6.5 Sherman Short Magnum Review.

Published on December 3, 2014
Duration: 22:04

This guide details the complex process of reloading and fireforming the 6.5 Sherman Short Magnum cartridge, a wildcat round. It covers essential steps like necking down, turning, trimming, and fireforming using specific tools and techniques. The video also provides a detailed look at a custom rifle built for this cartridge, highlighting its components and performance at 400 yards.

Quick Summary

The 6.5 Sherman Short Magnum cartridge is a wildcat round requiring extensive reloading preparation. Key steps include modifying dies, bumping shoulders, neck turning, and fireforming with specific powders and fillers. This process aims to achieve velocities over 200 fps faster than a Remington 260 while maintaining barrel life.

Chapters

  1. 00:01Introduction to 6.5 Sherman Short Magnum
  2. 00:32Cartridge Preparation Steps
  3. 02:31Essential Reloading Tools
  4. 03:53Step 1: Bumping the Shoulder Back
  5. 07:56Step 2: Trimming Case Length
  6. 08:43Step 3: Neck Turning
  7. 09:53Step 4: Necking Down to 6.5mm
  8. 11:26Step 5: Fireforming the Case
  9. 13:48Post-Fireforming Case Prep
  10. 14:45Detailed Rifle Build Overview
  11. 19:14Range Test at 400 Yards
  12. 20:47Performance Analysis and Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key steps to reload the 6.5 Sherman Short Magnum cartridge?

Reloading the 6.5 Sherman Short Magnum involves several critical steps: modifying a 7mm Ultra Mag die, bumping the shoulder back, trimming the case, turning the neck, necking down to 6.5mm, fireforming the case with a specific powder and filler, and then final trimming and inspection.

What tools are essential for preparing 6.5 Sherman Short Magnum brass?

Essential tools include specialized dies (like a custom 6.5 Sherman short die from Widen Gun Works), a neck turning tool with mandrels, a case trimmer, a shoulder bump gauge, a chamfering tool, and a drill with a shell holder for easier case manipulation.

How does the 6.5 Sherman Short Magnum compare to the Remington 260 in terms of performance?

The 6.5 Sherman Short Magnum is designed to significantly outperform the Remington 260 in velocity, aiming for over 200 feet per second faster with 139-grain bullets, while striving to maintain similar barrel life.

What is the purpose of fireforming the 6.5 Sherman Short Magnum case?

Fireforming shapes the case to the chamber dimensions, straightening the taper, blowing out the shoulder to approximately 40 degrees, and lengthening the neck. This is achieved using a small charge of fast powder like Green Dot and a Cream of Wheat filler.

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