30x6.5 RPM

[Mmwat]

For some reason I've become interested in making a 30cal wildcat of the new 6.5 Weatherby RPM. I was looking for some thoughts on this as I have a PTG standard bolt face bolt and a Remington 721 action. It looks like this round should preforms a little above .300 WSM levels in a .30-06 bolt face long action. PTG is already offering a 30-6.5 RPM reamer, so the chambering shouldn't be an issue.

Any ideas on forming the case or other thoughts? I'm assuming I would be limited to getting custom dies made to form the brass?

At this point this is purely academic because I would like to see if anyone else picks up making the brass other than Weatherby.

 

[FilippoMo]

You need an expander to go from 6.5 to 30.Maybe two.I formed 30 BR from 6 mm and I think I used two or three.It was a long time ago.You would definitely need custom dies for loading.
Filippo
Neck annealing might be a good idea

 

[Mmwat]

You need an expander to go from 6.5 to 30.Maybe two.I formed 30 BR from 6 mm and I think I used two or three.It was a long time ago.You would definitely need custom dies for loading.
Filippo
Neck annealing might be a good idea

Thanks for this info, this would be my first project involving forming brass. From what I've found maybe I could use expanders in a friends 300 WSM die, which has the same 35 degree shoulder, then fire form the brass and send it off to a die maker for the FL sizer and use the chambering reamer in a Wilson blank seating die? I still have quite a bit of research to do on that process, seems like annealing and neck turning is typically involved.

 

[FilippoMo]

Neck turning depend on the spec of your chamber it could be a must or an option.Going from 6.5 to 30 the neck is not going to be thicker so the need to neck turning is up to you.
Filippo

 

[Kurz]

At this point this is purely academic because I would like to see if anyone else picks up making the brass other than Weatherby.

Just for the sake of discussion...

It would be terrific if another manufacturer would take up the cause for reloaders, however, given the fairly low interest in the cartridge as offered by the prime manufacturer, the secondary market will likely be quite a ways off yet. The numbers just don't support it.

For some reason I've become interested in making a 30cal wildcat of the new 6.5 Weatherby RPM. I was looking for some thoughts on this as I have a PTG standard bolt face bolt and a Remington 721 action. It looks like this round should preforms a little above .300 WSM levels in a .30-06 bolt face long action. PTG is already offering a 30-6.5 RPM reamer, so the chambering shouldn't be an issue.

If you're looking for a project to fill your time while under house arrest, this could be lots of fun, challenging and time consuming. But as far as performance is concerned, I wouldn't get my hopes up too high. Both the 300 WSM and the new RPM have essentially the same case capacity. Matching up the rest of the variables shouldn't give an edge to one over the other.

But if your interest is mounting and you see enough benefit from the project, open up that check book and start writing checks! (or throw your credit card at several companies ) I have been subjected to this process more times than I care to remember and probably could be retired and shooting more if I had just stopped! I also have a drawer of reamers from the times that I saw a 'new' or wildcat reamer listed and thought I should have it as well. Whimsy strikes at the oddest times and sometimes won't let go until you apply dollars as a cure.

Don't get me wrong, I like the case design and I'm working on the idea currently but only so far as the 6.5mm is concerned. Reality is that the WSM case will accomplish the same thing and you can even use it in a long action if you really have to. The dies, brass and reamers are all available for somewhat more reasonable prices than a wildcat offspring.

Enjoy the process!

 

[Mmwat]

Just for the sake of discussion...

It would be terrific if another manufacturer would take up the cause for reloaders, however, given the fairly low interest in the cartridge as offered by the prime manufacturer, the secondary market will likely be quite a ways off yet. The numbers just don't support it.



If you're looking for a project to fill your time while under house arrest, this could be lots of fun, challenging and time consuming. But as far as performance is concerned, I wouldn't get my hopes up too high. Both the 300 WSM and the new RPM have essentially the same case capacity. Matching up the rest of the variables shouldn't give an edge to one over the other.

But if your interest is mounting and you see enough benefit from the project, open up that check book and start writing checks! (or throw your credit card at several companies. I have been subjected to this process more times than I care to remember and probably could be retired and shooting more if I had just stopped! I also have a drawer of reamers from the times that I saw a 'new' or wildcat reamer listed and thought I should have it as well. Whimsy strikes at the oddest times and sometimes won't let go until you apply dollars as a cure.

Don't get me wrong, I like the case design and I'm working on the idea currently but only so far as the 6.5mm is concerned. Reality is that the WSM case will accomplish the same thing and you can even use it in a long action if you really have to. The dies, brass and reamers are all available for somewhat more reasonable prices than a wildcat offspring.

Thanks Kurz, and you're right, I think it's mostly been something to occupy my mind. Every-time I look at what it will take to get it done the price goes up.

 

[Kurz]

These types of projects have been a source of keeping my mind busy for a bunch of years! Some pan out and I spend the money, others fizzle during the examination and justification. The ones that fizzle still nag at me during the times when I'm running through 'what ifs'.

Don't give up if you feel strongly about a project. Keep banging it around until it fits or falls apart. In this situation though, the brass is the big question mark. I don't see it as being available for quite some time.

Enjoy!

 

[Phys86]

Has anyone followed through on a 30-6.5 rpm?

I'm wondering about performance and loads from a 24" bbl

 

[46and2]

For some reason I've become interested in making a 30cal wildcat of the new 6.5 Weatherby RPM. I was looking for some thoughts on this as I have a PTG standard bolt face bolt and a Remington 721 action. It looks like this round should preforms a little above .300 WSM levels in a .30-06 bolt face long action. PTG is already offering a 30-6.5 RPM reamer, so the chambering shouldn't be an issue.

Any ideas on forming the case or other thoughts? I'm assuming I would be limited to getting custom dies made to form the brass?

At this point this is purely academic because I would like to see if anyone else picks up making the brass other than Weatherby.

I really want to try a 6.5 rpm build but the only thing that bugs me is the rebated rim. It doesn't lend itself to taking pressure as well as a fully supported case head.
Have you considered a properly throated 30.06 AI or a 30 Sherman?

 

[NZ_Fclass]

30-06 AI is a better bet. You can always make it from Nosler 280AI brass it you want to get finicky or '06 brass if you suddenly get sensible!

 

[46and2]

30-06 AI is a better bet. You can always make it from Nosler 280AI brass it you want to get finicky or '06 brass if you suddenly get sensible!

Or Lapua 30.06 brass

 

[Phys86]

I would only load it to 60k psi.

I really love the case capacity of the rsaum, but don't want to go mag bolt face route, so I'd maybe do this 30-6.5 rpm thing and just load it down a bit.

Or modify it to have a slightly shorter base to datum dimension so that it has a nice long neck and 73-75gr capacity instead of 82

 

[DocDoc]

Sherman has a 30-06 based case that has the same capacity as a .30 Gibbs. That should be like a 30 RSAUM or 30 WSM.

 

[Phys86]

Yup, but the length is the killer on that one.

 

[wwbrown]

One option for the sizing die is to have a machinist open up the on 6.5 Weatherby RPM, to handle the 308 diameter bullets, this is assuming bushing dies exist for the parent. Yes I know that sizing dies are hardened but machinist or gunsmiths using carbide can cut it.

 

[maddysdad]

with 180 to 220 grain bullets what would the volocity be given a 24 to say 26 in barrel

 

[RustyPin]

Considering the extravagant price of Brass for the 6.5-RPM you could use 9.3x64 Brenneke Brass and save a large fortune. As far as a 30 Caliber version you need to look towards Europe as they have several variations "Messmer Magnum"? of the 64-63mm Brass. It's just not a worthwhile project unless you have a substantial pile of Brass already.