Does anyone have firsthand experience? I am shooting a 6mm Creedmore and so far only Hornady Match ammo, production ammo availability is limited. I know I will be handloading soon and it is a big step financially , time etc.
Production premium ammo velocity consistencies vs handloads
- Thread starter Boatninja
- Start date
My handloads for all 3 cartridges I reload for have an ES of 12 fps or less. My experience with factory ammo (Hornady, Prime) through multiple barrels (6.5 creedmoor) has an average ES of 40-50 fps.
The only factory ammo I have shot with an ES comparable to my handloads is FGMM .308 through my TacOps X-Ray 51 (SD of 5-6 fps).
Handloads will be considerably better from an SD/ES standpoint.
The only factory ammo I have shot with an ES comparable to my handloads is FGMM .308 through my TacOps X-Ray 51 (SD of 5-6 fps).
Handloads will be considerably better from an SD/ES standpoint.
If it has good ES/SD then I would plan to buy enough for one barrel and make sure it’s same lot
Here is the data that I have.
Hornady 6mm Creedmoor lot#3163698 seated to 2.18 bto
10 shots
Avg 2977
Sd19
Es58
6mm Creedmoor Federal factory 105 berger - 5 rounds
Avg3065
Sd15
Es39
6mm Creedmoor Federal Factory 105 berger - 5 rounds
Avg3064
Sd17
39
.308 Win 168 Fed GMM - 10 rounds
Avg 2545
Sd 16
Es 58
.308 Win 175 Fed GMM - 10 rounds
Avg 2561
Sd 10
Es 32
Thanks for the data! That's not exactly the numbers I was hoping for though
Lot to lot and barrel to barrel variance is real. So what one guy gets and what the next guy gets can be very different.
Typically you'll see 10-16fps for SD. Sometimes better, sometimes worse.
The ammo companies don't use the same powder we use, and for them pressure and velocity varies more than for us using different lots of the "same" powder. So there is some blending and tuning that goes on to meet pressure, velocity, and accuracy specs. Also, availability can play a part and totally different powders may be used. Suffice to say that with ANYTHING, when changing lot numbers it's best to test it out. The alternative is to buy assloads of the same lot when it's good.
Typically you'll see 10-16fps for SD. Sometimes better, sometimes worse.
The ammo companies don't use the same powder we use, and for them pressure and velocity varies more than for us using different lots of the "same" powder. So there is some blending and tuning that goes on to meet pressure, velocity, and accuracy specs. Also, availability can play a part and totally different powders may be used. Suffice to say that with ANYTHING, when changing lot numbers it's best to test it out. The alternative is to buy assloads of the same lot when it's good.
I have been buying assloads of the same lot number , I will apologize for my ignorance. Now what would someone give what they are getting on handloads for ES and SD, or what would expected to be good.
Handholds give you the ability to tune SD, so what you want it, is what you're able to get if you are willing to work for it.
Factory ammo is limited by a couple of things. 1, the powder is thrown not measured. Most thrown stick powder charges can be +/- .2gr or even worse even on the best commercial loading equipment. 2, the velocity may or may not be in a "node" for your rifle. If it's out of a node and ammo has a charge weight variation of .4gr, you could easily see 50 fps ES. If it's in a node and they use a tiny stick powder or ball powder and have tighter charge weights, you might only have a 20 fps ES, similar to a decent hand load.
Good hand loads with weight sorted brass, uniform flashholes, uniform neck tension, powder measured to the kernel, etc can have ES in the single digits.
Good hand loads with weight sorted brass, uniform flashholes, uniform neck tension, powder measured to the kernel, etc can have ES in the single digits.
While I don't shoot 6mm Creedmoor, all of the cartridges I reload for have an ES of 12 fps or less. You will get much better results reloading.
I started with a 6.5 creedmoor based off it's ballistics and decent factory match ammo availability. Worked well, but very glad I got into reloading. Worlds of difference when it comes to performance.
I’ve had great results with factory Hornady 108 ELD Match and an Accurate Ordnance barrel. About 400 rounds in and SDs consistently between 12-13, groups extremely well, and I’m getting 3030 out of a 24” tube.
I'm happy with under 12fps SD. I've had several loads that were single digits but that just happened that way.
To be honest, for everything inside of 1000yd, Hornady factory match has been great for me. This is in a 6.5 creedmoor with 147s.
