Looking for load data for 6.5x27R Kettner Cape Gun

[Karl]

I recently acquired an Ed. Kettner Cape Gun made in 1913. The shotgun barrel is chambered for 2 1/2" 28 gauge shells and the rifle barrel is chambered for the 6.5x27R. The gun is in excellent condition inside and out. The bores are bright and shiny. The case colors have been exceptionally well preserved. I have plenty of 2 1/2" 28 gauge brass cartridges loaded with both black powder and a light charge of smokeless. I've converted 6.5x27R brass from .256 Win. Mag. and .38 Special using a CH full length size die that was included with the gun (indeed that was a principal reason I bought the gun). Now I'm developing loads for the 6.5x27R. My black powder load is a Bear Creek 85 grain cast lead bullet over 11 grains FFFG. I'd like to develop a load using smokeless powder. I found one load in "Hand Loaders Manual of Cartridge Conversions" of 7 grain 2400 for an 85 grain bullet. Alliant 2400 is currently unavailable and may have been discontinued. I'm researching a suitable powder equivalent.Win. 231 is promising. I would appreciate any information on suitable loads. BTW I much prefer converting .38 Special (or .356 Mag.) cases over .256.

Kettner Redeiver Top.jpg Kettner Receiver Bottom.jpg Kettner OAL.jpg

[Tom H.]

Hello Karl.
If I remember correctly, I ended up using 2400 with a 60gr jsp originally made for the 256 Mag.
The good news is that one of the older Lyman books had pistol loads for the .256 that started at less than half of the final loads. I am pretty sure that 4227 was one of them.
I think that I also used entry level 25-20 data which has a number of pistol powders such as Unique listed.
Nice cape gun and good luck.

Tom