6.5 PRC - anyone able to load vlds to fit mag & not jamming to deep in the case

[Lynn313]

I may have ordered a 6.5PRC build without doing enough research. I reload & don’t shoot factory except in emergency.

1. I don’t have a 6.5 PRC in hand to check, but my measurements off diagrams show that to reach the lands in a SA with VLD type bullets they would have to be shoved to far into the case. I prefer starting with the base (bearing surface meets Boattail) right at the shoulder /neck junction.

2. If I did load the longer bullets to touch lands or be 10 thou off they wouldn’t fit the bottom metal mag that would go with a short action.

I would appreciate any feedback from someone loading one to tell me all is OK and share some details. Gun has been ordered, but not started on. Thanks for any and all help!

Lynn

 

[DDRH65PRC]

If you're in a short action with SAAMI spec .188" fb, the closest you'll get with 140 Berger VLD will be roughly .030-.040"

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/my-6-5-prc-thread.3950329/

Alf's thread, 6th post down. He mentions .020" with COAL, running .200" free bore.

Long Action would work to load closer to the lands.

I'm waiting on my 6.5 PRC order too.

 

[Willie]

You really need to buy brass first, then experiment with dummy measurements with your bullet of choice, then order a reamer with correct freebore for your setup ( if your smith doesn't have one.

You can get up to 2.995" by having your smith install a Wyatt CFE-5 box. It requires a little milling and bolt stop tweaking, but should solve your problem. If this is a true custom, your smith will know how to set things up. If not, you could sure end up in a fix. Find some good brass and a few different bullet choices and see what the dummies measure.

 

[wboggs]

I can load them using a LA 700 with 0.186" free bore. You could also easily load them with a mid length action that would hold a 3.15" oal cartridge.

 

[8andbait]

I am having one built and will be using the .130 freebore.
This will allow you to fit in the mag and touch the lands with 140 vld’s

Hornady factory 147 ammo is 2.950 and will be jammed about.010-.015 so I think the best reamer for a short action is the .130 freebore.

 

[Lynn313]

I am having one built and will be using the .130 freebore.
This will allow you to fit in the mag and touch the lands with 140 vld’s

Hornady factory 147 ammo is 2.950 and will be jammed about.010-.015 so I think the best reamer for a short action is the .130 freebore.

Everything I have researched points to a medium action like a Deviant XM with their 3.2” DBM being the correct way to go. I believe a few riflemakers worked with Hornady to make this a commercial success to sell factory ammo which i’ll Never shoot. I still don’t feel good about it. George Gardner told me it would work. I’m only moving forward with it because he said he would make it work for me. Nobody gave him his good reputation. It’s earned. So I am continuing “strictly” because George said I won’t experience problems loading the bullets I want as a hand loader.