6.5-300wsm

[WSM01]

26", 8 twist , 3000 fps. 215 federal match primers .Please work up cautiously to this load.
I noticed some variation in ogive measurement with the Matrix. Was running them just "faintly" engraving the lands.
BTW Norma brass was the only brand that held up in my rifle...maybe a chamber issue ?? This barrel is sitting in my stash.Am considering building 1 more...such a neat cartridge . Wondering if a "cut rifling" or 5R barrel would give us any better barrel life ??

 

[Nomosendero]

Thanks

 

[kev77]

What primer ??

 

[WSM01]

Federal 215 M

 

[L.Sherm]

I wonder how the 160's would do in a 5r 1-7? might be the ticket

 

[KMG]

I wonder how the 160's would do in a 5r 1-7? might be the ticket

I run the 160's in my 6.5 Sherman Short Mag, it's basically a shortened Ackleyized 6.5SAUM. Medium Palma 30", 5R, 1/8 tw. Bartlein with 65 grains of RL33, Norma brass, & WLR primers @ 3120fps. I've run up to 68 grains 3200+ with slightly flattened primers & a stiff bolt lift. 140 Hybrids 66 grains RL33 @ 3320fps.

 

[KMG]

26", 8 twist , 3000 fps. 215 federal match primers .Please work up cautiously to this load.
I noticed some variation in ogive measurement with the Matrix. Was running them just "faintly" engraving the lands.
BTW Norma brass was the only brand that held up in my rifle...maybe a chamber issue ?? This barrel is sitting in my stash.Am considering building 1 more...such a neat cartridge . Wondering if a "cut rifling" or 5R barrel would give us any better barrel life ??

I would say not really because i believe real cause of the short barrel life is due to the case design. It's neck is too short to contain the flame point which is what erodes the throat in any rifle. Two years ago I was looking at a larger case design for another 6.5 build & considered the 6.5WSM. I chose the 6.5 Sherman Short Mag. You can find all the info you need on this cartridge on the Long-range Hunter Site. Richard Sherman, elkaholic, is a great guy & his design on this cartridge is quite impressive to say the least since it's only 1.960" & very efficient. Mine is on a Savage 11 action, 30" 5r 1-8tw med palma, McMillan stock, & ptg bottom metal. This is a proprietary wildcat, but Rich rents the reamer, has dies instock, & now even has "ready to fireform brass". All this said, this case has a 40 degree shoulder with a .310 neck which contains the flame point there. Anticipation runs high as to what the barrel life will be but 2000 rounds doesn't seem like a stretch. Accuracy is also definitely there. Mine has shot everything I've run thru it under 1moa. My hunting loads, running 66 grains of RL33 & 140 hybrids printed a 1.25", 6 shot group @ 468 yards on a less than optimum day last fall. I've got about 300 rounds thru this barrel so far & has just kept getting better & better the more its been shot.

 

[Nomosendero]

I would say not really because i believe real cause of the short barrel life is due to the case design. It's neck is too short to contain the flame point which is what erodes the throat in any rifle. Two years ago I was looking at a larger case design for another 6.5 build & considered the 6.5WSM. I chose the 6.5 Sherman Short Mag. You can find all the info you need on this cartridge on the Long-range Hunter Site. Richard Sherman, elkaholic, is a great guy & his design on this cartridge is quite impressive to say the least since it's only 1.960" & very efficient. Mine is on a Savage 11 action, 30" 5r 1-8tw med palma, McMillan stock, & ptg bottom metal. This is a proprietary wildcat, but Rich rents the reamer, has dies instock, & now even has "ready to fireform brass". All this said, this case has a 40 degree shoulder with a .310 neck which contains the flame point there. Anticipation runs high as to what the barrel life will be but 2000 rounds doesn't seem like a stretch. Accuracy is also definitely there. Mine has shot everything I've run thru it under 1moa. My hunting loads, running 66 grains of RL33 & 140 hybrids printed a 1.25", 6 shot group @ 468 yards on a less than optimum day last fall. I've got about 300 rounds thru this barrel so far & has just kept getting better & better the more its been shot.

Sounds like a well thought out design. I have other rounds for volume shooting so I think I may go the 6.5WSM route & use Norma 270WSM brass. Hopefully I get develop the load I want quickly & for a hunting rifle the barrel life should not matter.