New Project!

[338 Mollett]

A couple months ago the wife decided to remodel the kitchen so out of boredom I started tearing up things also.Not having a very good truck rifle I had a used 6.5 barrel with no particular purpose so it was to be the test rat.The project had conditions,utilize a short action,fit the hidden magazine,make a hot little cartridge,and above all no cost.We can't count time because the local poll shows my time is worth about 5 cents.So I took a 6.5 284 case shortened it to accept a 130g bullet trying to get as much powder as I could but keeping the 2.8oal.I'm sure there are cases a lot like it but that conflicts with one of the conditions,the free part.Case volume will hold 46.5 to 47g of h4350 but I learned just because it will hold it doesn't mean it will work!46g flat seized the bolt and I mean seized on a test for pressure tolerance.Today is going to be a nice day here in western Ky.so crossing my fingers I'll see what she can do.I will post the results later. Cheers!

 

[NickB1075]

A couple months ago the wife decided to remodel the kitchen so out of boredom I started tearing up things also.Not having a very good truck rifle I had a used 6.5 barrel with no particular purpose so it was to be the test rat.The project had conditions,utilize a short action,fit the hidden magazine,make a hot little cartridge,and above all no cost.We can't count time because the local poll shows my time is worth about 5 cents.So I took a 6.5 284 case shortened it to accept a 130g bullet trying to get as much powder as I could but keeping the 2.8oal.I'm sure there are cases a lot like it but that conflicts with one of the conditions,the free part.Case volume will hold 46.5 to 47g of h4350 but I learned just because it will hold it doesn't mean it will work!46g flat seized the bolt and I mean seized on a test for pressure tolerance.Today is going to be a nice day here in western Ky.so crossing my fingers I'll see what she can do.I will post the results later. Cheers!

I have to say if I were you I would rethink your pressure testing methods. Very unsafe to just jam some powder in a case and give it a go.

Do you have a reloading manual?

Nick

 

[ShootDots]

A couple months ago the wife decided to remodel the kitchen so out of boredom I started tearing up things also.Not having a very good truck rifle I had a used 6.5 barrel with no particular purpose so it was to be the test rat.The project had conditions,utilize a short action,fit the hidden magazine,make a hot little cartridge,and above all no cost.We can't count time because the local poll shows my time is worth about 5 cents.So I took a 6.5 284 case shortened it to accept a 130g bullet trying to get as much powder as I could but keeping the 2.8oal.I'm sure there are cases a lot like it but that conflicts with one of the conditions,the free part.Case volume will hold 46.5 to 47g of h4350 but I learned just because it will hold it doesn't mean it will work!46g flat seized the bolt and I mean seized on a test for pressure tolerance.Today is going to be a nice day here in western Ky.so crossing my fingers I'll see what she can do.I will post the results later. Cheers!

I just want to let you know that with a "normal" 6.5 x 284 and a 140gr bullet, 50.0grs. of H4350 will open up your primer pockets in about 2 firings. I would NOT go over 50.0grs of H4350 with a 130gr pill out of a "normal" 6.5 x 284. Depending on just how "short" you "shortened" it to, you can gauge by the above info I gave you of a "normal" 6.5 x 284, and what powder charge range you should be looking in..

 

[338 Mollett]

I shot it yesterday,it's got some bugs to work out for sure.I think that I'm not sizing the body down enough in forming the brass,I'll rework a form die making it a body die and try again. And Nick you are right I apologize,I used to have the wife do the first test firing I won't make that mistake again.

 

[bheadboy]

suggestion, take the h20 vol of the std case you started with, then take the measurement of the case you arrived at after a modest load fired,

calculate the % water volume drop in the new case and the reduce the med load for the factory case and ladder up,

I have done this a number of times and never had pressure problems - while arriving at good loads for the final design.

Bob

 

[338 Mollett]

suggestion, take the h20 vol of the std case you started with, then take the measurement of the case you arrived at after a modest load fired,

calculate the % water volume drop in the new case and the reduce the med load for the factory case and ladder up,

I have done this a number of times and never had pressure problems - while arriving at good loads for the final design.

Bob

Good suggestion I did that.With the safe pressure loads it's getting down to 6xc levels which leads me to think I've got other issues going on.I've got a pretty good spring back on the shoulder.I could be cutting things too tight.Two shots are real close at 300 throwing a third 3" away telling me it's got a chance.I'll have a better idea after working with the fire formed brass

 

[338 Mollett]

Finally came together!I tried h 4350 and h 4831 with out much luck but re 22 worked.The groups were only 3 shots but 3 in a row gave the same group size at an inch or less at 300 yds.What struck me as odd the groups are all different loads.One was 45g at a particular seating depth,another was 45.5g,and the last 45.5 at a different seating depth.My suspicion was correct,poor case construction was a big factor in performance a classic case of the 7 P,s.I didn't clock it,my crony does not pick up well this time of year but it will be interesting to find out.A W.A.G. picture posting was attempted,I think it showed up on the O.P.All in all I,m happy with the way it turned out not bad for a truck gun.