I just got my first batch of Ed Faber's new-production JLK 6.5mm 130 gr. bullets. Shipping was very prompt, and high quality packaging. I measured 10 of them, and will be reporting about first firing soon. First, though, the basic data. Bullet length was +/- 0.003". 6 were +/- 0.001", 1 was +0-.003", 1 was -0.003", and 2 were -0.002". Pretty amazing for bullet length consistency, at least for those 10 bullets. The BTO was all +/-0.001", which is one reason for using JLK bullets. Weight for these 10 bullets showed 6 spot on, 2 +0.1 gr, and 2 -0.1 gr. The OAL and weight consistency numbers were surprisingly consistent, and beyond expectations.
Now for the loaded cartridge BTO and its implications. The freebore on my test chamber is 0.230" (a Savage).This jumps 50 thou at 2.925", which yields a shank seating depth of 0.130", the lowest I am going for this. Obviously, it's not mag length for a short action, and the shank seating depth would not be optimal for rapid-fire bolt cycling. So in this chamber, a mag length cartridge would be jumping 150 thou, with OAL of 2.825". Bottom line - if your goal is a mag-length 6.5 CM shooting 130 gr. JLK bullets (or 140 gr. since they are the same length) in a short action Remington or other similar action, limited by an OAL of 2.825", and you want the jump to be no more than 20 thou, you need a 0.100" freebore reamer (or somewhat less, if you want more than 0.130" of shank contact). If you want max case capacity, and shank contact is not critical, such as F-class with single loading only, the standard 0.199" freebore reamer might work. That should permit about 20 thou of jump. One option, which is my personal approach, is to use a long action and the SAAMI-standard 0.199" reamer. A 0.170" freebore reamer in a long action would give a bit more flexibility, and permit about 10 thou of jam, but other bullets do not need it that short. Well, this is all just about 6.5 CM, which hardly anyone uses for competitive bullseye target shooting at mid-range and long-range distance. For other 6.5mm cartridges, you'll need to spec out your own reamer measurements for JLK bullets. My main point is the excellent consistency of the JLK bullet measurements. And some ancillary advice, which needs verification by other shooters, about reamer implications in 6.5 CM. By all means, do not rely on my measurements to make any purchases, since I am not a gunsmith.
Range results forthcoming.
Edited for jump/jam errors in original post. Also, I have loaded the first 10 cartridges, and the loaded cartridge BTO using a Forster competition micrometer seater yielded +/- 0.0005" consistency, which means the ogive consistency is likewise phenomenal. That is not a misprint: 5/10,000ths plus or minus, an extreme spread of the loaded BTO's of 0.001". And there was only one (the first "mule" bullet used for original jam depth and seating adjustments, so it got poked and prodded the most) that was 0.001" short. This is compatible with a slight deformation of the jacket during repeated seating and jamming, and measuring, which I have seen repeatedly in all brands of bullets. These measure awesome, and the ogive taper consistency is a very positive sign. With the new jacket supplier, it is possible these are going to be better than ever. We'll see shortly, but honestly I think others will do better on the live-fire testing than an old man with a Savage rifle and barrel.
Now for the loaded cartridge BTO and its implications. The freebore on my test chamber is 0.230" (a Savage).This jumps 50 thou at 2.925", which yields a shank seating depth of 0.130", the lowest I am going for this. Obviously, it's not mag length for a short action, and the shank seating depth would not be optimal for rapid-fire bolt cycling. So in this chamber, a mag length cartridge would be jumping 150 thou, with OAL of 2.825". Bottom line - if your goal is a mag-length 6.5 CM shooting 130 gr. JLK bullets (or 140 gr. since they are the same length) in a short action Remington or other similar action, limited by an OAL of 2.825", and you want the jump to be no more than 20 thou, you need a 0.100" freebore reamer (or somewhat less, if you want more than 0.130" of shank contact). If you want max case capacity, and shank contact is not critical, such as F-class with single loading only, the standard 0.199" freebore reamer might work. That should permit about 20 thou of jump. One option, which is my personal approach, is to use a long action and the SAAMI-standard 0.199" reamer. A 0.170" freebore reamer in a long action would give a bit more flexibility, and permit about 10 thou of jam, but other bullets do not need it that short. Well, this is all just about 6.5 CM, which hardly anyone uses for competitive bullseye target shooting at mid-range and long-range distance. For other 6.5mm cartridges, you'll need to spec out your own reamer measurements for JLK bullets. My main point is the excellent consistency of the JLK bullet measurements. And some ancillary advice, which needs verification by other shooters, about reamer implications in 6.5 CM. By all means, do not rely on my measurements to make any purchases, since I am not a gunsmith.
Range results forthcoming.
Edited for jump/jam errors in original post. Also, I have loaded the first 10 cartridges, and the loaded cartridge BTO using a Forster competition micrometer seater yielded +/- 0.0005" consistency, which means the ogive consistency is likewise phenomenal. That is not a misprint: 5/10,000ths plus or minus, an extreme spread of the loaded BTO's of 0.001". And there was only one (the first "mule" bullet used for original jam depth and seating adjustments, so it got poked and prodded the most) that was 0.001" short. This is compatible with a slight deformation of the jacket during repeated seating and jamming, and measuring, which I have seen repeatedly in all brands of bullets. These measure awesome, and the ogive taper consistency is a very positive sign. With the new jacket supplier, it is possible these are going to be better than ever. We'll see shortly, but honestly I think others will do better on the live-fire testing than an old man with a Savage rifle and barrel.
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