New barrel

[Vurtle]

I received my 18" 6.5x6.8 Wednesday. I loaded up 120 gr matchkings with 27.5 gr of exterminator and set oal to 2.285". I'll see how accurate it is tomorrow and post results. I am not crazy about setting the bullet that far in the case. I think I have located some 100 gr amax bullets and that is what I will most likely stick with if hornady doesn't indefinitely suspend them. 
Blackhole has made a very nice barrel. I ordered the ltm profile. It is light enough, but my 16" blackout barrel weighed 1.5 lbs and this one came in at 2.35 lbs. Not a big deal, but I carry mine miles at a time and weight makes a difference. 2" longer and a smaller bore so I guess it was inevitable that it would weigh more. It is still light compared to most profiles though.
i fired a couple of shots tonight and no pressure problems.

<a href="http://s156.photobucket.com/user/Vurtle/media/imagejpg1_zps056afe05.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t16/Vurtle/imagejpg1_zps056afe05.jpg" border="0" alt="6.5x6.8 photo imagejpg1_zps056afe05.jpg"/></a>

[Vurtle]

Let's try the pic this way.

[Vurtle]

Forgot to add,
I used the Redding 6.8 bushing dies with a .287 bushing. That resulted in about .005" neck tension with Remington brass. I used my Grendel seating die also. I am currently using 6.8 c products magazines and 2.285 was max length I could get.

i hope more people jump on the 6.5x6.8 wagon.

[Vurtle]

Well the first load didn't work out. It was all over the place. I found some 8208 by dumb luck, so that is my next attempt.

[Deleted]

With 8208 you should find a sweet spot between 27.5 and 28.0 Just heard from a shooter today using 27.7 and getting around .5" groups

[Vurtle]

I gave 27.5 gr of 8208 a try. It was a lot better. I have not shot for groups in a while, so my technique is a little rusty. I will give 28 gr a try next. My chrono wouldn't work today, so I have no fps readings yet. I am really looking forward to seeing how the 100 gr amass shoot.

[Deleted]

I would try only moving your powder charge up by no more than 2 tenths at a time. At 1/2 a grain on a small case you could go right by the accuracy node and not see it.

[GLSHOOTER]

You picked a good one to work with. Lots of loading data available for it. I might suggest that you buy some ASC magazines.You can load 2.300 in them and that is always nice.

Greg

PS: Welcome to the board and go ahead and join. As a guest we can't send you PM's or you to us. Always nice to have a back channel to discuss some of the reloading things in depth.

[Vurtle]

More dumb luck came my way and I scored some 100 gr AMAX bullets. In a town of 5000, finding 8208 and 100 gr AMAX in the same town and in the same year in times like these is pretty lucky. Best load yet is 27.8 gr 8208 at 2.275" OAL. Chrono is still not working. I prefer the 100 gr AMAX because its bullet length is 1.045". It is the shortest boat tail available and has a .390 bc. I can live with that. I didn't feel comfortable with the 120 gr matchking and my previous powder amounts. I felt like I was really cramming the powder in there with the OAL I am limited to. I am sure pressures were fine, it just goes against my comfort zone. After being a Grendel owner and now the 6.5x6.8, I think I prefer the 6.5x6.8. I have no problem loading the 123 AMAX bullets in the Grendel, but not in this round. I am sure many people will have good luck with them though if they do so. In all likely hood, I probably won't shoot steel over 500 yds and I generally keep my four legged critters under 200 anyways, so I can live with the 100 gr AMAX.

I still have several shots before the barrel is broken in, and hope to see even better accuracy. I am mainly posting my initial experiences with this round incase anyone is on the fence about it. I would definitely recommend it. It is what the 6.8 should have been. 


Vurtle Out!