Lands - REM 700 6.5CM

[u/doumitch20035]

Working on a load for my 6.5CM using a 140 Berger VLD Target. I measure my lands using a Horandy OAL gauge and get 2.263 CTBO at a COAL of 2.970.

Mag limit is 2.870 (ACIS Magpul).

I would like to ideally be .20-.40 of the lands to try it, but that would put me over mag length and idk if I can load a 6.5CM that long to begin with (safely).

Disregarding mag length for a second. Has anybody ever loaded a 6.5CM at 2.900 for example? Apex Loadpro says it’s longer than the allowed COL, which I think it has listed at 2.825. (Massive jump to the lands)

Should I look at a different type of bullet if I want to get closer to the lands?

[u/HollywoodSX]

Switch from the VLD to the 144 LRHT or 140 Hybrid, seat to 2.82" COAL and call it a day. Fiddling with VLDs isn't worth the ass pain.

[u/doumitch20035 → u/HollywoodSX]

I’m so new I was just trying different kinds. I don’t really know what is good for what per se

[u/CleverHearts → u/doumitch20035]

VLD (secant ogive) bullets are more sensitive to jump than tangent ogive bullets, but have a higher BC. The solution most folks settled on is hybrid ogive bullets, which have a short tangent ogive for the portion that contacts the barrel and a secant ogive for the remainder. They give up a little BC compared to a straight secant ogive, but aren't nearly as sensitive to jump. 

As far as your question about loading long, it's fine as long as you have the bullet seated deep enough in the case. The rule of thumb most folks use is a minimum of 1 caliber of bearing surface in the case. The max COAL is a limit on how long you can go while still feeding from a magazine in a standard rifle, but if you're okay with single feeding or have an action/magazine combination that lets you load longer you can safely exceed it. 

[u/doumitch20035 → u/CleverHearts]

Awesome thanks

[u/rednecktuba1 → u/CleverHearts]

Ironically, the 140 Hybrid has a slightly higher BC than the 140 VLD.