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6.5 JDJ Contender

17K views 9 replies 5 participants last post by  sportclay 
#1 ·
Well. I fireformed the last 27 rounds of 6.5 JDJ yesterday. And the local prarie dogs hate it. I also took my (previous favorite Contender) .30 Herret, and the prariedogs really don't like it much either. I on the other hand, am definitely "In Love" and I havent even started working up loads for the 6.5 yet. It's as accurate as any of my conteder barrels (mabey more) and is considerably flatter than the herret. Cases formed well (and easy). I ended up using Rem. bulk 120's and a mid-range charge of RL 19 (my notebook is out in the shop and I can't remember exactly how much powder) to fire form. I used the RL19 because I have it, and don't currently use it in anything else. My barrel has a long throat so I don't know what to expect with lighter bullets, but I'm sure the 120's are gonna be good.
Ron.
 
#2 ·
Ron, I've had virtually identical experiences with my 6.5JDJ, although I've stuck with IMR-4320 throughout my work with it. (RL19 is a little slow for it but RL15 would work well.) The 120gr NBT exits the barrel with ~2400fps and is remarkably accurate, when I do my part. I've got some cases with 10 firings now, twice-annealed, and they show no signs of failing, yet. I think the fact that even "hot" 6.5JDJ loads are still right around 50,000psi helps, along with the strength of the 225 parent brass.

Coincidentally, I've got a 30 Herrett barrel too, but it has never been my favorite. Just too fussy about how it is sized and loaded, plus I've never gotten more than mediocre accuracy from it.
 
#4 ·
Pete,

6.5JDJ dies come with a tapered expander. You lube the case (mica inside the neck helps) and size it with a single pass. Then, you seat a 120-140gr bullet long (touching the lands) with a middling charge of powder for the fire-forming load. During that first shot the shoulder is pushed forward and assumes its 40 degree angle. I usually clean the brass thoroughly at this point and then anneal every 5th shot, but otherwise treat it just like any other bottle-necked rifle brass.

It's a fun cartridge to work with and gives you a Contender round that is great for both varmints and deer, in the hands of someone who is careful with their shot placement.
 
#5 · (Edited)
You might want to give RL17 a try and IMR4007. A friend has a 6.5 JDJ and I have a 6.5 BRM loading data is almost interchangable. these two powders we have found to be the best performers with 120-140 gr bullets. We are shooting this out of 24" and 26 barrels respectively. IMR 4007 has been an extremely stable powder for all temperature ranges here in the NE. Varget has shown real promise with 120 and 125 gr bullets. Headed for the range this afternoon with a run of loads of Varget and 120 Barnes TTSX and 125 Nos partitions.
 
#7 ·
PeteD, The case forming is quite simple, just as broom_jm laid it out. I didn't lose a single case, and they shot good (very accurate) just under 1" at 100yds. My JDJ is a 14" heavy barrel with an 11 degree target crown, Weaver 2.5x7 scope on T/C mounts. This is the most accurate pistol I've owned. I'm sure it shoots better than I do. I recently found some good deals on bullets at a gunshow I attended, (2 boxes sierra 100gr HP's for $20) so I think I am going to try working up a varmint load with these first. I still havent got any 4350 or 4320 so I am probably going to try 4064 and Varget with these lighter bullets and see what happens. Thanks for all the replies.
Ron.
 
#8 ·
+1 -- I never dreamed a pistol, even a 14" hand-cannon, could shoot like the 6.5JDJ does. Even the fire-forming loads were at or near MOA accuracy. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to hunt with them, if the scope was dialed in correctly. The first deer taken with it was a doe my dad shot at just over 100 yards. She went 30 or 40 yards, but most of that was downhill. One of the contributors to Six-Gunner magazine (largely used for JD's self-aggrandizement) has used the 6.5JDJ for culling operations on several Christmas tree farms. The shooter in question, a medical doctor, has taken more than 200 deer with it at ranges out to 250 yards. Like many 6.5's, it kills all out of proportion to its size and velocity.

Otter, I think 4064 and Varget will be just fine for those 100gr pills. Be sure to let me know how they shoot, ok? :)
 
#9 ·
I,m starting to find the 6.5mm intriguing, if the 6.5 BRM is as half as good as EA Brown claims it sounds interesting.

I would be curious as to the ballistic difference between that and the Bellm, or JDJ . other than the parent case.

Being a TCU fan the 6,6,5 and 7mm, the limitations of the .223 case I'm sure would be short of the above calibers.

Never talked to anyone who owned a Bellm, but judging from his site, he certainly has an understanding as to accuracy and throat issues w/the TCU,s

6.5mm seems to be a perfect blend of SD,BC, as shown by an unappreciated caliber know as the 6.5 x 55mm, which I have heard only good things about in the ability to take game larger than one would think w/o issue.

jerry_from_ct
 
#10 ·
I had good luck with Varget and IMR 8208XBR with 100 grain and lighter bullets in the 6.5BRM. The 100gr Nosler BT was a regular 1/2"- 3/4" shooter. Up to 2800 fps out of a 26" bbl. XBR was the most consistent powder with 100gr. 32.5 gr XBR and a 100gr Nosler BT 2725 fps and 5/8" groups. Varget up to 120 gr bullets, particularly the Barnes 120 TTSX.
I have only shot a handful of loads with some recently acquired Accurate 2520. But it shows promise. The first ball powder to do so.
 
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