Vol, your load sounds too hot to me. I have used the two VV loads that Kuduae mentions above. I also feel safe using any published .25-35 loads, although I would start at 80% and work up with a new gun. I have three 6.5 Sauers and I really enjoy using the round. Two of mine mike at .260, the third at .264. I am told that you can make cases easily out of .30-40 Krag, but I haven't tried. I'd like to hear how your loading experiments come out. mike PS - I'm an old vol also.