New 6.5 Idea

[sj-pratt]

Sully2

The 260AI or a shortened version of the same will come up a little short in case capacity but would be a fine cartridge. Wildcatting today is a little tougher because there are some many cases and the voids have been filled. Making too little of change and getting just a little improvement questions if it is worth the trouble and expense. The change we looked for was case capacity half way between 6.5x47 and 6.5x284 and Rolland's thought was maybe with a more efficient case design we could outperform or at least match the performance of the 284 and make it truly a short action round. We looked at 40 degree shoulder and leaving it .100 longer and using Wyatt boxes but instead stayed with 35 degrees and the shorter version, and when we first fire form a case the H20 volume was a little more than I thought it would be. Then Quickload said we could get to 3075 fps and I knew we had something that would attract a little interest and so far so good. I won't have time to but the other 2 rifles together until this fall the work has piled up and I have to keep busy getting the customers guns out but we are happy with the results and we will see if we can put something together so we can build a few of these rifles for other people.

 

[7mmRHB]

Sully2, if you're thinking of shortening a 260 rem case, do yourself a favor and just use the 6.5 Creedmore case and Improve it. Take out some taper and do a sharper shoulder. Lots less work than trying to shorten a case!! ---- RHB

 

[elkaholic]

Sully2, if you're thinking of shortening a 260 rem case, do yourself a favor and just use the 6.5 Creedmore case and Improve it. Take out some taper and do a sharper shoulder. Lots less work than trying to shorten a case!! ---- RHB

+1......Rich

 

[Edd]

Sully2, if you're thinking of shortening a 260 rem case, do yourself a favor and just use the 6.5 Creedmore case and Improve it. Take out some taper and do a sharper shoulder. Lots less work than trying to shorten a case!! ---- RHB

I agree using a Creedmoor instead of shortening a 260 would be the way to go. And if a Creedmoor isn't short enough, there's the 6.5x47 Lapua. But I don't think it would be a good idea to take any taper out of a Creedmoor. It has less than .008" taper. It also has a 30° shoulder. I doubt much would be gained by changing that either.

 

[7mmRHB]

Edd, you're right . I measured a new Creedmore case after I wrote that post and was surprised at how little taper there was. The new piece of brass measured only .006 total taper so it's already less taper than is considered minimum. A 40* shoulder would gain a little case volume but not much more than a grain or so. Good catch!! ---- RHB

 

[7mmRHB]

Well, believe it or not, I finally found enough RL 22 to be worth doing some load development !! 4 pounds. What a joke! Anyway I thought that since I had to meet Good grouper at the range to deliver a rifle,I thought that I just as well load a few rounds of the new lot of powder to see how it compared in velocity to the RL 22 I had shot previously. I loaded all with 50 grs, which had shot at 3061 fps. GG was set up for a lefty so I had him shoot the test, which is always a plus!! As he shot,I was watching the cronograph and was bummed when the velocity was 43 fps slower with this lot. 3018 fps was ave. I had stated earlier in this thread that I felt that the original 22 was a very fast lot and I think that was proven out with this test. I was starting to grumble about about the lower velocity when I noticed GG was still looking through the scope. Just then he turned to me and said come look. I took a look and said, wow that looks like a .200 group, and GG said it's way smaller than that!! It ended up being .156.

I don't think losing 43 fps is much of a problem when the gun shoots like that. I guess it's time to do some real testing and wring this little cartridge out!! We'll let you all know how it goes. -- RHB

 

[FEENIX]

Well put RHB, its nice to have some one like Goodgrouper follow up your work, there nothing like the call saying I got your load done it's hard to get it to shoot over 3/8!!, and know thats exactly what that gun is doing. Hope you post some of your accomplishments we can all learn a little on the way.

I couldn't agree more on everyone's comments about GG. I'm just glad he's posting again. I've always enjoyed his adventures.

GG, we all look forward to what you have to share. Cheers!

Ed

 

[elkaholic]

Well, believe it or not, I finally found enough RL 22 to be worth doing some load development !! 4 pounds. What a joke! Anyway I thought that since I had to meet Good grouper at the range to deliver a rifle,I thought that I just as well load a few rounds of the new lot of powder to see how it compared in velocity to the RL 22 I had shot previously. I loaded all with 50 grs, which had shot at 3061 fps. GG was set up for a lefty so I had him shoot the test, which is always a plus!! As he shot,I was watching the cronograph and was bummed when the velocity was 43 fps slower with this lot. 3018 fps was ave. I had stated earlier in this thread that I felt that the original 22 was a very fast lot and I think that was proven out with this test. I was starting to grumble about about the lower velocity when I noticed GG was still looking through the scope. Just then he turned to me and said come look. I took a look and said, wow that looks like a .200 group, and GG said it's way smaller than that!! It ended up being .156.

I don't think losing 43 fps is much of a problem when the gun shoots like that. I guess it's time to do some real testing and wring this little cartridge out!! We'll let you all know how it goes. -- RHB

Things are lookin really good Roland.......Rich

 

[7mmRHB]

Thanks Rich, it's been frustrating trying to find enough powder of a given lot to even start load development!! I've rounded up one more lot of RL 22 ( 5lbs ) that should be here this week. I'll check it out to determine the best lot to use to develop the load. I haven't even tweaked the seating depth yet so that could be interesting as well !!

I hope your own project is coming along well ? ----- RHB

 

[elkaholic]

Thanks Rich, it's been frustrating trying to find enough powder of a given lot to even start load development!! I've rounded up one more lot of RL 22 ( 5lbs ) that should be here this week. I'll check it out to determine the best lot to use to develop the load. I haven't even tweaked the seating depth yet so that could be interesting as well !!

I hope your own project is coming along well ? ----- RHB

Getting ANYTHING related to firearms is getting tough!
I am waiting for dies, reamer, and barrel which are all supposed to be here by mid April. Infact, the reamer should be here in a week or so and Rhian already has a barrel so he may beat me to the first one.....Rich

 

[BountyHunter]

I would sure try Norma MRP. Little hard to find, but well worth it normally over RL22. Definitely more consistent and normally faster.

 

[horsefor4]

I have followed this post along not much of poster but i have had a very similar cartridge for 15 years it is a 6.5x284 case shortend holds about 52grs fits in short action my uncle came up with it i only shot 120 gr bullets both my daughters hunt with it very accurate. Making the brass is a big pain but worth it.

 

[7mmRHB]

Bounty hunter, I would love to try some MRP but it's tough to find around here.I have been thinking about trying MRP for a few weeks now. I know it's way more consistent than RL 22. I think Norma cherry picks the good batches and the rest becomes RL 22. If I had a just enough to shoot a few rounds to verify that it was a good candidate for the 6.5 BPX, I would try to find ten pounds.

------ RHB

 

[7mmRHB]

Horsefor4, you are right about it being a pain to make the brass!! Looks like your uncle beat me to the punch!!! I drew this basic design in 2001 but didn't do anything about making it until 2 years ago. Sounds like they are still a bit different in size? ---- RHB