Hi John,
I was hoping you could give me a few pointers with handloading for the 6.5x57. I am having a Brno ZKK 600 rebarreled and modern handloading data is a bit scarce. Hornady have some limited data but with IMR powders which we don't get out here in Australia. I was assuming AR2209 (H4350) would be suitable with 120 - 130gn bullets as it works very well in a bunch of similar sized cartridges (.257 Roberts, 6.5 CM, 6.5x55, 7x57).
I found an old thread on the Nosler forum from 2015 where one chap stated that 6.5x55 cases had a capacity of 57 and the 6.5x57 had a capacity of 58. Grains of water I am assuming. Therefore I guess I could use Swede data and maybe go a grain over. Or use the Hornady data for IMR4350 and carefully substitute H4350. I know these two powders sometimes switch in burning rate.
Sorry for the rambling. But do you have a suggested velocity to load for with H4350 and 120 - 130gn bullets? I remember an article you wrote where you gave a velocity to load up to with a specific powder for a bunch of cartridges. I know you have a 6.5x57R which I assume would be loaded a little lighter than the unrimmed case. I guess around 2800 - 2850 fps in a 23 inch barrel with H4350 would be safely achievable in the 6.5x57.
Thanks for any help.
Any input from others who have experience with this cartridge would be most welcome.
Thank you muchly.
