Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Help with 6.5-06 loads?

I've tried searching, but it says zero posts, and while I doubt that, I thought I'd do the proverbial "bug everyone". I just had a brand new Remington 700 LSS .30-06 detachable magazine rebarrelled at Pac-Nor to 6.5-06 with a #5 25 inch fluted tube. Just got it back today and I'm trying to figure out some good loads for 130 Accubonds, 120 TTSX and 130 Berger VLD's. I've loaded up a few already with 52 grains of RL22, 53 grains of H4831 and 52 grains of RL19. Thinking about trying some RL 17 but am open to other powders as well. I have every bullet and powder under the sun, except for Viht. Would love to know some pet loads if any of you guys have them. Might try 140 VLD's also, but I've already got a 6.5 Weatherby McWhorter that loves those so thought I'd try the lighter bullets in this one. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. Would like to get this one shooting before a mule deer trip to Montana in November.

Tons of loads on the Hodgdon site for the 6.5x06 and 6.5x284 (same capacity).

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Killer,

There are like 800 loads for the 6.5-06 listed over on www.loaddata.com

PM me with specific powders and bullets and I can get you all the info you'd care to see.

Ive had good success with RL-19 and IMR-4350 out of my 6.5-06....

I'm using RL 22 in my Ackley. What grain bullet you pushing?

Try IMR7828 or R22. I believe Mule Deer wrote about using H1000 in his, but I haven't tried it.

I took the initial loads to the range today. Only tried RL22 and H4831SC. I was able to get 3020 fps with 130 grain Berger VLD's and 53 gr of RL22. Groups were right at an inch. I'm going to tinker with the bullet length with that load as that is the speed and bullet I'd like to shoot in the gun.

Huge thanks to nsaqam for hooking me up with a ton of info. Thank you to the others that have responded as well. I'm in hurry up mode to find something suitable for hunting in a few weeks and after that I'll try some of the other combo's mentioned. I'll update this thread with my results if I get anything special. Love the gun. I'm thinking after break in it will be a keeper.

H1000 sounds interesting. That's what I'm shooting in my 6.5 Weatherby (72.5 gr) and I'm getting 3380 fps with 140 Berger VLD's. Going to try to tip over an elk with it in a few weeks.

JB had a great article on the 6.5-06 in the October 2008 (No. 255) edition of Handloader. Good luck with your rifle and loads. It is a great cartridge.

How'd the 4831 perform for you?

My gun didn't like the 4831. A near max load was 120 fps slower than the RL22 and the groups were 1.5 - 1.8 inches with Berger VLD's and 130 grain Accubonds.

I didn't have any luck with the Accubond 130's either but got 3150 fps and 1/2" 3-shot groups @100 yds. with 57 gr. H-4831 and the 125 gr. Nosler Partition. All I heard was that the Partition didn't hold a candle to the Accubond but each rifle is it's own animal. Mine is a custom Mauser 98 with a 24" 1-8.5" Shilen barrel. I shot a little whitetail with this load last year and it went about 5 feet. I was using Winchester brass formed from .30-06 and a Remington 9-1/2 Standard Large rifle primer. 3.355" oal.

I noticed that this old Hodgdon manual had some loads that differed from later info by as much as 6 grains of H-4831. I recently tested some of the other loads using 120 gr. Speer Hot-Cor's. Did some work with the 140 grain bullets as well as 129 grainers. Can send you some loads but you'll have to use caution. I found 57 grains H-4831 was as much as I could go with
the 125 grain Partition without seeing slight cratering around the firing pin mark on the primer.

I'm having a Rem 700 rebarreled to 6.5- 06. I went with a 26 inch stainless barrel. I have always wanted a 6.5-06. It should be great with 140 Accubonds.

I've been loading the 140gr partitions with IMR 4350 in my 256 Newton and have been really happy. I also played with the 123gr Scenar and they shot really well with H4831. I can't seem to get passed the partitions for hunting.

RL 22 and MRP work really good for me. I have had great luck with VV N560 in everything I have tried with an 06 case. Include 270win and 30-06SPR.

Good luck and shoot straight

Bob