100 yds, 8 shots, finishing off the box. 26” Benchmark, 45gr Reloder 26, 147 ELD-M, Starline brass, 2802 FPS.
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My 26in CBI also liked the 147 ELDm but with RL16. I ran them at 2820fps for 2500 rounds before I pulled the barrel.100 yds, 8 shots, finishing off the box. 26” Benchmark, 45gr Reloder 26, 147 ELD-M, Starline brass, 2802 FPS.
Eldms look like they worked great have you tried them on deer?
Eldms look like they worked great have you tried them on deer?
While we are talking about best bullets for deer: Has anybody tried the Lehigh Defense 122 gn copper hunting bullets on deer?
View attachment 7555504
I bet that it is hard on the barrel too.Re: **6.5 Creedmoor Loads**
RW71,
Excellent shooting. Do you happen to know your velocity with that load?
Spartan Precision R700 6.5 CM
25.5" 1/8.5 5R Bartlein M40 #14
APA little bastard break
McMillan A3-5
Phantom finish Cerakote in Coyote Tan
I am shooting the 123 Lapua Scenars with 39.5 of Varget and Fed 210M primers @2880-2900 and the accuracy is outstanding (though somewhat larger groups than RW71's). It holds its own out to 800-900 yards but at 1K it gets pushed around a lot despite what the tables may say. The group below is not uncommon for five shots at 100.
I also had very good results with both wind and accuracy at 1K with Berger 140 VLD's 44.5 of H4350 and Fed 210M primers but the primers would fall out on the next loading. This load did give me all hits on target at 1K in tricky winds
but it was just too hard on the brass for my budget.
I bet that it is hard on the barrel too.
Tikka's are known for their somewhat slow barrels. Accurate, but slow. That's okay, though. That bullet makes it to 1000 yards and beyond with ease. It's a 24" bbl. with only 300 rds. through it. If I ever shoot it out, I'll replace it with a Bartlein and gain some velocity.Lovely group! That Tikka CTR is a good looking rifle, and the one i have shot was pretty accurate too.
I did notice that factory 6.5 Creedmoor ammo like Hornady and Berger was around 60 fps slower in that rifle, compared to what was printed on the box, but it was new, so did not think much about it, expecting it will speed up later.
I see you used 42.0 gn of H4350 to get 2,700 fps, which is a little slow. Presume that is a 26” barrel? How many rounds through the rifle so far?
I have 1000 SMK 150. I found a load 40.1 of H4350. I figured that was on the low end as the MV is 2340. I tried to load it hotter, but I couldn’t get it to group at all with my current barrel. BTW, it’s a 18” 1:7.5 Barrel
If you have access to a $40 plus micrometer (don’t use calipers for this), then a more reliable way to check for over pressure is to measure the diameter of the case at the web area and compare with a new unfired round. Take an average of at least 3. It should not expand a measurable amount in one firing. You can keep track of this measurment every 5 shots.
Superb group!
“I also had very good results with both wind and accuracy at 1K with Berger 140 VLD's 44.5 of H4350 and Fed 210M primers but the primers would fall out on the next loading. This load did give me all hits on target at 1K in tricky winds but it was just too hard on the brass for my budget.”
The benefit of high BC plus high speed. Which is why i am rechambering a 6.5 CM barrel to 6.5 PRC. It is a 30” barrel so speed should be scorching. And barrel life will halve... New bolt, new dies, new brass, new powders...
For 140 class projectiles, most 6.5 CM rifles will hit pressure signs like hard bolt lift or ejector marks on the brass at or about 42 gn of H4350, but some rifles are good at “hiding” pressure signs. Some rifles also have roomy chambers and it may take a bit more. Not meaning to be critical, but i can see why the primer pockets opened up after just one reload.
If you have access to a $40 plus micrometer (don’t use calipers for this), then a more reliable way to check for over pressure is to measure the diameter of the case at the web area and compare with a new unfired round. Take an average of at least 3. It should not expand a measurable amount in one firing. You can keep track of this measurment every 5 or so firings and you will see small gradual movement - assuming the load is not over pressure. SRP brass moves very slowly, about 3x slower than LRP brass. Compare with a discarded / retired round where the primer already tends to fall out. If there is suddenly a lot of movement in the last firing, then something bad caused high pressure to occur. Could be that the ambient temp was high, or the rounds were loaded longer than before and caused a jam, or the rounds sat for a while baking in the hot sun, or you switched to a new batch of powder that is hotter than before. Or perhaps all of the above!
41.5 grains of h4350 was a node in my rifle with 140 eldm’s. I’ve been having a hard time finding any bullets. I just bought a 500 pack of 145gr match burners off of midway they were allowing one per household last week. I haven’t had a chance to load any yet. where are you able to find any bullets at?Looking for suggestions on a new bullet for my 24 inch Tikka CTR. My go to has been the 147g ELD M's over 41.56g H4350. They have been great for me at a slow 2620 fps out to 1400m. Challenge is finding them these days so looking for suggestions. I can get 140 ELD's but if I am going to tweak my load might as well look at other bullets. I can find Berger, Lapua. Sierra. What would you choose? or just go with 140 ELD's? Given challenges finding supplies want to grab 1000 to 1500 that will finish out this barrel. Most of my regular shooting is limited to 800m PRS matches but have access to 1600m with a longer drive.
You may want to take a look at the Barnes 145gr Match Burners as well. They seem to be relatively available/cheap and G7 BC .350Looking for suggestions on a new bullet for my 24 inch Tikka CTR. My go to has been the 147g ELD M's over 41.56g H4350. They have been great for me at a slow 2620 fps out to 1400m. Challenge is finding them these days so looking for suggestions. I can get 140 ELD's but if I am going to tweak my load might as well look at other bullets. I can find Berger, Lapua. Sierra. What would you choose? or just go with 140 ELD's? Given challenges finding supplies want to grab 1000 to 1500 that will finish out this barrel. Most of my regular shooting is limited to 800m PRS matches but have access to 1600m with a longer drive.
Looking for suggestions on a new bullet for my 24 inch Tikka CTR. My go to has been the 147g ELD M's over 41.56g H4350. They have been great for me at a slow 2620 fps out to 1400m. Challenge is finding them these days so looking for suggestions. I can get 140 ELD's but if I am going to tweak my load might as well look at other bullets. I can find Berger, Lapua. Sierra. What would you choose? or just go with 140 ELD's? Given challenges finding supplies want to grab 1000 to 1500 that will finish out this barrel. Most of my regular shooting is limited to 800m PRS matches but have access to 1600m with a longer drive.
Would you take 140 elds or 144 lr hybrids? Price difference is about 20 per box can for the berger.
ES of 63 seems high. Have you tried a lower charge somewhere between 41.5 to 42.5? I’ve used RL16 for a while in 6.5 and I always get ES <15.135 atip 43.8 rl16 2.950col
First time using my magnetospeed messed up on the 10 shot string for velocity so I shot 5 to get an idea. Still supersonic at a mile
Really pulled that 5th shot, twitched the rear bag right as I broke the shot would've been an awesome group
Need to work on it my old chronograph wasn't giving good results so just went for speed. Once I get more rl16 I'm going to rework itES of 63 seems high. Have you tried a lower charge somewhere between 41.5 to 42.5? I’ve used RL16 for a while in 6.5 and I always get ES <15.
so did you go with the 42.4?? That is awesomeRe: **6.5 Creedmoor Loads**
Still working on my load development but my last outing looked like this...
140 A-Max
H4350
Fed 210M
2.800"
I use Rl16 with Peterson SRP brass and CCI450s with the 140 ELDM, 143 ELDX, and the 130 Golden Target. Peterson brass has less capacity than Lapua or Hornady, so I am at 41.4 gr on the 140 and 143 and around 42 with the 130 gr bullets. I get 2715 fps out of an 18" and 2830 out of a 28" with the 140s.Anybody have a good load for for for 143 eldx and reloader 16 iv heard you can get a good boost in FPS with rl 16
They are great bullets for targets and even better for deer. See my post above for my load data.Hey Everyone. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with Norma 130gr Golden Target Bullets. And also if anyone may have a load for them? Thanks!
Thank you for the feedback. These would be used for PRS comps if I were to purchase them.They are great bullets for targets and even better for deer. See my post above for my load data.
I have shot them out of a 20" Tikka 260 CTR, a RPR, and my current 6.5 Creedmoor Bartlein barrels that are on my Tikka actions. They stay stable when they go trans-sonic. Shot them out to 1400 yards with all th guns listed.Thank you for the feedback. These would be used for PRS comps if I were to purchase them.
I thought those bullets were discontinued.Hey Everyone. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with Norma 130gr Golden Target Bullets. And also if anyone may have a load for them? Thanks!
I found some availableI thought those bullets were discontinued.
I love them, but can't find them anywhere. I have found SMK 130s. Haven't loaded any yet, but I plan on just trying to use the same data that I use for the 130 Norma GTs.Thank you for the feedback. These would be used for PRS comps if I were to purchase them.
I’m sure they are fine. I use it for 140 and 130 eldm and shoot hogs. Try 42-43 grains. OAL same as the hornady eldx precision huntersAnybody Else using rl 16 with 143grain for hunting?
I have killed 4 deer and 2 hogs with the 143 ELDX and Rl16. I like the 130 Norma better, but the 143 does the job too.Anybody Else using rl 16 with 143grain for hunting?
My load changed a little from virgin brass to 1x fired. I would suggest trying those two loads with 1x fired brass and see how they do.Hello Gents! I am a newbie to reloading and have a question for you experts. I did my first hand load and tested them this past weekend. I started with 40 grains and worked up to 43 grains in small increments of .5 and .3 grains. Total of 10 weight groups with 3 rounds per group. Bullet jump was set @ .030". Based off of my results it shows that 42.1 and 42.4 grains are my best nodes, 1.7 and 1.4 StdDev respectively. The ES was 3 fps for both weights. My question is, how do you determine which node to use? Do you look at your bullet groupings for each of those nodes? Or the velocity? The 42.1 had an avg speed of 2854 fps and the 42.4 grain ammo had 2873 fps. No pressure signs observed up to 43 grains. The ref rounds you see in the chart is live ammo that was bought online from Freedom Munitions. Just wanted to get a baseline. Magnetospeed chronograph was used for measuring velocity.
My next step is to test for bullet jump once I commit to a powder charge. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Rifle: MPA BA6.5 CM with 26" barrel (new with 36 rounds through barrel prior to testing)
Materials used:
New Lapua brass
Lapua scenar 139gr bullets
Hodgdon H4350 powder
Federal 210 primers
Thanks for your input! I will try that this weekend.My load changed a little from virgin brass to 1x fired. I would suggest trying those two loads with 1x fired brass and see how they do.
Hello Gents! I am a newbie to reloading and have a question for you experts. I did my first hand load and tested them this past weekend. I started with 40 grains and worked up to 43 grains in small increments of .5 and .3 grains. Total of 10 weight groups with 3 rounds per group. Bullet jump was set @ .030". Based off of my results it shows that 42.1 and 42.4 grains are my best nodes, 1.7 and 1.4 StdDev respectively. The ES was 3 fps for both weights. My question is, how do you determine which node to use? Do you look at your bullet groupings for each of those nodes? Or the velocity? The 42.1 had an avg speed of 2854 fps and the 42.4 grain ammo had 2873 fps. No pressure signs observed up to 43 grains. The ref rounds you see in the chart is live ammo that was bought online from Freedom Munitions. Just wanted to get a baseline. Magnetospeed chronograph was used for measuring velocity.
My next step is to test for bullet jump once I commit to a powder charge. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Rifle: MPA BA6.5 CM with 26" barrel (new with 36 rounds through barrel prior to testing)
Materials used:
New Lapua brass
Lapua scenar 139gr bullets
Hodgdon H4350 powder
Federal 210 primers
Thank you for your response. This is really good info, especially about the heavier bullets for this rifle. I found some ELDM bullets 140gn but waiting for USPS to deliver them this week. Bad timing on my part getting into reloading, lol.I also run an MPA 6.5BA, great rifle and comp ready. You will like it!
There is a small section in the MPA manual explaining that the chamber was cut with a non-standard reamer to produce a “Match Chamber”, optimized for the 140 ELDM. My measurements show that it is close to a min spec chamber, which is a good thing if you intend to shoot 140 gn ELDM Hornady Match factory ammo. The freebore (when new, so no throat erosion yet) is not suitable for the 147 ELDM. Around 1,500 to 2,000 rounds you will likely have enough throat erosion to try the longer heavier bullets including the 150’s.
My testing showed that the rifle responds well with a jump of around 20 thou. It did not produce accurate results with a jammed bullet. Also got good result with very long jump (magazine length rounds especially with the long Berger 144 bullet). Bullets tested include the 130 Atip, 140 ELDM, 140 Berger Hybrid and the newer 144 Berger Hybrid. The Atips performed the best, and occasionally produced five shot groups below 0.2”.
Because of the min spec chamber you will likely find that you get more speed than what the reloading handbooks show. And pressure signs show up a grain or so earlier than in a standard SAAMI chamber. Your speed for a 140 bullet driven by H4350 is a little on the high side. Some barrels are faster than others, so not saying your load is over max pressure, but worth double checking for pressure signs. Most folks would pick the middle of the widest node they find. I would aim for the slower side of your node, to get long brass life and get slightly better barrel life. Chasing that last 100 fps of speed gains you very little in terms of wind drift. A wide node like you found is ideal, but is expensive in terms of barrel life. Maybe redo the wide bode (41.8 to 42.8 gn) in smaller increments like 0.2 gn. If you have a flat spot in the speed graph AND the SDs are below 8, you have found a real node. Then optimize seating depth to minimize group size. Try 5-30 thou jump in 5 thou increments, buy also try very long jump (30-150 in 20 or 30 thou increments).
Also your barrel will likely speed up significantly somewhere between 50 and 200 rounds and you will then need to redevelop a new load.
Hope this helps!
Thank you for your response. This is really good info, especially about the heavier bullets for this rifle. I found some ELDM bullets 140gn but waiting for USPS to deliver them this week. Bad timing on my part getting into reloading, lol.
What would be the ideal speed for this barrel/cartridge? Maybe 2700 - 2800 fps?