Post by GLSHOOTER on Oct 6, 2013 18:05:34 GMT -8
I am going to try and split some of this out as the challenge of juggling four or five wildcats, how is that for a visual, in one thread would be rather daunting. I know the 6.5 bore size is interesting to many on the Forum so here is a peek at the progress in that area. Enjoy.
This is what Ritch shot today, 10-6-13, out of the 24" Savage test barrel. All loads tested today were withing safe limits. Interestingly enough the data from Hodgdon on the 6,.5 Grendel was used and pressures were across the board lower than the G. and velocities were consistently higher than the G. was putting out with a 24" barrel. All loads today were with IMR 8208 XBR. Primers were all nice and round with not a flat one in the bunch.
First up was the Sierra 85 that is an excellent varmint bullet. Velocities were not shabby today nor were the groups. He forgot to write the speed on this one but it clocked at 3128. Not a bad pick a number group.
Next up was the Sierra 107 that lots of guys like in the 6.5 as it is a good trade off for weight vs BC. This load shows huge potential.
Ritch moved on to the 123 Noslers that he and I both like in the 6.5 bore size. These have a BC of 0.510 and are noted to shoot well way out yonder. This will show you a progression on powder charge vs velocity. The top load was a compressed case full yet pressures were nice and low.
The 28.0 load was not bad. For many of us we would stop right there after this group.
Like I said many would stop but not Ritch. He bumped it up 0.5 to 28.5 and started slinging pills. You be the judge.
The last load for show was shot at 29.0. The group opened up a tad and if you look it appears to go a bit vertical and this often means it wants to go faster. This one pretty well maxed out the charge weight for the space so another powder will have to be called into play.
So three bullets performed well today for the new 6.5X6.8. Pressures were low and no signs of problems were noted. I talked with Ritch extensively and he mentioned the last group was shot with over 80 rounds in the tube without cleaning. He is going to move over to the 6X6.8 for some more testing next but will be revisiting this one for more work ups. With four wildcats on his hands, so far, the plate is full so he has split his efforts. Once my barrels arrive for the Savage and AR's uppers I will join in the fray and we will get some groups up on the self loaders post haste.
Greg
This is what Ritch shot today, 10-6-13, out of the 24" Savage test barrel. All loads tested today were withing safe limits. Interestingly enough the data from Hodgdon on the 6,.5 Grendel was used and pressures were across the board lower than the G. and velocities were consistently higher than the G. was putting out with a 24" barrel. All loads today were with IMR 8208 XBR. Primers were all nice and round with not a flat one in the bunch.
First up was the Sierra 85 that is an excellent varmint bullet. Velocities were not shabby today nor were the groups. He forgot to write the speed on this one but it clocked at 3128. Not a bad pick a number group.
Next up was the Sierra 107 that lots of guys like in the 6.5 as it is a good trade off for weight vs BC. This load shows huge potential.
Ritch moved on to the 123 Noslers that he and I both like in the 6.5 bore size. These have a BC of 0.510 and are noted to shoot well way out yonder. This will show you a progression on powder charge vs velocity. The top load was a compressed case full yet pressures were nice and low.
The 28.0 load was not bad. For many of us we would stop right there after this group.
Like I said many would stop but not Ritch. He bumped it up 0.5 to 28.5 and started slinging pills. You be the judge.
The last load for show was shot at 29.0. The group opened up a tad and if you look it appears to go a bit vertical and this often means it wants to go faster. This one pretty well maxed out the charge weight for the space so another powder will have to be called into play.
So three bullets performed well today for the new 6.5X6.8. Pressures were low and no signs of problems were noted. I talked with Ritch extensively and he mentioned the last group was shot with over 80 rounds in the tube without cleaning. He is going to move over to the 6X6.8 for some more testing next but will be revisiting this one for more work ups. With four wildcats on his hands, so far, the plate is full so he has split his efforts. Once my barrels arrive for the Savage and AR's uppers I will join in the fray and we will get some groups up on the self loaders post haste.
Greg