6.5 Br

[Aus]

I shoot a 6.5 BR and was wondering if there is anybody else out there that has one?  Would be interested to see what loads are being used an see how it works on rams.  just curious.

[RamSlammer]

Aus Where in AUS are you? I only know one shooter using a 6.5 br at national level here in Aus and he comes from MT Baw Baw.

[RamSlammer]

You Have too much time on your hands AUS, I know who you are!!!!!!!!! I'll give you a ring this week see how your going. Bunji Jarvis is coming with me to the NSW states now. The committee at my club are putting in for next years Tasmania RIM/AIR titles 80 hunting,80 heavy and 80 air. So don't go hurting yourself next year Tony.

[longgun]

In my 6.5 br I shoot the 107 Sierra Match Kings with 28 gr varget .   With 139 gr Lapua I load 32 gr of V V N 140.  These loads are very accurate in my rifle,  with mild recoil.   Ram loads are pretty consistant.   I don't loose any more  targets than those who shoot the 260s.  Don

[Aus]

Thanks for the info Don.  The load I'm using is 28 gns H322 for the 107's and 28gns of N140 for the 142's, both pills are Sierra Matchkings.  I haven't tried the Scenars yet. How do you find them?  Like you I find the BR works well even on Rams, most days I stay with the guys with the 708's.  Thanks again.

[longgun]

Aus,   I was using the 140 gr SMK but was shooting them slower and lost lots of rams.  Hit six in one match and rang them all.   Souped up my load a little and switched to Lapua 139 and they are much more reliable.   I am playing with a 6.5 grendel now and trying to get 130 gr Normas up to 2600 f/s for hunter ram loads.   May have to use 123 gr Lapuas  at 2800 f/s.  I've heard that a couple of shooters are shooting the 123 Lapuas  at rams with great success.  These are all Moly coated bullets..........Don

[drags]

Longgun, who chambered your 6.5 grendel? Please keep us posted on you progress with this round.
Drags

[longgun]

Drags,  I chambered it my self.  This is one of my hobbies.  I'm always looking for a mild recoiling gun that will take the rams consistently.  I think the 6.5 grendel might be the one and it will be legal for hunter since it is a factory gun with factory ammo.

I've been puny for a few days but plan to check out some new loads with  V V N 530  Monday or Tuesday.  Have seen some published data that gives me hope that enough velocity is obtainable.    A friend, Chad Stamm, also tells me that he has had consistent kills with ram loads of 2525 f/s and 139 & 142 bullets in a 6.5 br.   I'm going to try 130 gr Norma & 123 gr Lapua with 29gr > 29.5 gr of n 530 to see what velocity I can get.  Will decide what to do after testing these loads.

Anyone have any inputs or experience with these bullets & powder.  30 gr of powder is about max for the Grendel case.   Don

[Aus]

Hi Longgun, I just bought a copy of the latest Sierra reloading manual and noticed they have data for 6.5Br.

[longgun]

Aus, Drags, got a chance to try my 6.5 grendel with 130 Norma bullets and N 530 powder.   My barrel is only 22.5" long so this hinders my velocity.  With 29.7 gr of N 530 and 130 gr norma bullets the velocity in my rifle is 2624 f/s but had accuracy problems.....   With my short barrel I probably loose 50f/s.   I stopped at 29.7 gr because the bolt had hard opening.    I am going to shoot 29.2 gr of n 530 with 130 gr bullets(@ 2592) at the rams in a match coming up in about 10 days and can give better info then.  That load gives me half inch groups at 100 meters.   My 6.5 br ram load is only about 2550 with 139 lapuas.

[Aus]

Hi Don,  I'll be very interested to here how it goes on Rams.  Have you considered any other calibres?  CS suggested the 6.5 BR to me it has impressed a few people.  I was thinking of using a 6.5BRI when it comes time to rechamber.  I think our rules for hunter must be a little different from yours.  I use a 308 for hunter, except for the windrift it's not to bad.
I'll try some 139 Lapua's.  Thanks Tony

[longgun]

Aus,  I think our hunter rules are the same.  The 6.5 Grendel is a factory catridge

 http://www.competitionshootingsports.com/catalogue/category33

You can buy loaded ammo as well as rifles chambered for it,  so this is a legal hunter gun..........

your 6.5 BRI might be the same as the 6.5 TKS.   Which has a good following in the US.    Don