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6.5JDJ #197403 01/27/2019 9:58 PM
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jamesfromjersey Offline OP
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I don`t have many single shot handguns and after reading through the years what the 6.5JDJ was capable of doing in the hunting field I promised myself that if I were to ever buy a SS it would be a 6.5JDJ... The day came when I sent my check to JDJones for a beautiful 14" blue barrel with a Weaver type scope mount. I was not ready for what came with shooting this round. Buying .225 brass,

fire forming and using different powders and bullets to try and duplicate those incredible groups that this round can make... 2520, Varget, 4320, 4831 and Rel.19 powders along with Nosler, Speer and Sierra 120gr bullets were some of the components I loaded. However, I could do no better then

1 1/2" MOA until I mixed Reloader 15 and Sierra 120gr Pro Hunter bullets... 34.0grs had 3 bullets in one hole, 34.5grs had four bullets in little over 1/2" while 35.0grs put three in one hole.
Finally found a load she likes... I`ve ben advised to try the 120gr BT bullets and the same charge... Another step in making the rounds that I found out the hard way is after fire forming to only neck size the round. I was full length resizing and rewarded with case head separation after as few as three reloads. My question is do any members have experience with Sierra Pro-Hunter bullets on game??? Another thing I`ve realized is you can teach an old horse new tricks.....Thank`s...


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Re: 6.5JDJ [Re: jamesfromjersey] #197406 01/27/2019 11:11 PM
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KYODE Offline
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Sorry, i do not james, but i do have a lot of experience sizing for single shot TCs. Were you using a neck size die? I use the full length sizer but back it up a few thousandths off the shellholder. Do not screw down full length die tight against the shellholder....bumping the shoulder back too far. That caused your early head seperation.

Nice gun!


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Re: 6.5JDJ [Re: KYODE] #197407 01/27/2019 11:24 PM
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wvhitman Offline
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James, I've killed hundreds and hundreds of deer with my 6.5JDJ. #1 bullet has always been BTs, but the 120 Sierra Pro Hunter is very close behind. I'm sure I've taken over 100 with it. Always accurate. Tissue damage is actually a little more than the BT. It's blunter nose does not allow it to shoot as flat as the BT, but it's not noticeable until beyond 400 yds.
I back my die off 1/4 turn for sizing without problems. I only open the mouth of new brass, not sizing the case, then load 85% of the full load for fireforming (like JD told me).
This little baby does good on turkeys with BTs causing minimal damage on broadside wing butt shots.
It's the only deer gun you'll ever need. Everything else is for play.

Re: 6.5JDJ [Re: wvhitman] #197408 01/27/2019 11:59 PM
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jamesfromjersey Offline OP
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400 YARDS!!!!!! Gees.. To me that`s almost un-do-able
These SS handguns put hunting in a new place with that kind of shooting.
I must say that shooting the 6.5JDJ is about as easy as it gets. She`s a real nice handgun to shoot....
\:\)

PS-as you can read that its plain to see that I don't have much experience with SS....


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Re: 6.5JDJ [Re: jamesfromjersey] #197409 01/28/2019 2:12 AM
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Bob Roach Offline
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When I ordered my barrel from SSK 25 or so years ago. I saw the hand writing on the wall, that 225 Winchester brass could be hard to get at some point in the future.
I went with the nearly identical 6.5x30 JDJ, which is based off the easy to obtain 30-30 Winchester case.
I had the idea that the 6.5x30 JDJ would be my wife's deer hunting cartridge. We were both shooting handgun silhouette back then. She did kill a deer or two with it. She does not shoot much any more, and pretty much hunts with her Browning BBR 270 now days.
I have killed a few deer with it also.
Equipped with a Burris 2-7 scope, shooting 120 BT's it will get the job done.

Bob R


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Re: 6.5JDJ [Re: Bob Roach] #197410 01/28/2019 2:47 AM
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jamesfromjersey Offline OP
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Bob, I have about a bag and a half of 225 brass and at the rate I`am going it should last a long time....


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Re: 6.5JDJ [Re: jamesfromjersey] #197411 01/28/2019 3:05 PM
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I have been shooting the 6.5JDJ for about 15 years. I started with the Sierra Pro Hunter 120 grn and H414 powder and I'm still shooting the same load. I have been getting short on the Pro Hunter and have started using the Ballistic Tip 120grn.
I have taken two hogs and several deer with the Pro Hunter. Shoots great groups and has dropped everything I have shot quick.
Here is a hog I took in Texas with the Sierra Pro Hunter 120grn at 105 yds. He weighed 120lb. The deer I have shot with the Ballistic Tip have never traveled more that maybe 20-30 yds. The one in the photo was a doe a few weeks back, 110lb in KS.
I got into the same thing you did when I purchased my barrel.
Had to find some 225 brass. Put out some feelers on the net and a guy from Maine, gunsmith, had built a 225 Varmint rifle for a customer but the only way he could get brass way back then was 500 at a time. He still had 250 pcs and I got them for a good price. Used cheap pull 120grn Core Loks for fireforming.
Most of the time when I go hunt, I grab my 6.5JDJ. I have a Burris 3x12 on it now.
Mike



You don't quit playing because you get old, You get old because you quit playing.
Re: 6.5JDJ [Re: Hawkeye] #197412 01/28/2019 3:29 PM
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magman Offline
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I've had my 6.5JDJ since the early 90's. My prefered load has been a 120 gr NBT and 4320 powder. Has accounted for deer and one fallow. Recently tried Varget and have had similiar results. Some of my brass has 15 firings without failure. Still do have a small stash of 225 brass hidden.


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Re: 6.5JDJ [Re: Hawkeye] #197413 01/28/2019 6:11 PM
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jamesfromjersey Offline OP
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 Originally Posted By: Hawkeye
Used cheap pull 120grn Core Loks for fireforming.






I used the same bullets for fire form....


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Re: 6.5JDJ [Re: jamesfromjersey] #197427 01/29/2019 1:13 AM
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45MAN Offline
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A FEW YEARS BACK, MANY YEARS AFTER I HAD QUIT USING MY 6.5 JDJ (I HAD TURNED TO THE FA 454's), I WAS GOING TO WYOMING ON AN ANTELOPE HUNT SO I DECIDED TO DO A "RETRO" HUNT AND I PULLED OUT THE 6.5 JDJ. BY NOW WE HAD VARGET TO WORK WITH AND YOU COULD ADD ABOUT 100fps WITH VARGET. I HAVE ALWAYS USED THE SPEER 120gr FLAT BASE.


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Re: 6.5JDJ [Re: 45MAN] #197428 01/29/2019 1:31 AM
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Ernie Offline
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What speed does a 14-15 inch 6.5 JDJ with a 120, 130, or a 140 grain bullet?
List bullet weight, when you list MV please.


Ernie the Un-Tactical
Re: 6.5JDJ [Re: Ernie] #197433 01/29/2019 3:01 AM
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45MAN Offline
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WITH VARGET YOU ARE SUPPOSE TO BE ABLE TO GET AROUND 2,500fps WITH 120's IN 14-15 INCH BARRELS, I HAVE NOT TRIED ANY HEAVIER BULLETS.


"ADAPT OR DIE". I USE ALL CAPS, NOT BECAUSE I AM YELLING, BUT BECAUSE IT IS AN OLD HABIT FROM MY ARMY DAYS, PLUS IT IS EASIER TO TYPE AND READ.
Re: 6.5JDJ [Re: 45MAN] #197448 01/29/2019 3:07 PM
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Russell Offline
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The Pro Hunter 120 is a good one, James. I keep several boxes on the shelf for my 6.5's (6.5 x 55, .260, 6.5TCU, ^.5 Raptor and 6.5BRM)It has always worked for me.


It's not the gun, but the man behind it.

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USMC; 1967-1970; Vietnam-'68-'69
Re: 6.5JDJ [Re: Russell] #197451 01/29/2019 4:56 PM
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Paul_H Offline
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I had a 6.5 gr (30-30 improved) that performed on par with the 6.5 jdj, i.e. 120's @ 2400 fps from 14" barrel. I was able to get that performance with Varget, RL 15 and H-4350. Ended up selling it before using it to take game, but it was a hummer grouping 1/2" at 100 yds with preferred loads under a 120 gr balistic tip.

Re: 6.5JDJ [Re: 45MAN] #197898 03/03/2019 12:54 AM
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bscott Offline
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I have been wanting a 6.5 for quite awhile but I am very scared of the lack of brass.



"THEY FALL LIKE DEAD WEIGHT!"


Re: 6.5JDJ [Re: bscott] #197907 03/03/2019 4:08 PM
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Smokin' SP Offline
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 Originally Posted By: bscott
I have been wanting a 6.5 for quite awhile but I am very scared of the lack of brass.


This is all that's kept me from getting both 6.5 and 257 JDJ barrels. I sent an email to Winchester and they said a run was planned for this year but no date set. On the other hand I think they told me that 2 years ago too.

Re: 6.5JDJ [Re: 45MAN] #198015 03/09/2019 11:06 PM
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cfish2 Offline
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James, I have taken 3-4 deer with that bullet when I first started shooting my 6.5. I switched to the BTs shortly after as they where easier to find on the shelf. If I recall the bullet worked very well. I have never had any deer go more than a few feet when hit with th 6.5. My favorite load is 34grs of varget with the 120 BT. Dang you. Now I?m going to have to dust off the 6.5 this summer and get it tuned up for next fall.


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Re: 6.5JDJ [Re: cfish2] #198162 03/20/2019 6:01 PM
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RH Custom Guns Offline
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Don't know that I've ever used them, but Quality Cartridge lists .225 Winchester brass as in stock for less than $40 per 20 rds. FYI

Ryan

Re: 6.5JDJ [Re: RH Custom Guns] #198196 03/21/2019 11:12 PM
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jamesfromjersey Offline OP
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 Originally Posted By: RH Custom Guns
Don't know that I've ever used them, but Quality Cartridge lists .225 Winchester brass as in stock for less than $40 per 20 rds. FYI

Ryan


thanks...


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