and so it begins...6.5 gt

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

I'll stick with my 6 Dasher! Not doing all the .... that goes along with other crap. Just load the damn cases and shoot bug holes!!

I guess it really comes down to what your objectives are.

For me I'm needing to make power factor requirements for NRL hunter matches which cannot be met with a 6mm.
Aaand I'd like to get good barrel life after smoking my 6GT in 900 rounds..
This thing should go north of 3500 I'm guessing.

Prep is as simple as running the brass through an expander mandrel so no drama there.
I already have the brass and 6GT match bushing dies so buying the reamer was actually cheaper than going with a 6.5x47.

 

[NZ_Fclass]

I like the idea. Should run nice on Varget. Probaly make a 300m gun that works fine. I've been running the .......moor on 39.5 varget with 123g recently with good results.

 

[ballisticdaddy]

I guess it really comes down to what your objectives are.

For me I'm needing to make power factor requirements for NRL hunter matches which cannot be met with a 6mm.
Aaand I'd like to get good barrel life after smoking my 6GT in 900 rounds..
This thing should go north of 3500 I'm guessing.

Prep is as simple as running the brass through an expander mandrel so no drama there.
I already have the brass and 6GT match bushing dies so buying the reamer was actually cheaper than going with a 6.5x47.

I just retired a Bartlein barrel chambered in 6GT after almost 4K rounds pushing Berger 108's at 2,940 fps over H4350. Wouldn't it be easier to just shoot 6.5 x47 or even 6.5 Creedmoor?

 

[Kracken McGraw]

So, it's a gay creedmoor?

ROFL!

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

I just retired a Bartlein barrel chambered in 6GT after almost 4K rounds pushing Berger 108's at 2,940 fps over H4350. Wouldn't it be easier to just shoot 6.5 x47 or even 6.5 Creedmoor?

Wow you won the lottery with that barrel!
I haven't met a PRS shooter yet who's had a 6 GT break 1800 rounds, the average is about 1500.
You're in 223 territory my friend

 

[nakneker]

What happened to this ??

His last post was on Sept 17, 22 - last visited on the forum on Sept 19, 22. Hope he’s ok.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I got sucked into yesterday not paying attention to the old post date, but enjoyed it.
Like someone else said, why not just use a 6.5x47 Lapua.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

I got sucked into yesterday not paying attention to the old post date, but enjoyed it.
Like someone else said, why not just use a 6.5x47 Lapua.

My reasoning is:

1. The GT case gave we ridiculous accuracy and single digit ES

2. I want to send the 142-144s around 2650 with minimal recoil and max barrel life.

3. The 35 degree shoulder only needs trimmed every 10-12 firings in my experience, vs 4-5 with a 30 degree angle.

We'll see if my rational pans out..

 

[X-Caveman]

My reasoning is:

1. The GT case gave we ridiculous accuracy and single digit ES

2. I want to send the 142-144s around 2650 with minimal recoil and max barrel life.

3. The 35 degree shoulder only needs trimmed every 10-12 firings in my experience, vs 4-5 with a 30 degree angle.

We'll see if my rational pans out..

What BBL length are you thinking to get enough speed to make PF? I’m in a similar boat with my 6.5x47. I have 2 barrels at 22-1/2” with about .145” freebores running suppressed. Going to see if the krieger will make PF tomorrow with a 142. Trying Varget & H4350. Need 2,680. We shall see.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

My reasoning is:

1. The GT case gave we ridiculous accuracy and single digit ES

2. I want to send the 142-144s around 2650 with minimal recoil and max barrel life.

3. The 35 degree shoulder only needs trimmed every 10-12 firings in my experience, vs 4-5 with a 30 degree angle.

We'll see if my rational pans out..

The 6.5 Creedmoor BARELY Has, enough "Horse Power" AS, IS,. WHY go "Backwards" with the Smaller GT Case ??
I'm getting 2,850 FPS With 130 gr. ELD-M's and 5 shot group's, down into the Low .3's, "BugHoles" at, 100 yds out of, a 24 inch Barrel from, a FACTORY 6.5 Creed., Tikka, T-3 Rifle.
The 6mm and .22 GT's are Fine,.. HP vs Bore Dia.
IMO, the 6.5 x 47 Lapua or, 6.5 Creed.,. with most, 6.5 Dia. Bullets,.. IS, Just,.. way, WAY,.. "Better" !
I Know that, Wildcatters / Experimenter's, just GOTTA,.."Experiment",.. LOL !
"Waste of, Time" with,.. this One, tho, as,. Just NOT enough, Powder capacity for, the 6.5 Bullet ( IMO ! ).

 

[ballisticdaddy]

Wow you won the lottery with that barrel!
I haven't met a PRS shooter yet who's had a 6 GT break 1800 rounds, the average is about 1500.
You're in 223 territory my friend

I am used to getting close to 3K out of most of my barrels, not just PRS but field and club matches. With this barrel I went with H4350 instead of Varget and gave up some velocity for life expectancy and consistency. Also like a bit slower bullet with PRS for reduced recoil but more importantly the ability to see the projectile in flight and the splash of its POI. Speed is great but wears chambers/barrels and makes it very easy to miss impacts / splashes. Making power factor is much easier than making impacts but to me the latter is the ultimate goal. Wish you luck on your 6.5GT endeavor, curious to see the results.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

What BBL length are you thinking to get enough speed to make PF? I’m in a similar boat with my 6.5x47. I have 2 barrels at 22-1/2” with about .145” freebores running suppressed. Going to see if the krieger will make PF tomorrow with a 142. Trying Varget & H4350. Need 2,680. We shall see.

26"
Let me know where you end up from your 22" 6.5×47

 

[X-Caveman]

26"
Let me know where you end up from your 22" 6.5×47

It made it. Varget and H4350 both topped out at about 2,710, which is 384,820 PF. Accuracy nod looks like it will go to 4350. Both charges are over published maxes, but under what you see guys running online. Varget showed a little more pressure with more primer extruding and swipes on case head. No sticky bolt, clickers or ejector marks with either. I loaded more of each for testing, but I was encouraged enough to order 800 more 142s.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

It made it. Varget and H4350 both topped out at about 2,710, which is 384,820 PF. Accuracy nod looks like it will go to 4350. Both charges are over published maxes, but under what you see guys running online. Varget showed a little more pressure with more primer extruding and swipes on case head. No sticky bolt, clickers or ejector marks with either. I loaded more of each for testing, but I was encouraged enough to order 800 more 142s.

Awesome man
This gives me zero doubt that I'll make power factor easily with a 26" barrel, the 6.5 GT case capacity is 45 grains so only 3 less than a x47.

 

[762 ULTRAMAGA]

Aight I got by 6.5 GT the other day and have started load development.
I went with a 28" Benchmark Sendero contour for NRL hunter matches.

Using N150 I worked up to 35 grains with 142 smks, an 8 shot string over my Garmin showed a velocity of 2720 with an SD of 6.8
Groups are in the .5s and there are no signs of pressure.
I'm quite happy with the velocity and what is shaping up to be stupid easy load development.

Pardon the plywood target.. I didnt have time to hang paper after work.

 

[Evan]

Aight I got by 6.5 GT the other day and have started load development.
I went with a 28" Benchmark Sendero contour for NRL hunter matches.

Using N150 I worked up to 35 grains with 142 smks, an 8 shot string over my Garmin showed a velocity of 2720 with an SD of 6.8
Groups are in the .5s and there are no signs of pressure.
I'm quite happy with the velocity and what is shaping up to be stupid easy load development.

Pardon the plywood target.. I didnt have time to hang paper after work.

View attachment 1650918View attachment 1650919View attachment 1650920View attachment 1650921

100 yards? Looks great!

 

[Fuj]

In older posts.....Dave Zimmerman won the 2024 Ridgway, 2 day
championships with a 6.5 GT, and rifle built by Mike Redin. That's
850 yards out to 1000 and one of the toughest ranges to read.
And you do not set flags.

 

[ballisticdaddy]

In older posts.....Dave Zimmerman won the 2024 Ridgway, 2 day
championships with a 6.5 GT, and rifle built by Mike Redin. That's
850 yards out to 1000 and one of the toughest ranges to read.
And you do not set flags.

Seems like a ton of work + money for a 6.5x47 Lapua with a GT stamped case

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

Is the 6.5 Creedmoor W/ Hornady, 140-143's,.. STILL "Winning" at Texas Plinking 1,000 Yard Steel Challenge ??
Asking for, a Friend

 

[Evan]

Seems like a ton of work + money for a 6.5x47 Lapua with a GT stamped case

Could be said about all wildcats ever. Sometimes it’s about exploring and learning something new and not just about the cheapest, easiest path to a destination.