Info on the 6.5x40R Ballistics/Load Data

[oskar]

I'm looking for any info on original ballistics or load data for this round. I've found little info other than COTW even on line. I have found Brass, Bullets and dies but no Load Info. I'm guessing that it is close to the 25-20 Win even think 25-20 data might be applicable but would like some conformation.

I'm looking at a drilling in this round under 16ga shotgun barrels and think this might be a dandy little coyote calling rig for close cover.

[ellenbr]

Oskar:
I shoot an Austrian bolt gun a good bit in 6.5X41R or 25-20 SS/Single shot or 25-20 Stevens - Francis J. Rabbeth. I'm curious where you got the length, cast? Is the drilling a hammerdrilling w/ Herold on the underside?

Kind Regards,

Raimey
rse

[mike ford]

Oskar,
Is this the H.Wilmes on Simpson Ltd?, If so, I thought it would be a fun project, I just couldn't spare the money. "It's pitiful to be Po". Do not use commercial .264"dia bullets in it without slugging the barrel.A great many 6.5 German cartridges use smaller than .264 bullets. Our own 25-35 Win. was loaded there as 6.5x52R, with a .257"bullet.
Mike

[oskar]

Mike, yes it is the Simpson drilling "H. Wilmes". I've been watching it for about a year now and just sold a LC Smith Hammer shotgun that I took in payment for some block work a number of years ago so my gun fund was flush enough for it.

I believe it is a .257 bore as the standard for C&H dies is .257 with a comment that they will alter it. This is a late-1929 hammerless gun so I feel confident. Just incase I can PP some 25-35 cast bullets if it is larger or use 25ACP (.251) or PP 6mm bullets if smaller. There are enough options on either side of .257 that bullets won't be a problem.

If anyone has access to old factory data on this cartridge at least I could have a point to load to. If I know what the factory bullet weight and what speed it would be easier than just rummaging around in the dark to get a starting load.

[oskar]

Mike, tried t send you a PM but it says your mail box is full.

[m-4]

Hi Oskar,
Donnelly's book lists a load for the 6.5x40R Sauer, 5 grns of 2400 with 100 grn lead bullet with velocity of 1200fps. It also list cartridge dimensions and say's make from solid brass stock, anneal, trim to length & f/l size.

m-4

[mike ford]

Oskar,
Thanks, I'll try to clean my mail box up, if I can figure it out.
Mike

[oskar]

I have some brass made from swaged down 30-30 with the rims turned down, looks pretty good. The only problem I see is the large rifle primer and I think I can go to a large pistol primer. I'm thinking if chamber and barrel wall thickness is there this gun has double under lugs and a Greener cross bolt and being a between the wars manufacture it is pretty stout and will handle a little more Umph(that is a technical abreviation).

[mike ford]

Oskar,
Looking at the dimensions, I thought 30-30 would be the best bet, did you do it yourself? This would also work for 9.1x40, in fact full length 30-30 swaged to .396 would be "basic"case for several old cartridges. Your project sounds like fun.
Mike

[oskar]

Buffalo Arms stocks the 6.5x40 brass reformed from 30-30, C&H makes Dies and forming dies. I'm also looking at forming brass from 222 Rimmed or 5.6x50R brass, after forming only the web area wouldn't be supported and in a low pressure round like this it might not matter. The 5.6x50R rim is .426 and the 222 R is spec'd at .440 there just might be enough rim to work and I would get a small primer pocket. I might see if I can find some 30 American brass(Federal 30-30 brass made for cast bullet shooters) with small primer pockets.

[mike ford]

Oskar,
If I remember correctly,Axel used something like 5.6X50R brass for his 9.1x40R.I guess it works, otherwise he wouldn't use it. I'm not against using reasonably smallehrheadsize cases(I do it my self)but you should expect some trouble with the rims slipping underneath the extractor.I wouldn't worry about using .210 primers,especially if the rims were thinned from the rear, your use of large pistol primers shouls be fine.
Mike

[oskar]

I'm in the process of a major remodel here at the house and momma cracks the whip pretty hard (just kidding). I was able to sneak out in the shop today and filled a 25-20 Win case and the 6.5x40R case and the latter has about 25% greater capacity and I'm thinking this is going to be a great coyote, fox and bobcat rig. I have some nickel plated BB's and ITX BB's to load in the shotshells for the close in stuff.

The FFL called a little while ago and I can pick up the rig tonight when I go get tile for the backsplash in the kitchen.

[mike ford]

Oskar,
With this and the post concerning the actual caliber,It just shows, once again, that it is better to have the rifle in hand, before buying dies and cases.In fact, I try to" cobble" a couple rounds together with avaliable dies, and fireform them,before spending much money on new dies, etc. Sometimes, there are different versions, even if the caliber is correctly IDd.
Mike