Custom 6.5mm wildcat rifle. 22" light weight barrel,45.7 grains DP 86( similar to acc3100), reformed .243 win. cases,#34 primers, Hardly a breeze. rifle not cleaned at range and shot hot.

140 grain HPBT Sierra match, OAL=3.030", 2728 to 2770 FPS., Clean and MILD!1" group at 50 yds.but not bad at 200yds.

129 grain BT, poly tip Mid South Blem, OAL=3.100", 2796 to2846 FPS.,just a little soot, MILD Not max. 1" group at 50 yds., great at 200 and 300 yds.
Going back to this rifle's short history, no load is too great at 50 yds., but most look fine at 200 and 300 yds.An observer at the range thought it might be attributable to lack of stability at close range. I guess this opinion is as good as any. Opinions are welcome. roger

Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..

Yours isn't the first rifle to deliver better MOA at longer ranges than close ranges.....and it does seem you're getting very good accuracy all in all if this is the case.

At 2800 FPS you're probably close to 60,000 PSI (purely a guess) and going up in charge isn't likely a solution.....assuming one needs a solution!

My guess is that the bullet still isn't exactly what your barrel wants.....if you're looking for a deer load, I'd say you already have it, but if you are looking for an accuracy load, I'd try Berger bullets if you haven't already

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Originally

My guess is that the bullet still isn't exactly what your barrel wants.....if you're looking for a deer load, I'd say you already have it, but if you are looking for an accuracy load, I'd try Berger bullets if you haven't already

Well perhaps this Shaw barrel will do some better after two or three hundred rounds are put through it.
Might have to have another barrel chambered and screw it on one of my Savages or Stevens. As far as handling of heavier bullets the energy output is just fine.From all indications 2800 fps. for the 140 grain bullets is safely doable ( reasonably long neck and deep throat). Not too shabby. roger

My friend shoots a 6.5 Ugalde...now the 6.5TCU.
Groups from his heavy sporter shilen barrel are lack luster at just sub 1" at 100yds but they are also sub 1" at 200 yrds.

Dear Bartsche,
Virtually ALL my various 6.5s shoot better at 200-300 than 100 due to the 1-10 twist. As I really don`t give a rats [you know what]what the group at 75-100 [120 oclock 3/4" high]is like it matters not a bit to me as long as the one at 200 + is good.
Aloha, Mark