6.5 Creedmoor loads

[cattleman99]

Hello, I am new to this site. I have a question for reloaders out there. I am reloading 6.5 Creedmoor for a Ruger Precision Rifle. I have a lot that works -

Hornady Brass
130gr berger Hunting
43.7 gr H4360
COAL at 2.820"
Averages quarter MOA groups

- but I am wanting to develop loads with Hornady 143 ELD-X bullets. My best load so far -

Hornady Brass
Hornady 143gr ELD-X
42.1 gr H4350
COAL at 2.820"
Averages half MOA groups

- My question is this - Would it be wise to increase the powder charge on the second load? Or knock off or add a tenth or two tenths of a grain of powder to that charge to get tighter groups? I can not get too much closer to the lands with the Pmags I run.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Chris

 

[b6graham]

if you're not approaching pressure i'm sure you could increase by .3 a few times

curious, what sort of development did you do? do you have any muzzle velocities from the load development?

 

[cattleman99]

if you're not approaching pressure i'm sure you could increase by .3 a few times

curious, what sort of development did you do? do you have any muzzle velocities from the load development?

I loaded four rounds each charge from 40 to 42.1 gr H4350 in .3 grain increments. I do not have velocity for the Hornady bullets, but my Berger load was averaging 2815 from the 24” barrel.

 

[rduckwor]

Quit screwing with it and shoot the loads. Your accuracy is good where you are. You need velocities, SOLID velocities on load #2.

RMD

 

[JC_80]

What @rduckwor said...short and to the point!
It would NOT be wise to do ANYTHING with that load. If you must (DON'T MESS WITH IT), consider the 'ladder test' method of load development in your approach. That is, adjust powder charge in increments, .02-.03 grains is fine, and assess where your MV is the most consistent based on an 'accuracy node' from SOLID velocities. Finally, adjust group size by seating bullet depth in increments of a few hundredths off the lands or your chamber, If you are unable to find a group that makes you happier AND fits your Pmag, then you may already be limited by your equipment.

For what its worth, I have seen 3/8'' groups come apart at 500+ yards due to sensitive loads, and 3/4'' inch groups hold their MOA at 500+ because the load (accuracy node) is more tolerant to variables.

 

[hereinaz]

I am happy with around half MOA and as consistent velocity as I can for my handloads. Like they said above, shoot those things. But, unless you have solid and consistent muzzle velocity.

Group size at 100-300 yards means little if velocity is so varied that your group opens up vertically at long range. FGMM out of my 6.5 gave me groups more than twice as tall as they were wide at 1000. I had very little wind, and the velocity spread on the labradar explained the vertical stringing.

You are doing something right to load good ammo, but you've got to test the velocity to make sure it is consistent, or shoot it at long range and see what sort of vertical dispersion you have.

 

[B y r o n]

Maybe this video will help.

 

[Vmax97]

Hello, I am new to this site. I have a question for reloaders out there. I am reloading 6.5 Creedmoor for a Ruger Precision Rifle. I have a lot that works -

Hornady Brass
130gr berger Hunting
43.7 gr H4360
COAL at 2.820"
Averages quarter MOA groups

- but I am wanting to develop loads with Hornady 143 ELD-X bullets. My best load so far -

Hornady Brass
Hornady 143gr ELD-X
42.1 gr H4350
COAL at 2.820"
Averages half MOA groups

- My question is this - Would it be wise to increase the powder charge on the second load? Or knock off or add a tenth or two tenths of a grain of powder to that charge to get tighter groups? I can not get too much closer to the lands with the Pmags I run.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Chris

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chris,

Do you have more data on your 130 loads? Any chrono testing on those? I am looking for a good load node (small Extreme spread and SD) for my RPR 6.5. I am just starting to load up some ladder tests from 39.6 to 40.6 with Reloder 15 but I have H4350 that I used for my 140 gr Hornady match bullet ladder.

 

[cattleman99]

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chris,

Do you have more data on your 130 loads? Any chrono testing on those? I am looking for a good load node (small Extreme spread and SD) for my RPR 6.5. I am just starting to load up some ladder tests from 39.6 to 40.6 with Reloder 15 but I have H4350 that I used for my 140 gr Hornady match bullet ladder.

The 130 Berger load averaged I believe 2815 FPS. No recollection do ES or SD on that. That’s on a 24” barrel.

 

[Crazyeddie46]

Haven’t checked speed yet. I feel I can always compensate for drop. But using hornady brass and Berger 140 hybrids with 41.7g h4340 is giving me .2755 in at 100. I’m sure it’s slower than most and definitely on the lower node. I’m happy with it and will probably get a little longer barrel life. I have a few buddies telling me I need to go up on my load. But I’m a firm believer if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I’m shooting a 20 in bartlein with 8.20 right hand twist, Templar action Ga built rifle. I’m sure if I go up a node I could find another good load that shoots well. But in the games I play a hit is a hit. Also getting same results but 1 inch low with the tbac 6.5 Ultra 9 attached If that helps.

 

[jrji]

Haven’t checked speed yet. I feel I can always compensate for drop. But using hornady brass and Berger 140 hybrids with 41.7g h4340 is giving me .2755 in at 100. I’m sure it’s slower than most and definitely on the lower node. I’m happy with it and will probably get a little longer barrel life. I have a few buddies telling me I need to go up on my load. But I’m a firm believer if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I’m shooting a 20 in bartlein with 8.20 right hand twist, Templar action Ga built rifle. I’m sure if I go up a node I could find another good load that shoots well. But in the games I play a hit is a hit. Also getting same results but 1 inch low with the tbac 6.5 Ultra 9 attached If that helps.

I’m using 37g of R-15, 140 Sierra MK, groups at 300 meters are sub MOA, SD around 6, 2700 fps. I have shoot past 600m.

 

[Bwhntr53]

Maybe this video will help.

Watched the video. Outstanding information. I am going to be reloading the 6.5 creedmoor pretty soon. Getting everything set up to get started. I have the Hornady reloading manual so I am going to start out on the lowest load and maybe 1 or 2 up from there. I don't have a super precision rifle in my Savage Axis but it is for hunting only and I believe that I am going to enjoy getting back into reloading. Looking for some H4350. Btw I will be using lapua brass, Hornady 143gr. eld-x, with CCI#200 primers. Any other suggestions for a powder for the 6.5 creedmoor? Thanks for your replies as this is my first for the 6.5 creedmoor.
Bwhntr53

 

[b6graham]

6.5 Creedmoor

I'm in the process of building my 6.5 Creedmoor and I have a few boxes of their 120gr AMAX factory loads, but once those are gone it to the table. I've seen a few loads on here, but they are spread out all over the place. Figured we need a spot for all of them to go. Bullets I'm interested in...

www.snipershide.com

almost 1700 posts for you...

nice necro

 

[fyaman43]

Great thread/video. Thanks

 

[Simonsza1]

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Chris,

Do you have more data on your 130 loads? Any chrono testing on those? I am looking for a good load node (small Extreme spread and SD) for my RPR 6.5. I am just starting to load up some ladder tests from 39.6 to 40.6 with Reloder 15 but I have H4350 that I used for my 140 gr Hornady match bullet ladder.

I load the 130 eldm with reloader 15. Did all the test and ended up with a super accurate load at 38.9 grains and 40 thou jump. I took it up to 39.9 with barely showing flat primers but the 38.9 load was the best so that’s what I settled on. 38.9 from 20-80 thou jump were all awesome went with .040