Seekins 6.5 CM SP-10 handloads?

[giannid]

I sold my 6.5 creedmoor bolt gun and have the Seekins SP10 on the way. I'm going to be working on a handload as I'm turning this into my long range plinker and pig gun. I haven't really loaded much for Semi Autos and imagine that keeping the coal to fit in the magazine is going to road block things a bit. With my bolt gun, I used the Berger VLD and they were loaded long, much longer than would fit in a magazine. I imagine I should just load all my rounds to magazine length and not even try any shorter coals?

So for this rifle, I ordered the Hornady ELDx and the SMK 142. I know the SMK's aren't dedicated hunting bullets but many hunt with them with good luck. Are there any other bullets I should try? I'll be using H4350 with hornady brass I already have from my other rifle.

It also seems I can't find Forster dies in the 6.5 dies anywhere. These have been my go to for the last couple of years for die, I just like them. Anything else out there that works as good? These days I usually take out the expanders out of my FL dies and use a mandel from 21st century reloading in another step to inside neck size. Seems like I get more consistent seating pressure with the bullets.

 

[bfoosh006]

No offense, but, it Sounds like you might need to wait and see how deep the throat is on the Seekins.

Remember, For a semi auto, feeding can be as important as OAL... even in the magazine.

I have had numerous 308 and 6.5CM's produce stellar groups ( IMHO ) with just factory ammo.

Factory Criterion barrel ( Note.. Adj. GB and heavy buffer assm. and lapped upper receiver face )
10rds Horn. AG 140gr

Factory PSA FN CHF CL.. same added parts...
10rds Horn. AG 155gr, also 100yds

IMHO, the best hing I have done to large frame gas guns has benn lapping the upper receiver faces flat / true.... the lapping tool ( Pacific Tool and Guage ) is only 30 bucks... at the very least doing so has produced much more consistent groupings, with a larger variety of factory ammo.

If you'd like I can send you a link to my PSA PA65 before and after results. ( Drastic improvements with factory ammo, in that bargain upper )

just IM me.

 

[giannid]

I don't plan on shooting factors ammo. These days, unless it's a handgun, it's all hand loads.

What's this lapping the upper receivers flat true you're talking about? This is a factory built Seekins rifle, not one I put together. I'd imagine they do this in house when they build the rifle.

 

[bfoosh006]

Oddly, it seems none do it.

http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/beleiver-in-ar-lapping.6929270/

IM sent.

 

[giannid]

bfoosh, thanks for your help. For now, I'm just going to try and develop and handload for the rifle and see if I can get it to shoot. Seems like a lot of people are having pretty good luck with these rifles from the factory. I really don't want to take it apart and mess with if, if I did, I would of just built one.

 

[Niles Coyote]

So for this rifle, I ordered the Hornady ELDx and the SMK 142. I know the SMK's aren't dedicated hunting bullets but many hunt with them with good luck. Are there any other bullets I should try? I'll be using H4350 with hornady brass I already have from my other rifle.

I've only used 140 ELD-M and 140 A-Max before the ELD was available. Many a Mule Deer have dropped with that combination.

Tip on loading it in a semi... anneal often and dont try to hot rod them. 41.3 grains of H4350 is my load, the higher node I've shot in my bolt rifles would not remain anywhere near as consistent.

 

[giannid]

That's your load for an SP10 or different AR in 6.5? What's your coal?

 

[Niles Coyote]

SAAMI chambered JP Enterprise barrel with rifle +2" gas system. It'll be a bit before I can measure OAL but I jump them from .030" off the lands and use Laure mags which can accommodate a OAL of 2.87"

 

[Lynn313]

I sold my 6.5 creedmoor bolt gun and have the Seekins SP10 on the way. I'm going to be working on a handload as I'm turning this into my long range plinker and pig gun. I haven't really loaded much for Semi Autos and imagine that keeping the coal to fit in the magazine is going to road block things a bit. With my bolt gun, I used the Berger VLD and they were loaded long, much longer than would fit in a magazine. I imagine I should just load all my rounds to magazine length and not even try any shorter coals?

So for this rifle, I ordered the Hornady ELDx and the SMK 142. I know the SMK's aren't dedicated hunting bullets but many hunt with them with good luck. Are there any other bullets I should try? I'll be using H4350 with hornady brass I already have from my other rifle.

It also seems I can't find Forster dies in the 6.5 dies anywhere. These have been my go to for the last couple of years for die, I just like them. Anything else out there that works as good? These days I usually take out the expanders out of my FL dies and use a mandel from 21st century reloading in another step to inside neck size. Seems like I get more consistent seating pressure with the bullets.

I had a Seekins on order since Nov-10, 2020. They told me i was 4th in order, but the 3 in front of me were very large orders. I'm guessing SOCOM. They advised me to look for one with a retailer .It could be 6 most to a year wait on my build. I found one at Bass Pro & bought it a couple of weeks ago. Yesterday i shot it for the 1st time. I had 6 groups of 5 loaded from 42.0 gr of Stabill 6.5 to 44.5 gr in 1/2 grain increments. All were with the Berger 130 OTM Tactical. I didn't bring my rest to my rack and just using my backpack shot a worst 0.5 MOA at 100 yds. My best groups and lowest ES & SD were at 44.0 & 44.5 grains. I bought it thinking I might replace the barrel with a Bartlein (GAP-10) but don't see the need. I need to adjust the gas and lighten the trigger and that will be all for it. I used a one piece 35mm Badger mount with a 3.4-18x44 Mark V Leupold. Very happy with this rifle!
I shot 5 in this group that's attached, but the battery slot with pack fell off the Lab twice. Gotta fix that.

The bergers were going to be shot no matter how the gun liked it as I bought 1500+. Also have a lot of stabill 6.5. Want to try rl-16, but dont have any.