they are pushed at decent velocities to work the way they were intended.
 
bearhunter said:
I still have that Winchester mod 70, chambered in 6.5-06 with a 1-9 twist rate I bought from you over a decade ago. It will stabilize 140 grain flat base bullets very well at velocities over 3000 fps. It shoots 129gr monolithic bullets like they were made especially for it.

140 grain sp/bt bullets just don't stabilize reliably so I don't even bother trying with them any longer.

160 grain bullets are just to long as mentioned above by most posters.
IMHO, GOOD 140gr flat base bullets in 6.5 cal are excellent penetraters on large animals such as Moose and Elk. They do the job well. The monolithic offerings are also very good as long as they are pushed at decent velocities to work the way they were intended.
Click to expand...

Glad you are still enjoying that rifle, BH!! It was a good one!! I shot several head of game with it, mostly with the Norma
139 grain Semi-Spitzer. It was a laser in that slower twist. It did not care much for the longer bullets, as you mentioned.
I presume you are shooting the 129 Hornady GMX as the mono that shoots well. Dave.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. I do have another Newton rifle that has a new barrel on it that is chambered in 256 Newton. I will try the 160 grain Woodleighs in it. Im not sure the twist of the new barrel but maybe its faster.
Thanks again
Windy
 
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