I am having a 6.5-06 built it will be barreled with a 26" 3 grove Pac Nor.
I am wondering what kind of real world velocities you 6.5-06 guys are getting with 140 gr pills.
I am thinking that I should be in the 2900 to 3000 FPS range how about you?

I'm running my 24" barrel at an honest 2850 with the 140 gr bullet, and the load is conservative--1 grain under the Hornaday manual maximum. The caliber is superbly accurate and the brass lasts a long time.

If I loaded up to the full pressure potential of my Rem 700, I expect I could get 3000 fps; don't know.

Don't know if the extra velocity makes a great deal of difference. The 6.5 shots flat enough for me, and the 140 NP has gone right through anything I've shot so far.
Shotgun

Just noticed you were in Elizabeth. I have parker but the mailing address is Elizabeth.

Anyway I have very little real world data with the 6.5-06. I played more with my own wildcat more of a 6.5Gibbs. With a 26" barrel and 140s you should have no trouble with 29-3000.

With the 140s if you don't mind a slight compression look to RL25 or MRP2 or if you want just a full case look to MRP, 7828 or RL22. MRP was my go to powder for my 6.5PDK.

It depends upon accuracy vs velocity. You can push any load for velocity but not every load is going to be accurate at the max velocity. I find that a 90% to 93% load density yields the most accurate load. If your seating long to maximize case capacity you will get you the greatest velocity for that 90% loading.

Bullet selection is critical. Different brand bullets of the same weight may yield totally different results as with different powders.

quote:

I find that a 90% to 93% load density yields the most accurate load.

I've found that I can't guess in advance. I've had some like you say in the 90-95% then I've had others that the best accuracy was on the very edge of max load. What I have found is MRP and RL22 don't seem to care if they are compressed. More that they seem to like it. Then again that is just in my cases and rifles.

Thanks guys.

I am thinking about starting off with 140 gr Nosler Accubonds. But we'll just have to see how they do.I'm building this rifle with antelope, deer, sheep and goats in mind. It ought to be great for that application.

Ramrod,

Do you shoot over at Ben Lomand?

quote:

Do you shoot over at Ben Lomand?

Actually I've only been in the area for 2 months. I was taken as a guest to Ben Lomand last Monday. I think it has promise.
I would look to the 130 Accubond as well. My buddy has hunted for years with a 264Wmag. Only time he goes higher than 120s is for elk.

I have the AI version and get 3K easily. Unless elk was on the menu, I have not found a need for the 140 bullets either. I use 120BT in the 6.5-06AI and 125 Partitions or 129 Hornady's in the 264WM. They all worked better for me as far as accuracy vs. velocity. They also do a great job on anything 300# or less at long range.

I agree with Larry, a 140 NP in 6.5 is a lot of bullet for antelope and deer. That would be my choice for elk, though.

Have you looked at the 120-130gr bullets, lots of great choices, including the NP in 125gr.

I haven't but I will, Thanks.

Surestrike:
I have been running 120 Sierra's, at over 3100fps, with IMR4831. Very deadly on antelope. I have also shot a variety of other critters with this load and rifle. A 24" Springfield custom, I built. Mine seems to like the 120's better than the longer bullets, and for no particular reason I can find. I have fired over 700 rounds thru this one in load development and hunting, and have found it to be an excellent cartridge. I would not pass up a shot on elk with this load, if the range was under 300yds, and I could choose my shot placement, as I have killed a number of elk with the 270, and found it to be quite adequate.

Jerry

Got a pic Jerry? Big fan of Springfields

Jerry,

What is your twist rate?

I went with a 1 in 8 specifically for heavier bullets. I hope I didn't screw up with that?

quote:

I went with a 1 in 8 specifically for heavier bullets. I hope I didn't screw up with that?

I had a 1 in 8 on my 6.5PDK it handled 120-140s just fine.

I believe the normal choice is 1 in 9 or 1 in 8. Can't see that making much of a difference as to accuracy.

If you're not shooting 140+ VLD type bullets at 1000 yards, I don't think the twist is as important for a hunting rifle. It might not like the 100gr class bullets, but that doesn't seem to be a problem for what you're using it for.

Sorry for the slow reply guys, been away on business. My twist rate is 1X9, barrel 24". Milehigh, I will get some pics loaded, if I can soon. It seems I am challenged posting pics since I went to windows 7. I have a host site, but can't seem to hit the right button, LOL.

Jerry

quote:

Originally posted by surestrike:
....with 140 gr pills.
I am thinking that I should be in the 2900 to 3000 FPS range how about you?

Being a 'wildcat' cartridge there is no 'official' SAAMI pressure spec. However, if you load to 270 Win pressures, you can probably expect about the same results as 270, which easily gets you to 3000 fps. Of course, as with any reload but especially so in this instance, you'll want to build up to it slowly and carefully. Will you be measuring velocity or pressure or both?