My best loads in my 6.5JDJ has been with Reloader 15, too. I haven't tried 4350 but last fall I tried N140 and N160. The N140 produced the best groups. Since you mention compressed loads I'll tell you about one. I bought a SSK 6.5 Mini-Dreadnought and emailed JD about a fireform load he replied, reduce any max. load 10% and if the shoulder did not form on the first firing increase powder charge 1 grain at a time until it formed on the first firing. Well I dumped 44.0 grs of AA4350 and when I moved the case away from the powder measure, powder fell on the floor. Tried it again and, powder on the floor. Slow learner. I had to tap the side of the case to get all of the powder in the case. Sure glad the case formed with 44.0 grs. I found that if I use a powder funnel and dump the powder slower from the measuring pan the powder is 3/16 inch from the case mouth.

I had a 6.5 Grassl rimmed a few years back, a 30/30 based round with nearly the same capacity as the 6.5 JDJ. I tested H 4350, RL 15, Varget and VV N550 in it, all over 120 gr balistic tips. While I was able to get ~2400 fps with all powders, 4350 was far and away the most accurate, and least sensitive the charge weight changes.

As I recall, I sold all my surplus 120 gr bt's to Bobby. Wish I oughtn'a done that, as I'd be more motivated to get another 6.5

It's amazing how a certain powder can scuttle to the forefront despite a number of similar powders, but Re-15 in the med. cap. cases such as the 6.5 JDJ is just such an example. And in the .223-based wildcats, it's hard to go wrong with H335.

As to 4350: few consider it for pistol-length barrels, and this is a mistake. For some reason, many shooters -- esp. those over at some other "unnamed" forum -- think you must use faster powders to get best results, and this is pure hogwash. On one occasion, I recall reading a thread in which someone noted you should stick with Re-7 & faster powders for the .308 WCF as anything slower will be wasted in a 15" Encore barrel. I just hope no one believed such rhetoric.

Paul-Yes, I "relieved" you of all those bullets. They didn't last long, though, as there are a number of firearms in our household with 6.5mm bores.

Well, Paul, maybe I'll trade you some 120 NBTs for some .45s. I am going to use the 120 Speers in my 6.5, and have some left. Just thought you might need an excuse.

I have some data that was worked up in a 6.5 JDJ I used to own by its former owner. If any one wants it just e-mail me, and I'll send it. A lot of data for IMR 4320 and AA 2520.

Interesting application for 4350.

With powder burning rates, it all relates to the type of cartridge/caliber they are being used in. Many mistakenly look at a burning rate chart and make assumptions in regard to a fits-all approach.

Burning rates will change and frequently switch places on the chart sometimes by a wide margin depending on what cartridge(s)the powder is used in. At best, a burning rate chart is a loose comparison of powder burning rates.

Assumptions for a suitable powder application based on barrel length alone will find that a false premise to follow also.

Regards

[ 01-04-2003, 07:33: Message edited by: Headstamp ]

When I bought my 309JDJ, JD Jones told me to use IMR4350 and don't look back. Said it produced the lowest pressure. Well I tried N160 last fall and the loads would not shoot as tight as my IMR4350 loads.

Talk about slow powders working in 14" barrels - -Well, you should have seen what worked best in the 7mm Bellm - the smallest bore of the Triad. Sure enough it was Reloader-22. In spite of the slow burning rate and the small reduction in velocity, it was the most accurate. I did give up 70 or 80 f/s by going from IMR 4895 to the Re-22, but in the end the improved accuracy was worth it.

So reloaders, don't be afraid to go way down in the burning rate chart for the Contender loads because a lot of the time it works.

Don Shearer

I should also add a PS.

For the 358 Bellm, the best powder was H-322 and by a good margin. For the 308 Bellm Win 760 was the best. For the 7 mm Bellm Reloader-22 was the best. See a pattern developing there?

Don Shearer

Hey guys,
I've tried a bunch of powders in my 6.5 JDJ, but have pretty much settled on two powders: RL 15 was the early favorite, but I've since found H4895 to be quite useful, as well. My favorite 6.5 JDJ loads (14" barrel) are as follows:

85 gr Sierra HP
powder grains primer OAL velocity fps
RL 15 38.0 WLR 2.650" 2750
H322 34.6 CCI 200 same 2680

100 gr NBT
RL 15 36.5 Rem 9 1/2 2.80 2575

120 gr NBT
RL 15 35.0 CCI 200 2.970 2410

120 gr Speer Spitzer
RL 15 35.5 CCI 200 2.885 2400
H4895 33.5 Fed 210 same 2315
H4895 34.0 same same 2444***

120 gr Sierra Spitzer
IMR 4320 34.5 Rem 9 1/2 2.895" 2300

***This load may be a little "warm" in my gun; still in "developmental"
stages.

When I do my part, all the above loads will print less than, or equal to, 1" groups at 100 yds.

I couldn't reach 2400 fps w/ 120 gr bullets in my barrel w/ the powders JD recommended at the time ('92). These powders included: IMR 4320, AA2520, H414, and IMR 4350. Later, I was unsuccessful getting desired velocity w/ AA2495 BR, AA2700, and RL 19. H335 and H322 burning rates were too fast w/ the heavier bullets, but ok w/ lighter bullets. AA2015 BR looked, and behaved, very much like H322. JD rec'd only using Australian made H322, so that's what I used. A few years ago I also tried Varget, VV 140, and VV 130, but again the velocity was subpar (w/ 120 gr bullets). 748 may have some
promise, if I ever get a chance to play w/ it some more. W/ 120 gr bullets, my barrel gets best velocity w/ RL 15 and H4895. Gary T.