getting a 6.5 x 68R built and need advice on the best twist rate and what weight bullets would be the best performers in this caliber . I plan on long range coyotes and Mule Deer. I dont save hides as coyotes are considered a pest here. Was hoping to find a good supplier of bullets . Any info would be appreciated

1-9 twist is for up to 140 grain bullets and I, personally don't see the need for the longer 160 grain round nose bullets.....stay with the 140 as a max.

I'm using the 120 Northfork HP.....a great bullet and 1-9" works very well.

Agree 100% with vapodog and the 1 in 9 recommendation.

I agree with vapodog. I have never needed more that 1:9". It works well in all my 6.5s. If the hides don't matter, I bought some "blem" Sierra 120 HPBT MatchKings and they work wonderfully. I have used them in the .264WM, 6.5-284, 6.5x55 and 6.5-06AI with great success. I don't use them for usual hunting (deer and such) but they are great for pests.

While I normally agree with Vapodog, I'm gonna recommend a 1:8 twist. The faster twist rate will ensure stability with basically whatever bullet you use in 6.5mm. The reason I say that is because I have Kimber 84 in 260 Rem with a 1:9 that has a hard time stabilizing 140gr bullets unless pushed hard and on the other hand I have a CZ550 in 6.5x55 with a 1:8.5 that thrives on 140gr bullets. IMHO it's due to the ever so slightly faster barrel. YMMV.

what would happen if you shoot a 93 grain factory load in a 8 inch twist barrel

A stiff 140 load in the 260 is what, 2750fps? With your 1:9 twist, that's about 220,000rpm.

6.5x68 starting loads should already be hotter than that and a max load will be running at 3100 or more. If 220k RPM is good enough, a 1:9.5 twist should work fine and 1:10 might even work with max loads.

OTOH, overstabilization isn't usually a very bad thing. If you're pushing weak jacketed bullets to the limit, another 20k RPM will break them up in midair. But the rest of the time, it's just theoretical accuracy differences you'd never notice in the field. Will those specific 93 grain factory bullets break up? I don't know, and it would also depend on the depth and sharpness of the specific barrel's rifling.

I would go with the 1:9 as a first choice, but if there were only 1:8.5 or 1:8 available I'd take either and not lose any sleep over it.

I have a 1:8.5 twist Krieger barrel in 6.5x284. The 100 - 142 grain bullets work like butter through it.

Well, I prefer the one in 8 over the one in 9 any day... I have rifles with both.. the one in 8 is more versatile...

if you want a good performer, even with the one in 9 twist...

Nosler's 120 grain BTip.. their 125 partition are two great bullets, but don't discount the 100 grain partition for a long range load on antelope or Deer.... the 100 grain ballistic tip works well also, if the MV is kept below 2700 fps...their new 130 grain accubond ought to be pretty slink also...

Hornady's 100 grainer and 129 grainer work great also with the one in 9 twist.. the 129 grain will knock down some big animals.. like elk for instances...

I prefer Hornady's bullets in 6.5 for hunting over Sierra's.. but Sierras and Lapua's match bullets are something else for accuracy, even at long long ranges...

With a one in 8 twist, the 140s from ANYONE of the majors work real well...I have done a lot with Remingtons 140 grain Corelokt...was cheap, very accurate and very deadly...works quicker on bigger game than smaller game tho...

quote:

Originally posted by seafire/B17G:
Well, I prefer the one in 8 over the one in 9 any day... I have rifles with both.. the one in 8 is more versatile...

if you want a good performer, even with the one in 9 twist...

Nosler's 120 grain BTip.. their 125 partition are two great bullets, but don't discount the 100 grain partition for a long range load on antelope or Deer.... the 100 grain ballistic tip works well also, if the MV is kept below 2700 fps...their new 130 grain accubond ought to be pretty slink also...

Hornady's 100 grainer and 129 grainer work great also with the one in 9 twist.. the 129 grain will knock down some big animals.. like elk for instances...

I prefer Hornady's bullets in 6.5 for hunting over Sierra's.. but Sierras and Lapua's match bullets are something else for accuracy, even at long long ranges...

With a one in 8 twist, the 140s from ANYONE of the majors work real well...I have done a lot with Remingtons 140 grain Corelokt...was cheap, very accurate and very deadly...works quicker on bigger game than smaller game tho...

This man speaks the truth. I took 2 deer and one Blackie with 125 partitions last year. Bear made it 10 feet Whitetail doe bang flop Mule deer buck bang flop. I am also drooling waiting for the 130 accubond. Don't discount the 120 TSX if you go 9 twist 130 tsx if you go 8 twist. I would rather have an 8 then a 9 as 140's don't shoot for me and I sure would like to have a 140 load.

IMHO a 6.5 of that large powder capacity Should be capable of stabalizing 156gr psp or a Sierra 160 gr SMP Pro Hunter.ALSO!, the throating should be able to adequately facilitate these long bullets Without infringing on the powder room. Hopefully fully charged light weight bullets won't get their little jackets spun off (happened to me). roger

what velocity do you think would be possible with the 150-160 grain and where would I find bullet drop tables for this loading.

quote:

Originally posted by argolee:
what velocity do you think would be possible with the 150-160 grain and where would I find bullet drop tables for this loading.

try this

oh and click on define your own bullet.
that way you can do just about any measurements to 600 yds.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
1-9 twist is for up to 140 grain bullets and I, personally don't see the need for the longer 160 grain round nose bullets.....stay with the 140 as a max.

I'm using the 120 Northfork HP.....a great bullet and 1-9" works very well.

Can't go past the North Forks.............

quote:

Originally posted by argolee:
what would happen if you shoot a 93 grain factory load in a 8 inch twist barrel

The RWS 93gr bullet is very blunt and has a very poor BC - you wouldn't want to use it at long range.

Ballistic tips hold together to very high velocity due to their solid base. A 120gr BT at max velocity will be a stunning long range performer. As it is quite a long bullet throating for it will ensure that the rifle is quite well set up for 140gr partitions or a frames. The 156 and 160gr bullets were designed for the 6.5x55 and will be rather soft for such velocities. They are also pretty blunt.

120 BTs for long range coyotes and 125gr partition or 140gr partition or swift for deer if shots might be shorter (to save meat)

Where is the best place to get brass either 6.5 68R or the 8 x 68R. and who would make the best dies Hoping to get this started this week

For the purchase of bullets/brass? Try Graf and Son in Mexico MO. As to the twist? I`ll opt for the 1-10. I don`t give a rip what happens at 100 yds. Out where it counts the bullets tighten up nicely and velocity is easier to attain with a slower twist. Not so much energy is used to overccome the twist. My .02 and let the flamers begin! I go around with Harry McGowan about this twist thing EVERYTIME I order a 6.5 barrel from him.
Aloha, Mark

366torque,

Thanks for the link - I've never seen that before.

Jaywalker

If you ever want to shoot light plinking load or cast bullets the slow twist may not work so well.

My 1-10" 6.5 Bob handles 140 grain spitzers nicely.

quote:

Originally posted by argolee:
what would happen if you shoot a 93 grain factory load in a 8 inch twist barrel

I've shot sierra 85gr HP's thru my swedish mauser 29.5" bbl. 1 7.5" twist, and had a lot of the bullets fly apart just outside the bore.

quote:

Originally posted by .366torque:

quote:

Originally posted by argolee:
what velocity do you think would be possible with the 150-160 grain and where would I find bullet drop tables for this loading.

try this

This

quote:

Du behöver en webläsare med Javastöd

is all I get when I click on "this". But Jaywalker is right, I've never seen that before either.

Woods, check and see if you have Javascript disabled. That's what it runs on - without JS, all you'd get would be an orange (perhaps) blank page. Perhaps that's a warning, and perhaps it was just down for a while.

As to twist, a 1-9 would suit my lead-cored 140g bullets just fine. OTOH, there seems to be a movement towards both mono-metal and plastic-tipped/boat-tailed bullets that are longer than the traditional lead cored. Since twist requirements are based upon length, not weight, you might lengthen the barrel's useful life by stepping down to 1-8.

Jaywalker

quote:

Originally posted by argolee:
Where is the best place to get brass either 6.5 68R or the 8 x 68R. and who would make the best dies Hoping to get this started this week

No such thing as an 8x68R, I'm afraid. Only the 6.5x68(R) comes in both rimmed and rimless versions. In 8mm, the 8x68S is the only option on this particular case.

For brass, look at:

http://www.huntingtons.com/cases_rws.html

RWS brass is not exactly cheap, but it lasts a long while - in fact it is built like a tank!

- mike

quote:

Originally posted by woods:

quote:

Originally posted by .366torque:

quote:

Originally posted by argolee:
what velocity do you think would be possible with the 150-160 grain and where would I find bullet drop tables for this loading.

try this

This

quote:

Du behöver en webläsare med Javastöd

is all I get when I click on "this". But Jaywalker is right, I've never seen that before either.

It's Norma's ballistic program.

he stated he wants to shoot long range so round noses are out of the question due to low B.C.

how about some berger VLDs, i talked to a guide who has a custom 7mm 404 and occasionally shoots sika at 1000 yards and often over 500, he says the VLDS are the best long range bullet out

quote:

Originally posted by 17rem:

quote:

Originally posted by argolee:
what would happen if you shoot a 93 grain factory load in a 8 inch twist barrel

I've shot sierra 85gr HP's thru my swedish mauser 29.5" bbl. 1 7.5" twist, and had a lot of the bullets fly apart just outside the bore.

I would not be surprised to see you getting 3500-3600 at least in a 29" bbl w/85's and if so, they are spinning at 1.6x per foot, which makes, 345,600 RPM, compared to say a 220 swift at 4000 fps, 14" twist, = 205,714 RPM if my calculations are correct.

going from 205k to 345k rpms is ALOT of increase in centrifugal force. I would put a 100 gr in at a lower speed, and get better long range performance anyhow.

I do know that 85's in a Kimberized 96, 22" bbl did fine.

I shoot a 70TNT in 6BR at 3400, 8 twist, 1.5x per foot = 306k and I reckon that is pushing the envelope, but there are those who do a 55gr b tip in the same set up at 3700, and it is said to have a higher bc than a 22 cal bullet of same wt. to boot, go figure, but yes I can imagine an 85 blowing at 345k.

Just imagine what those 120-140-s do on game, those RPM's to my mind translates into more damage inside the animal when hunting, which may attribute along with the penetration to the legendary lightening fast kills on smaller big game with 6.5's. Twist rate just might matter. I have speculated on this alot thru the years as many others, and would only add that perhaps a ballistic medium test with same bullets, same speed, but different "spin rates" would have to be done to see how this potentially affects wound channels.

Don Zutz wrote about seeing a 6.5 '96 with 129 do equivalent or more damage than a 270/130 gr on deer in terms of radial damage.

Bullet construction could account for some I realize, but I do not underestimate the very large increase in RPM's that 6.5' s often have, nor do I ever want to 'relinquish that' in any 6.5 I acquire in the future, wanting a 7.5-8" twist gun.

Obviously Very light bullets in long barrels with the very fast twists are prone to failure, but typically would not be an issue in my opinion. One could always back down 3-4 grains of powder in a long barrel if need be and get good results if not wanting to up bullet weight.

Ya, my .17 remington with a 1-9" twist and 20gr V-max at 4300 fps is right around 345,000 RPM as well, devastating..
The 100 gr sierra's did work fine BTW.

quote:

Originally posted by argolee:
what would happen if you shoot a 93 grain factory load in a 8 inch twist barrel

What does RWS specify as the factory twist for that cartridge? If spun too fast, light bullets have been known to disintegrate in flight. This was quite common in the early days of the .220 Swift and comparable wildcats. As aspade mentiones, the depth and sharpness of the land edges has an influence on this problem!

As far as I know most 6.5x68 factory rifles have a 1:11 twist (280 mm). That's probably the reason why the heaviest RWS load only has a 127 grain bullet.

Had built a 6.5 with 1-11.5 twist. Would shoot 85gr bullets into 3/8 in group at 100 yds, 100 gr bullets 3/4 inc at 100; 120 gr opened up to 1-1/2 in. on a good day would take fox and Groundhogs out to 600 yds. depends on what bullet you want to shoot for the twist. Never had good luck with light 6.5 bullets in a fast twist. I was shooting sierra 85gr.hp bigggest problem was that sometimes the bullets blue up before they got to the woodchuck if he was in some weeds.