1stmarine
Member
Here something not really new but a tad different than the trends and for anyone interested in wildcats.
The barrel was made using a pac-nor polygonal starting at 24". Nothing really special but as we know noveske and pac-nor make some
nifty materials. After I got the barrel I revisited the chamber and gave it the freebore I needed to work with VLD long loads and
also optimize the otherwise conventional 6.5 loads that would be expected in an AR. But I didn't want to have any of the tipical COAL
limitations and then use all the real estate I could use and still work in autoloading mode.
Here some of the 6.5TCU AR loads....
From left to the right...
The first is a 6.5BR (from the 6BR norma) with a 123gr Amax for reference and the case next to it.
Then the TCU saga.
2nd for left 6.5TCU with 6.5mm 123gr A-Max ... 2.46 COAL
3rd .223rem M193 load for reference (55gr bullet).
4th-123SMK loaded but as I run out of bullets I put a 120gr speer hot-cor in front. 2.42 COAL
5th-144gr Lapua Scenar. 2.42COAL
6th-6.5mm 100gr A-max Loaded to max COAL of 2.31 and will feed from ASC, PRI, H&K, etc.. mags.
7th-5.56 62gr M885 penetrator, for reference.
So how do we make these hoochie mommas load and feed reliably in the AR15 with the limited COAL of the standard platform?
Here a centerstack VLD magazine. This works only with the .223 and its offspring as it takes advantage of the
back center rib.
I started with a long 24" pac-nor polygonal test barrel a friend provided.
My idea was to start with 24" and then chopping off the barrel in 2" increments because I am convinced the 24 incher is actually slowing down the spreads right now and might finally settle with 18" to 20" upper.
Also later this year I want to try the 6.5 PCC because I think with the VLD setup will be an amazing combination. I think performance is expected to be the same but accuracy wise I think it can be superior as some of the specialty BR loads show when one seats up the bullet even further, accuracy improves in many cases.
The 6.5TCU, even with the hot loads has been very accurate and almost as consistent as the super accurate 6x45.
Let me take some pics of the upper. Here some comparative of some others for those who like to hunt with the AR15...
From left to right
3 6.5BR loads 100gr Amax, 123gr Amax and 107gr SMK wiht the 6mm BR norma case used in the 6.5BR. (This is for reference only)
Then the 4th not loaded 6.5mm 120gr Barnes TTSX (tipped TSX solid)
5th... 5.56 M193 55gr just for reference
6th...123gr A-max
7th... 120gr Speer hot-cor (Data in OP)
8th...120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip 2.42 COAL
9th...5.56 M885 62gr just for reference
10th... 125gr Nosler partition (not tested yet)
On the very right we have the VLD mag with long range loads loaded to 2.46 max COAL on top of
regular AR mags loaded with 100gr and 95gr Amax at 3.31 max COAL.
To stack well in regular mags I need to make modifications but my intention is to use this in the VLD
setup only that is the best way to maximize the potential of the little case.
Here the barrel an upper. I included an adjustable gas block to keep the gas just as needed.
NEEDLESS TO SAY:
I WILL NOT PUT FINAL LOAD DATA AS THIS IS A CUSTOM CHAMBER WITH LOTS OF FREEBORE.
WHATEVER ONE DOES ONE NEEDS TO WORK IT OUT SLOWLY.
A MILDER AND/OR SLOWER LOAD IS A LOT BETTER THAN A BLOWN UP RIFLE IN YOUR FACE.
Bullet Hornday 100gr Amax.
Brass x3 BHA match fireformed. Primer CCI 450. Powder H335. Starting load 26gr.
Your Input Variables
Ballistic Coefficient 0.39 Velocity (ft/s) 2802 Weight (grains) 100
Maximum Range (yds) 1000 Interval (yds) 100 Drag Function G1
Sight Height (inches) 1.5 Shooting Angle (degrees) 0 Zero Range (yds) 200
Wind Speed (mph) 10 Wind Angle (degrees) 90 Altitude (ft) 500
Pressure (hg) 29.53 Temperature (F) 77 Humidity (%) 0.68
Ballistics Results - 6.5 TCU-L 100gr Amax. H335
RANGE(YARDS) VELOCITY(FPS) ENERGY(FT.-LB.) TRAJECTORY(IN) COME UP IN MOA COME UP IN MILS WIND DRIFT(IN) WIND DRIFT IN MOA WIND DRIFT IN MILS
Muzzle 2802 1743 -1.5 0 0 0 0 0
100 2583 1481 1.9 -1.8 -0.5 0.8 0.8 0.2
200 2374 1251 0 0 0 3.3 1.6 0.5
300 2175 1050 -8 2.6 0.7 7.7 2.5 0.7
400 1985 875 -23.5 5.6 1.6 14.3 3.4 1
500 1806 724 -47.7 9.1 2.7 23.3 4.5 1.3
600 1639 597 -82.7 13.2 3.8 35.2 5.6 1.6
700 1486 490 -130.7 17.8 5.2 50.2 6.8 2
800 1348 403 -194.4 23.2 6.8 68.7 8.2 2.4
900 1229 335 -277.4 29.4 8.6 90.9 9.6 2.8
1000 1133 285 -383.5 36.6 10.7 116.9 11.2 3.2
6.5mm 120gr Speer HotCor.
Brass WCC. Fireformed (neck resized only). Primer CCI450. Powder H335. STarting load 26gr.
COAL: 2.42-2.43" loading from a Custom VLD magazine only.
Good hunting bullet and accurate too.
Your Input Variables
Ballistic Coefficient 0.433 Velocity (ft/s) 2613 Weight (grains) 120
Maximum Range (yds) 1000 Interval (yds) 100 Drag Function G1
Sight Height (inches) 1.5 Shooting Angle (degrees) 0 Zero Range (yds) 200
Wind Speed (mph) 10 Wind Angle (degrees) 90 Altitude (ft) 500
Pressure (hg) 29.53 Temperature (F) 77 Humidity (%) 0.68
Ballistics Results - 6.5 TCU-L 120gr Speer HC. H335
RANGE(YARDS) VELOCITY(FPS) ENERGY(FT.-LB.) TRAJECTORY(IN) COME UP IN MOA COME UP IN MILS WIND DRIFT(IN) WIND DRIFT IN MOA WIND DRIFT IN MILS
Muzzle 2613 1819 -1.5 0 0 0 0 0
100 2423 1564 2.2 -2.1 -0.6 0.8 0.8 0.2
200 2241 1338 0 0 0 3.3 1.6 0.5
300 2067 1138 -9.1 2.9 0.8 7.6 2.4 0.7
400 1901 963 -26.5 6.3 1.8 14 3.4 1
500 1744 810 -53.4 10.2 3 22.8 4.4 1.3
600 1597 680 -91.8 14.6 4.3 34.3 5.5 1.6
700 1462 569 -143.9 19.6 5.7 48.6 6.6 1.9
800 1339 478 -212.3 25.3 7.4 66.2 7.9 2.3
900 1233 405 -300.1 31.8 9.3 87.1 9.2 2.7
1000 1145 349 -411 39.2 11.4 111.5 10.6 3.1
The barrel was made using a pac-nor polygonal starting at 24". Nothing really special but as we know noveske and pac-nor make some
nifty materials. After I got the barrel I revisited the chamber and gave it the freebore I needed to work with VLD long loads and
also optimize the otherwise conventional 6.5 loads that would be expected in an AR. But I didn't want to have any of the tipical COAL
limitations and then use all the real estate I could use and still work in autoloading mode.
Here some of the 6.5TCU AR loads....
From left to the right...
The first is a 6.5BR (from the 6BR norma) with a 123gr Amax for reference and the case next to it.
Then the TCU saga.
2nd for left 6.5TCU with 6.5mm 123gr A-Max ... 2.46 COAL
3rd .223rem M193 load for reference (55gr bullet).
4th-123SMK loaded but as I run out of bullets I put a 120gr speer hot-cor in front. 2.42 COAL
5th-144gr Lapua Scenar. 2.42COAL
6th-6.5mm 100gr A-max Loaded to max COAL of 2.31 and will feed from ASC, PRI, H&K, etc.. mags.
7th-5.56 62gr M885 penetrator, for reference.
So how do we make these hoochie mommas load and feed reliably in the AR15 with the limited COAL of the standard platform?
Here a centerstack VLD magazine. This works only with the .223 and its offspring as it takes advantage of the
back center rib.
I started with a long 24" pac-nor polygonal test barrel a friend provided.
My idea was to start with 24" and then chopping off the barrel in 2" increments because I am convinced the 24 incher is actually slowing down the spreads right now and might finally settle with 18" to 20" upper.
Also later this year I want to try the 6.5 PCC because I think with the VLD setup will be an amazing combination. I think performance is expected to be the same but accuracy wise I think it can be superior as some of the specialty BR loads show when one seats up the bullet even further, accuracy improves in many cases.
The 6.5TCU, even with the hot loads has been very accurate and almost as consistent as the super accurate 6x45.
Let me take some pics of the upper. Here some comparative of some others for those who like to hunt with the AR15...
From left to right
3 6.5BR loads 100gr Amax, 123gr Amax and 107gr SMK wiht the 6mm BR norma case used in the 6.5BR. (This is for reference only)
Then the 4th not loaded 6.5mm 120gr Barnes TTSX (tipped TSX solid)
5th... 5.56 M193 55gr just for reference
6th...123gr A-max
7th... 120gr Speer hot-cor (Data in OP)
8th...120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip 2.42 COAL
9th...5.56 M885 62gr just for reference
10th... 125gr Nosler partition (not tested yet)
On the very right we have the VLD mag with long range loads loaded to 2.46 max COAL on top of
regular AR mags loaded with 100gr and 95gr Amax at 3.31 max COAL.
To stack well in regular mags I need to make modifications but my intention is to use this in the VLD
setup only that is the best way to maximize the potential of the little case.
Here the barrel an upper. I included an adjustable gas block to keep the gas just as needed.
NEEDLESS TO SAY:
I WILL NOT PUT FINAL LOAD DATA AS THIS IS A CUSTOM CHAMBER WITH LOTS OF FREEBORE.
WHATEVER ONE DOES ONE NEEDS TO WORK IT OUT SLOWLY.
A MILDER AND/OR SLOWER LOAD IS A LOT BETTER THAN A BLOWN UP RIFLE IN YOUR FACE.
Bullet Hornday 100gr Amax.
Brass x3 BHA match fireformed. Primer CCI 450. Powder H335. Starting load 26gr.
Your Input Variables
Ballistic Coefficient 0.39 Velocity (ft/s) 2802 Weight (grains) 100
Maximum Range (yds) 1000 Interval (yds) 100 Drag Function G1
Sight Height (inches) 1.5 Shooting Angle (degrees) 0 Zero Range (yds) 200
Wind Speed (mph) 10 Wind Angle (degrees) 90 Altitude (ft) 500
Pressure (hg) 29.53 Temperature (F) 77 Humidity (%) 0.68
Ballistics Results - 6.5 TCU-L 100gr Amax. H335
RANGE(YARDS) VELOCITY(FPS) ENERGY(FT.-LB.) TRAJECTORY(IN) COME UP IN MOA COME UP IN MILS WIND DRIFT(IN) WIND DRIFT IN MOA WIND DRIFT IN MILS
Muzzle 2802 1743 -1.5 0 0 0 0 0
100 2583 1481 1.9 -1.8 -0.5 0.8 0.8 0.2
200 2374 1251 0 0 0 3.3 1.6 0.5
300 2175 1050 -8 2.6 0.7 7.7 2.5 0.7
400 1985 875 -23.5 5.6 1.6 14.3 3.4 1
500 1806 724 -47.7 9.1 2.7 23.3 4.5 1.3
600 1639 597 -82.7 13.2 3.8 35.2 5.6 1.6
700 1486 490 -130.7 17.8 5.2 50.2 6.8 2
800 1348 403 -194.4 23.2 6.8 68.7 8.2 2.4
900 1229 335 -277.4 29.4 8.6 90.9 9.6 2.8
1000 1133 285 -383.5 36.6 10.7 116.9 11.2 3.2
6.5mm 120gr Speer HotCor.
Brass WCC. Fireformed (neck resized only). Primer CCI450. Powder H335. STarting load 26gr.
COAL: 2.42-2.43" loading from a Custom VLD magazine only.
Good hunting bullet and accurate too.
Your Input Variables
Ballistic Coefficient 0.433 Velocity (ft/s) 2613 Weight (grains) 120
Maximum Range (yds) 1000 Interval (yds) 100 Drag Function G1
Sight Height (inches) 1.5 Shooting Angle (degrees) 0 Zero Range (yds) 200
Wind Speed (mph) 10 Wind Angle (degrees) 90 Altitude (ft) 500
Pressure (hg) 29.53 Temperature (F) 77 Humidity (%) 0.68
Ballistics Results - 6.5 TCU-L 120gr Speer HC. H335
RANGE(YARDS) VELOCITY(FPS) ENERGY(FT.-LB.) TRAJECTORY(IN) COME UP IN MOA COME UP IN MILS WIND DRIFT(IN) WIND DRIFT IN MOA WIND DRIFT IN MILS
Muzzle 2613 1819 -1.5 0 0 0 0 0
100 2423 1564 2.2 -2.1 -0.6 0.8 0.8 0.2
200 2241 1338 0 0 0 3.3 1.6 0.5
300 2067 1138 -9.1 2.9 0.8 7.6 2.4 0.7
400 1901 963 -26.5 6.3 1.8 14 3.4 1
500 1744 810 -53.4 10.2 3 22.8 4.4 1.3
600 1597 680 -91.8 14.6 4.3 34.3 5.5 1.6
700 1462 569 -143.9 19.6 5.7 48.6 6.6 1.9
800 1339 478 -212.3 25.3 7.4 66.2 7.9 2.3
900 1233 405 -300.1 31.8 9.3 87.1 9.2 2.7
1000 1145 349 -411 39.2 11.4 111.5 10.6 3.1
