Hi Gentlemen,
I am going to build a 6.5-300 wsm and was looking fer some loads. I like 120 gr sp's for my other 6.5 cats. Any info will be helpful.
Thanks
Dan

Hi Dan-

I've been playing with the 6.5 WSM for the past couple of years. I've found it to be very finicky. I've tried the 130gr TSX, 130gr. Accubond, 140gr. Berger VLD and 140gr Sierra BT. For powders, I've experimented with RL 22 & 25, Retumbo and H4831.

I have a friend who has a rifle built on the same action as mine, the same brand of barrel and the chambers were cut using the same reamer. Out max loads are anywhere from 3-5 grains in difference with the same bullets and primers.

Here are some loads that have worked for me. Most of these are right at the edge of what I would consider high pressure (some primer cratering and shine from the ejector).

140gr Berger VLD, 61.5 gr of RL-25, Fed 215 primer, Winchester Brass, 2.955 OAL. Average Velocity 3100 FPS. I went up to 63.5 gr. when working up this load, but the accuracy wasn't there at higher velocity

130gr Nosler Accubond, 63gr Retumbo, Fed 210 Primer, Norma Brass, 3.132 OAL. Ave. Velocity 3276 FPS. This was a very accurate load as well I went up to 65gr on this one and also tried it with Fed 215 Primers. The accuracy dropped off with the higher powder charges and 210 primers. With the 215 primers, I hit max pressure and erratic velocity at 63fgr.

140gr Sierra Gameking, 62gr RL25, Fed 215 Primer, Norma Brass, OAL 3.080. Average Velocity 3302fps. This is a great hunting load for small deer and antelope at long distance.

130gr Barnes TSX, 62.5gr RL25, Fed 215 Primer, Norma Brass, OAL 3.172. Average Velocity 3409fps. Decent accuracy, good load for mule deer or big whitetails.

I had my rifle throated long so I could seat bullets all at max length in the magazine. This helped lower pressure. I'm going to do more experimentation with standard vs. magnum primers. I think this cartridge is right on the edge of needing magnum primers. I've used both Winchester and Norma Brass. The Norma brass is really hard and I had a lot of necks split when I resized it the first time. The Winchester brass was no problem. The necks got a little thick, so I did turn them.

This is a great cartridge for deer and antelope. I've made my two longest shots on game with this cartridge, 382 yards on an antelope and 475 on a coues deer. If you like spending a lot of time doing load development, I would say go for it. Otherwise, I'd just get a 270WSM. The performance difference is minimal and it's a lot less work!

Pete

Thanks Pete
I got a good deal ont the reamer and love the 264 cal so figured why not try it.I already got a 270wsm. I will give your data a try
Dan

Dan-

Try 61-63 grains of Reloader 22. 61 grains works for me. I can load higher than 61 grains but, I start getting sticky extraction.

61 grains groups better .5 MOA so, I am going to stick with it.

Good luck.

Thanks Mark,
will try it. That is for 120 gr soft points ? I plan on 120-125 g and maybe a few 129 hornady's

Dan

Dan-

I use the 61 gr. of Reloader 22 for the 129 gr. Hornady.

Good luck!

I have a 6.5-270WSM, which is essentially identical.

I use Norma brass, Lapua 139gn bullets, and 61gn of H1000, gives me Mvel 3000 fps.

My last 100 yard group was .2 inches, 300 was 1.2 inches, and I have shot it successfully in competition at 1000 yards with the same load.