6.5 Rem Mag reloading

[orchemo]

Brought home my new to me, Remington 673 in 6.5 RM. Still need to get some Talley rings ordered, but shoot today with iron sights. What fun!!!

I have brass, dies and bullets.

I have an assortment of bullets (left to right)
1. 120 gr BT
2. 120 gr Barnes X-bullet
3. 125 gr PT
4. 140 gr Barnes X-bullet

Will be loading some of all and see how they shoot. I also have a bunch 107 gr Matchking and 129gr Hornady.

When I get the rings, will mount a Leupold 2.5-8x36 and will have a great package. And it looks and handles just like the 350 RM I have.

The 140 gr Barnes seem really long. Anyone have experience with these. The velocity seems to top out around 2850 fps per Barnes data for the 6.5 RM. Seems 140 Barnes might be long for the Rem 673?

 

[DrMike]

A super little round, without doubt. I'll watch your progress on loads with some interest.

 

[gerry]

That's a great gun you bought, hope it's a tackdriver for you. Tried to shoot those long 140 gr Barnes X in a 1 in 8 twist 6.5x55 and even with that fast twist they keyholed. Will be interesting to see how they work in your gun, one thing is for certain if they are unstable you will find out quick

 

[JD338]

orchemo

Congratulations on your M673 Guide rifle in 6.5mm Rem Mag.
I have the same rifle and scope set up.

The 130 gr AB shoots great at 3047 fps. Load is 56.0 grs IMR 4831, R-P case and Fed GM215M primer.

On game performance is impressive. I shot this cull buck at 75 yds through the shoulders, dropping him in his tracks. The 130 gr AB exited the off shoulder with a quarter size hole.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

I would think if you could make that little 125 PT shoot, you wouldn't need anymore than that for about anything you would tackle with the 6.5.. Then having a 129 Hornady or the 120 BT for practice and deer would be pretty economical. Don't forget about the 140 BT's either.. Might be able to get them into the 2800 range with your 6.5 and they seem plenty accurate in my 264 and match the 140 AB in profile and BC... Good luck..

 

[DrMike]

Jim,

Your rifle is going to make me want to look for another 673 chambered in the 6.5 RM. I know that I've come to appreciate my 350 RM.

 

[JD338]

Jim,

Your rifle is going to make me want to look for another 673 chambered in the 6.5 RM. I know that I've come to appreciate my 350 RM.

Once it was bedded, she became a shooter. Thanks again to my friend, efw for bedding my rifle.

I plan on reshooting the 125 gr PT this year and that just may be my go to bullet. The 120 gr BT is a shooter too and hits to the same POI as the 130 gr AB at 100 yds.
Life is good with the 6.5mm Rem Mag. :mrgreen:

JD338

 

[ScreaminEagle]

I just handled the same rifle not 1 hour ago. I almost bought it.

 

[SJB358]

Jim,

Your rifle is going to make me want to look for another 673 chambered in the 6.5 RM. I know that I've come to appreciate my 350 RM.

ORRRRRRRRR you could give us a run down on the new M70 264's that should be hitting the streets soon!

 

[DrMike]

Ooooo. Get thee behind me, Sa..., er, Scotty.

 

[SJB358]

Ooooo. Get thee behind me, Sa..., er, Scotty.

Ah its alright Mike, you are short a super 264... Might as well fill it in!

 

[DrMike]

Nah, my next big purchase has to be another safe. Problem is, I'm going to have to get a new house in order to have someplace to put it. :shock:

 

[JD338]

Nah, my next big purchase has to be another safe. Problem is, I'm going to have to get a new house in order to have someplace to put it. :shock:

Mike,

I have plenty of room, you can keep it at my house. :mrgreen:

JD338

 

[DrMike]

Jim, you're all heart. The generosity on this forum just brings tears to my eyes.

 

[orchemo]

I need to order some Talley light ring/bases on Monday. While I wait for those will load a variety of bullets. The 140 Barnes is a full box and the 120 BT is well over a box. Will start with these and the PT.

Lots of shooting. Lots of fun.

Thanks

 

[JD338]

orchemo

Here are the loads I settled on....

120 gr BT
57.0 grs IMR 4831
MV 3098 fps ES 20 SD 10 .631"

125 gr PT
56.0 grs IMR 4831
MV 3043 fps ES 5 SD 2 .836"

130 gr AB
56.0 grs IMR 4831
MV 3047 fps ES 11 SD 5 .286"

The 120 gr BT and 125 gr PT were tested prior to getting the action bedded and need to be reshot for accuracy.

JD338

 

[orchemo]

Thanks JD. Gives me a great starting point

Think the 6.5 is fine for black bear upto 300 yds? Bear up probably 250 to 300 lbs

 

[gerry]

Thanks JD. Gives me a great starting point

Think the 6.5 is fine for black bear upto 300 yds? Bear up probably 250 to 300 lbs

You stick the slug where it needs to go and it will kill a bear much bigger than 300 lbs. I'm not one to want to shoot bears at long range with any round, their chests are surprisingly small in comparison to the rest of their body. It's not hard to sneak up on a bear anyway if you're halfway careful while stalking them. Another thing the outfitter I guided for told me is to go for a lung shot most of his problems with wounded bears involved guys trying to take out shoulders and missing the vitals. We typically only take shoulder/spine shots at close range where a shot can be precisely placed.

 

[JD338]

Thanks JD. Gives me a great starting point

Think the 6.5 is fine for black bear upto 300 yds? Bear up probably 250 to 300 lbs

You stick the slug where it needs to go and it will kill a bear much bigger than 300 lbs. I'm not one to want to shoot bears at long range with any round, their chests are surprisingly small in comparison to the rest of their body. It's not hard to sneak up on a bear anyway if you're halfway careful while stalking them. Another thing the outfitter I guided for told me is to go for a lung shot most of his problems with wounded bears involved guys trying to take out shoulders and missing the vitals. We typically only take shoulder/spine shots at close range where a shot can be precisely placed.

I agree with Gerry.

Black bears are easy to kill if you hit them right.
The 125 gr PT will do the job.

JD338

 

[DrMike]

A decent 6.5 mm slug through the vitals will ensure that you are enjoying bear sausage and hams shortly.