6.5 RUM

[cowboybart]

Just got the barreled action from the 'smith and was wondering if I should get a 20 MOA base or a 40 MOA base? I am kinda in uncharted territory not knowing what to expect in velocity. I plan on running a Matrix 160gr bullet, the exact BC escapes me, but it should be around a .6 or so. The barrel is a Brux that finished at 31"
I don't have the skills to shoot at a mile or beyond, but would love to try and get them.

If somebody has worked with this round before - let me know what vels you were getting. I'd like to know when it will go sub sonic.

 

[Danny1788]

Here you go buddy

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=152053.0

http://ar15armory.com/forums/topic/148490-savage-65-badger-project-26-blackhole-8-twist-p3/

 

[Danny1788]

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/160gr-matrix-112547/index35.html

 

[yorketransport]

I have the first of the 2 6.5 Badger barrels mentioned in those links; mine's a 30" McGowen.

A fully formed Badger case has the same capacity as a 7mm RUM case and almost 10 grains more capacity than a 26 nosler. I haven't done much with that barrel since I worked up the original load for the 160 matrix about 2 years ago. I was getting 3430fps with the 160 bullet as long as outside temps were above 65*. US 869 is so temperature sensitive that I am down to 3280fps when temps get down below about 40* during hunting season.

The biggest problem with this caliber or the similar super sized overbore 6.5s is that US 869 is about the only powder slow enough to really work. Stick powders give powder bridging problems and you'll get pressure spikes. Also, federal 215 primers are just about the only option to ignight that much slow burning ball powder, and I can find unicorns easier than federal 215s (fortunately I have enough for at least 4 barrels).

I only have 80 rounds through my barrel right now. The other barrel was a BlackHole Weaponry with polygonal rifling. That barrel was smoked after 200 rounds. I think the poly rifling just can't take the a use from such an overbore round.

I just put the gun back together yesterday to take out today after having it sitting for almost a year.

Andrew

 

[cowboybart]

I look forward to hearing how your trip to the range goes. I had the contour set up so I can get 2 setbacks and rethreads when I lose the throat. The third set back will make it a 6.5-06 and move it over to a Mauser action.
I thought about carborizing the bore to help improve life - will this help??
Mine is based on the 7RUM case which I think is a tad longer than the 338. In the end the mag box is going to dictate OAL.
I do have a good supply of Fed 215s from the days when I was silly enough to own a 416 Wby. I have lots of WC 860 and WC 872. I use the 860 quite a bit in a 264 WM, so I'm thinking 872 in this one.

 

[yorketransport]

I took the 6.5 Badger out and got it dialed in today. I dropped the load down a bit since this time around I used Remington 7mm RUM brass to form cases instead of the Nosler 338 RUM I was using. The case capacity is within 1 grain with each brand so I only dropped down 1 grain. The new load gives 3370 fps instead of the 3340 that the old load gave me. I'll just stick with this since it shot a bit over .5 MOA. Chasing .25" groups is a great way to smoke a barrel in a round this overbore!

I shot it out to 1360 yards and it takes 27.5 MOA to get there from a 100 yard zero. I use a G7 BC of .3178.

Here's a picture of the 6.5/338 RUM improved next to a 7mm RUM case. The 7mm is longer but the improved 338 case has the same capacity with a shorter OAL.


I had a 7mm and 270 RUM as well. With comparable bullets they're all pretty much equal I kept the 6.5 and sold the other 2.

 

[Zero333]

Maybe it's time for something a little faster, and neck the 585 HE down several calibers. Maybe a 7mm-585HE ?

just kidding

 

[cowboybart]

Thanks for the info, yorketransport. In a perfect world the scope will have 55-60 MOA of adjustment = 25-30 MOA up and 25-30 MOA down. Adding a 20 MOA base and having 25-30 MOA in the scope should get me past 1 mile. I guess if I think I need more, I can always go with a 40 MOA base. I have a 20 base in my hands, I'd have to buy a 40 base - not a big deal but now is the time to decide.

 

[CTK]

Wow..... I bet you could get a 6.5 RUM into low earth orbit without pushing pressures.

 

[rifleman700]

I have the first of the 2 6.5 Badger barrels mentioned in those links; mine's a 30" McGowen.

A fully formed Badger case has the same capacity as a 7mm RUM case and almost 10 grains more capacity than a 26 nosler. I haven't done much with that barrel since I worked up the original load for the 160 matrix about 2 years ago. I was getting 3430fps with the 160 bullet as long as outside temps were above 65*. US 869 is so temperature sensitive that I am down to 3280fps when temps get down below about 40* during hunting season.

The biggest problem with this caliber or the similar super sized overbore 6.5s is that US 869 is about the only powder slow enough to really work. Stick powders give powder bridging problems and you'll get pressure spikes. Also, federal 215 primers are just about the only option to ignight that much slow burning ball powder, and I can find unicorns easier than federal 215s (fortunately I have enough for at least 4 barrels).

I only have 80 rounds through my barrel right now. The other barrel was a BlackHole Weaponry with polygonal rifling. That barrel was smoked after 200 rounds. I think the poly rifling just can't take the a use from such an overbore round.

I just put the gun back together yesterday to take out today after having it sitting for almost a year.

Andrew

That surprises me that you found US869 temp sensitive. I tested it in a 7RUM and found it to be fairly stable. Not as stable as my go to powder - Retumbo but decent. Every rifle is different I guess.