6.5 Creedmoor 147s & H4350

[Ike Turner]

Newish member to the site looking for a little advice from you guys. I'm gonna be loading for 2 rifles, one is mine & one is a friend's. I have a nice little load for my rifle with 140s, but we both want to try the 147s. So we bought a few boxes of them & 5 lbs of H4350 & would like to use it.

Hornady data has the max load listed 40.3 gr @ 2600fps. I know I have to work up past that slowly, but it would be nice to nice realistic weights & velocities you guys have obtained with 147s & H4350

Rifle #1
Savage 10BA Stealth 6.5 Creed
CBTO 2.000 (0.020" off lands & max mag length)
H4350 & 147 ELD-M
New Starline LRP brass
Federal 210m primers

Rifle #2
TC LRR 6.5 Creed
CBTO 2.245 (0.025" off lands & max mag length)
H4350 & 147 ELD-M
New Starline LRP brass
Federal 210m primers

 

[jmornoinf]

I would personally work up a pressure check of 10rds for each gun ranging from 41.2 to 43gr of H4350(there are several videos explaining this method). Checking for pressure on each round fired(I also look for nodes where there is little to no gain in fps with an increase in power charge). I then proceed to load 9-12rds each for "flat" spots along the spread and check for accuracy.

I found two nodes with my current barrel and went with the high node at 42.4gr/2800 fps. Be advised, each rifle/barrel is different and take caution working up your load.

My current load with Hornady 147gr ELD

Rifle - Surgeon 591 6.5 Creedmoor
Barrel - 26" Bartlein
42.4 H4350 = 2800fps
.020 off

 

[Danale147]

I would agree with the above, but back down the starting charge a bit maybe. Having savages in the past and run this exact test, you're going to be at pressure or getting damn close in the 41-42gr range. Start right around 40 and you can always be ready to work up to 42-43 if it's safe. A Surgeon with a Bartlein is gonna handle that pressure better than Savages barrels and actions. Nothing wrong with that necessarily

 

[jmornoinf]

I would agree with the above, but back down the starting charge a bit maybe. Having savages in the past and run this exact test, you're going to be at pressure or getting damn close in the 41-42gr range. Start right around 40 and you can always be ready to work up to 42-43 if it's safe. A Surgeon with a Bartlein is gonna handle that pressure better than Savages barrels and actions. Nothing wrong with that necessarily

Agree with with lowering the initial charge to 40gr. IMO, Hornady's max at 40.3 is super weak and mandated by platoons of lawyers.

I forgot to add, I am using Lapua brass with sm primer pocket using Federal GGM 205.

 

[Ike Turner]

Will definitely be taking it slow. I assume 0.2 gr increments will be ok.

Jmornoinf, I've watched a few videos explaining the Saterlee method (I think that's what you're referring to), & I agree with you on the feeling that 40.3 gr @ 2600 seemed very watered down. Need to get these 147s going a bit faster than that to justify not using the 140s.

Definitely appreciate everyone's advice & if you think of anything else that may be helpful, please share

 

[Mk32784]

I loaded the 147 with H4350 at 41.7grs and was pushing 2780 out of my 26inch barrel. Shot great and small SDs. OAL of 2.860 since it needed to mag feed, no clue how close to the lands I was.

 

[AMAC79]

41.5grs in Hornady Brass with Fed 210Ms with the 147s jumping .015" is getting me 2760 in a 26" Rock Creek. Single digit S/Ds and shoots great out to 1250 at sea level.

I worked up to the next node in my barrel at ~42.4-42.6 and it shot great at 2820 as well.

 

[Steel head]

41.5ish seems quite common and I have a few friends running 147’s in that range.

 

[Romeo458]

I like doing ladder loads for finding loads, and pressure. I typically start at the lowest load in the book and increase by .03 grain till I'm 2 to 3 grain over max book load. Fire, mark the target at 300 or more yd, check for pressure and repeat. I mark the casings 1- whatever and have a couple extra loaded mid charge to use for confirming I'm on target before firing the loads.

Search ladder load here or on google to get a better rundown of how to.

 

[Ike Turner]

I like doing ladder loads for finding loads, and pressure. I typically start at the lowest load in the book and increase by .03 grain till I'm 2 to 3 grain over max book load. Fire, mark the target at 300 or more yd, check for pressure and repeat. I mark the casings 1- whatever and have a couple extra loaded mid charge to use for confirming I'm on target before firing the loads.

Search ladder load here or on google to get a better rundown of how to.

Watched a lot of videos of the Saterlee, ladder, & OCW methods when I started reloading & began the journey of shooting what I call long range (probably short to you guys lol), I knew to familiarize myself with all the information possible. I'm still learning every day but I think my core understanding is getting "decent".

What I was after when posting this thread was just real world charge weights & velocities that people obtained with 147s & H4350 with customs & factory rifles. I know everyone one is different, but data is useful nonetheless. I have gotten alot of useful information from all of you & I really appreciate it.

 

[Steel head]

Watched a lot of videos of the Saterlee, ladder, & OCW methods when I started reloading & began the journey of shooting what I call long range (probably short to you guys lol), I knew to familiarize myself with all the information possible. I'm still learning every day but I think my core understanding is getting "decent".

What I was after when posing this thread was just real world charge weights & velocities that people obtained with 147s & H4350 with customs & factory rifles. I know everyone one is different, but data is useful nonetheless. I have gotten alot of useful information from all of you & I really appreciate it.

I have a good friend with a nice 6.5cm gasser.
He’s got a nice load with 147’s at 2590 with a 20” barrel and H4350

My 260 got to 2800 with H4350 but was way too close to pressure to be viable to me so I switched powders.

That rifle switched roles so I’m probably gonna go back to H4350 as I have a lot of it and run 130’s or 140’s at 2900 and 2800 respectively.

 

[Ike Turner]

I have a good friend with a nice 6.5cm gasser.
He’s got a nice load with 147’s at 2590 with a 20” barrel and H4350

My 260 got to 2800 with H4350 but was way too close to pressure to be viable to me so I switched powders.

That rifle switched roles so I’m probably gonna go back to H4350 as I have a lot of it and run 130’s or 140’s at 2900 and 2800 respectively.

My load for the Savage uses 140s at 2800 in Hornady brass. Just wanted to give the 147s a try & like you, I have alot of H4350. If I reach pressure too early, a few lbs of RL26 may be on my next order lol

 

[Steel head]

My load for the Savage uses 140s at 2800 is my go to load. Just wanted to give the 147s a try & like you, I have alot of H4350. If I reach pressure too early, a few lbs of RL26 may be on my next order lol

I went to R16 for more speed.

 

[Ike Turner]

I went to R16 for more speed.

I've read the guys refer to it as magic pixie dust lol. I know it's usually not available at my local spots, I believe someone is hoarding the small shipments that come in

 

[Steel head]

Same is said about R26
In my limited experience R16 is noticeably more temp stable than R26 both are really good powders though

 

[RNWRKNP]

Same is said about R26
In my limited experience R16 is noticeably more temp stable than R26 both are really good powders though

‘Are you getting the speed with 16 that you do with 26?

 

[Steel head]

‘Are you getting the speed with 16 that you do with 26?

Don’t know
Save my R26 for my magnum.
R16 gets me plenty fast, not gonna sweat another 50 fps.

 

[RNWRKNP]

Don’t know
Save my R26 for my magnum.
R16 gets me plenty fast, not gonna sweat another 50 fps.

‘Makes sense, just wasn’t sure you weren’t using 16 in your SAUM as an example.

 

[Steel head]

‘Makes sense, just wasn’t sure you weren’t using 16 in your SAUM as an example.

Almost did once

I don’t think 60.3 grains of R16 behind an 180 bullet would have been pleasant!

luckily I noticed it and resolved the issue before it got ugly.

 

[Ike Turner]

Almost did once

I don’t think 60.3 grains of R16 behind an 180 bullet would have been pleasant!

luckily I noticed it and resolved the issue before it got ugly.

Glad you caught it before it was too late

 

[DMP]

I loaded the 147 with H4350 at 41.7grs and was pushing 2780 out of my 26inch barrel. Shot great and small SDs. OAL of 2.860 since it needed to mag feed, no clue how close to the lands I was.

I load 41.6 and my speed is 2747 out of a 26".

 

[rangerovn]

I run 41.5 with excellent SD and pretty good accuracy (sub MOA but RL16 is better) This is from a 24" savage, my buddy get 2645 with a 22" ruger american

 

[DMP]

View attachment 7226090

I run 41.5 with excellent SD and pretty good accuracy (sub MOA but RL16 is better) This is from a 24" savage, my buddy get 2645 with a 22" ruger american

My node looks identical

 

[Steel head]

View attachment 7226090

I run 41.5 with excellent SD and pretty good accuracy (sub MOA but RL16 is better) This is from a 24" savage, my buddy get 2645 with a 22" ruger american

My node looks identical

My buddy’s AR10 is at 2590 with that load with a 20” barrel

 

[Ripdog28]

May be an oddball but from a 23.5” Mullerworks running 40.4 (40.2-40.6 was node) I have 2753fps and a 5.3sd.

 

[clcustom1911]

41.5ish seems quite common and I have a few friends running 147’s in that range.

This.

Depending on the internal volume of the brass, a great node is going to be from 41-41.7gr.

In Prime brass, I use 41.3, in Hornady I use 41.5, in Lapua SRP brass I use 41.

 

[6brshooter]

147eldm in 20" proof steel ai prefit, 43.3 gr in lapua brass is good for 2730fps

 

[chevy_man]

Prime stamped Norma brass
Fed 210
41.5 H4350 (Hodgdon calls 41.8 max)
147
2.805 oal


2750 out of my 24" Bergara with a can, I was shooting 5" groups at 600 yards a few weekends ago. SD runs about 10 over a cheap Chrono.

 

[btorrey]

2797 out of my 26" remington 700 with a Shaw barrel with 140's. 41.7 gr of H4350 with SD of 12. Hornady brass, CCI large rifle primers. No pressure issues, shoots like a dream

 

[rockchalk06]

I found 39.7 grains of H4350 to work the best for me with the 147 ELD Match

Bergara 22" 1-8 Factory Barrel
Hornady x1 FL sized brass
210M
39.7 Grains H4350
.076" to Jump 2.229" O-Give
Group ended up being .448" with flyer. Not sure what happened. Lowest SD I've ever had.

 

[Reload10]

I'm at 42.2gr but starting to see an ejector swipe. Going to try 41.3.

 

[leclairk]

Following

 

[Rodney65]

My 6.5cm 147/H4350 load was 41.8 in Hornady brass and 41.6 in Lapua brass that was really good in two different rifles.

I got a couple new 8lb jugs from different lots and mixed them together. After numerous back to back velocity comparisons with a Magnetospeed it seems the new powder needs 0.3 grains extra H4350 to keep the same speed (~2775-2780 fps from a 26" Bartlein and ~2690 fps from a factory 24" Tikka) as the old H4350.

This puts my go to 147gr load w/Hornady brass at 42.1gr H4350, which seems like a lot to me. I like to be a conservative reloader.

 

[bluejay75]

Anyone work up Superformance with the 147? I have 4350 but was wanting more speed.