6.5 144gr SMK, Anyone??

[ryewhiskeybent]

Snagged a 500 ct box of these at a deal. Planning on loading for 6.5 CM 1:8 twist but there is almost zero info out there on them. Called the bulletsmiths and they advised that it was overrun for an European OEM producer and was not likely to be ran again or included in load manuals. No other info.... kinda weird. Gave the standard boilerplate, start at the published 142 load minus 1 grain and work up. That was the general plan anyways. I know Berger and Lapua have some 144s but I’m just trailer trash and Sierra is about as high as I go. Just wondering if anyone has any experience or thoughts on this in a 65CM. Thoughtful input, cold indifference and unsolicited two cents are all welcome here. Thanks

.264 Cal 144 Gr. HPBT MatchKing - Sierra Bullets

The 6.5mm/.264 inch bore has recently enjoyed a resurgence of interest. Several rifle manufacturers currently produce 6.5x55mm sporting rifles, exposing a new generation of shooters to this famous old Scandinavian service and hunting cartridge. Competitive High-Power and Silhouette shooters have...

www.sierrabullets.com

 

[RegionRat]

Another piece of the puzzle could come from the Hodgdon Reloading web site when you straddle the bullet weight and look for powders you may have on hand. There is data for a 143 ELDX and also for 147 ELDM bullets. A quick look gives me the impression that the powders in those lists are well behaved and should be easy to interpolate/extrapolate without drama.

I find it interesting that Sierra ran a custom bullet for an OEM without offering it for sale in their line-up or publishing data. It isn't a complete surprise since lots of big retailers have the same clout in many other markets. For example you find some things at Costco made for them by major brands and those items have custom specs that don't match what they sell anywhere else. It makes me wonder where these Sierras ended up as loaded ammo?

I am sure you will do fine with something close to another similar bullet. Good Luck!

 

[swd]

I find it interesting that Sierra ran a custom bullet for an OEM without offering it for sale in their line-up or publishing data.

The 144 in in their catalog and has been out a couple years. They probably just haven't done pressure test load data on it yet.

Sierra also builds a few bullets for proprietary vendors that they don't sell as a Sierra product. The Tubbs 115DTAC and the 25 cal Blackjacks are the first that I can think of.