6.5 creedmoor +156 berger + rl26

[Concrete shooter]

Just finished testing and gathering data for this combo and would like some advice. My goal is hunting round with long range energy potential. Hunting shots will be constrained to <700 yards....ish. I occasionally exceed this distance shooting hogs, but will not with deer, ect.

Equipment=
Steyr pro thb 6.5 creedmoor with 25" barrel 1-8" twist
Bolt has small firing pin hole .062"
Minox zp5 5-25x56 mr4
Lapua srp brass
Cci br4 primers
All brass full length sizer
Magazine internal length=3.14"
Note: rifle chamber has a long throat and generous magazine length.

All testing was done with a base to ogive measurement at 2.264" giving me a c.o.a.l of 2.965". This puts me at .015 off the lands.

I tested h4350: accuracy was excellent but velocity peaked at 2625 fps with slight primer cratering.

I also tested rl16 achieving 2690 fps.

Rl26 testing: starting charge of 44.8 grains to 47.6 grains ( case capacity limited)
Rl26 showed no pressure signs even at 47.6.
The test data I want to focus on is from 47.2 grains to 47.6 ( done in 0.1 grain increments)
47.2 = 2758 fps, sd 14.1
47.3 = 2773 fps, sd 11.3 ( 2nd best group)
47.4 = 2779 fps, sd 4.9
47.5 = 2795 fps, sd 7.9
47.6 = 2818 fps, sd 7.8 (best 5 shot group)

Should I go for the lowest sd? Or the higher velocity ( which happened to group the best) ??

 

[kingston]

Pick your favorites and shoot 10 round groups at 400+yrds.

 

[Precision Underground]

You should go with whichever weight has the most consistent POIs on each side of it. Don’t chase small groups on an OCW test.

Where the heck did you get that reloder 26?

 

[Concrete shooter]

Pick your favorites and shoot 10 round groups at 400+yrds.

You should go with whichever weight has the most consistent POIs on each side of it. Don’t chase small groups on an OCW test.

Where the heck did you get that reloder 26?

I stumbled upon 1 lb of rl26 at a gun show here in okc. Here is the catch, and why I need the advice: after testing, I have enough powder left to load 50 rounds. I would like to pick a one and load all 50.

By the way, groups were fired in a 15+ mph wind.

 

[XLR308]

If the accuracy was equal or better with H4350 I wouldn't disregard that load.
With a MV of 2620fps and that heavy of a bullet the differences would be negligible at 700 yards.
That and you can actually find H4350 if you need more.

 

[kingston]

You want to pick the widest charge weight band that delivers a consistent POI. The same goes for seating depth. You won’t need 50 rounds to hunt with, but I’d want to prove my load at ranges approaching or beyond my max hunting range.