-
Having trouble using the site?
Contact support
6.5 Creedmoor
- Thread starter Sportin Wood
- Start date
I’m running 153 a tips and 153.5 hybrids both at 60k off at 2680 in a 26” proof prefit, 8 tw, with 40.5gr h4350 in alpha SRP brass. Consistent single digit Sd’s
Have you noticed much BC difference in the atip VS lrht? They're close on paper. Curious of real world results, especially from the 8tw.
Dope lines up the same for both bullet at the same speed out to 1K on a 12” circle. If there’s any variation, it’s very minor
No idea like I said haven’t chrono it yet. Some vertical dispersion probably because of shitty winchester primers. I only have a few CCIs and Feds but 7000 winchesters so...
They are approx 2770fps from a 24” on my chrono
Hornady brass 143eldx 43gr staball 2.81 nominal
Also it *feels* like a max load, 43.5 was opening up and sticky bolt
I just got some Peterson small primer brass and cci 450 primers. I am well under max recommended load so I assume this is from my firing pin. Is it ok to shoot like this or should I get it bushinged to try to fix my issue
540 is also very good. Not sure about 550 but 540 and 555 are both temp insensitive. I used to shoot IMR 4350 but 555 is now my go to for 6.5 cm.
Everything the same as with the N 550 loads ? bullet , primer & brass ? Interesting , 1.1 gn. separates the two best accurate loads ,
but then every rifle is a world onto it's self
Yes, only powder is different. Also tried n555 with Scenar L 136 gr, it was ok on compress charge, N550 is faster but i think that N555 is more temp stable.
Can anyone explain how barrel length effects powder choise?
I have a 20" Bergara 6.5CM that I would like to start reloading with Berger or Hornady 140gr-144gr-147gr different bullets, that is on the heavy side. I have found many suggestions on RS62 powder (for better barrel life), but also RS60 powder (more velocity out of the shorter barrel, but much lesser barrel life). Also some suggestions on RS70 (somewhere in the middle barrel life wise I think). However at the same time I have read that the RS62 might not fully burn in a 20" barrel.
Any suggestions?
I have a 20" Bergara 6.5CM that I would like to start reloading with Berger or Hornady 140gr-144gr-147gr different bullets, that is on the heavy side. I have found many suggestions on RS62 powder (for better barrel life), but also RS60 powder (more velocity out of the shorter barrel, but much lesser barrel life). Also some suggestions on RS70 (somewhere in the middle barrel life wise I think). However at the same time I have read that the RS62 might not fully burn in a 20" barrel.
Any suggestions?
So........the powders that produce the best velocity in a 26" barrel, usually produce the best velocity in a 20" barrel. Powder burn rate should be dictated by bullet weight rather than barrel length. Bullet weight should be dictated by barrel length and desired target engagement and purpose at that distance. A 6.5mm cm with a 20" barrel you want to hunt with to 500y, 130gr projectiles with fast burn powders, rl15.5, N550, varget and H4350. Ranges 500-700y I'd switch to a 140hyb using rl16 rl26, stabal H4350. At distance the extra bc and bullet weight start to perform better on avg VS the lighter bullet at a faster velocity with less bc. A good expanding 140gr match bullet in a 65cm is a very efficient killer. 130 hybrid, 130 eldm, and 130tmk are also great in the 130 class.
In essence, too slow a powder with a short barrel will leave unburned powder when the bullet leaves the barrel. Basically an inefficient and wasteful proposition that wastes potential energy. Too fast a powder coupled with too heavy a bullet will result in an excess of pressure that can be quite dangerous.
When choosing a powder it is best to stick to powders that are commonly used for the cartridge and bullet weight, since those will be efficient and often best choices. 224 Valkyrie H4895 is one of the best choices. For 6.5 CM H4350 as well as IMR4350, N555, N550 are all excellent choices at which point availability may narrow your choice. There are other choices as well but generally leave something to be desired. RL16 is a decent one but for me availability and price eliminates it.
I hate to say it, but watch the herd. The herd choices in this area are usually best.
I'm not sure why I thought those two channels were related, so you're probably right. The Bolt Action Reloading guy sounds a lot like Gavin so I must have just assumed it was him. Sorry about that, but I'm still not going to watch him.
Don't be sorry. Watch what you like my man. I was just curious if there was a reason BAR always hid his face that I didn't know about
IMHO, he's great if you like listening to infomercials. I wouldn't be expecting any non-bias reviews of any products from him though.
For discussion purposes only. Not responsible for any damage/injuries/outcomes incurred from using information below.
NRL Hunter load development:
Proof 24" Carbon Bighorn Origin pre-fit 1:8 twist Sendero contour
Previous load: Hornady 6.5 CM brass, Hornady 140gr ELD-M, H4350, Remington 9 1/2 LRP
Case length: 1.92", Headspace 1.553", CBTO 2.224"
42.0gr = 2735 fps, sd 12, es 40 (power factor = 382,900)
New load: Lapua 6.5 CM LRP brass, Hornady 140gr ELD-M, H4350, Remington 9 1/2 LRP
Case length: 1.92", Headspace 1.553", CBTO 2.224"
40.4gr = 2733 fps, sd 10, es 31 (power factor = 382,620)
Notes:
I should have followed the old adage "work up your new load starting at 10% below you current load."
I thought I'd be around 2600 with 40.4gr but I'm guessing the smaller case volume of the Lapua brass allows for more pressure and speed.
The Lapua brass is smoother when full length sizing and the shoulder and length doesn't deform nearly as much as the Hornady.
I'll be making the switch to Lapua LRP brass as I didn't like the SRP brass getting stuck on my hand-deprimer.
YMMV, happy shooting.
NRL Hunter load development:
Proof 24" Carbon Bighorn Origin pre-fit 1:8 twist Sendero contour
Previous load: Hornady 6.5 CM brass, Hornady 140gr ELD-M, H4350, Remington 9 1/2 LRP
Case length: 1.92", Headspace 1.553", CBTO 2.224"
42.0gr = 2735 fps, sd 12, es 40 (power factor = 382,900)
New load: Lapua 6.5 CM LRP brass, Hornady 140gr ELD-M, H4350, Remington 9 1/2 LRP
Case length: 1.92", Headspace 1.553", CBTO 2.224"
40.4gr = 2733 fps, sd 10, es 31 (power factor = 382,620)
Notes:
I should have followed the old adage "work up your new load starting at 10% below you current load."
I thought I'd be around 2600 with 40.4gr but I'm guessing the smaller case volume of the Lapua brass allows for more pressure and speed.
The Lapua brass is smoother when full length sizing and the shoulder and length doesn't deform nearly as much as the Hornady.
I'll be making the switch to Lapua LRP brass as I didn't like the SRP brass getting stuck on my hand-deprimer.
YMMV, happy shooting.
He did a press show comparing about a dozen, that I thought was pretty unbiased. I agreed with what he said about the presses I was familiar with. I am not a fan, and prefer watching other channels over his. To each his own.
Tried out N555 today. Forgive my seemingly random charge weights. Putting this out there for anyone interested. Group 1 is the 5-shot group and group 2 is the 4-best shots (windy day). I'm going with 43 gr FWIW. My RCBS Chargemaster Lite probably overthrows 4350 and N550 25-30% of the time. This powder was on 100% of the time for the 25 I have loaded thus far. Honestly couldn't believe it
-Proof 24" CF barrel (approx 1,600 rounds)
-100 yds
-Lapua LRP brass
-Berger 140 Elite Hunter
-CCI BR2 Primer
-Thunderbeast Ultra 7" Suppressor
-Proof 24" CF barrel (approx 1,600 rounds)
-100 yds
-Lapua LRP brass
-Berger 140 Elite Hunter
-CCI BR2 Primer
-Thunderbeast Ultra 7" Suppressor
41.7 | 42.3 | 43 | 43.4 | 43.7 | |
| ES | 28.0 | 36.0 | 23.6 | 31.9 | 29.1 |
| SD | 10.8 | 12.2 | 10.1 | 11.3 | 13.0 |
| Average Velocity | 2,696.2 | 2,733.4 | 2,780.1 | 2,798.9 | 2,811.1 |
| Group 1 | 0.875 | 0.6445 | 0.687 | 0.8475 | 0.856 |
| Group 2 | 0.515 | 0.3835 | 0.3805 | 0.645 | 0.3975 |
| Group Avg | 0.70 | 0.51 | 0.53 | 0.75 | 0.63 |
41.7 | 42.3 | 43 | 43.4 | 43.7 | |
| Shot 1 | 2,704.0 | 2,754.0 | 2,790.5 | 2,810.6 | 2,828.2 |
| Shot 2 | 2,688.0 | 2,718.0 | 2,770.7 | 2,797.7 | 2,800.0 |
| Shot 3 | 2,703.0 | 2,735.0 | 2,794.3 | 2,778.7 | 2,799.1 |
| Shot 4 | 2,707.0 | 2,724.5 | 2,772.0 | 2,808.3 | 2,802.8 |
| Shot 5 | 2,679.0 | 2,735.3 | 2,773.0 | 2,799.0 | 2,825.6 |
What was your COL (or jump to lands)? Very interesting. I bet you can improve on your results as well with a little tweakage.
2.826"
I just threw this load together and am happy thus far. The wind was moving the target a lot (guess I didn't staple it tight enough). Saw another shooter that used a cardboard base for his target. Probably do that next time.
Going to load about 50 rds @ 43 gr and test over the weekend at 1,000 yds. Got a new 20" gong at the ranch so I'll be comparing this to the 40.9 gr N550 (2,830 fps) I also have loaded.
Fellows, you know what I hate about the 6.5 Creedmoor? Owned three, one was a light weight freak that was all but impossible to shoot. Both my son and I tried working with it, simply could not be steadied.
The other two, (and this is what I hate) anything you put in them would shoot well. Virtually every bullet, every powder, why one of mine, using Superformance and CCI 200 primers would shoot the 143 ELD-X showed a velocity within a couple of digits what it would shoot the Hornady Precision Hunter factory rounds using the 143 ELD-X. Use a 144 grain Sierra, puts three in one hole or almost next to it, group after group, swap to a 144 Berger Hybrid, puts those right next to each other, if not on top of each other, at the same point of aim, group after group, go to ELLD-X…Same thing. Other rifle, put 144 Sierra’s, get ready cause you are going to be shocked at the lack of the size of the group, move down to a 130 Sierra, same thing, change over to a 130 Berger VLD, same thing, same point of aim as the Sierra 130.
Yet, I am now out of the 6.5 business, moving to 6GT. They are easier to put on target, but dang, I miss the consistency, the accuracy and the good ole ease that the 6.5 Creedmoor’s displayed. Call me stupid I guess.
The 6.5 collection, one is now a GT and the other is for sale elsewhere.
The other two, (and this is what I hate) anything you put in them would shoot well. Virtually every bullet, every powder, why one of mine, using Superformance and CCI 200 primers would shoot the 143 ELD-X showed a velocity within a couple of digits what it would shoot the Hornady Precision Hunter factory rounds using the 143 ELD-X. Use a 144 grain Sierra, puts three in one hole or almost next to it, group after group, swap to a 144 Berger Hybrid, puts those right next to each other, if not on top of each other, at the same point of aim, group after group, go to ELLD-X…Same thing. Other rifle, put 144 Sierra’s, get ready cause you are going to be shocked at the lack of the size of the group, move down to a 130 Sierra, same thing, change over to a 130 Berger VLD, same thing, same point of aim as the Sierra 130.
Yet, I am now out of the 6.5 business, moving to 6GT. They are easier to put on target, but dang, I miss the consistency, the accuracy and the good ole ease that the 6.5 Creedmoor’s displayed. Call me stupid I guess.
The 6.5 collection, one is now a GT and the other is for sale elsewhere.
Thanks! Best of luck! I am ready to get out and do some shooting also. We are having some great weather so the next day or 2 I will be booming the boom stick lol
I poured molten lead into the cavities in the stock to add some weight to the rifle. It was too light. Now it has some heft and not only feels better to hold and shoot but also bucks less. Tikka is a fine shooting rifle. I love the action, very nice feel to it.
I replaced the trigger spring, so now it has a hair trigger lol. No hiking with a round in the chamber with this gun.
That link will take you to Accurate Shooter and you can print them for free.
Success with 156 EOL @2800 from 25" 8T CHF barrel.
I'll still most likely grab the 35 Wheelen for thick woods & brush.
I've wanted to get a good hunting load together for the Creedmoor.
Tried Norma 156 Vulcan's in both the Steyr & ARC Nucleus Rock Creek barrel. They just plain sucked in the accuracy dept. Also have the BC of a school bus.
Today I tried a ladder of Berger 156 EOL's in the Steyr. 25" CHF 8T with precision armament brake.
Garmin Xero C1 mounted to Arca.
All 156's loaded 2.965" COAL or about .020 jump in this cip chamber. Just picked that as a starting point.
With a .347 G7 BC & 2724 ft-lb @ muzzle, this should kill anything within any range I'd get a shot at in the north east.
These were all 4 shot groups @100y
Lapua SRP 2 x fired.
cci #450
Alliant RL 26 Unicorn Dust
45.8 = 96.6% fill 2744 SD 7.5 ** .832" group included cold clean bore .453" with out the first shot.
46.2 = 97.4% fill 2775 SD 5.6 *** .536"
46.6 = 98.3% fill 2804 SD 3.2 **** Done. .415" Pressure estimate for this charge weight is 56,117psi @2779fps or 58,067psi based on speed 2804
47.0 = 99.1% fill 2826 SD 11.2 *** .463"
Edit: No pressure indications on any of these loads. I'm pretty impressed that the Steyr handles these small primers without any issues or cratering.
I'll still most likely grab the 35 Wheelen for thick woods & brush.
I've wanted to get a good hunting load together for the Creedmoor.
Tried Norma 156 Vulcan's in both the Steyr & ARC Nucleus Rock Creek barrel. They just plain sucked in the accuracy dept. Also have the BC of a school bus.
Today I tried a ladder of Berger 156 EOL's in the Steyr. 25" CHF 8T with precision armament brake.
Garmin Xero C1 mounted to Arca.
All 156's loaded 2.965" COAL or about .020 jump in this cip chamber. Just picked that as a starting point.
With a .347 G7 BC & 2724 ft-lb @ muzzle, this should kill anything within any range I'd get a shot at in the north east.
These were all 4 shot groups @100y
Lapua SRP 2 x fired.
cci #450
Alliant RL 26 Unicorn Dust
45.8 = 96.6% fill 2744 SD 7.5 ** .832" group included cold clean bore .453" with out the first shot.
46.2 = 97.4% fill 2775 SD 5.6 *** .536"
46.6 = 98.3% fill 2804 SD 3.2 **** Done. .415" Pressure estimate for this charge weight is 56,117psi @2779fps or 58,067psi based on speed 2804
47.0 = 99.1% fill 2826 SD 11.2 *** .463"
Edit: No pressure indications on any of these loads. I'm pretty impressed that the Steyr handles these small primers without any issues or cratering.
Last edited:
Anyone have any Alpha SRP 6.5 CM brass they can measure the neck thickness for me? I have some on order, but SAC dies will be on sale before they get here and I'd like to get close on the bushing. I'll also take any other brass neck measurements if y'all got em.
It'll take me a bit to read through this thread, but I plan on it. Sorry if it's been mentioned somewhere.
It'll take me a bit to read through this thread, but I plan on it. Sorry if it's been mentioned somewhere.
If I'd repeat the test I assume that groups will print different
I tested at 43.8 and it shot pretty well too
This is with Lapua scenars
My old 142 smk load was at 43gr
Is there a SAC black friday that I missed? I was thinking about the creedmore die to, that or the whidden click adjust ones for 6.5 and 6cm
Yes, their instagram page shows that a lot of stuff is going to be on sale. Modular resizing die "over 30%" for example. Will run from Nov 24 to 27th.
Hehe, I don't either. Can't stand it, but I found that one post specifically. Good thing you had me check because I had the dates wrong.
On another post:
N555 is one of the class of stable powders. Not sensitive to temps and because it is not super dense it is hard to believe how it could be super sensitive weight-wise.
I think more likely the gentleman may have charge weight consistency issues. Most often the simplest answer is the correct one. I will be switching back to a balance beam because I am tired of bending over backwards to make sure my digital scale charges are perfect and consistent down to less than .05 grain.
IMO charge variability is the greatest cause of high SD’s. Bearing in mind that an SD based on 5 or 10 shots is based on ridiculously small sample sizes introduces a completely unknown variability…. SD based on 50 shots is much more statistically significant. 5 shot SD is likely way off from the real SD for the specifics of the load. So decisions based off 5 rounds or even 10 rounds is not good. This explains why a good charge the first trip may not be good the 2nd trip.
new here. i have some questions i hope i can get help with. shooting the hornady 143's have been loading for years with relativly no issues. havent for a bit with LR primers being hard to come by. i got ahold of some rem9.5 LRM mag primers and was working up a load and im getting pressure sings at 40.5g of H4350 cratered primer dimples and heavy bolt lift. using starline brass and over all lengh of 2.8in
Rem 9-1/2's are hot. I've had mag primers add 50fps to a load with RL16.
I haven't measured the capacity of Starline so not sure if it's less than Lapua, but it could be.
I'd chamber a round & then pull it out. Look at the bullet just above the brass. If it's scratched up then you have a carbon ring that needs cleaned out. Make sure brass is trimmed as short or shorter then what you've been shooting.
What speed were you getting at 40.5gr 4350? What rifle?
The Starline brass should have a slightly larger capacity than the Lapua cases in my experience.
Too large of a firing pin hole in the bolt would be another thing worth looking at. With these magnum primers it could be flowing metal in around the firing pin and causing these issues.
Ruger American predator. Previously have been shooting up to 42g with no issues with another primer. Don't know speed? No chrono
I don't have the same experience with any factory loaded ammo. I'm reading hornady 143 are loaded any from 41.5 to about 42.5g
