Powder/primer recommendations for a 6.5 wild cat?

[scottl0000]

Hi folks,

I'll be loading for a new 6.5 wild cat based on a shortened 270 WSM case, shortened to hold about 4 grains less capacity to the base of the shoulder/neck junction than a 6.5x.284 Winchester. I'm hoping some folks can get me started on some good primer and powder types for a case of that capacity,not looking for amounts at this point, just which powders and large rifle primers to buy.) I'll be shooting this out of a gun with a 24" barrel, and will be using 130 through 142 grain bullets for a trip to Africa for plains game, and after that deer, black bear and the like here in the U.S.

In the past I've always used Federal 210m primers in my old .260 Rem, but I'm finding those are extremely scarce these days. Are there better alternative primers in a case this size for LR primers? What are most folks using in rounds like the 6.5x.284 for hunting where the temps can vary alot? I'm wondering if that might put me fairly close or if I should be looking for a faster burn rate due to the slightly smaller case and short barrel...

Obviously as far as overall goals, velocity is good, accuracy is better, and of course both would be just super.

Any powder and primer info would be very appreciated! Thanks.

 

[scottl0000]

I was noticing there were 31 views but no replies - is there any additional information I can supply which might help?

The case drawings show that the case is going to hold about 57.6 grains of powder in case that helps, and I'll be shooting 140gr bullets.

Thanks for any info,
Scott

 

[Macs]

Scott I'll replie, don't mean I'm right but I'll replie. Around here since Federal has been harder to get I've been shooting a few more Remingtons in the 9 1/2 I think that if you can get them they should shoot rather well for ya . As far as powder goes I would start with one of the reloaders like 22 or even 19 but that's just me I'll try about anything that might shoot decent.
Best of luck,

 

[Shooter32]

If it holds 4 grains less than a 6.5x284 it will be hard for you to get 57.6 grs of anything in it . 60 grs is about the max that i can get in my 6.5x284 and they are compressed . But on powders with the 140gr bullet i would try the 4831SC and RL-22 and maybe even the slower RL-25 and H1000 .

 

[scottl0000]

Thanks Macs and Shooter32. I have some RL22 on hand, and picked up the suggested 4831SC. Shooter32, the 57.6 was actaully the measured water capacity per RCBS' cartridge software, which came in pretty close to Load From a Disk as well, but I'm sure they are going off of water capacity which may well differ from powder, you are right. One software package shows about 3 grains less than the 6.5x.284 Winchester, the other shows closer to 5. In any case I'm sure it will come in under the 6.5x.284, I'm just trying to get a feel for how much lower to start my starting loads at.

Another newbie question: re: the suggested loads from Load From a Disk; they only list H4831, and not H4831SC - are the 2 powder types quite equivelant in a case this size or should I assume the charge figures in Load From a Disk are not going to work at all for the H4831SC?

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Shooter32]

The H4831 and the H4831SC will be close but start a little lower and work up . H4350 will be a good powder to try it is real good in the 6.5x284 and i have had good luck with N560 and it will give you some extra punch without extra pressure . You were asking about primers at the first i use the Federal 210M but as you know they are hard to come by i have always had good luck with the CCIs and alot of people really like the Wolf but i have not tried them .

 

[scottl0000]

Thanks Shooter32, that's great. I was able to find 1700 Fed210M primers locally and ran right down and bought them all - and they even gave me a quantity discount no less. I also have a significant amount of VV N560 left from my prior wildcat .340, so I'll give that a whirl as well. Thanks for the good information!

Scott

 

[alf]

H-4831 and H-4831 SC load data is interchangeable.
With a 24" barrel and 4 gr. less capacity, I'd start with H-4350.

Al

 

[constructor]

Thats pretty close to my 6.5 Reaper and there are a few loads on ammoguide.com but RE19,22 and 25 all work 4350 is fast but will also erode the throat faster. 3100 fps is fairly easy to reach with 139 scenars. I'll come back with a load or 2.
As a rough place to start 55gr of RE19, 57gr of 22 and 59gr of 25
These should be just below 60k and the case should be good for 65k.

 

[scottl0000]

Thanks a lot for the great info folks. And Constructor - thanks for looking those up for me!

Rifle should be ready in the next 10 days or so. New chronograph should also be here in few days... will let you know how it goes Either way, I imagine the rifle will shoot better than I do, but it should be a very fun experiment. Thanks again.