6.5 Creedmoor 147 Gr ELD-M. RL16, RL26, H4831SC, H4350 Test and Data

[Buzzbee]

EDM, thanks for your reply in the Minox.

1. Did you try the 140's ? Just like the 147 for better BC?
2. I'm an old guy, not a fan of the new, popular Chassis guns, BUT......your's is the BEST one I've seen. It actually is very nice looking !!
3. Got a new rifle coming from CORE Precision tomorrow, more for hunting and long range steel, Lone Peak Fusion Titaniun action, 20" Proof Carbon barrell 1-8, Manners and Trigger Tech. SWaro Z6, 5-30 Huble. I'v got two other 6.5 Creeds and always stuck with the 140's . Your ladder makes me want to experiment with the 140, but the 20 tube may not really give me any better results. But like all here, I'm an ALL DAY SUCKER and will try anything new !!!

(don't tell anyone but I'm running a Ballistic turret on my Swaro. I know blasphamy !!!

 

[CanSniper]

Excellent write up!

 

[CJS-6.5]

Thanks for this data. Does anyone have data on RL26 in a short barrel? Say 20"?

 

[Buzzbee]

would like 20" barrel data too

 

[EDMJustin]

EDM, thanks for your reply in the Minox.

1. Did you try the 140's ? Just like the 147 for better BC?
2. I'm an old guy, not a fan of the new, popular Chassis guns, BUT......your's is the BEST one I've seen. It actually is very nice looking !!
3. Got a new rifle coming from CORE Precision tomorrow, more for hunting and long range steel, Lone Peak Fusion Titaniun action, 20" Proof Carbon barrell 1-8, Manners and Trigger Tech. SWaro Z6, 5-30 Huble. I'v got two other 6.5 Creeds and always stuck with the 140's . Your ladder makes me want to experiment with the 140, but the 20 tube may not really give me any better results. But like all here, I'm an ALL DAY SUCKER and will try anything new !!!

(don't tell anyone but I'm running a Ballistic turret on my Swaro. I know blasphamy !!!

Thanks. I really like how this rifle turned out. It is definitely a head turner at my local range. I actually collected all the parts over a year or so and then took them into the gunsmith (Another 3 Months). So I was able to watch a lot of videos and change my mind a bunch of times. It all worked out in the end.

I tried some Berger VLD 140's. They worked great. I just figured that since I am able to push these 147's at pretty much they same speed as some guys are able to push the 140's, I mine as well take advantage of the higher BC. I am considering building a short barrel 6.5 like the one you are talking about. If i do decide to go that route, I am looking at the Berger 130gr's.

But right now I am currently working on my new project and next write up for the hide. I am currently testing 4 different powders for my new 16 in 308 to see how much performance I get get out of it. Might be interesting for a small group on here.

 

[nexusfire]

Is anyone getting a compressed load with these bullets in 6.5cm?

 

[CJS-6.5]

Is anyone getting a compressed load with these bullets in 6.5cm?

Yep. 4831sc. Just a slight crunch. Have to go look at my book for charge weight.

 

[CJS-6.5]

Short throated chamber. 2.242 to olive. 46 grains and up are compressed. 47.5 grns was too hot. Settled at 45.6.

 

[nexusfire]

Short throated chamber. 2.242 to olive. 46 grains and up are compressed. 47.5 grns was too hot. Settled at 45.6.

Sheet, I am compressed with the 143 eldx with 42.3 gr. I am 0.015 off the lands.

 

[CJS-6.5]

4831sc?

 

[CJS-6.5]

I'm seriously thinking there is something screwed with my batch of 4831sc. Both my 6.5 heavy loads and 300 win heavy loads I'm over 10% higher than everyone else. Must be junk.

 

[nexusfire]

4831sc?

no H4350

 

[supercorndogs]

no H4350

LOL. I was wondering how you were only managing 43g of 4831sc.

 

[icdbko33]

Great load development. My data seems very similar for H4350 so maybe my development with RL16 will follow suit as well.

Range looks familiar, are you shooting at CHAS Genesee by chance?

 

[EDMJustin]

Great load development. My data seems very similar for H4350 so maybe my development with RL16 will follow suit as well.

Range looks familiar, are you shooting at CHAS Genesee by chance?

Yes that is CHAS Range. Good eye. Always looking for a buddy to shoot with who is into long range shooting.

 

[308220]

Congrats, you have the fastest 6.5 CM barrel ever produced. Id pull it off, encase it, and put it on display.

I get blown primers with the 143 ELD X (4 grains lighter) with anything over 2950fps with 54.5 grains of RL26 out of a 26" 6.5-284 Norma!....3040fps (could go higher) with 140 bthp. So my barrel isnt slow.

Odd.

 

[Rick7353]

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.

I got on the Hgdon site and they show 36 grains to 40 grains of H4350. Did you try any loads in that range? I have a shilen #7. Med varmint that is 26 in with break 1 in 8 twist. I found Hogdon Hybrid 100 V using 38 grains to be very accurate using Horn a dy cases with 147 ELDM.

 

[icdbko33]

Yes that is CHAS Range. Good eye. Always looking for a buddy to shoot with who is into long range shooting.

just found this now, I'd be down though I won't be going as much until the weather warms a bit in the spring. Mostly just do load development in the winter

 

[icdbko33]

I got on the Hgdon site and they show 36 grains to 40 grains of H4350. Did you try any loads in that range? I have a shilen #7. Med varmint that is 26 in with break 1 in 8 twist. I found Hogdon Hybrid 100 V using 38 grains to be very accurate using Horn a dy cases with 147 ELDM.

the Hodgdon data for the 147 and H4350 is 36.8 to a max charge of 41.8. my Rifle just happens to like 41.8 and has good SD's w/ bullets. never tested above there because a single round of 42.0 grains showed w/ bullet seated long showed pressured signs and tested this before Hodgdon published there data so know that the window is narrow at that range depending on your rifle.

From what I've gathered from other peoples data most people find the load in the 40.5 to 41.8 depending on what your rifle likes.

 

[Buzzbee]

Thanks. I really like how this rifle turned out. It is definitely a head turner at my local range. I actually collected all the parts over a year or so and then took them into the gunsmith (Another 3 Months). So I was able to watch a lot of videos and change my mind a bunch of times. It all worked out in the end.

I tried some Berger VLD 140's. They worked great. I just figured that since I am able to push these 147's at pretty much they same speed as some guys are able to push the 140's, I mine as well take advantage of the higher BC. I am considering building a short barrel 6.5 like the one you are talking about. If i do decide to go that route, I am looking at the Berger 130gr's.

But right now I am currently working on my new project and next write up for the hide. I am currently testing 4 different powders for my new 16 in 308 to see how much performance I get get out of it. Might be interesting for a small group on here.

View attachment 6947195

love that Christensen

 

[TCG76]

love that Christensen

I came up with 41.4 of RL16 2799 Sd 5.6 with
1/2 moa too 400 will shoot it out far when I can a chance

 

[XgobudX]

Anyone load for RPR with LRI 24 inch bbl?
I worked up a load with RL16 under 140 grain ELDM's, FGM210m primer and ones fired Hornady brass.
Worked up from 41 to 43.7, I did notice slight ejection mark and 43.7.
Loaded another 20 round at 43.5 and just shot them over magneto v3.
Although I do not see pressure signs I will back off and play with the jump at 42.7 as that looked like a nice group when I first tested the loads.

Series	3​	Shots:	10​
Min	2891​	Max	2923​
Avg	2909​	S-D	10.5​
ES	32​
Series	Shot	Speed
3​	1​	2910​	ft/s
3​	2​	2923​	ft/s
3​	3​	2915​	ft/s
3​	4​	2910​	ft/s
3​	5​	2921​	ft/s
3​	6​	2920​	ft/s
3​	7​	2904​	ft/s
3​	8​	2891​	ft/s
3​	9​	2905​	ft/s
3​	10​	2897​	ft/s

 

[esorensen]

Older thread but I will be following. Just bought a Seekins HAVAK last week and have put only Hornady Match 147’s thru it. New barrel and avg vels 2650. Just did a ladder with the 6CM and RL26/108 ELDM, and will settle with a 3200 FPS node. Will be doing a ladder with the 6.5 CM and the RL26 when the dies/bushings get in. Ive done some work with RL17 and a 200 ELDX in my ‘06 and was impressed with 2900 fps. I will be doing a ladder with the same combination but with RL26. 17/26 are indeed some fancy powders.

 

[clcustom1911]

I just scored 9 pounds of RL26. I already use H4350 @ 41.4 and RL17 @ 40.5 with 147’s to get around 2700 FPS.

 

[65x55guy]

I just scored 9 pounds of RL26. I already use H4350 @ 41.4 and RL17 @ 40.5 with 147’s to get around 2700 FPS.

Uhhh where??? I want in.

 

[clcustom1911]

Uhhh where??? I want in.

Craigslist ?????????

No, seriously, I found a Craigslist ad where a guy was selling all kinds of reloading stuff and I asked what powders he had. He spoke of the Unicorn dandruff (Reloder 26) and I jumped on that shit right away. I've been searching for it for months like everyone else.

 

[65x55guy]

Craigslist ?????????

No, seriously, I found a Craigslist ad where a guy was selling all kinds of reloading stuff and I asked what powders he had. He spoke of the Unicorn dandruff (Reloder 26) and I jumped on that shit right away. I've been searching for it for months like everyone else.

That’s unreal. Like, unbelievable. Glad for you, though! Can’t tell you how many “tell me when it is in stock” lists I’m enrolled on.

 

[Vodoun daVinci]

Working up my RL26 hand loads with 147 gr. ELD-M. This was yesterday at 93F and 90% Humidity. No wind. Hotter than hell but productive testing.

Worked 25 rounds from 44 gr. to 45 gr. at 100 yards on 2 MOA Dots. The lack of accuracy in most cases is my inexperience but still I'm consistently shoot sub MOA. No signs of pressure. Already loaded the next batch of 45.2 to 46.2 grs. Hornady brass, CCI primers, RL26 and Hornady 147 gr. ELD-M . Need to get velocities and spreads but I'm more interested in accuracy and pressure signs like heavy bolt lift and flat primers and ejector marks. So far it's easy peezy and as accurate as factory at half the price. I think RL26 and 147 gr. ELD-M's are gonna be my poison as I loaded 10 rounds of them at 45.2 gr. and popped a ten inch gong at 600 with still a sub MOA group.

VooDoo

 

[30338]

My daughter's rifle was throated for the 147 ELD to hit lands at 2.805. Seated just off the lands, she is using 40.5 grains of H4350 to get 2580 fps out of 22" barrel. 5 shot groups well under .5". It also shoots 140 vld with 42 of H4350 sub .5", 2710 FPS. Adjusting for her shorter barrel length, it seems like this jives pretty well with the OP. If RL26 comes back, may try that in there.

 

[clcustom1911]

My daughter's rifle was throated for the 147 ELD to hit lands at 2.805. Seated just off the lands, she is using 40.5 grains of H4350 to get 2580 fps out of 22" barrel. 5 shot groups well under .5". It also shoots 140 vld with 42 of H4350 sub .5", 2710 FPS. Adjusting for her shorter barrel length, it seems like this jives pretty well with the OP. If RL26 comes back, may try that in there.

Try Reloder 17. Doing 40.5 grains should give you about 2650 to 2700 FPS

 

[30338]

Thank you, have that on the shelf and will give it a go.

 

[65shootmoor]

Well I managed to stay above 2900 and tighten up those groups. Thanks for the inspiration lol

I wouldn't be surprised if your barrel begins to slow. My MTU sped way up with 142 smk, then promptly lost about 50 fps around 600 rounds in. It's sat at that level since, some 500 more rounds. Love your write up, going to use it like a template tomorrow for my 135 A Tip test.

 

[CJS-6.5]

How did the 135 Atip test go?

I can't find RL26 anywhere so I tested 3 alternative powders to see what I could see.

I used some leftover 143 eldx bullets. Coal of 2.785 because this puts me .010 of the lands.

Rifle is a Ruger Predator 22" barrel with a huge brake and running a 6-24 power scope on 14 power because it was hot as hell and bad mirage. 100 yard targets.

RL23

40-2343, 40.5-2347, 41-2372, 41.5-2415, 42-2433, 42.5-2469, 43-2478.

So slow as hell. However I will run another test from 43.5 to 46 because there was zero pressure signs.

RL16

40-2506, 40.5-2530, 41-2549, 41.5-2578, 42-2635, 42.5-2656, 43-2688.

Nothing special here. However the primers were flat on the 3 higher charges and the 2 highest has ejector Mark's.

H100V

40-2614, 40.5-2629, 41-2677, 41.5-2693, 42-2721, 42.5-2726, 43-2766.

So this is better. The top 4 started to show flattened primers and the highest charge did show extractor swipe. Nothing major though.

So you guys that can't find RL26 maybe give H100V a shot.

I was surprised that poi remained surprisingly close throughout the test. Here's the 7 shot groups. On the shot I pulled I also sent another one through that hole that I didn't pull. So whatever...

 

[Juggerxxx]

I assume RL26 and Retumbo have very similar burn rates but I have never seen a chart that listed both of them?

 

[65shootmoor]

How did the 135 Atip test go?

I can't find RL26 anywhere so I tested 3 alternative powders to see what I could see.

I used some leftover 143 eldx bullets. Coal of 2.785 because this puts me .010 of the lands.

Rifle is a Ruger Predator 22" barrel with a huge brake and running a 6-24 power scope on 14 power because it was hot as hell and bad mirage. 100 yard targets.

RL23

40-2343, 40.5-2347, 41-2372, 41.5-2415, 42-2433, 42.5-2469, 43-2478.

So slow as hell. However I will run another test from 43.5 to 46 because there was zero pressure signs.

RL16

40-2506, 40.5-2530, 41-2549, 41.5-2578, 42-2635, 42.5-2656, 43-2688.

Nothing special here. However the primers were flat on the 3 higher charges and the 2 highest has ejector Mark's.

H100V

40-2614, 40.5-2629, 41-2677, 41.5-2693, 42-2721, 42.5-2726, 43-2766.

So this is better. The top 4 started to show flattened primers and the highest charge did show extractor swipe. Nothing major though.

So you guys that can't find RL26 maybe give H100V a shot.

I was surprised that poi remained surprisingly close throughout the test. Here's the 7 shot groups. On the shot I pulled I also sent another one through that hole that I didn't pull. So whatever...

In short, stellar. I'm going to take it further. Need a bit less jump and some more speed. Think there is a node just above where I stopped. Check it out, I posted it here:

https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/has-anyone-used-a-tips-in-6-5cm-yet.6950260/

 

[Vodoun daVinci]

Still working up my 147 gr. ELD-M loads with RL26. Probably my next to last test - the next test I'll run from 47 gr. to 47.5 and find the tightest 5 round batch between these loads and run 100 rounds of them.

Still my inexperience shows as this is only my second year out with probably about 600 rounds down range. 3 flyers i these 5 round sets all called at 46.6, 46.9 and 47 gr.. The guy next to me was watching every round thru his scope and commenting/bugging me after every single round. Still, it's getting there. Out shooting factory now so it's all been worth the trial and error.

Not seeing any signs of excess pressure yet....no heavy extraction, no extractor marks, no flattened or pierced primers. This whole thread and the extensive testing/results by the OP inspired me and I'm thankful for the shared results. Cheers!

VooDoo

 

[clcustom1911]

Do you know what your velocities are?

 

[Vodoun daVinci]

I do not.

VooDoo

 

[FOHA1]

I think it's pretty clear that several of these powders will give good results. I started off with H4350, but when it got scarce I bought a lb of H4831sc, (and then later 16lbs), and that's what I've been using for the last couple years. The rifle is a Badger 2008 action with a 24" target crowned Krieger in a KRG Whiskey chassis, and it's by far the best shooting gun I've ever owned.

 

[FOHA1]

I'm sorry I didn't write the results on the target, so you'll have to look below and at my awesome Paint skills. I've been running 44.5g as my load. These are 7 shot groups, BTW.


147g ELDM - 1x Hornady Brass - CCI Primers - H4831SC - .020 off lands. Average Velocity - ES - SD

44.5g 2722 - 14 - 12
44.7g 2724 - 6 - 3
44.9g 2725 - 19 - 7
45.1g 2744 - 39 - 12

 

[FOHA1]

Based on the data EDMJustin provided in this thread I thought I'd try out some RL16 so loaded up ten loads of 5 rounds from 41.2 - 43.0. By the time I got to the max load it was pushing those 147's past 2900 according to my Magspeed Sporter, but the groups were opening up and I was getting some pretty good stringing. I think I'm going to load up some more starting at 40.8 - 41.4 and a second set from 42.1 - 42.4 and see if I can find a sweet spot. All of the loads below were over 2750, which is plenty for what I'm doing with the gun, (PRS), and it means it's still supersonic at 1500yds. (The velocity for 41.2 is a single shot, I didn't have the chrono adjusted properly, so I'll re-do that load and report back).

 

[toxic]

Started development with RL26 since I managed to score 2lbs from brunos. Shot with a 26" PVA built ARC nucleus BA, with a griffin 30 cal paladin can.

Virgin Lapua SRP
CCI#450
Hornady 147gr ELDM
Reloder 26
2.80" roughly .150 jump

46.5gr
AVG 2796
ES 23.73
SD 9.41
~.66"

46.8gr
AVG 2823
ES 24.23
SD 8.88
~.84"

47.1gr
AVG 2846
ES 20.1
SD 8.62
~.89"

47.4gr
AVG 2873
ES 16.5
SD 7.37
~.60 (4 shots, had one fail to go off)

47.7gr
AVG 2895
ES 32.12
SD 12.5
~.48"

48.0gr
AVG 2916
ES 30.87
SD 11.97
~.61"

48.3gr
AVG 2945
ES 29.9
SD 14.38
~.48"

Brass still looks excellent. No sticky bolt, and primers are still rounded. Bullets were deformed pretty good to get 2.80 even at 46.5gr. I'm thinking working in the 47.7-48.3 range. ES/SD weren't the best but had very similar POI.

Brass goes 46.5 on left to 48.3 on right.

 

[Rob01]

Why are you loading them so short? With a Saami chamber at 2.8 you are only .090" off the lands. I don't think Josh would have put a longer freebore in there than Saami. That said if you have a magazine then load them longer.

 

[toxic]

Why are you loading them so short? With a Saami chamber at 2.8 you are only .090" off the lands. I don't think Josh would have put a longer freebore in there than Saami. That said if you have a magazine then load them longer.

Really? With the hornady oal tool with hornady modified case and a fired split neck case, I get roughly 2.950. Not sure why I chose to load so short. Use aics Pmags so can only go to 2.860.

 

[Rob01]

You should be able to load longer in the AICS Pmags. Even the AR versions allow to load to 2.820".

 

[Cuda-dude]

New 6.5 guy here and this was TREMENDOUSLY helpful. Thanks for the legwork and sharing.

 

[EDMJustin]

New 6.5 guy here and this was TREMENDOUSLY helpful. Thanks for the legwork and sharing.

No problem at all, glad to help.

 

[Nimothy]

Have you fellas ever tried federal gmm small rifle primers? I’ve switched all my cci br’s and 450 Lapua cases over to them across 6cm, 6.5cm, 6bra and 6br. I’ve had outstanding results no more misfires(was getting them a lot in my bra with 450’s) and my sd’s have gone sub 7 in every rifle. A couple of them 6.5c
And the bra did get neck turned at the same time so idk about those two, but the straight br and 6cm did very well. It was almost the missing link in my reloading recipes. Things seem to fall in line faster with them. I bought a ton of em, even loaded for my 11.5 sbr, with 68gr Hornady with 748in Lc processed Etsy brass on a progressive I was hitting a 10” plate at 300 28 out of 30 shots with a t1 standing. Give em a try if you haven’t. I’m sold. if you don’t want to switch and are in Dallas area I have a lot of 450’s that you can get from me cheap.

 

[Robben]

Tag.

 

[AKMarty]

Anyone run any of these recipes in a Tikka? What you getting for MV, ES and SD? Also how far off the lands are you? Thanks