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Whatever you find, thanks. Data for it is not easy to find these days, so the more the better from as many different sources as possible is the order of the day I think.
Sierra emailed me a PDF of their 6.5x50 data. I got both NRA and Hdy data on line.
Looking at Sierra's data and some from NRA's Handloading which pretty much agree, I have doubts about what Hornady published and would like some other sources for comparison. The charge weights vs. measured velocities are very different for the same powders, and considering almost identical components and test rifles in all three tests I want do do some more checking. I know it's not at all unusual to see differences in published data from different sources, some of which are possibly no longer valid due to powder formulation changes over time, so the more data the better. Almost 40 years of handloading has taught me to trust Sierra's numbers, and in all truth I have never been a big fan of anything Hornady, but I'd like to see what some other sources have to say.
Other names for the round are the 6.5 Jap and the 6.5 Arisaka.
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Accurate powder
This is what I have so far:
From Accurate powder it goes like this:
Bullet ...........................Start ......Start .....Max ...Max ........Max ......COL ......Comp.
Weight ...Bullet .Bullet ..Load ......Velocity .Load ..Velocity ..Pressure .............Load
(Grains) .Make .Type ...(Grains) ..(FPS) ...(Grains) .(FPS) .(PSI) .....(Inches) ..C
6.5 X 50MM ARISAKA
Barrel: 24” ¦ Twist: 1-10” ¦ Primer: WIN WLR ¦ Bullet Diameter: 0.264”
Case: NORMA ¦ Max Case Length: 2.008” ¦ Trim Length: 1.998”
ACCURATE 2495
85 SIERRA HP 32.3(Grains) 2,524(FPS) 34.0(Grains) 2,685(FPS) 28,900 2.625
100 HDY SP 31.4(Grains) 2,470(FPS) 33.0(Grains) 2,628(FPS) 34,900 2.700
129 HDY SP 28.5(Grains) 2,138(FPS) 30.0(Grains) 2,274(FPS) 37,700 2.770
140 SIERRA SBT GK 26.6(Grains) 2,035(FPS) 28.0(Grains) 2,165(FPS) 35,900 2.850
160 HDY RN 28.5(Grains) 1,983(FPS) 30.0(Grains) 2,110(FPS) 38,700 2.795
ACCURATE 2700
85 SIERRA HP 34.2(Grains) 2,557(FPS) 36.0(Grains) 2,720(FPS) 33,600 2.625
100 HDY SP 33.3(Grains) 2,421(FPS) 35.0(Grains) 2,576(FPS) 36,300 2.700
129 HDY SP 31.4(Grains) 2,131(FPS) 33.0(Grains) 2,267(FPS) 38,100 2.770
140 SIERRA SBT GK 30.4(Grains) 2,045(FPS) 32.0(Grains) 2,176(FPS) 36,800 2.850
160 HDY RN .30.4(Grains) 1,938(FPS) 32.0(Grains) 2,062(FPS) 37,800 2.795
ACCURATE 4350
85 SIERRA HP 36.0(Grains) 2,347(FPS) 40.0(Grains) 2,667(FPS) 31,300 2.625 C
100 HDY SP 35.1(Grains) 2,311(FPS) 39.0(Grains) 2,626(FPS) 37,200 2.700 C
129 HDY SP 32.4(Grains) 2,062(FPS) 36.0(Grains) 2,343(FPS) 37,800 2.770
140 SIERRA SBT GK 31.5(Grains) 1,980(FPS) 35.0(Grains) 2,250(FPS) 36,300 2.850
160 HDY RN 30.6(Grains) 1,865(FPS) 34.0(Grains) 2,119(FPS) 35,900 2.795
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Thank You! I only have some 2520, but my local shop stocks Accurate powders. That gives me a list of ten now. I decided to start with my old friend 3031 and brand new brass. I guess I am a creature of habit. Hopefully I will get a chance to shoot her this evening for the first time. I also have the first Varget tests and the same 140GK for the Swede with her new glass if I have time. Which rifle will prove more accurate do you think?
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Seems I need a firing pin spring, hits too light to set off the primers.
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Versifier, I would not have any idea how to make sure the firing pin channel was clean/clean it other than a bunch of cleaner down in there several times shake it out and then a good light lube. Not saying it isn't clean but sometimes that is the culprit.
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Yeah, first thing I thought of. :mrgreen: I have brushed out the inside of the bolt thoroughly and relubed it, so it isn't internal bolt guck. The spring is in three pieces. That's a good indicator of what's wrong if I am correct. As soon as I double check that it will fire properly with the spring from my type 99 I'll order a new one from Wolfe.
Aside from this hopefully minor issue, the Arisaka bolt is in my opinion a real improvement to the 95/96/98 Mauser designs. The spring is inside the firing pin for an extra layer of protection and the design is simplified so that the bolt can be disassembled in seconds without tools. Anyone who has chased springs and other assorted parts across the room only to lose them in the carpet can really appreciate this. The safety engages and disengages silently too.
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I have solved it. The three spring segments are of slightly larger diameter than the original and the firing pin channel has a slight taper near the front end. The spring wouldn't go all the way down when released and just let the pin travel the last inch by momentum, which wasn't enough to ignite the primer. I put in the spring from Dad's 99 and it now goes bang every time. It recoils like an AR, a real pussycat to shoot.
The 3031/140GK starting load shot a 2" 100yd group, the next two increments opened up a bit, but I am tickled pink with a 2" load from a WWII milsurp. I'll try two more powders out of curiosity to see if I can get some more velocity.
I think I'm going to like this rifle a lot. It's well worth putting a decent sight on it and getting a new spring & spare. Just as soon as I finish the Mannlicher m95 stock and get that shooting again. In the mean time I have a better insert for the rear sight that Bubba put on it cockeyed.