Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 6.5mm Rem. Mag loads

I recently acquired a nib Rem. Model 673 guide rifle in 6.5mm Rem Mag. with 22 inch bbl. Knowing that the only available factory load is the Rem. 120gr. core-lokt offering. I was wondering if anyone out there has one of these and if you could share some of your favorite loads you have come up with? What do you believe is largest practicle game one could take with this round? Also will the size of the magazine be a real limiting factor in using some of the longer bullets out there? I'm really excited about the potential of this 6.5mm round. I was also wondering if the new Reloader 17 powder will be a benefit to this size cartridge, as it is a kind of short mag design the powder seems to be aimed at. Thanks in advance for any and all responses.

No experience with that 6.5 but I would strongly suggest you try a 130 Accubond atop 4831 or perhap 4350. RL 19 may be a good one as RL22. I'd guess it is close to a 6.5/284 in capacity and like similar loads.

Largest game......I'd not hesitate on an Elk or Moose within 300-350 yds....might opt for a 140 partition, a Barnes or Swift.

RL17 might work well I think with lighter bullets, esp. 120s.

FWIW some 673 owners remove the rib for increasing accuracy potential....but then you have alot of holes in the bbl so it's your call. Try it 'out the box'....I always free floated most all my rifles and yours may benefit as well.

Thanks 65BR. I was kinda leaning towards the Swift line of bullets. The one thing I like about the MidwayUSA website is the feedback section for all their products. I have read only positive reports about their bullets. I think the 130gr. Scirocco for dear and 140gr. A frames for elk, if one was so inclined to use this caliber for such.



http://www.swiftbullets.com/store/a-frame/rifle-bullets/6-5mm-264-caliber

http://www.swiftbullets.com/store/scirocco/rifle-bullets/6-5mm-264-caliber

Hey NoDak

I have a 6.5 rem mag but it is not a 673 GG. I rebarreled a 300 win mag that had a short mag that did not allow me to load the 300 win mag bullets out close to the lands. This allowed me to tell the gunsmith to ream the chamber so I could seat those long bullets way out there




I got a Douglas barrel with a 1 in 8 twist.

After seeing mine a friend also rebarreled a 300 win mag that he didn't like the recoil on into a 6.5 rem mag with a Shilen barrel and a 1 in 9 twist.

If you reload then you really don't have much loading data to go on because all the loading data is not for modern rifles that can take the increased pressure. Most manuals do even list data. Like my Nosler #5 lists the 6.5x284 and the 6.5-06 but not the 6.5 rem mag. Like a red headed step child.

I started low and worked up and have still not seen any pressure signs but stopped because I got where I wanted to go which was 3000+ fps with the 140 gr bullet and 3100+ fps with the 130 gr bullet. Some loads went higher.

Both the 6.5 rem mags I load for have 26" barrels and more case capacity than yours. However IMO the case capacity is more in line with RL22 and RL25 than RL17. Here are some targets and loads that work in my rifle, start lower and work up




With a 1 in 8 twist the 140 gr bullets work best and with the 1 in 9 the 130 gr bullets are best. Definitely Fed215 primers.

Lately I have loaded a bunch of 130 gr Scirrocco II's. Also got good accuracy with the 140 gr Nosler Partitions and 140 gr Sierra Game Kings.

I would try RL22 or maybe RL19 and the 130 gr bullets first and work up.

Good shooting and info.

As to bullet choice, I'd put the 120/130 Tsx and the Swift in Elk/Moose catagory and even the 125 partition and 129 SPs are not bad, but I'd rather see a bonded bullet, partition, or mono at these speeds used.

The accubond is a tough bullet.

As to 140s-160s.....well their record stands strong....partitions would have to take center stage on the largest game IMHO but the Sierras, Hornady's and others have done very well. Long heavy for caliber = very high SD, but remember construction matters.....and accuracy rules.

Hodgdon website shows impressive velocities with H4831... I don't have a 6.5 but when I do I will try that powder...

The Nosler website has a section that shows reloading data for the 6.5 that is very good. My 673 loads correlate closely with their data.

I've got a 600 and a 700 and my go to load for hunting has been 59gr of RL22 and the Nos Part 125. Right at 3100fps for the 700 with 24" barrel and 2900fps wit the 600s 18" barrel(no visible signs of pressure and better accuracy than I can hold). I found the most I could load with H4831 was about 56gr(Hogdon says 59 gr is max) because any more and primers would flatten and shiny spots on the head of the brass. This load has accounted for about 6 on 7 muleys for me.

I HAVE A SAVAGE 110 WITH A 24 INCH SHAW BARREL
THIS WHAT I LOAD FOR DEER HUNTING EVER ONE I HAVE SHOT OUT TO 250 YARDS HAVE BEEN DRT
100GR HORNADY AA-3100 POWDER
62.5 GRAINS COMPRESSED LOAD
3349 FPS
2491 MUZZEL ENERGY
50800 PSI
24.0 BARREL
2.800 OAL

You guys have given me some ideas here I haven't entertained..

Doing Savage switch barrels, a 6.5 Rem Mag out of a 24 to 26 heavy Magnum barrel contour might not be a bad option.. nothing else, something unique to play with...

When I was at the Sportsman's Whorehouse this evening I saw some 140 grain Accubonds on the shelf that I didn't know Nosler made.

Going to try some of those out!

That bullet on a 6.5 Rem Mag on a long action, 26 inch heavy barrel, might be a nifty long range rig!

of course I could also go with a 6.5 WSM of some sort... but I question how long those cases are going to be available also..

Too bad they haven't caught one much!