Beginning testing with the forgotten 6.5 (aka 260 Remington)

Casting the RCBS 140 Grain Sil and using 2400 powder, these are the first trial groups @100 yards. Groups 1&2 with 15.5 gr 2400 and no filler, Groups 3&4 with
15.5 gr 2400 and 1 grain dacron filler. Group 1 1.505 (8 in .665), Group 2 1.427, Group3 1.617 and Group 4 1.425. I think with a little tweaking this will do ok. 1 in 9 twist 6 Groove.
 

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Glaciers

Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
I recently re-barreled a Remington 660 in 260 with a 1 in 8, 24" featherweight tube. Shot it for the first time last week. I do have a couple of 266 Lyman molds coming, might be here by next week, maybe. Could not seem to come up with a good Swede, zigging and zagging between money and availability. Had a couple of 660's, one a 308 and the other a 6mm. To me a 20 barreled 6mm is a waste. Needs more barrel. 6mm became a candidate by default.
Will be watching this thread with interest.
 

Matt

Active Member
Well done. I’m very envious, have given up on the two 6.5 CMs I’ve tried cast in. Might motivate me to try again. Keep posting your progress.
 
Second test conducted today (8/5).

Group 1 15.5 gr 2400 no filler 1.629" (7 in .845")
Group 2 15.5 gr 2400 w 1 gr dacron filler 1.111" (8 in .920")
Group 3 16.0 gr 2400 no filler 1.493" (8 in 1.217")
Group 4 16.0 gr 2400 w 1 gr dacron filler 1.214" (7 in .731")

Next attempt will try 16.5 grains................
 

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Spindrift

Well-Known Member
Excellent!
I wish more people would start shooting cast in their 6,5’s.
It will be interesting to see if the slight accuracy advantage of the dacron loads will diminish with slightly more powder.
 
I resumed testing last evening. Temps were in the upper 70's and winds were gentle. I backed off the powder charge to 15 grains and increased the OAL a smidge. Group 1 was just 5 shots to season a clean barrel ........763" with 4 in .366". Group 2 was 10 shots..........1.111"with 7 in .835". Group 3 utilized 1 grain of dacron filler, 10 shots .........711".P8160384.JPG
 

Glaciers

Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
Herb, still 100 yards and 2400?
In your posting #6 above you were talking about going up to 16.5 grains, in the post above you indicate backing off to 15 gr. Are you just trying something different or was there a reason for the reduction. Groups look good, the third group with the filler tighten up nicely. I guess my next question is are you going to continue with filler - non-filler testing?
Are you going to chronograph your loads?
Sorry for all the questions but I'm quite interested in this cartridge and have only used jacketed bullets so far. Just acquired two 6.5 molds but it will be later this winter before I can muck around with them.
 
Installed a 20 MOA Farrel base and sighted in @ 200 yards. Winds were a little iffy but fired 10 rounds resulting in a 2.275" group with 9 in 1.987".
Load was 15 grains of 2400 with 1 grain of dacron filler. Next attempt will try 15.0 grains, 15.5 grains and 16 grains all with dacron filler. Shooting a 1 in 9 twist Cooper M22.
 

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Another try @200 yards, was dealing with a basic left to right wind. Group 1 was 4.966" (8 in 2.447") 16.0 gr 2400 + 1 gr dacron
Group 2 was 2.861" (9 in 1.819") 16.5 gr 2400 + 1 gr dacron
Group 3 was 4.186" (7 in 1.598") 17.0 gr 2400 + 1 gr dacron

I'll retry with 16.5,17 & 17.5 and report back.............PA140407.JPGPA140407.JPG
 

Spindrift

Well-Known Member
Good results, thanks for posting!
Would you mind sharing how you prepare your bullets (size, lube) and cartridges (jump, crimp etc)?