6.5 carcano Red Dot load ?

[wesson357]

Hi,
I'm looking to find a cast load with Red Dot powder for my 6.5x52 carcano.

I have seen (and used) in a Lyman book 9.5gr of RD for the 6.5x55 before.

I know the max pressure for the 6,5x55 is 51000 PSI and 41000 PSI for the Carcano, so, I'm guessing 8.0gr of RD should be ok but, would like to confirm. I use 145gr cast bullets.

Thanks

[Gunor]

What would CE Harris use…

[GhostHawk]

If it was me I'd load a few at 6 grains and see what you get.

I've had amazing results in every caliber I've tried with 4.6 grains or 6 to 6.5 grains of Red Dot. 6.5 is my .44mag and .444marlin load.

6 in the .30-30 rocks. .357mag 4.6 is my goto.

Start low and safe and see what happens.

[bedbugbilly]

If you haven't read this, take a look at it as it is a good read.

https://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?13425-Cast-Bullet-Loads-for-Military-Rifles-Article

I agree with above. I have had excellent results with Red Dot and cast in 8 X 57 Mauser, 30-30, 308, etc. and am getting ready to work with it in 6.5 Jap in a couple of Type 38 Arisaka rifles I was given.

I no longer hunt so most of my playing is with lighter weight boolits for fun shooting out to 100 yards. As suggested above, just be safe and start low and work up until you find the sweet spot for the boolit and the rifle.

The article by Harris (link above) was a big help when I got started with loading with the cast. Good luck and have fun.

[wesson357]

Just came back from the range.
From my Carcano TS, 145 cast and 8.0gr of red dot I got 1250fps. Accuracy was ok around 1.5" at 50m.

The 6 and 7 gr loads were not fast enough to stabilize well.