Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters 6.5-06 question for JB

I'm trying to work up some 6.5-06 loads using a 130 TSX. Because of the odd caliber I'm using Nosler's 130 Accu-Bond loads as a starting point (57 grains of RL 22). I'm walking up by half grains to 59 grains.

My question is are the TSX and the Accu-Bond similar enough in bullet friction for this to be a safe starting point?

Any 6.5-06ers please feel free to chime in.

Might be best to consult the Barnes reloading manual. Maybe it's down loadable from the web if you don't own a copy.

That would be the best thing to do, if Barnes has 6.5-06 data.

But I have shot both bullets from a 6.5-06 and the muzzle velocities very similarly with the same charges, which generally means pretty similar pressures. As a matter of fact I have gotten very similar results in velocity, accuracy and apparent pressure not only with the 130 TSX and 130 AB but the 130 Swift Scirocco II as well.

Nosler shows 6.5-'06 data, while Barnes does not.

Nosler #6 130 gr AB 53.0 gr RL22/3,121 fps/95% load density.

I have used 53.0 gr MRP with the 130 Berger VLD in my 6.5-'06, and RL22 and MRP are very close in burning rate. I have gone higher, but accuracy fell off.

jim

No 6.5-06 data in Barnes....that's a shame. Good to know the data is similar as I have been thinking of trying the Scirocco II bullets. Anyone know if the Swift manual has 6.5-06 data? I don't own a copy yet.

CLB

Neither my Barnes #4 or Swift manual has data for the 6.5-06. The online web site Load Data.Com has lots of load data for the 6.5-06.

The Hornady Annual Manual for 2009 has 6.5-06 data--though none is for TSX's. I haven't run into any problems loading TSX's with data for other bullets.

Would 6.5x284 data give a safe starting point if it can be found for the barnes? The 2 cartridges are very similar in case capacity.
Nosler shows max charges as being within a grain and a half or so of each other when the same bullet and powder are used in their manual.

Thanks Mule Deer and company. You guys actually saved my butt. I read Hunter Jim's post, and I rechecked my loads. I had stupidly read the 264 WM loads. Whew!! Disaster avoided. I told my wife the trip to Africa is now pre-disastered.

Ol' Joe,

Yeah, I noticed that about the Nosler data myself. I don't see why you couldn't start with low-end 6.5-284 data, and watch the chronograph while working up. Top velocities will be very similar.

By the way, H1000 is the most accurate heavy-bullet powder in my 6.5-06.

Trombaguy,

I have a pro-musician friend; he tells me that a musician without a girlfriend is homeless! <---humor

I forgot to ask what is the twist for your barrel? I have a 9" twist Shilen barrel, and I have loaded u to 165 gr Barnes Semi-Spitzers (old style). That takes faster than a 9" twist, but the 160 gr round nose bullets will work OK.

Mostly now I use bullets in the 120 gr to 130 gr range. I used the Horanady 140 gr as a general purpose hunting bullet for years.

jim

"I have a pro-musician friend; he tells me that a musician without a girlfriend is homeless!"

It's like you know me, and my buddy who's going to Africa with me. We're both PM's (Professional Musicians....I thought I'd glom on to the who African PH thing), and we're, though we do okay, both lucky to have wives with good jobs.

I think my barrel is a 1 in 9 twist. It shoots the TSX 130 quite well. I can't remember my load, but I'm sure it was too hot.

It's tough finding data for a 6.5-06. Early on in my reloading career I did a load for a 156 Oryx based on a Speer load I think. Not good, I wondered why those primers were falling out.

The real wonder is why I still have both eyes and all my digits.