Do book 6.5-06 loads seem a bit anemic

[Turpentine]

I have worked up loads for more rifles than I can count. I’ve been loading for about 35 years and understand what to look for with pressure. I’ve done quite a lot of reading here and really enjoy all the good information and wisdom.
I’m new to the 6.5-06, my new build could be described as the A-Square match chamber. I have a Mack Brothers long action and 26” Criterian barrel 1 in 8” in a Remage setup with an Oryx Chassis. Powders are H4831sc and Imr 4350. I’m not chasing max velocity. I’m working with Hornady 147 eldm’s at the moment but anything 140 and up would be fine as I’m looking for accuracy at extended ranges to 1000 yards. My COAL with the 147 puts me at 3.390 at 10 thousandths off the lands. This is beyond the seemingly standard 3.34 coal which would theoretically allow a little more powder room. With the 147s, my goal from before the build has been around 2850fps which doesn’t seem to be a big stretch for the cartridge.
It seems from my reading on 6.5-06, 6.5-55, and 6.5-284, that book loadings are quite a bit under what loaders are finding to be safe in their guns. It seems to be a fairly common theme with these calibers.
Every rifle is different I know and loading above published max much be done in small increments with a lot of caution, measurement, and observation on pressure signs. I was just wondering if many of you with experience in this cartridge notice the same thing? Please understand I’m not looking for permission to ignore book max. I plan to work up cautiously as always And have no intentions of pushing it. I’d rather avoid the recoil, muzzle blast, and reduced case and barrel life.

 

[WyleWD]

It seems from my reading on 6.5-06, 6.5-55, and 6.5-284, that book loadings are quite a bit under what loaders are finding to be safe in their guns. It seems to be a fairly common theme with these calibers.
Every rifle is different I know and loading above published max much be done in small increments with a lot of caution, measurement, and observation on pressure signs. I was just wondering if many of you with experience in this cartridge notice the same thing? Please understand I’m not looking for permission to ignore book max. I plan to work up cautiously as always And have no intentions of pushing it. I’d rather avoid the recoil, muzzle blast, and reduced case and barrel life.

I've had a couple 6.5-06's. And generally speaking I agree with you. Each rifle is different as you know. I use mine for hunting and yes, I'm a tick or two over "max" depending upon which bullets I'm using. I've had my best accuracy and performance on 140gr down to 120gr bullets. YMMV. WD

 

[Will Henry]

Because it is the powder I used the most, back in the day, all of my info is based on H4831. With this powder and 140's, a 6.5/06 could be expected to achieve about 2940 fps from a 26 inch barrel. A 6.5/284 would do about the same but, if Norma brass was used, primer pockets would loosen. The 256 Newton does about 2880, the 6.5x55 about 2800.
N165 (Vitavhouri) is good for about another 70fps in each case. Keep in mind, these are loads I considered to be maximum in each cartridge. WH

 

[Turpentine]

Because it is the powder I used the most, back in the day, all of my info is based on H4831. With this powder and 140's, a 6.5/06 could be expected to achieve about 2940 fps from a 26 inch barrel. A 6.5/284 would do about the same but, if Norma brass was used, primer pockets would loosen. The 256 Newton does about 2880, the 6.5x55 about 2800.
N165 (Vitavhouri) is good for about another 70fps in each case. Keep in mind, these are loads I considered to be maximum in each cartridge. WH

Thank you sir, I appreciate the information. I do plan on trying some 140s if work will give me time to shoot And the 147s don’t play ball. I also have some accubond long range 129s I may try for hunting but they’ve sort of gone off the reservation in price. I do have H4831sc on hand now and actually plan to shoot an OCW test with them in the morning if this Tropical Depression and high winds clear out

 

[Turpentine]

Because it is the powder I used the most, back in the day, all of my info is based on H4831. With this powder and 140's, a 6.5/06 could be expected to achieve about 2940 fps from a 26 inch barrel. A 6.5/284 would do about the same but, if Norma brass was used, primer pockets would loosen. The 256 Newton does about 2880, the 6.5x55 about 2800.
N165 (Vitavhouri) is good for about another 70fps in each case. Keep in mind, these are loads I considered to be maximum in each cartridge. WH

I know it's been a while but I have a quick question for you. I have given H1000 a look and it does pretty well. Gives me 2940 with less pressure with 140 hornady eldm's. If I'm reading your statement above correctly Vihtavouri N 165 could theoretically give me a max load around 3020. So 2930-50 could certainly be achievable in my 26" barrel. That's my goal velocity with the 140s and my barrel seems to have a sweet spot there. Not to mention prices on Vihtavouri have gone from the highest in the old days to one of the more reasonable now and the powder is available. Just wanted to make sure I was reading everything correctly. If so I Intend to get some and try it.

 

[L.Sherm]

If your gonna try the Viht route give 565 a shot.

 

[STOMP442]

I have found H1000 to be the easy button for that cartridge. Somewhere around 55gr should give you velocities in the 2950fps range and half moa or better accuracy.

 

[mike mccormick]

Keep in mind, speed is fine, but accuracy is final. You may find your combination wants to shoot best at 2950, but not so much at 3050.

 

[mtnman31]

Agreed - most 6.5-06 book loads are pretty anemic.

 

[jr600yd]

I shot the 6.5/06 for a few years in long range any/any. With 140 gr bullets I found it shot best 2930-2950 from a 30” barrel.

 

[Turpentine]

Mine definitely has a good stable node with H 1000 at 2940 with the 140 and that's all the speed I want. That is at 56.6 grains. By far the best es and Sd I have seen. Just keeps spitting out duplicates. No pressure signs at all. Groups are very good. 147s have a decent node at 2880 with H 4831sc but the es and Sd could certainly show improvement. I have not shot 140s with h4831sc yet. If I knew I could procure more H 1000 in the next month or so I wouldn't even ask about Vihtavouri. But, if the Vihtavouri n165 is capable of 2940-2950 with the 140 and can do it with less pressure than H4831 SC then it becomes interesting to me if I can't find more H1000. It would certainly be something I'd be willing to try. I prefer only single base powders as I shoot at times in 100 plus degree weather. Just a personal preference.

 

[Turpentine]

I have found H1000 to be the easy button for that cartridge. Somewhere around 55gr should give you velocities in the 2950fps range and half moa or better accuracy.

My rifle with 55 grains of H1000 for whatever reason runs around 2850-2870 with 140s. It groups very well from 56-57grains at around .5 moa and shoots the same POI through that range. But 56.6 is where everything comes together. .25-.3 if I do my part and excellent es and Sd. Speed there is 2940 unless my chrono is lying but that matches my drops at range.

 

[Turpentine]

Keep in mind, speed is fine, but accuracy is final. You may find your combination wants to shoot best at 2950, but not so much at 3050.

If it ain't accurate, I don't want it. I don't mind sacrificing speed. But I like to tinker and test also.

 

[Turpentine]

Guys I do appreciate all of your responses on this cartridge. It's new to me but I had wanted to build one for a long time. I really like the light recoil. The fact that it weighs 13 pounds helps also. I recently started turning my necks and uniforming them which is showing some dividends. I had a little issue with thick necks with 30-06 brass so I started turning it but even turning and cleaning up the necks of the 270 brass seems to help with consistency as does annealing. I enjoy doing both of those processes.
Also, any info on the N 165 and a 140 would be greatly appreciated. Whether it's personal experience or Quickload. I'm seating 140 eldm's to 3.355 or about .020 off which seems to be its preferred depth. Case capacity is 67 grains h2o using Win, 270 brass. 26" barrel. Fed. 210m primer, 8 twist. Thanks for all of your responses.

 

[AckleymanII]

129, 52-53g of R#22, cci 250, shoots a bug hole. I sort the 129 by ogive length, seat .003 off the lands for a bug hole group. 3150 fps on my 26" 8T .

Work up to this load in your rifle, LOTS of variables, lot# of powder, throat length, groove dia, freebore length, etc.

I neck turn at 30 cal and neck down, helps on doughnuts also. If your chamber is large enough in the web, you will find the Lapua 30/06 brass incredible in how tough it is.

You should determine what is a max load for your barrel, back off 2.0g and work up load.

After firing the round, always insert a bullet past the shoulder neck junction to see if a doughnut has formed, K&M neck turner mandrel with the cutter solves all doughnut issues.

 

[Turpentine]

129, 52-53g of R#22, cci 250, shoots a bug hole. I sort the 129 by ogive length, seat .003 off the lands for a bug hole group. 3150 fps on my 26" 8T .

Work up to this load in your rifle, LOTS of variables, lot# of powder, throat length, groove dia, freebore length, etc.

I neck turn at 30 cal and neck down, helps on doughnuts also. If your chamber is large enough in the web, you will find the Lapua 30/06 brass incredible in how tough it is.

You should determine what is a max load for your barrel, back off 2.0g and work up load.

After firing the round, always insert a bullet past the shoulder neck junction to see if a doughnut has formed, K&M neck turner mandrel with the cutter solves all doughnut issues.

Yes, did have a slight doughnut issue with 30-06 brass. Thick necks. i had Lee make a custom collet neck sizer from some dummy rounds. Then I started turning necks to .013. That eliminated that issue. I like 270 brass better though And have a lot of it. Have not tried Lapua brass but if it's as tough as LC Match in my 308 I may give it a shot.

 

[AckleymanII]

Lapua '06 is awesome, if you loads push the upper pressure limits.

 

[JSH]

Interesting how great a wildcat is. Then, someone makes it legit production SAMMI cartridge and has to neuter it because a lab with real equipment sees pressures are through the roof. 280AI was a prime example.