So I have been lurking for a while now, I have made a few posts here and there, but nothing with much contribution yet. Now it is time to put up some meaningful data for all of you. I have noticed it can be hard to find load data on the Hornady 147 Gr ELD-M for the 6.5 Creedmoor. So I did some research and bought a few powders that interested me for this. I chose 4 different powders, loaded up 50 rounds of each, took it to the range and here are the results for anyone who is interested.
The powders I tested were RL16, RL26, H4831 SC, H4350. After testing all four I had great results with all of the in different ways. I will let you all be the judge of what might work for you. This data will hopefully help anyone trying to choose a good powder for the 147 ELD-M.
Use Caution when using any of these loads, be sure start low and work your way up. All these loads below, start high and get over recommended charges. Don't be a fool and blow up your tool.
The Rifle
View attachment 6905571
View attachment 6905576
Action - Defiance Deviant
Barrel - 26" Krieger 1:8 MTU
Break - Area 419 Hellfire
Trigger- Timney Calvin Elite 2 Stage
Chassis - MDT ESS
Rings - ARC M10 Medium
Scope - Minox ZP5 5-25x56
The Ammo
Bullet - Hornady 147 Gr ELD-M
Brass- Virgin Lapua Small Rifle 6.5 CM
Primer - CCI 450
OAL - 2.263
.020 Off the lands
Testing was done at my local range at 100m. Temperature was 22c with 30km wind gusting to 60km. Altitude was 805m above sea level. Sorry but all you guys from the USA will have to convert that from Canadian on your own eh.
Test #1 - RL16
Charge Muzzle Vel. SD ES Group Size "
40.3 2658 9.8 26 1.637
40.6 2687 8.1 18 .998
40.9 2707 6.0 13 .495
41.2 2721 5.6 15 .926
41.5 2749 8.1 22 .754
41.8 2771 6.6 15 .852
42.1 2788 4.5 12 .802
42.4 2808 9.8 26 .735
42.7 2835 6.7 14 1.040
43.0 2851 6.3 14 .926
View attachment 6905572
Test #2 - RL26
Charge Muzzle Vel. SD ES Group Size "
45.3 2715 4.7 12 .757
45.6 2759 8.7 22 .563
45.9 2776 9.5 25 .855
46.2 2794 6.4 16 .834
46.5 2817 5.1 13 .896
46.8 2844 9.2 21 .529
47.1 2855 6.9 19 1.093
47.4 2881 9.6 25 .905
47.7 2904 11 30 .739
48.0 2917 9.4 23 .826
View attachment 6905573
Test #3 - H4831 SC
Charge Muzzle Vel. SD ES Group Size "
42.5 2614 9.0 25 .516
42.8 2631 6.7 16 .555
43.1 2642 11 28 .826
43.4 2665 7.0 18 .668
43.7 2682 6.2 15 .915
44.0 2696 7.6 15 .507
44.3 2714 5.9 14 .437
44.6 2733 5.0 12 .878
44.9 2746 10.8 27 .607
45.2 2760 4.5 10 1.010
View attachment 6905574
Test #4 - H4350
Charge Muzzle Vel. SD ES Group Size "
40.0 2657 7.9 21 .971
40.3 2690 11 30 .888
40.6 2688 8.7 21 .799
40.9 2706 4.0 10 .799
41.2 2719 2.4 6 1.159
41.5 2737 4.7 12 .467
41.8 2750 4.4 11 .742
42.1 2769 9.9 25 .494
42.4 2792 2.6 7 .556
42.7 2806 7.4 19 .806
View attachment 6905575
After doing these tests I thought I would have a clear winner but now I just want to test these all more thoroughly. So this test has turned into phase 1 now. I will see what kind of fine tuning I can do to these in the future. I will keep you all posted when phase 2 is completed and I will post the results for you all.