Everybody loads for it these days. Norma has the most unique loading for it. It is a 156 grain heavy round nose, jacketed soft point that "really" stomps when it hits! Of course, with that heavy tip and it's shape it's much more of a 200 yard and closer pick than the others. Some of the others are 139 and 140 grain in a variety of tips...ballistic, power point, etc. A 120 is available and I believe Norma (or somebody) loads a 100 grain also.
A lot of these loads will not group in some rifles as the twist rates are designed to shoot and perform best with others. My Steyr measures a 1-10 rate of twist. Ken's "Cooper" may have a 1-12, 1-14, etc. as many Coopers are set up for lighter tips. I'm sure he'll let you know. I once sold a Cooper in 257 Roberts because it would not shoot a group in your hat! Well: Actually it came with a test target (a one-holer) shot with 62 or 72 grain handloads. I shoot 115, 117 and 120 grain in 257 Roberts for whitetail and hogs. I don't shoot a Roberts for that type of game (pronghorn, etc. with light tips) so I sold it.
Remington, Federal, Winchester, Norma and even my local favorite firm, Georgia Arms all offer factory loading for the 6.5. Most factory specs show a 140 grain bullet at 2500-2600 F.P.S. and about 2000 foot lbs. of energy at the muzzle. Hope this helps.
Best, Capt. Chris


Edited by Captain Chris Stanaback (03/13/10 06:12 PM)