Help loading my 6.5x06 ?

PA HUNTER · April 26, 2013, 12:39 AM

Hi all.... newbie to the forum here.

I have a reloading question for my newly built rifle. It is a wildcat, which I am now just learning all the quirks and necessities of reloading a wildcat.
My rifle is a custom m98 with a Shilen match grade 27 1/2" barrel w/1-9 twist.
6.5x06, NOT the A.I.

Like everyone else, I find I am in need of supplies but can't find everything.
I have a reasonable stock of primers that should last me the summer and through the next hunting season. I also had been, over the last two years buying the most popular (for me) bullets when they went on sale, usually 1 or 2 hundred at a time. However I did neglect my powder stock.

I found three pounds of RL22 for my new 6.5x06. I have never loaded for the 6.5x06 so I find myself at the mercy of those that have to share what you know.

This is what I have:

Fed 210 primers.
Fed LR magnum primers (215?)
Rem LR 9&1/2 primers
Win LR primers

IMR 4007ssc powder
Hodg. Varget powder
RL-22 powder

Hornady 100 gr. SP bullets
Hornady 100 gr. A-Max bullets
Rem 120 gr. SP bullets
Nosler 120 gr. Balistic Tip bullets
Hornady 129 gr. SP bullets
Hornady 129 gr. SST bullets
Sierra 140 gr. Match bullets
Hornady 140 gr. SP bullets

Based on what I have to work with, I'd like to hear any suggestions anyone may have.

I would really like to use the RL-22 with ALL my bullet weights but cannot find a load data for anything less than 125 gr.

Also, can I use the magnum primer with the RL-22? Anyone have experience with this?
*****************************************************************

Doing some calculating.....

Usualy I'd choose the faster burning powder for the lighter bullets. However, I'd like to find a load for all weights from 100gr through 140gr using RL-22. I think it is possible since I found a listing of a load for the 100 gr. using IMR-7828 which is slower burning than the RL-22.
If I cannot get a load to work I will have to fall back on the Varget powder for the 100 through 120's.

There is nothing listed that I have found for either powder using 100 gr or 120 grain bullets. If I have done my math correctly, the following data I came up with should work, OR WILL IT ??
Can anyone verify my data will work???

120gr. Nosler Bal. Tip or Rem. CLSP
Using RL-22 Start @ 51.9grs(MIN) and work up to 55.8grs(MAX)
Primer ? WW LR, FED 210, Fed 215(MAG), Rem 9&1/2 ??

100gr. Hornady Int. SP or Hornady A-Max
Using RL-22 Start @ 57.3grs(MIN) and work up to 61.1grs(MAX)
Primer ? WW LR, FED 210, Fed 215(MAG), Rem 9&1/2 ??

120gr. Nosler Bal. Tip or Rem. CLSP
Using Varget Start @ 36.6grs(MIN)and work up to 41.5grs(MAX)
Primer ? WW LR, FED 210, Fed 215(MAG), Rem 9&1/2 ??

100gr. Hornady Int. SP or Hornady A-Max
Using Varget Start @ 42.6grs(MIN)and work up to 47.5grs(MAX)
Primer ? WW LR, FED 210, Fed 215(MAG), Rem 9&1/2 ??

HELP

Thanks,
Jim

hooligan1 · April 26, 2013, 12:27 PM

Hogdons handloading manual list some of those bullets, pick up the magazine if you can still find it also, go to Hogdon Powders website....
Also goes to Alliants load data website, I'm sure you'll find enough information to get yourself started.

BumbleBug · April 26, 2013, 01:26 PM

Going through my stack of manuals, I found lotsa data on the 6.5-06 but nothing with RL22, Varget or 4007. Sierra's manual was very extensive.

Good Luck!

...bug

BTW: I checked the 6.5 Rem Mag & the 6.5-284 both which are shorter but of similar capacity, & RL22 is not list for them either. According to my burning chart, RL22 falls between H4831 on the fast side & IMR 7828 on the slow side. Seems like it should be a good fit for the cartridge, especially with the heaver bullets(?)

Brian Pfleuger · April 26, 2013, 01:53 PM

I assume that you have the SAAMI standardized "A-Square" version?

hodaka · April 26, 2013, 02:36 PM

I always used IMR 4350 and 4831 for mine. A very good caliber. If you don't mind the slight risk you could get an idea from .270 data for RL-22 and start low and work up. The reason for all of the variations between loading sources is that there is usually a lot of wiggle room in any given combination.

mehavey · April 26, 2013, 02:53 PM

If I've picked a ballpark cartridge approximation, and if you believe QuickLoad can point you in the right direction, here's what things indicate:

...which is that RL-22 ain't bad across the board.

But these are point-of-approximation results.
(You need to get better data and/or QuickLoad for your own workup)

hammie · April 26, 2013, 08:49 PM

I looked through my back issues of handloader magazine, and there were no recipes using Re-22. H4831 seemed to be the predominant powder for that wildcat.

I did have a thought. You might try contacting alliant powder through their website and inquire if they have any unpublished data for the 6.5-'06 using Re-22. I know it's a long shot, but you can always ask.

April 26, 2013, 12:39 AM	#1
PA HUNTER Junior Member Join Date: April 26, 2013 Posts: 1	Help loading my 6.5x06 ? Hi all.... newbie to the forum here. I have a reloading question for my newly built rifle. It is a wildcat, which I am now just learning all the quirks and necessities of reloading a wildcat. My rifle is a custom m98 with a Shilen match grade 27 1/2" barrel w/1-9 twist. 6.5x06, NOT the A.I. Like everyone else, I find I am in need of supplies but can't find everything. I have a reasonable stock of primers that should last me the summer and through the next hunting season. I also had been, over the last two years buying the most popular (for me) bullets when they went on sale, usually 1 or 2 hundred at a time. However I did neglect my powder stock. I found three pounds of RL22 for my new 6.5x06. I have never loaded for the 6.5x06 so I find myself at the mercy of those that have to share what you know. This is what I have: Fed 210 primers. Fed LR magnum primers (215?) Rem LR 9&1/2 primers Win LR primers IMR 4007ssc powder Hodg. Varget powder RL-22 powder Hornady 100 gr. SP bullets Hornady 100 gr. A-Max bullets Rem 120 gr. SP bullets Nosler 120 gr. Balistic Tip bullets Hornady 129 gr. SP bullets Hornady 129 gr. SST bullets Sierra 140 gr. Match bullets Hornady 140 gr. SP bullets Based on what I have to work with, I'd like to hear any suggestions anyone may have. I would really like to use the RL-22 with ALL my bullet weights but cannot find a load data for anything less than 125 gr. Also, can I use the magnum primer with the RL-22? Anyone have experience with this? *************************************************************** Doing some calculating..... Usualy I'd choose the faster burning powder for the lighter bullets. However, I'd like to find a load for all weights from 100gr through 140gr using RL-22. I think it is possible since I found a listing of a load for the 100 gr. using IMR-7828 which is slower burning than the RL-22. If I cannot get a load to work I will have to fall back on the Varget powder for the 100 through 120's. There is nothing listed that I have found for either powder using 100 gr or 120 grain bullets. If I have done my math correctly, the following data I came up with should work, OR WILL IT ?? Can anyone verify my data will work???** 120gr. Nosler Bal. Tip or Rem. CLSP Using RL-22 Start @ 51.9grs(MIN) and work up to 55.8grs(MAX) Primer ? WW LR, FED 210, Fed 215(MAG), Rem 9&1/2 ?? 100gr. Hornady Int. SP or Hornady A-Max Using RL-22 Start @ 57.3grs(MIN) and work up to 61.1grs(MAX) Primer ? WW LR, FED 210, Fed 215(MAG), Rem 9&1/2 ?? 120gr. Nosler Bal. Tip or Rem. CLSP Using Varget Start @ 36.6grs(MIN)and work up to 41.5grs(MAX) Primer ? WW LR, FED 210, Fed 215(MAG), Rem 9&1/2 ?? 100gr. Hornady Int. SP or Hornady A-Max Using Varget Start @ 42.6grs(MIN)and work up to 47.5grs(MAX) Primer ? WW LR, FED 210, Fed 215(MAG), Rem 9&1/2 ?? HELP Thanks, Jim

April 26, 2013, 12:27 PM	#2
hooligan1 Senior Member Join Date: July 18, 2010 Location: Independence Missouri Posts: 4,585	Hogdons handloading manual list some of those bullets, pick up the magazine if you can still find it also, go to Hogdon Powders website.... Also goes to Alliants load data website, I'm sure you'll find enough information to get yourself started. __________________ Keep your Axe sharp and your powder dry.

April 26, 2013, 01:26 PM	#3
BumbleBug Senior Member Join Date: March 11, 2013 Location: Near Heart of Texas Posts: 870	Going through my stack of manuals, I found lotsa data on the 6.5-06 but nothing with RL22, Varget or 4007. Sierra's manual was very extensive. Good Luck! ...bug BTW: I checked the 6.5 Rem Mag & the 6.5-284 both which are shorter but of similar capacity, & RL22 is not list for them either. According to my burning chart, RL22 falls between H4831 on the fast side & IMR 7828 on the slow side. Seems like it should be a good fit for the cartridge, especially with the heaver bullets(?) Last edited by BumbleBug; April 26, 2013 at 01:46 PM.

April 26, 2013, 01:53 PM	#4
Brian Pfleuger Moderator Emeritus Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Austin, CO Posts: 19,578	I assume that you have the SAAMI standardized "A-Square" version? __________________ Nobody plans to screw up their lives... ...they just don't plan not to. -Andy Stanley Last edited by Brian Pfleuger; April 26, 2013 at 02:05 PM. Reason: Like to hear more first.

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April 26, 2013, 02:36 PM	#5
hodaka Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,010	I always used IMR 4350 and 4831 for mine. A very good caliber. If you don't mind the slight risk you could get an idea from .270 data for RL-22 and start low and work up. The reason for all of the variations between loading sources is that there is usually a lot of wiggle room in any given combination.

April 26, 2013, 02:53 PM	#6
mehavey Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2010 Location: Virginia Posts: 6,882	If I've picked a ballpark cartridge approximation, and if you believe QuickLoad can point you in the right direction, here's what things indicate: ...which is that RL-22 ain't bad across the board. But these are point-of-approximation results. (You need to get better data and/or QuickLoad for your own workup)

April 26, 2013, 08:49 PM	#7
hammie Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2009 Location: Temple, TX Posts: 958	I looked through my back issues of handloader magazine, and there were no recipes using Re-22. H4831 seemed to be the predominant powder for that wildcat. I did have a thought. You might try contacting alliant powder through their website and inquire if they have any unpublished data for the 6.5-'06 using Re-22. I know it's a long shot, but you can always ask.