6.5 Sherman?

Shadow9mm · August 15, 2023, 06:07 PM

Was watching a video from Ultimate Reloader on a Southafrican hunt. I noticed that whatever round he was using hit HARD. Did a little digging and apparently it was a borrowed rifle in 6.5 Sherman. Never heard of it before. Did a bit of googling and checking my reloading manuals, not much of anything, apparently its a wildcat that launches 160g bullets in the neighborhood of 3100fps. Has anyone dealt with or reloaded for this cartridge before, it has me really interested. Gonna do more googling.

heres the hunt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8b2B6MsyUQ

and heres the article
https://ultimatereloader.com/2023/08...a-part-1-of-3/

**44 AMP** · August 15, 2023, 07:18 PM

A couple of quick searches indicate there is more than one "Sherman" and I believe the one you are looking at is a short (3" COAL) very fat case, with a sharp shoulder optimized for the very slowest powders.

Shadow9mm · August 15, 2023, 07:21 PM

Been reading and digging I found they have a 6.5 sherman, and a 6.5 sherman short.

found a 6.5 sherman build, think its the one he used on the hunt, need it dig through it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-ctkavJSig

Nathan · August 15, 2023, 09:34 PM

Sherman Wildcat Cartridges He also has a Facebook group.

This is what you are looking for. Rich is a good dude. Like all wildcats or more accurately proprietary cartridges. They are worth the development done to them. Rich has done quite a bit.

I come to this from having a 300 Sherman and a 28 Sherman Magnum.

With all due respect, 6.5 Sherman is a great round. I’m sure 140’s will do 3100-3200fps. Rich and others often develop these rounds with 28” barrels or even sometimes 26” barrels. You will likely want it in a 22” or 24” barrel. No round has special power to drt game. It is about the velocity, bullet weight and bullet construction

On top of that, I would at least consider the 6.5 by 280AI or 6.5-06 AI or the 270 Win fast twist…..or maybe the 6.5 Weatherby RPM. All are close in performance. If those come up short to you, have a Sherman built!

If you go Sherman, PM me. Maybe I can help.

BTW, he was running the 6.5 Sherman Short. Lots of folks think that is a great round, but I have heard several gunsmiths complain about the shortest rounds. This is based on the SAUM, so it should feed.

stagpanther · August 16, 2023, 07:56 AM

If you must have a hyper-velocity 6.5 that will incinerate it's game target (as well as the bore eventually)--I'd take a look at 6.5-300 weatherby.

MarkCO · August 16, 2023, 10:34 AM

There have been several guys messing with the 6.5 Sherman over the years. With the Norma and PRC family of cartridges now, such cartridges will become more and more rare.

One of the NICEST things about the Norma and PRC based cartridges is that they are less finicky as to load development. One can literally foul the bore with 25 to 30 rounds, do a Satterlee 1.0 and 2.0 with another 20 and be ready to roll. Having that in 50 rounds is SO much more better advantageous excellent and stuff that I really don't see why anyone would go with a belted or shallow shoulder old tech cartridge that barely fits in the magazine. Old school, it can take 200 rounds, or 20% of the barrel life just to get a good load.

taylorce1 · August 16, 2023, 12:03 PM

If you want to know about the Sherman Magnums, as there are more than just the shorts follow elkaholic on LRH forums.

August 15, 2023, 06:07 PM	#1
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 4,356	6.5 Sherman? Was watching a video from Ultimate Reloader on a Southafrican hunt. I noticed that whatever round he was using hit HARD. Did a little digging and apparently it was a borrowed rifle in 6.5 Sherman. Never heard of it before. Did a bit of googling and checking my reloading manuals, not much of anything, apparently its a wildcat that launches 160g bullets in the neighborhood of 3100fps. Has anyone dealt with or reloaded for this cartridge before, it has me really interested. Gonna do more googling. heres the hunt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8b2B6MsyUQ and heres the article https://ultimatereloader.com/2023/08...a-part-1-of-3/ __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

August 15, 2023, 07:18 PM	#2
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 30,007	A couple of quick searches indicate there is more than one "Sherman" and I believe the one you are looking at is a short (3" COAL) very fat case, with a sharp shoulder optimized for the very slowest powders. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

August 15, 2023, 07:21 PM	#3
Shadow9mm Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 4,356	Been reading and digging I found they have a 6.5 sherman, and a 6.5 sherman short. found a 6.5 sherman build, think its the one he used on the hunt, need it dig through it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-ctkavJSig __________________ I don't believe in "range fodder" that is why I reload.

August 15, 2023, 09:34 PM	#4
Nathan Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2001 Posts: 6,578	Sherman Wildcat Cartridges He also has a Facebook group. This is what you are looking for. Rich is a good dude. Like all wildcats or more accurately proprietary cartridges. They are worth the development done to them. Rich has done quite a bit. I come to this from having a 300 Sherman and a 28 Sherman Magnum. With all due respect, 6.5 Sherman is a great round. I’m sure 140’s will do 3100-3200fps. Rich and others often develop these rounds with 28” barrels or even sometimes 26” barrels. You will likely want it in a 22” or 24” barrel. No round has special power to drt game. It is about the velocity, bullet weight and bullet construction On top of that, I would at least consider the 6.5 by 280AI or 6.5-06 AI or the 270 Win fast twist…..or maybe the 6.5 Weatherby RPM. All are close in performance. If those come up short to you, have a Sherman built! If you go Sherman, PM me. Maybe I can help. BTW, he was running the 6.5 Sherman Short. Lots of folks think that is a great round, but I have heard several gunsmiths complain about the shortest rounds. This is based on the SAUM, so it should feed. Last edited by Nathan; August 15, 2023 at 09:41 PM.

August 16, 2023, 07:56 AM	#5
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 12,610	If you must have a hyper-velocity 6.5 that will incinerate it's game target (as well as the bore eventually)--I'd take a look at 6.5-300 weatherby. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

August 16, 2023, 10:34 AM	#6
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,359	There have been several guys messing with the 6.5 Sherman over the years. With the Norma and PRC family of cartridges now, such cartridges will become more and more rare. One of the NICEST things about the Norma and PRC based cartridges is that they are less finicky as to load development. One can literally foul the bore with 25 to 30 rounds, do a Satterlee 1.0 and 2.0 with another 20 and be ready to roll. Having that in 50 rounds is SO much more better advantageous excellent and stuff that I really don't see why anyone would go with a belted or shallow shoulder old tech cartridge that barely fits in the magazine. Old school, it can take 200 rounds, or 20% of the barrel life just to get a good load. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

August 16, 2023, 12:03 PM	#7
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,424	If you want to know about the Sherman Magnums, as there are more than just the shorts follow elkaholic on LRH forums. __________________ NRA Life Member

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