Thread: Anyone loading for 6.5 jap?

Original load was flat base spitzer 138 grain, so I'd start there, don't get fancy and hope 6.5 boat tailed SMKs will do anything but misbehave - they were my first load because I had them lying about, we all had fun firing them at the range while the rest stood behind trying to guess where they'd impact... (-: My next load try will be flat-based, heavy round noses, if they fail Miss Arisaka 38 will be a safe queen come wallhanger.

The twist will stabilise a heavier, round nose bullet (which was the original military load) and it's more likely to suit your rifle if it is at all generous with its throat or bore. OK so a heavier bullet does more of a rainbow, but how far out do you want to go with open sights? The main problem is accuracy, not trajectory. I read somewhere in a WW2 report that the Japanese rifle bullets often keyholed back then, before hitting stuff, but there was a lot of racist propaganda about. They certainly keyholed on impact and made a mess, no doubt fully intentional.

The actions are very strong so a lot of leeway with the smallish case. I say "smallish" because the 6.5 jap still has 1.5x the muzzle energy of a 5.56x45NATO. It's really the WW1/WW2 Goldilocks cartridge and would be today except for being a long action.

Hogdon has load data, some examples:



Let's know how you get on.