20" Tikka 6.5 Creed

[Jknox1030]

As the title mentions above, I have several things working against me! 20" = short barrel, Tikka = Slow Barrel, Factory Ammo = Slow as Molasses...


This past weekend I was shooting factory Hornady 143gr ELD-X. It was a really consistent shooter for me. My Dope was lining up well from yard line to yard line. When I "trued" my data, however it was giving me a 2,450 fps. It was a cold, rainy day. DA was hovering around -700. I get that I had several things working against me on this, but I'm about to start loading for this rifle.

Here are my thoughts...
I'm probably going to shoot the 130gr ELD-M's. I'm thinking that this will help me shoot a bit flatter.

130 ELD-M
Hornady 1x Fired Brass
BR2 Primers
Varget / IMR 4350 Powder (I can't find H4350 anywere locally)


Am I way off base here? Any help would be greatly appreciated gents!

Thanks for you time!

 

[Fsh4mny]

I have a 20 inch tikka and had real similar numbers swaped powder to hornady superformance and pickup about 100 fps. I had the same problem finding the 4350 powder as well. I shoot 44.2 gn under 140 berger vld

 

[Jknox1030]

If I could get in the neighborhood of 2650-2750 and find a good node, I would be good with that. I just want to get a temp stable powder to do so.

 

[Fsh4mny]

When I was testing and working up my loads h4350 was 2551.4 avg and superformance was 2645.8 avg with bullet touching over five shots. The first three shots over the chrono of superformance were 2677 2650 2669 fps then i had a 2609 and 2624 made me scratch my head but i have been happy with performance overall. H4350 i gave up on due to lack of being able to find it and the slower speeds.

 

[Pvt.Donut]

20" Tikka as well. Been running RL16 since day 1. Typically average around 2700 fps with 140~gr bullets. Switched to Lapua SP brass. Run 43gr RL16 with RDF 140's at 2700 fps with great results. I have a higher node in the 2750 range but I prefer the lower node.

 

[Jknox1030]

Will the Varget work? Or is it going to be too fast of a burn?

 

[260284]

20" Tikka as well. Been running RL16 since day 1. Typically average around 2700 fps with 140~gr bullets. Switched to Lapua SP brass. Run 23gr RL16 with RDF 140's at 2700 fps with great results. I have a higher node in the 2750 range but I prefer the lower node.

23gr must be a typo. I run 41.4 under a 140 in Peterson brass. I get 2815 out of a 23.5" Bartlein. The same load in my 20" factory barrel is 180 fps slower.

 

[8up]

Will the Varget work? Or is it going to be too fast of a burn?

I run Varget in my 6.5 CM with 139 Lapuas. Accuracy is superb. I load to max, like 37 grains, speed wise I cannot remember off the top of my head.

 

[Rekkr870]

Following this thread. I'm working up a load that I'll be able to shoot soon. Loaded up some 130 Hybrids over 41.5 to 42.7 or Reloder 17. Seated them 2.275 CBTO giving me about 20 thousandths off. Prime brass, CCI 200 primers. I'll let you know the speeds, SD and ES from these. I've have good luck with the RL17 under the 140 and 147 ELD-M.

 

[AlarmedTrout]

Started my load development for my new tac a1 24" 6.5. Using starline small primer, 40.6gr H4350, and 140gr ELD match bullets im getting around 2550fps. I would like to be in the 2700+ range as well, but this powder with barrel looks as though it might not get cookin that fast. It seems to be very accurate so far with only finding the accuracy node. Will be in the sub .5 MOA all day after a bit more tweaking, just seems like its lacking speed however. Ill try to update later with my findings...

 

[Hiwayman92]

I have the same identical gun. Peterson SRP brass and 46.7 grains of RL-26 with a CCI 450, along with a 143 ELD-X .040 off the lands has been money. 2727 fps, SD of 6.

 

[AlarmedTrout]

I have the same identical gun. Peterson SRP brass and 46.7 grains of RL-26 with a CCI 450, along with a 143 ELD-X .040 off the lands has been money. 2727 fps, SD of 6.

Whats your OAL? measured mine with the Hornady OAL gauge and getting 2.900. Seems very high if you ask me.

 

[Hiwayman92]

Mine is 2.901, the lands are at 2.940. Super long throat in mine.

 

[generalzip]

It's not that tikka barrels are slow. It's just whatever reamer they use is shit and has an insanely long freebore. Load them really long and stuff the case full of rl26 (probably start around 45 grains) you'll be going faster than most guys with 24-26" barrels using other powders.

 

[Pvt.Donut]

23gr must be a typo. I run 41.4 under a 140 in Peterson brass. I get 2815 out of a 23.5" Bartlein. The same load in my 20" factory barrel is 180 fps slower.

Yes, my bad. I edited it. Should read 43.0 grains of RL16.