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Pressure ratings for cartridges

stevecrea
I do not understand the pressure ratings for certain modern day cartridges, and if any of you can help me to understand the issue better, I would sincerely appreciate it.

For example, why is the 6.5 Remington Magnum rated at around 52,000 but the 6.5-06 rated at up to 62,000 or so? And, what significance does this have for a shooter considering loading and shooting for these two cartridges?

Further, I understand that the WSMs are rated at up to what, 65,000 or so?

Thank you for your thoughts and input.
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  • nononsense
    stevecrea,

    There are two systems of measurement:

    C.U.P. = Copper Units of Pressure (often referred to as 'Crusher')

    Piezo = A piezoelectric sensor is a device that uses the piezoelectric effect to measure pressure, acceleration, strain or force by converting them to an electrical signal.

    The CUP method uses actual physical measurements of a copper slug which has been compressed in a test barrel. There is a conversion for the length compared to pressure in CUP. There is no DIRECT correlation between CUP and PSI.

    However, there is a direct reading of PSI when using Piezo sensors on test barrels.

    CIP (Commission Internationale Permanente pour l'Epreuve des Armes ? Feu Portatives) or Permanent International Commission for the Proof of Small-arms has been using Piezo since it's acceptance in the 50's and reports pressures in PSI categories.

    The example you chose is a combination of the two reporting systems.

    6.5 Rem. Mag. is listed in 52,000 CUP whereas the 6.5-06 is reported as 62,000 PSI.

    Now when we do a little conjuring between the two systems and combine that outcome with the modern report in PSI, the 6.5 Rem. Mag. gets listed in the 63,000 PSI category.

    Here is a crossover list to help clear some questions up:

    http://kwk.us/pressures.html

    Best.
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  • stevecrea
    Nononsense:

    Thank you very much. That was helpful.
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