140 Hornady ELD-M, RL16, Lapua brass in 6.5CM, 1:8 24in barrel (Tikka T3X TAC A1) - any opinions?

[LostInTranslation]

Best combo of AVAILABLE components I could figure out to use as a starting point... Obviously won't know until I try - but as new reloader - would like to start with a solid base...

Feedback/concerns?

Thank you

 

[stello1001]

yes

 

[Supersubes]

Yes

 

[Olen_4504]

What primers are you going to use lol

 

[LostInTranslation]

What primers are you going to use lol

Remington 7-1/2 Small Rifle Benchrest Primer (all I could find)

 

[TriggerJerk!]

LOL.... you are ready. Just push the “start button”!

 

[Shootnwrench]

Combination I started with but with LR primer brass with F210M’s. The ELDM’s don’t mind the .080 jump I’ve got them at right now. Going 2830fps from a 26” custom barrel. Lowlight talks often of Tikka barrels being slow so I would not expect that good of speed from a 24” Tikka tube.

Shoots well if I don’t mess up. Don’t mind the 5th shot I dropped.

 

[Bolt Thrower]

I am a hand loading newb, but here's my $0.02: My rifle (Savage 110, 24" barrel, 1:8 twist) really likes the ELDMs. Most guys seem to prefer the H4350 powder, Fed 210m primers. I believe this mimics the Hornady Match box ammo recipe. Both these components are very difficult to find right now in my area. IMR4350 is a reasonable substitute and seems to be more available. I have also used Norma URP. All I have been able to find recently are Winchester LRPs, and I have not had any problems with them. The Remington SRPs can be used for 6.5 cm as long as your brass has a SRP primer pocket. I have heard arguments for SRPs being better than LRPs because they can be more consistent. I know Lapua and Starline both sell SRP 6.5 CM brass, but don't have any experience with it myself.

 

[isofahunter]

You should have good results. I like 16 as my back up load for my 6.5.

 

[LANCER]

A nice, not too hot load for this combo is around 41.0-41.4 of RL-16 with your other components. I wouldn't try to push it much faster as RL-16 seems to be a bit more temp sensitive than the usual H4350. Clean your barrel often, and check that carbon ring that forms much easier with this powder. It usually yields me around 2850 on a 26" Chanlynn 1:8 Left hand twist barrel. Very accurate powder for me.

 

[Baddog 0302]

Has anyone looked at the Lyman "Long Range Precision Reloading Hand book" ?
From their "Accuracy loads" there is little doubt in my USMC orientated civilian mind that they use some computer program and list the load with the lowest ES /SD. But I used their load as a starting point and while I don't have a chronograph their loads with the 140 SMK & 143 ELD are are .25 to .5 MOA out of a Savage bbl. just using a bipod. What I call field BR.
All of your RL 16 loads are way faster that what Lyman lists, but will try RL 16, gotta be cleaner than RL 15.

 

[clcustom1911]

Yup. 41.0-41.5 will be a hammer sweet spot with great brass and barrel life. Should be something between 2650-2725 in the Tikka. I have the same rifle. You'll be supersonic out to well past 1000y