Triffid

Thanks Chris, All arrived safely. Triffid

I will take. PM inbound Triffid

I bought a pair of digital calipers from Lidles a few years ago and they drained the battery so quickly I didn't bother using them after a while, and went to a dial caliper instead. However with failing eyesight they've become too difficult to read and after much searching I replaced them with another pair of digital ones from Amazon, which I've been happy with and which don't eat batteries.

Thanks Woodsie99. All arrived safely and the scope is as you described it. Triffid

I will take this. PM Inbound

I've come across the same issue, but not specific to 6.5CM. It resolved itself when I annealed the brass. Triffid

Have you looked at Laurie Hollands review of the 6.5's? here's the last one http://www.targetshooter.co.uk/?p=2353 Triffid

Redgwell's and Vit's max loads give about the same mv - a touch over 2,500fps. But with very different powder charges (44 and 41.7gn of N140 respectively). With this discrepancy, I'd try an OCW load work-up, shooting over a chrony and stopping once I got to the 2,500fps mark. I think Regwell tried three different 303's and didn't find a single load that performed best in all three. Which leads me to the conclusion that your rifle will tell you what it likes if you give it the chance. Perhaps you could post any data and/or conclusions for the benefit of others? Triffid

Try one of Stephen Redgwell's books on the subject. He's published a wealth of information on the 303, with both lots of load data and accurising tips. He suggests that your on the right track using the 174gn SMK and N140. Alternatively Reloader 15 or Varget (if you can get it) work well. You can get load data from the manufacturers - Redgwell's max load data for N140 significantly exceeds what Vihtavuori state. His best groups were in the order of 1.6", which gives you an idea of what to expect. Triffid

Like Bradders says, I just use Araldite. No release agent or anything complicated. If you need to remove the rail at a later date, just warm it up slightly, which will also remove any residue. Triffid

Thanks Mark. Rings as described and received OK. Triffid

I'll take the Leupold PRW rings please. PM Inbound Triffid

I was talking to another member of my club today. He recently bought a used Tikka T3 in 6.5x55 with the 20" barrel. On its first outing, he used it sucessfully in challenging wind conditions at 1000X on Stickledown, with factory PPU ammunition. The availability of a range of factory ammunition at reasonable price is another good thing about the 6.5x55. Triffid

Don't discount the 6.5x55, it's very capable. Have you seen Laurie Hollands' review of the 6.5's . . . And because it's not fashionable there are some good offers out there. Just a quick scan of Guntrader shows a new Left-hand Tikka T3 Varmint Stainless 6.5x55 for £845, which leaves alot of money from your budget for a new stock. The only drawback I can see is the 20" barrel, but I'm sure there will be other similar offerings out there. As far as I know the T3 only comes in one action length, they use a stop shorten the bolt stroke for shorter cartridges. So one stock fits all models - as long as it's left hand in your case! Good luck anyway. Triffid

Thanks for posting your data froggy. I particularly like the way you've plotted SD and ES alongside the velocities. I'd go with the plateau at about 43.7gn for 2700fps. With a slippery bullet like the Scenar, I think you're needlessly chasing velocity if you use the higher charge weights. Triffid

Thanks for posting your data - it's very useful to me as I'll be trying the RS62/139gr Scenar combination as soon as my stock of H4350/142gr SMK's run out! You said you were going to test loads up to 45gr of RS62 . . . Did you get any velocity data for these? Thanks Triffid