6.5 Creedmoor

You know, being staff member and a moderator I would expect more of a mature approach. Sorry I threaten you so much, it was never my intent. Sorry Rob.

Lol threaten me? Lol Now that’s funny. How many times we have to have this conversation statically to prove that? Lol Far from threatened. More like amused.
 
Looking for some feedback on barnes 145gr match burners, looking for some heavier options, as 153gr bergers and 150gr smk’s seem impossible to find.

I’ve had good luck with 112gr matchburners in my gt, but havent seen much about the 145gr.
 
Just wondering, serious question: approx what pressure do you have your trigger set for with your competition rifle, assuming 6.5 CM?
I have been playing around with different springs and, so far, am liking a very light one. Do not know the pressure it works out to yet. Oh, and it’s the stock Tikka trigger.
 
Looking for some feedback on barnes 145gr match burners, looking for some heavier options, as 153gr bergers and 150gr smk’s seem impossible to find.

I’ve had good luck with 112gr matchburners in my gt, but havent seen much about the 145gr.
The only help (or non-help) I can offer is I have never liked the Barnes bullets. Have had too many deer running when they would not with other bullets. The tipped partition style seem to work best for me and are, seemingly, more accurate but that is more of a subjective thing.

When I first tried the Nosler ballistic tip bullets I was sold on the style. They seem to open up and perform better than others of the time 90’s). I was shooting 30-06 at the time. I loaded 20 rounds for a friend and he was ecstatic after hunting with them. Loved their terminal ballistic performance.
I mostly shoot with ELD or Berger these days, 6.5 CM.
I tend to lean more towards bullets that are more likely to fragment than just hole makers like Barnes.
It’s really a personal choice though and I am absolutely certain others love them. Bottom line you just have to try them and choose for yourself.
 
Just wondering, serious question: approx what pressure do you have your trigger set for with your competition rifle, assuming 6.5 CM?
I have been playing around with different springs and, so far, am liking a very light one. Do not know the pressure it works out to yet. Oh, and it’s the stock Tikka trigger.
I run a bix n andy 2 stage, around 5oz for the first stage then 14oz for the second.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bbracken667
I run a bix n andy 2 stage, around 5oz for the first stage then 14oz for the second.
Thanks! I am thinking I am around 8 Oz but need to verify that. I have a buddy who has the tool, just haven’t gotten around to it. If I am close to correct that puts me between your first and second break which is where I want to be.

I have used a 2 stage before on my 224 Valkyrie bolt gun. I liked that, and I thought I wouldn’t like the tikka one stage, but once I put a lighter spring in so it breaks at just barely more than a touch, I find the simplicity satisfying. It’s a personal thing, I am sure, but this is working for me.
 
Looking for some feedback on barnes 145gr match burners, looking for some heavier options, as 153gr bergers and 150gr smk’s seem impossible to find.

I’ve had good luck with 112gr matchburners in my gt, but havent seen much about the 145gr.
I just started reloading 145's for my 6.5. Finally found a good node in my barrel. They are a long bullet so to fit in the mag, the OGIV will be far off the lands.
 
Brand New PVA OBW 7.5t 26" 6.5CM Barrel
- Alpha OCD SRP
- H4350
- Berger 153.5
- 30 thou jump

4x 40.0; all others are 5x

39.0: 2,506, 6 SD
39.5: 2,538, 7 SD
40.0: 2,565 5 SD
40.5: 2,594 7 SD

My buddy shot one of the 40.0 through his broke-in barrel and we clocked it at 2,665.

136 rounds on the barrel and I am currently running 2,605 with 40.0. Where is everyone else running the 153.5?
 
Depending on what powder your using and if you end up with a barrel on the faster side once confirmed broken in you can get to the high 2,600 range. Anything above that with a 153 is probably a bit hot. Proceed slowly though from where your at cause you may already be there and just have a barrel that’s on the slower side.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bbracken667
Im loading Berger 144’s with Federal Match LRP and H4350. I recently switched barrels (barrel has around 200 or so on it at this point) so I worked up some loads to test. Previous barrel ran 41.5 at 2730 (high temps here in Las Vegas). Now, temp was around 35 degrees lower than previous load development and used a fresh batch of powder for this.
41.5 - 2702 fps
41.7 - 2691 fps
42.0 - 2680 fps
42.2 - 2736 fps

Grouping was significantly better at 42. My question is, what’s with the fluctuation up and down of velocity?
 
That sounds like a fun project! I built my 6.5 Creedmoor not too long ago and found that the 140 Berger VLD shot incredibly well for me—really tight groups at distance. I used H4831sc and it was a solid choice; just make sure you play around with your seating depth, as that can really tweak your accuracy. I'm curious to see how your loads turn out, especially with the mix you're considering!
 
Im loading Berger 144’s with Federal Match LRP and H4350. I recently switched barrels (barrel has around 200 or so on it at this point) so I worked up some loads to test. Previous barrel ran 41.5 at 2730 (high temps here in Las Vegas). Now, temp was around 35 degrees lower than previous load development and used a fresh batch of powder for this.
41.5 - 2702 fps
41.7 - 2691 fps
42.0 - 2680 fps
42.2 - 2736 fps

Grouping was significantly better at 42. My question is, what’s with the fluctuation up and down of velocity?
Dispersion effect. Even 10 shots is insufficient (although much better than 3 or 5) for stable and accurate statistical analysis.
It’s like talking to 100 random people and using that data to predict an election.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_9158.jpeg
    IMG_9158.jpeg
    115.1 KB · Views: 7
  • Haha
Reactions: Rob01
Dispersion effect. Even 10 shots is insufficient (although much better than 3 or 5) for stable and accurate statistical analysis.
It’s like talking to 100 random people and using that data to predict an election.
So are you saying the dispersion effect isn't real or that you would need to talk to 10 million people to have an accurate data sample that might predict an election?
 
Im loading Berger 144’s with Federal Match LRP and H4350. I recently switched barrels (barrel has around 200 or so on it at this point) so I worked up some loads to test. Previous barrel ran 41.5 at 2730 (high temps here in Las Vegas). Now, temp was around 35 degrees lower than previous load development and used a fresh batch of powder for this.
41.5 - 2702 fps
41.7 - 2691 fps
42.0 - 2680 fps
42.2 - 2736 fps

Grouping was significantly better at 42. My question is, what’s with the fluctuation up and down of velocity?
Going back to this. Since groups at 42 were great compared to the rest, would you stick with this charge weight or drop down to 41.5 and play with seating depth?
 
Going back to this. Since groups at 42 were great compared to the rest, would you stick with this charge weight or drop down to 41.5 and play with seating depth?
I would go 41.5 and check out seating depth options. The powder is pretty stable, but your barrel is also pretty new.
That’s my opinion but all my experience the last few years have involved hBn which affects barrel friction (-) and mv (-) as well, but also allows for higher charges (+) to compensate re mv.
Bottom line is do what you think best as long as you don’t exceed your pressures and stay safe.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tanders11
MY $ 0.02 worth is ; 3 , #5 shot groups after a proper barrel break in along with proper cleaning ,will pretty well determine what your gun likes and what it doesn't . Tweaking then becomes necessary for fine tuning and it's simply not just bullet depth . Longer the targets distance = as much consistent velocity one can safely muster . It also eats Leade's faster , make sure to inspect bore for carbon rings .
Most accurate loads falls below maximum velocity ,is the ass smacker to LRS .