Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting 6.5-06 Velocities with 140s

What velocities are you guys getting with either the regular or improved version, and what powders are you using to get there?

Same question for 123 Scenars or 130 Normas?

Thanks.

I can't offer any firsthand, but velocities should be pretty close to the 6.5-284, based on bore diameter and case volume.

Running 49.5 grains of RL22 with 140 bergers to 2870 fps. Stopped there due to tremendous accuracy node.

With my 26" Krieger hunting wt. 6.5-284, my best accuracy with 140's is using Vv 165 at 2,950. I've used SST's and VLD's. Now, with RL-17, I can get a consistent 3,000 fps (S.D.'s tight and vel. never dipping below 3K) with 140's and good accuracy. The Vv 165 load has on one occasion shot a three shot group into the teens, several into the two's. The 3,000 fps RL-17 load will shoot 1/2". I can push them over 3,100 with RL-17, but the groups start opening up pretty fast much above 3,000, (like 1 1/2" or so at 3,100). And no pressure signs in my gun at that level with SST's, some mild signs with VLD's. Others on this forum report pressure signs at lower velocities. I guess it depends on the specific barrel, etc. For some reason, VLD's show pressure signs quicker than SST's. I haven't tried these specific VLD's on game; the SST's work great on Pronghorns, deer and hogs. I'm sure the VLD's would as well.

The 140's did so well in this gun, I haven't spent much time with lighter bullets.

All the Ackley versions that I have built will push the 140's between 3075-3150 in 26-27" barrels using Retumbo. This seems to be consistent in the 11 I have built for guys and the ones for myself.

With my 6.5-06, 24" Douglas 1/8 twist I get 2950fps with 140 Berger vld and 50gr H4350, primer pockets would loosen up after 3 to 5 reloads, so changed to 50gr RL-17 and maintained 2950fps, and my cases last much longer.

I get great accuracy from a 26" barrel with 140 Berger VLD's and H1000, muzzle velocity right around 2950.

123's 3,200
130's 3,150
140's 3,000

My 6.5 X 284 24" is max at 2850 - 2900 with 140 gr. shows pressure over that. Not a fast barrel.

6.5 - 06 has a few gr more powder & slightly lower pressure from what I understand.

Thanks all. Thanks MD, I know you gave me that H1000 load info earlier and I have some of those loaded up, waiting for the rifle to be delivered.

SU35, is yours an Improved, and are your 130s the Normas?

PS, that's good shootin' for a dirt farmer.

It's a 6.5-284

I guess that means it's an "improved", of sorts...

HA!

DF

I used a 6.5x06 for several years. I used 140gr. Hornady's a lot and their 129gr. I also liked the 125gr Nos. Partition, for me it was always fast and accurate. I used IMR7828 and R22. I usually got my best balance of accuracy and velocity with 7828. I got 2900fps+ with the 140's and close to 3000fps with the 129's and right at 3100 with Nosler's 125gr Partition. If I was still loading for a 6.5x06, I'd follow JB advice and try H1000. Good luck and let us know how things turn out.

My standard 6.5-06 has a 26" Douglas and I get right at 3,000 fps with 140's. I get 3,200 fps with 120's. I run RL22 and H4831. Flinch

Smoke--I've been around a handful of diff 6.5/06 tubes, most all were in the 23-24" range and one was a 26".

I prefer 23" with a mzl dia of .6"-.62". With this kind of tube our speeds for best accuracy has been 3100 with the 129 Horn and 2850 with the 140 Horn. Both of those heads have been wicked killers for me and I really like them. If I had a 6.5/06 today I'd sure be all over the 123 Sce, thinking 3150 or so would be very doable.

With the 140's we could push them to 2900 but accuracy tended to wain a bit and primers have popped a time or so in the heat of the summer.

The 26" tube we could run @ 3K but accuracy comp'd to @ 2900 or so sucked rocks so we backed it off.

Have several friends running the AI version, can't recall for sure the speeds. I'd guess like with other AI's another 100-125 fps would be par for the course. I'd AI to reduce trimming but not for the xtra gas. But, dats just my way.

Best of luck to ya!

Dober

Thanks, mine will be 24", improved, and the "right" diameter. Got some 123 scenars loaded up, and some 130 Normas in the mail, they look worth a try too. Got 140 Bergers and A-maxs too, and some others, I'm sure I'll find something that'll shoot. Should get it back mid-May, can't wait to see what shoots best. I love that feeling when you're trying out a new one, shoot the second/third shots with that magical "right" load, and have to zoom in on the scope to see the ragged hole.

I have an AI, 28". I am getting about 3200 with 120s. 4831sc, 7828, and R22. Haven't reached the top with R22 yet, might be close. One of the posters said 3200 with the standard version, so I may have more room. I have a 1-10" twist, so the 140s are kind of out for me.

Right about the twist. My 6.5-284 is an 8.5 twist which seems perfect for the 140's. Will the 10 twist work with 130's or are 120's about your top weight?

That question is way too complex for a dirtfarmer.

The 1-10" will shoot 130's just fine at about 2800-2900 fps. You can go faster.