Load development on my 6.5 Garfield

Just threw a load together tonight to go see how it would shoot. I haven't shot any of the Hornady 140 AMAX's yet, so I loaded up 10 with RL17 and went to the range. It was too dark, and the CED skyscreens couldn't pick up my bullets for chronographing, but the results are promising. I shot the first three shots, including the cold bore shot. I then went downrange and checked the target. I came back, shot two more to make it a five shot group. Went back downrange, checked target, and decided to make it a 10-shot group to check the consistancy of the load. My ammo is loaded on custom-cut Wilson dies. I just need to check how fast they are going.

[img width=337 height=450]http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a271/rvpilot76/NadineKrylonLightWoodlandGreen007.jpg[/img]

BTW, my 6.5 Garfield is a necked up 25 WSSM, with a Wilson inside neck reamer used to take out the donut. No other changes as far as taper, shoulder angle, etc. The barrel is a straight-taper PacNor 28" built on a small shank BVSS-S single shot action. Trigger is Rifle Basix set at 24 oz. Optics are Bushnell 10X Mildot.

Kevin

I'd say you have a winner there. A group like that first time out really makes ya feel good. I had the same thing happen with my 223AI, first loads tried was 69 grain SMKs and they shot five into .325" first range trip.

Yep nice shootin.

Here it is next to a 308 WIN for comparison:

[img width=337 height=450]http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a271/rvpilot76/65Garfield002.jpg[/img]

Kevin

just curious, how fast do you think its going? Definately a shooter, thats a hell of a ten shot group.

My 8th or 9th shot would have made that group about 1". Good shooting.

I'm not certain on the speed, but 46 grains with a 140 Berger was running 3000 FPS. I'm guessing with this load off the lands and a grain lighter, I should be in the 2950 FPS range or so. I'm gonna wait to shoot again until the sun decides to show itself :-)

Kevin