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6.5 carcano pain in my butt

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 3:51 pm
by newguy
Well i just swapped out a expander rod in my new Carcano die set. So i could load the .268. Glad Lee was smart enough to include both sizes. Was a pain though you think they sell a set for .264 and .268. So you didn't need to swap out expander rod. Only ruined one case stupid me didn't tighten rod in enough. But it all set now to load some rounds.

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 3:58 pm
by GreggAndrews
OUCH! :lol:

Well, they probably included both expanding plugs just so you have the option of loading either the conventional .264's or the oddball .268's.

Fun little rifles. Kinda miss mine (especially the one I traded off to Kerismo... that thing was NICE.)

I'm thinking about picking up another at some point. :)

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 4:15 pm
by CTSixshot
I came across some of my lead ingots, so if I get ambitious, I'll cast some Lyman #266469 and see what they drop at... I suspect they will be close to .268" out of the mold.

http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/bull ... entryID=40

Actually, GA, I think the Carcano was originally suited for the .268" bullets. Just the ready-availability of the .264"s probably made this the recent standard.

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 4:22 pm
by newguy
Ya military spec heads are .268 157gr round nose. Only two companies that sell .268 is Hornady and Buffalo Bore

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 4:26 pm
by GreggAndrews
Yikes, I'm having one of those days again.

What I meant was, .264's are conventional (to us, anyway) as opposed to the oddball .268 dia. made specifically for that cartridge.

More coffee, less finals please. :lol:

Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 4:30 pm
by CTSixshot
GA, say three Carcanos and you are absolved...

Posted: Fri May 18, 2012 11:26 am
by newguy
Well i loaded this up this week

37gr of W760
.268 round nose Hornady bullets
LRM primers
COL 2.940

Maybe do a range test this weekend see if they work out.

I hope so finding data was a pain thank god someone had correct data sheet sent to them directly from Hornady for bullets and posted it online

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 3:52 pm
by newguy
Did a range test on the rounds on the load data i posted these work perfect no issue whatsoever and groups are tighter and more rounds on target then PPV commercial ammo

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 7:28 pm
by CTSixshot
Hmmm...
...should I bother reloading?

Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2012 7:37 pm
by newguy
I guess if you know others who can use them. They do work well and i think bullets are still available from Graf for 16.99 for 100

Note: Only Magnum primers work for the load data

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 6:58 am
by newguy
Question maybe i am doing something wrong but I am not sure. I say probably 98% of my Bullets for 6.5 fit tight and perfect and other 2% the bullets end up loose. Any ideas what i may be doing wrong.


(Btw Gary Norma brass always seats perfect. Only issues is it doesn't extract as well as PPV and Horadny)

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 7:12 am
by CTSixshot
Assuming dimensions are constant, maybe the case metal is worked and losing its grip when seating the bullet. Just don't rightly know.

BTW, my "worth reloading?" comment was for those who wonder if they should reload their own ammo. You seem to have answered that with your immediate results.

Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2012 7:37 am
by newguy
I say reloading not only saved me cash. I find some of my reloads are more accurate and cleaner then some of the factory ammo. Especially these 6.5 Carcano rounds which are 27.99 a box commercial for the rounds with the .268 heads which are the correct ones. Not the PPV which uses .264 plus lighter weight bullets which are not mil spec for the rifle.

Just a cost break down

Reload my own Carcano rounds 31 cents a round

Buy commercial $1.40 per round

You do the math what is would cost you per 100 for commercial compared to reloading it.