I have an Encore 6.5BRM bbl from EABCO. I have shot it extensively with 7 different powders and around 12 different bullets. The loads are published on another site. If you want the loads I can send them, just PM me. Generally this round has had outstanding results in my rifle. I found the major problems that showed up were from the poorly formed brass from Brown. I believe they preform this using a hydraulic method. (Cases are coated inside and out with some kind of oil, it has to be removed) The cases are not fully formed to the shoulder datum. Out of a bag of brass purchased from Brown, the shoulder datum, or proper head space, (This round must be headspaced on the shoulder and not the rim if you want it to shoot up to it's potential) the cases are .015"-.021" short of the proper length (perhaps they have corrected this). The over all length of the cases are also short. The chamber in my bbl and others that I know of are all cut to 2.030". There is no reason to have the cases trimmed .050" or more short. I trim all cases to 2.020" The longer neck will give you more uniform neck tension on the bullet and prevent burning the chamber. Case life with Browns cases is short. Head separation is a real possibility. Fire forming them will greatly enhance case life.
I fire form them by running them into a 7 -30 waters die to expand and then run them into Browns(Lee) 6.5 BRM Fl die just far enough to make for a "crush" fit. I use 8 gr of Unique covered by a small tissue/paper towel over powder wad to separate the Cream of Wheat or corn meal that fills the case just into the neck. Then a tightly fit paper towel wad packed on top level to the case mouth. Then bang away. shoot this load the same day you load it. I use a chamber brush to clean the chamber after each firing. It will form the shoulder to the proper datum length. Run them into the 6.5BRM dies and trim to length. Do not trim before Fire forming. They are going to shrink a little. If this is done right the cases will not stretch. This same procedure is used for Virgin Brass as well as Browns. Once fired stuff will most likely have to be annealed. I have several cases that have been fired almost 30 times now(hornady). I do turn the necks to .012" thickness. This may be over kill.
I have found that since I have to fire form them I might as well use virgin brass. I use WW and Hornady. some cases have been loaded almost 30 times now. re-annealing every 4-5 firings. Very few loads exceeded 1" and most are 5/8" - 3/4" and several loads using 130 & 140 Nosler Accubond are consistant 1/2" sometimes less w/5 shot groups.
I have only loaded hunting loads and have taken 2 coyotes with it. Next Sat the deer season opens I have no doubt it will do a fine job on whitetails. Browns people have been great to deal with. The cartridge should be a fine deer and pronghorn round and to expect more is unrealistic. I have no doubt it will kill elk but I would not risk an expensive hunt for elk using this round. It is a fun cartridge to shoot, no recoil to speak of and boringly accurate.
