6.5-06 Douglas barrel...throat question

[rdfrench]

I finally got around to installing my Douglas 6.5-06 barrel from SSS this weekend, and started working up some loads. I am using 129 SSTs (Midway was out of the 140s). When I used the Stoney Point OAL gauge it shows that the chamber is throated pretty long, so much so that I have to seat the bullet back .075 to get the rounds to fit the magazine. This seems like a pretty long jump to the lands, as I typically seat about .010 off the lands. If this was a bench gun I wouldn't sweat it as I typically load them single anyway, but this is going to be my fall deer rifle...and I need them to fit the magazine. The first five shot group loaded at minimum powder charge plotted around one MOA, then I had a trigger malfunction...so I didn't get a chance to try the other loads. The Douglas barrel is a 1:8 twist, do you guys think the 129s are heavy enough? What's your thoughts on the .075 jump to the lands?

[wbm]

Don't know what you are going to hunt but the 129g bullet will probably get the job done. That is a long jump to the lands but consider that the M96 Swede is a very accurate rifle and they too were long throated since they were designed for a 160g bullet. Lot's of Moose taken with the M96. If your 6.5-06 shoots the 129 accurately then I wouldn't be concerned. I shoot 120g bullets in my 6.5x55's and they do just fine. Not as accurate as the 140's moved close to the lands but plenty accurate for hunting.

[rdfrench]

Don't know what you are going to hunt but the 129g bullet will probably get the job done. That is a long jump to the lands but consider that the M96 Swede is a very accurate rifle and they too were long throated since they were designed for a 160g bullet. Lot's of Moose taken with the M96. If your 6.5-06 shoots the 129 accurately then I wouldn't be concerned. I shoot 120g bullets in my 6.5x55's and they do just fine. Not as accurate as the 140's moved close to the lands but plenty accurate for hunting.


I was mostly concerned with the 1:8 twist being to fast for the 129s. Does anybody know a good hunting bullet with an ogive that would allow me to get closer to the lands and still be seated deep enough to run thru the magazine?

[Armed in Utah]

Any of the 140s are plenty long...don't worry 'bout the jump...my 6.5 Tikka has a long throat and does not affect accuracy at all...just keep one caliber in the neck for length...the 8 twist is the cats meow for your 6.5x06...concentrate on 130s & 140s....don't overlook the 156s & 160s