New to reloading the 6.5

[Bretandry]

Hello..I have been running my AR platform 6.5 Grendel for a while now. I am running the 123gr Hornady black or the Alexander (Lapua) 123 gr loads. I will be reusing that brass the only 6.5 rounds I could find are the Hornady 120 gr ELD. I have a couple powders to choose from on my shelf....H335...VV N140 and Hogdon benchmark precision target rifle powder. Can anyone give some advice on a decent starting recipe and best powder for this bullet weight? I am pushing them through a Shilen 18" 1-8 barrel.

[sbowhuntr]

Benchmark gives good velocities and is a better choice than 335 in my opinion, also much more temp stable. Can't say about vvn140 as I never used it. Starting load for Benchmark is 23.0g giving 2100fps and max is 27.1 giving 2450fps in 18" barrels in the Hornady book. Hogdon is probably a bit higher in charge weights with 120 class pills as Hornady data seems to be a bit reserved.

[Bretandry]

Thank you sir I know my factory ammo runs about 2450 fps and my results have been pretty good so far sounds like the Benchmark is a good choice to kinda stay in that lane for now.

[sbowhuntr]

I run Benchmark and speer 90g tnt with great results, so great I'm done messing with any other bullet/powder.

[sundowner]

I use H335 for my 120 ELDM , 28.7 at about 2550fps . They shoot lights out out of my 24" upper .

[LRRPF52]

[Bretandry]

How can I determine this chamber issue for seating depth??

[Bretandry]

Can I do the loctite on a bullet in an uncrimped case to get my length to lands and just back this bullet off .020??

[LRRPF52]

[myrifle]

How can I determine this chamber issue for seating depth??

Hornady makes a set of tools for measuring the coal length to contact in your chamber.

Check midwayusa. You will need micrometer, modified grendel case and the .350 comparator bushing.

[Dub]

Hornady makes a set of tools for measuring the coal length to contact in your chamber.

Check midwayusa. You will need micrometer, modified grendel case and the .350 comparator bushing.

What is funny is the fact the elusive 6.5G modified case became out of stock everywhere about a day before I decided to get one. I have 'em in most other cartridges I'll be loading for...but this one.

[Kosh65]

[Klem]

Dub,

I agree with Kosh - best to make your own in the current climate.

With the Hornady generic case you have to measure the difference between their case and your own spent cases, and account for the difference when measuring. By making your own you don't have to worry about this. If you don't have the facilities a gunsmith or machine shop will do this in 5 minutes, cheap as chips. The thread is an unusual one so it is not a standard in tap and die kits.

[Old Bob]

The Hornady tool is 5/16"x36 tpi. According to the table I have, it takes a 7.3mm drill for that tap. You can get a set at Amazon...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/reviews/B0195UFBUY

Some of the reviews for this tap/drill set say they buyer used it for making their own cases for the Hornday/Stoney Point OAL gauge.

[Kosh65]