Range Report Howa 6.5 X 55

[Ben]

1st day out with my new Howa 6.5X55 rifle.
A bit early to draw a lot of conclusions.
I want to load more, different primers, different OALs, different powder charges, etc.
So far, so good !
A VERY fun rifle to shoot.

Ben

 

[yodogsandman]

That's a real good start, Ben! Nice rifle!

 

[Ben]

yodogsandman,

Didn't shoot as well as I had hoped for.
But , then again, different bullets, different speeds , etc., etc. on another day and I just might stumble on a nice load for the rifle.

I really don't know what the rifle can do just yet ?
Considering these loads were " pot luck " loads, I may just be off to a good start.
I think the group above would threaten a deer.

Ben

 

[Ian]

"Mixed brass"??? I'd say not bad for a WAG and some random components.

 

[Ben]

Ian, WAG pretty well sums it up at this point in time.

Ben

 

[35 shooter]

I'm with Ian, not a bad start using mixed brass. That sure is a nice looking rifle.

 

[Ben]

Howa makes a great rifle , in my opinion.
A lot of people call them " Japanese Sako's ".

 

[oscarflytyer]

You find something that works, I am all intersted! I have a sportered Swede. I gave up with cast before I even started, based on horror stories I read with 6.5/cast. Only two guys I have seen to make it work are you and Glen (and, I think, Swede). I am REALLy interested!

 

[Ben]

I have a pair of Swedes that shoot well with that IMR 4227 load.

Ben

 

[yodogsandman]

Temperature sensitive? Did you guys have any cold weather?

 

[Ian]

Military Swedes are cream puff tack drivers with cast bullets at or below 1500 fps. 2400 fps is a whole 'nuther kettle of fish.

 

[oscarflytyer]

Military Swedes are cream puff tack drivers with cast bullets at or below 1500 fps. 2400 fps is a whole 'nuther kettle of fish.

man - def diff than what I was hearing few years back when I was looking to set up for it. something like 30-30/45-70 - #10 on scale of easy. Swede about -3 on easy scale! If Ben has it figured out I may try and bribe him out of his experience and knowledge!

 

[Ben]

It won't take much of a bribe.............

 

[quicksylver]

Same twist..?

 

[Ian]

Virtually. But the rifling and throat is completely different on the Howa.

 

[Ben]

Today, I'm loading 50 more rounds to continue the " search" for an accurate load with cast bullets with my Howa 6.5X55.

I was surprised that my Lee Cruise Missile at 170 grs. chambered smoothly. Here it is sitting by my Lyman 266469 that I shot yesterday. So, today I plan to load a few rows of five of the " Cruise Missile".

 

[oscarflytyer]

the CM I had wouldn't chamber in mine

 

[Ian]

Ben, is that a Midsouth mould or Oldfeller GB mould?

 

[Ben]

Mine is a single cav. mould bought at Mid-South .

 

[Glen]

What's the twist on the Howa?