I acquired a Voere 6.5x68 Schuler. Loading data is slim. I found some in the Hodgdon #26 manual, and of course there is some in the German Wiederladen manual. Anyone have any experience or recommendations for this round? Thanks.

Here are some links to load data. loaddata.com has the most loads using Hodgdon, IMR and Alliant powders.

https://www.hodgdon.com/wp-con...opean-cartridges.pdf
https://ammoguide.com/
https://loaddata.com/

I have a 6.5x68 Christoph Funk rifle with a 25" barrel. I bought a couple hundred rounds of Hirtenberger ammo several years ago off the net. It's loaded with a 8g/123gr bullet.

I chronographed three rounds.
2838
2969
2919

67 grain Norma MRP to a 125grain Nosler is my load in a Mauser 66.

Start with 65grain and work up from there.

You can start with low loads for a 264 WM and work up.

The RWS brass is very soft in the case head so it doesn't take as much pressure.

Hello Steve up North
I use a Blaser R93 6.5x68 to hunt. With it I have hunted Ibex and Marco Polo in Kyrgyzstan, Tur in Azerbaijan, Desert Mule deer and Coues Deer in Sonora. Mx.
I only use reloaded cartridges.
This is my handload:

RWS cases
Fed215M Primer
Barnes TSX 120 grs. bullet
66.7 grs. Rl 22 Powder

Sometimes change to:
RWS cases
CCI250Mag Primers
Barnes TTSX 120 grs. Bullet
66.8 grs. RL 22
On averrage both gives 3,300 fps and can put 3 shots on less than an inch at 200 yds.
Use this data for reference only.
Regards

Thanks for the responses and information. I appreciate it all!

Steve

Steve I have a 6.5x68 in a Voere rifle. I found the 129 gr Hornady to be the heaviest bullet my rifle will stabilize. If shots are 200 yds + the 129 gr bullet performs quite well on deer and antelope. The 125 gr Partition is also very good. I use RWS cases CCI 250 primers and IMR 7828. Case capacity is very close to the 264 Win so start with 264 starting loads and work up.

Thanks, snowman. My rifle is also a Voere.

Steve

I was unavoidably away from my rifles for awhile, so this is a very delayed report. I loaded Barnes 120 gr. TTSX and Hornady 120 gr. ELD Match bullets with RL 22 and RL 26 (do not have 7828). RL 26 performed better with both bullets, with excellent results. The RL 22 loads were acceptable but not the equal of the RL 26 loads. I have yet to chronograph then, but will. I'm looking forward to hunting with it this fall.

Hello Steve up North
How many grains of Rl 26 have you used?
Regards

I have a 6.5x68R in a Ruger #1-based stalking rifle. I load RWS cases with 65.5gr of Retumbo behind a 143gr ELDX. Primed with a FC 215M, it produces 3060 fps and 3/4" groups.

Dave Manson

quote:

Originally posted by Kechutti:
Hello Steve up North
How many grains of Rl 26 have you used?
Regards

I used 62 gr of RL 22, which is well below max. I will work that load up. With RL 26 I loaded 69 gr. which shot safely and very well in my rifle. There is no published data for RL 26 in the 6.5x68, so your mileage may vary. RWS cases, Fed 215 primers.


Some things not to do in your 6.5x68: Hornady 129 gr. SST bullet with 67 gr. of RL 22 was over pressure. 140 gr. Barnes original X bullet will not stabalize (not in my rifle, anyway); it keyholes at 50 yards.

Nice load, Dave. Thanks for sharing that.

The CIP standard for twist and throat geometry limits the 6.5x68 a bit.

If you are interested in shooting some heavier twist bullets, get a tighter twist cut rifle barrel, and have Mr. Manson make you a chamber reamer that accommodates the 140-143 grain class of 6.5 mm Bullets.

Thanks for the plug, Dart. My chamber is throated so the 143 ELDX is at the lands when seated so the start of its boat tail coincides with the neck/shoulder junction of the case.

The reamer was designed to cut clearance for the rim of the case so after first firing, the round headspaces on the shoulder and the rim is only used for extraction. A bit more consistent location within the chamber that way.

Dave Manson