6.5-06 loads
- Thread starter harcol
- Start date
rnbra-shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Brunswick
I've used all of those except the N170. Also useful (if you have them on hand) IMR4831, H4831SC, IMR7828, etc.
I found AA8700, H870, and WC867 to be just slightly too slow; a full (lightly compressed) case of powder was not quite enough, though it was close.
But my suggestion would be to try H4350. It is one of the winning combinations used in the very similar case capacity 6.5-.284. It's "too quick" for the case, so you'll have a good ten+ grains of "wasted" powder space; but, it seems to give better results for competitive shooters in 6.5-.284 than the powders that I've listed above (Hodgdon indicates a max of 46.0 H4350 for both 6.5/.284 and 6.5-06, shooting a 142 Sierra; I think that F-class shooters sometimes load a _little_ hotter than that, to about 2900-ish in a 30" barrel)
It's nice to see some data on the Hodgdon site for this cartridge. Back when I was loading for mine, data was difficult to come by. I found that using .25-06 load data for 115-120 grain bullets served as a pretty indication of slightly-too-hot loads for the 6.5-06 with a 139 or 142 grain bullet
That 1/8 twist should do very well for the 140 and heavier bullets. It may be to quick for the 120s though.
The 6.5-06 is a fussy cartridge. It is prone to a few problems but once you've figured out the loads it likes you will be very happy with it. I have two of them. One has a 1-12 twist and in my opinion was a mistake to build. It is only accurate with 120 and lighter bullets. Even then, it has issues with 120 boat tails. They have to be driven quite fast to stabilise. There is also the problem with reamers. Most of the reamers that are commonly available have long throats for the 140-160 bullets, not exactly conducive to accuracy with shorter bullets. The other has a 1-10 twist rate and shoots extremely well with 140 flat base bullets. Boat tail 140s won't stabilise in my rifle. The 140s in the 1-10 twist rifle must be pushed at near maximum pressures to get the best accuracy as well. If it didn't have a very tight chamber and neck, there might be issues.
Your 1-8 twist should be fine with the heavier bullets but probably won't like the lighter 95-120 grain bullets. You never know though, you may be lucky and it will shoot all of them acceptably
The 6.5-06 is a fussy cartridge. It is prone to a few problems but once you've figured out the loads it likes you will be very happy with it. I have two of them. One has a 1-12 twist and in my opinion was a mistake to build. It is only accurate with 120 and lighter bullets. Even then, it has issues with 120 boat tails. They have to be driven quite fast to stabilise. There is also the problem with reamers. Most of the reamers that are commonly available have long throats for the 140-160 bullets, not exactly conducive to accuracy with shorter bullets. The other has a 1-10 twist rate and shoots extremely well with 140 flat base bullets. Boat tail 140s won't stabilise in my rifle. The 140s in the 1-10 twist rifle must be pushed at near maximum pressures to get the best accuracy as well. If it didn't have a very tight chamber and neck, there might be issues.
Your 1-8 twist should be fine with the heavier bullets but probably won't like the lighter 95-120 grain bullets. You never know though, you may be lucky and it will shoot all of them acceptably
Thanks for the info
I have my reamers now and the barrel arrived a couple of weeks ago. Built the muzzle brake and thread protector this week. Just need to re-tap the mounts on my newly nitrided action because the previous smith drilled them crooked. Another 6 weeks for my stock though. pics will follow when done.
I have my reamers now and the barrel arrived a couple of weeks ago. Built the muzzle brake and thread protector this week. Just need to re-tap the mounts on my newly nitrided action because the previous smith drilled them crooked. Another 6 weeks for my stock though. pics will follow when done.
