6.5/300 WSM

glane5910

Beginner
Jun 11, 2011
117
0
I'm just finishing up a 6.5/300 WSM and wondered if anyone had any tips for sizing WSM brass for this and any reloading data they might have used.
Thanks
 
Welcome to the boards! We haven't seen many of the 6.5WSM's here, but I think there are going to be some others piping in shortly. Pictures of your rifle would be excellent. Although I don't have the 6.5WSM, I do shoot the 270WSM a bunch and Imperial Sizing Wax works very slick for mine. I would think being just about the same size, it would work just as well for your resizing operation.

I do shoot a 264WM and think the slower powders like RL22 and Retumbo have alot going for them with the 130's and 140's. H1000 will also be in the front running. What bullets are you trying in your rifle? Scotty
 
Thanks much Scotty. I just finished chambering the bbl yesterday so I still have to polish the chamber and cut the crown. I just ran out of time yesterday. It's in a 26" Lothar Walther stainless bbl on a blueprinted Rem 700 SAM receiver. Bullet wise depends. I'm guessing 130-140gr. I like RL22, use it in my 280 Feather weight before I did a bbl swap to 280AI. I'm in the process of working up some loads for that also. I'll post pics once its finished up. I'm still open on stock choice but thinking Hi-tech fiberglass wrapped foam core.
Greg
 
Greg, I love RL22 in the 270WSM. Just gets excellent speeds with the heavier weight bullets. I shoot 150's to over 3100 pretty easily. If you can find MagPro, I would think you would have another winner. That is my overall favorite in the WSM. Just really makes the 270WSM everything it should be. RL22 is what I have used recently as it is more available in my area. I would think you will be in great shape with RL22 and 25 also.

Pictures are a must when you get that rifle put together. Sounds like an awesome rifle. Scotty
 
Greg - what is the twist in the barrel? Mine is coming with a 8.5 twist since I want it exclusively for 130 and 140 grain bullets. I have been waiting for 2 months for Brux to get the barrel to my gunsmith, and it finally arrived this week! :) This is going to be screwed on a blue printed Winchester action. It will be going back into the featherweight stock (pillar bedded now) that came with the rifle.

I used .270WSM brass (Winchester) and resized it in one pass using One-Shot lube. No big deal using a standard full length Redding die. We will have to be like a couple old ladies and swap recipes :roll: :) .
 
Greg,

Welcome to the finest forum on the Internet, bar none. I would think that sizing 270 WSM brass would be a bit less stressful than using 300 WSM brass. I just ran QL for the 6.5 Rock (6.5 mm WSM) to see if some powders jumped out. See if any of these appeal to you.

Cartridge : 6.5 mm Rock (WSM)
Bullet : .264, 130, Nosler AccuBond 56902
Useable Case Capaci: 72.054 grain H2O = 4.678 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.860 inch = 72.64 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.

Matching Maximum Pressure: 56875 psi, or 392 MPa

or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %

These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

35 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.

Powder type Filling/Loading Ratio Charge Charge Vel. Prop.Burnt P max P muzz B_Time
% Grains Gramm fps % psi psi ms
--------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Vihtavuori N570 100.8 70.6 4.57 3254 97.3 56875 14957 1.290 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-50 107.3 77.1 5.00 3233 97.2 56875 15086 1.320 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H870 107.1 73.4 4.76 3232 98.7 56875 14463 1.295 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Retumbo 104.4 69.7 4.52 3226 100.0 56875 13189 1.281 ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum (Big Boy) 94.8 67.4 4.37 3191 99.8 56875 13265 1.287 ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 2 99.7 66.2 4.29 3188 99.8 56875 13445 1.303 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 92.1 62.5 4.05 3187 99.3 56875 13459 1.289 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 96.4 62.2 4.03 3180 99.6 56875 13064 1.278 ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC 91.2 62.2 4.03 3180 99.6 56875 13064 1.278 ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 90.3 62.6 4.05 3180 100.0 56875 12946 1.298 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO 92.4 65.3 4.23 3180 98.5 56875 13612 1.298 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25 97.5 64.4 4.18 3178 100.0 56875 12462 1.289 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H1000 101.2 66.5 4.31 3170 99.8 56875 12800 1.272 ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 92.3 62.0 4.02 3159 99.9 56875 12856 1.295 ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR 94.8 62.3 4.04 3158 99.9 56875 12878 1.295 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori 24N41 103.6 73.3 4.75 3147 92.1 56875 13613 1.279 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon 50BMG 109.0 73.5 4.76 3140 88.2 56875 13843 1.289 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon US 869 108.9 77.0 4.99 3138 92.2 56875 13664 1.293 ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905 93.7 61.8 4.00 3135 99.3 56875 12685 1.292 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 94.9 61.2 3.97 3106 99.2 56875 12278 1.283 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC 91.2 61.2 3.97 3106 99.2 56875 12278 1.283 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N170 103.9 68.3 4.42 3094 95.9 56875 12791 1.308 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165 94.8 62.3 4.04 3068 100.0 56875 11486 1.299 ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160 95.1 60.5 3.92 3062 99.5 56875 11606 1.288 ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100 97.9 61.5 3.99 3059 100.0 56875 11325 1.328 ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V 90.3 56.1 3.63 3032 100.0 56875 10445 1.302 ! Near Maximum !


Here's what a full version of Retumbo with a 130 grain AB would produce:

Cartridge : 6.5 mm Rock (WSM)
Bullet : .264, 130, Nosler AccuBond 56902
Useable Case Capaci: 72.054 grain H2O = 4.678 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.860 inch = 72.64 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder : Hodgdon Retumbo

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 86 57.60 2635 2005 31085 11552 96.1 1.678
-18.0 88 59.04 2707 2115 33349 11875 97.3 1.633
-16.0 91 60.48 2778 2228 35789 12165 98.3 1.588
-14.0 93 61.92 2850 2344 38420 12418 99.0 1.539
-12.0 95 63.36 2921 2462 41260 12632 99.6 1.487
-10.0 97 64.80 2991 2582 44324 12806 99.9 1.438
-08.0 99 66.24 3060 2704 47643 12936 100.0 1.390
-06.0 101 67.68 3129 2827 51233 13044 100.0 1.344
-04.0 104 69.12 3197 2951 55123 13146 100.0 1.299
-02.0 106 70.56 3264 3076 59345 13245 100.0 1.256 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 108 72.00 3331 3202 63934 13338 100.0 1.215 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 110 73.44 3397 3330 68925 13426 100.0 1.176 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 112 74.88 3462 3460 74367 13509 100.0 1.137 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 114 76.32 3527 3591 80298 13587 100.0 1.100 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 116 77.76 3592 3724 86801 13658 100.0 1.065 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 119 79.20 3656 3859 93862 13724 100.0 1.031 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 108 72.00 3462 3460 79915 12832 100.0 1.116 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 108 72.00 3126 2821 50381 13949 99.3 1.347
 
Mike/Joel, I am thinking Retumbo is king in the WSM/WM 264's. Seems well suited to the cartridge. Scotty
 
Scotty -
I'm going to try and find some MagPro to test as well. Here are the pwders I plan to test with: Retumbo, R22, H-Super Performance and MagPro. IMR 7828 looks interesting too. That was my favorite powder for the 300 Win mag back in the days when I shot belted magnums.
 
257 Ackley":uiu02eg6 said:
Greg - what is the twist in the barrel? Mine is coming with a 8.5 twist since I want it exclusively for 130 and 140 grain bullets. I have been waiting for 2 months for Brux to get the barrel to my gunsmith, and it finally arrived this week! :) This is going to be screwed on a blue printed Winchester action. It will be going back into the featherweight stock (pillar bedded now) that came with the rifle.

I used .270WSM brass (Winchester) and resized it in one pass using One-Shot lube. No big deal using a standard full length Redding die. We will have to be like a couple old ladies and swap recipes :roll: :) .

I've got an 8 twist so it should take anything I want to feed thru it. I could only get a set of Lee dies 2 weeks ago and my 300 WSM brass just crumples under them. I found some RCBS in stock so they should be here next week along with some 270 WSM brass.
I took my Win 70 Featherweight and screwed on a Shilen that I chambered in 280 AI. so I need to work up some loads for it also. I just blued it a couple of weeks ago and will probably put it back in the FW stock that's already pillered. Its a little heavier profile at the receiver so I'll have to do some milling on the stock and re-bed. I've got a new Hi-tech for it that is like 20 oz that I need to bed it in. I'm going in to my 2nd year in the Gunsmithing program at Lassen College. Very good program, have learned a lot. Kept me VERY busy.
 
Thanks to all of you. There are a lot of loads there Dr Mike, big thanks. I've been using Ramshot powders(X-terminator and TAC) lately in my 6.5 Grendels, 6x45 and 223(all AR-15 platforms) and 308(M1A) with very good results. I'll get some Magnum to try and Retumbo also. I've got an AR in 243 WSSM that really likes RL17.
My 280 Rem really likes the RL22 also so that's going to be a starter for my 280 AI.
Greg
 
I have really only worked with the 130gr Scirroco and Retumbo in my 6.5/300WSM(should be called 264WSM). 65.2gr is giving me and avg. of 3240fps, best group .43" worst group .79" of 3 groups. This is my load until I get more time to play with other bullets. Mine is a Rem 700, 26" Shilen with 1 in 8 twist. My throat is short, I have a fair amount of room in the magazine.
 
Ramshot makes some fine powders. I burn a fair amount of Magnum, Big Game and TAC. I can't get my hands on enough Hunter, but when I am able to snag it; it works well in the WSMs.

For Magnum with the 130 AB, here's some data for you:

Cartridge : 6.5 mm Rock (WSM)
Bullet : .264, 130, Nosler AccuBond 56902
Useable Case Capaci: 72.054 grain H2O = 4.678 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.860 inch = 72.64 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder : Ramshot Magnum (Big Boy)

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 78 55.60 2583 1926 30421 11028 92.2 1.699
-18.0 80 56.99 2654 2034 32682 11385 93.6 1.653
-16.0 82 58.38 2726 2144 35126 11722 95.0 1.607
-14.0 84 59.77 2797 2259 37770 12037 96.1 1.557
-12.0 86 61.16 2869 2376 40633 12327 97.1 1.504
-10.0 88 62.55 2941 2496 43734 12590 98.0 1.453
-08.0 90 63.94 3012 2620 47106 12824 98.7 1.403
-06.0 92 65.33 3084 2745 50768 13026 99.3 1.356
-04.0 94 66.72 3155 2873 54751 13194 99.7 1.310
-02.0 96 68.11 3226 3003 59058 13327 99.9 1.265 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 98 69.50 3296 3136 63710 13423 100.0 1.223 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 100 70.89 3365 3269 68758 13501 100.0 1.182 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 102 72.28 3434 3405 74243 13573 100.0 1.142 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 104 73.67 3503 3542 80215 13639 100.0 1.104 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 106 75.06 3571 3681 86729 13699 100.0 1.067 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 108 76.45 3639 3823 93852 13752 100.0 1.032 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 98 69.50 3441 3418 78760 12863 100.0 1.122 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 98 69.50 3077 2733 49727 13564 96.7 1.358

Hunter has a different pressure curve, and though velocity is somewhat reduced, it would be worth considering.

Cartridge : 6.5 mm Rock (WSM)
Bullet : .264, 130, Nosler AccuBond 56902
Useable Case Capaci: 72.054 grain H2O = 4.678 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.860 inch = 72.64 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch = 660.4 mm
Powder : Ramshot Hunter

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 71 48.80 2651 2029 35136 10347 98.1 1.616
-18.0 73 50.02 2710 2120 37361 10584 98.7 1.579
-16.0 75 51.24 2768 2212 39709 10803 99.2 1.532
-14.0 76 52.46 2825 2304 42186 11005 99.5 1.488
-12.0 78 53.68 2882 2398 44799 11188 99.8 1.446
-10.0 80 54.90 2939 2493 47555 11352 100.0 1.406
-08.0 82 56.12 2994 2588 50462 11496 100.0 1.368
-06.0 84 57.34 3049 2683 53528 11630 100.0 1.331
-04.0 85 58.56 3103 2779 56762 11761 100.0 1.295 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 87 59.78 3156 2876 60174 11890 100.0 1.261 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 89 61.00 3209 2973 63774 12016 100.0 1.228 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 91 62.22 3262 3071 67575 12140 100.0 1.197 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 93 63.44 3313 3169 71588 12260 100.0 1.167 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 94 64.66 3365 3268 75827 12378 100.0 1.137 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 96 65.88 3416 3368 80308 12492 100.0 1.109 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 98 67.10 3466 3468 85046 12604 100.0 1.082 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 89 61.00 3303 3149 74551 11678 100.0 1.149 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 89 61.00 3068 2717 52861 12425 99.5 1.335
 
ls1cwby":2zpaowfz said:
I have really only worked with the 130gr Scirroco and Retumbo in my 6.5/300WSM(should be called 264WSM). 65.2gr is giving me and avg. of 3240fps, best group .43" worst group .79" of 3 groups. This is my load until I get more time to play with other bullets. Mine is a Rem 700, 26" Shilen with 1 in 8 twist. My throat is short, I have a fair amount of room in the magazine.

I have three bullets that will be my focus...130 AB's, 140 Berger VLD's and 130 Scirroco's. Good to see you have been working with them. Originally I was told to go with a 9 twist, but when I visited with Brux they suggested an 8.5 twist. How many rounds do you have down the barrel and what is your OAL? Talked to a guy tonight that said he had to rebarrel after 550 rounds :shock: . At that rate this will be an 18 inch barrel by the time i'm 60!!

I agree with the 264 WSM name....we might give those guys that shoot the real 264's a scare :mrgreen:
 
I don't have my notes with me but I am at approx. 106 rounds. If my memory is correct my OAL is 2.300" with a comparator guage. Again, my throat is short I have room in the magazine but I can't use it. Would like to seat the bullets out farther to see if there would be less pressure/more velocity. The 6.5 bullets are quite long.
 
130 AB at 3250 fps. Not bad! and all from a shortie action.
 
Those are excellent speeds for sure. My 264WM is really starting to come into itself with Retumbo. Scotty
 
Those of you that are using a 700 short action, which follower is used for the WSM" I'm only seeing followers at Brownell's for the SAUM? Are they both going to be the same?
 
glane5910":1qxclzf6 said:
Thanks to all of you. There are a lot of loads there Dr Mike, big thanks. I've been using Ramshot powders(X-terminator and TAC) lately in my 6.5 Grendels, 6x45 and 223(all AR-15 platforms) and 308(M1A) with very good results. I'll get some Magnum to try and Retumbo also. I've got an AR in 243 WSSM that really likes RL17.
My 280 Rem really likes the RL22 also so that's going to be a starter for my 280 AI.
Greg

Greg,

Welcome to the Nosler forum.

Your 280 AI will do well with RL 22. This powder gives me excellent speed and accuracy with both the 140 gr AB and the 160 gr AB.

Your 6.5 WSM will be a rock star here. :wink:

JD338
 
Thanks JD, I can't wait to get it to the range. I polished the breech/chamber and cut the crown today. I just need to bead blast the bbl, screw it on the action and do a duracoat or similar to match the action and its good to go. I forgot I have a HS Precision aluminum bedding block stock that my 220 Swift was in before I turned it into a light little 243. I'll drop it in that stock and see how it shoots. I'm scoping it for the time being with a Vortex Viper 30mm tube 6.5-20.
Greg
 
Here are some loads I received from Ramshot
Caliber: 6.5mm -WSM Wildcat.

Barrel length: 24”

Powder: Ramshot – MAGNUM®.

Bullet weight: 100 grains.

Start load: 66.0grains (3100 – 3200 Ft/p/sec)

Maximum load: 72.5 grains (3450 – 3550 Ft/p/sec).

Bullet weight: 120 grains.

Start load: 63.0 grains (2950 – 3050 Ft/p/sec)

Maximum load: 68.5grains (3250 – 3350 Ft/p/sec)

Bullet weight: 130 grains.

Start load: 59.0 grains (2800 – 2900 Ft/p/sec)

Maximum load: 67.0 grains (3100 – 3200 Ft/p/sec)

Bullet weight: 140 grains.

Start load: 59.0 grains (2700 – 2800 Ft/p/sec)

Maximum load: 65.0 grains (3000 – 3100 Ft/p/sec)

Bullet weight: 160 grains.

Start load: 57.0 grains (2600 -2700 Ft/p/sec)

Maximum load: 63.0 grains (2850 – 2950 Ft/p/sec)
 
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