Looking for some loads for the 6.5 BRM. I've seen the loads listed on Brown's website but would like to hear from those shooting this round. Will likely be ordering one of the Brown 97D standard rifles in 6.5 soon and would appreciate any loads you can share. Thanks.

Alan

Dear Alan,
Know most of the various 6.5 rounds. Not familiar with the 6.5 BR "M" case. Do you mean the 6.5 BR? The 6mm BR necked to 6.5 ? If this is the case let me know. I have been shooting one for many years.

Aloha, Mark

I have a 6.5 BRM on a Ruger #3 action. As you know all of Browns loads use VN powders and 100 or 140 grain bullets. You can (according to Brown) use IMR4831 in place of VN160 but I could not get any more info from him. I've tried 120g and 129g bullets with VN150 and VN160 but not enough to provide any useful info. I can tell you that maximum loads really shorten the useful life of the reformed Remington 30/30 brass...which you can only get from Brown. I'm considering re-chambering my rifle to use the 30/40 (6.5mm Krag) Krag case for that very reason.

I've looked at the various Krag configurations as well, and I think they have some advantages over the BRM configuration (see WWW.eabco.com). However, to be realistic, the BRM is correctly designed for the 97D rifle. It's not a big action, and trying to turn it into more rifle than it is, is folly.

Of course, doesn't mean I can't dream of one in 9.3x74...... LOL! Dutch.

Jon-If the case life suffers, it may indeed be from a headspace issue. I've used that brass in several similar wildcats (and have a 6.5 BRM on the way) and have had excelent results, even with upper-end loads.

Dutch/Bobby...
agree the BRM's are for the small 97D action and not designed for high velocities. However, I am getting significant case stretching with Brown's listed max. loads which chronograph at about the same velocities in his tables. A headspace problem with a rimmed cartridge had not occurred to me but It's worth looking at.

Jon

I've recently heard of several instances with guns or barrels from Brown having oversized chambers. When VVCG closed its doors, Brown had no one to chamber his barrels. He said he'd tool up and do so himself, but a recent barrel I examined for a local shooter (he couldn't get groups less than 1.25-1.5") showed tool marks, a misaligned, oversized chamber and no throat -- typical TC work. So I am wondering if the TC custom shop is doing his work now. Anybody know for certain???

Jon, I can't even reach his higher end loads with my gun. I, too, get some case stretching with the higher pressure loads. There's enough frame stretch in that little action that the brass will have a shorter life, I expect. Cost of doing business, I think.

Bobby, that is NOT what I wanted to hear.... FWIW, Dutch.

Load from last Sept...

140g Hornady sp, 42g N160, WLR, COL 2.953". Ten rounds...low 2594fps, high, 2664fps. It was a hot day. Rifle is a Ruger #3 with a 26" barrel. Accuracy was about 1 MOA.
Case stretching with this load is really not much different (greater) than when 40, instead of 42, grains is used and I doubt the action is being stressed very much. Still need to take a close look at chamber and headspace.

Jon