I called Jeff yesterday afternoon after work and I've got that 15" stainless 6.5TCU Contender barrel headed this way that he had on the web site.

In 6.5 bullets I've got some Sierra #1725 120gr HPBT Match on hand plus some Hornady #2620 129gr Interlocks....the barrel is a 1 in 8 twist.

The barrel will be used for target shooting and may very well see the occasional IHMSA silhouette match.

Anyone care to share their favorite loads ?

With a 1 in 8 twist I guess the heavier .264 bullets should work better.....how do you fellas think the lighter 120's will work ?

Ike

Anything down to the Sierra 85 grain HPs should shoot great (you can't overstabilize a bullet -- within reason, of course).

H335 has been, by far, my favorite powder for the cartridge, especially with 120 grain bullets. And stick to Rem 7 1/2s for primers as I have found them to be better suited to the high-intensity wildcats chambered in the Contender.

Bobby I was hoping you'd reply to my post as I thought I remembered that you had experimented quite a bit with the 6.5TCU some time back.

I've got the Rem. 71/2's on hand as well as the 120's and RCBS dies all I need to do now is pick up some H335....I was also thinking about H322, did you try it as well and if so how did it compare to H335 ?

Thanks.....Ike

With H322, you can concoct some very accurate loads, but you max out on pressure before you reach the velocity potential of the cartridge. For punching paper, velocity does not matter, but for hunting (my primary application), every bit of extra velocity is worthy of consideration in a cartridge such as this so that one gets optimum terminal bullet performance on game. And that's why H-335 has been my standby powder for so many years. It is virtually perfect for the .223-based wildcats.

Thanks again for the info Bobby I appreciate it.

IKE