6.5 Creedmoor

Finally finished all my OCW work and found my precious.

Hornady 140 gn A-MAX
Hornady (1x Fired)
Federal 210M
42.1 gn H4350

COAL: 2.855"
CBOG: 2.225"

0.025" off lands

Avg fps: 2743
SD: 9.7

Stock Ruger Precision Rifle 24" barrel (0.025" off lands).

0.412 MOA at 100 yards (5 shots).
 
Lapua Brass, H4350, Hornady 140 HPBT 20 off the lands. Pushed this brass hard, I feel, think this is the golden egg laid by the golden goose known as lapua. The small pocket primer gives me confidence the brass will last.

I also did a series with the eldM and one holed at 42.6 and again at 43.6. 20 off the lands too.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0597.JPG
    IMG_0597.JPG
    92.3 KB · Views: 236
  • IMG_0598.JPG
    IMG_0598.JPG
    90.4 KB · Views: 237
  • Like
Reactions: cornhusker86
Almost finished with 500 140 hybird. Thinking about trying some eld 143 or 147's. Any input? Running 43.6 of h4350 with hornady brass. 30 inch barrel 2900 fps now
 
For those of you that are planning on using Lapua brass eventually, do you plan on changing to a small firing pin to accommodate for the small primer pocket? Or am I mistaken and it's not even an issue?
 
For those of you that are planning on using Lapua brass eventually, do you plan on changing to a small firing pin to accommodate for the small primer pocket? Or am I mistaken and it's not even an issue?

Depending on the rifle, it could be a non-issue. For instance, AI has their small firing pin on post-2014 rifles. I shoot a DTA and have never had a problem piercing any primers. If you're using something like a Rem 700 or Savage multi-piece firing pin, you can always have the firing pin bushed by Greg Tannel (Gre Tan rifles)
 
I did some ladder testing this weekend with Lapua Brass this weekend!

Environmental Conditions
Temp 80
wind 10-12mph - 1:00

Rifle Specs
Action: Trued and BP R700 - no bushing on firing pin
Barrel: Krieger 24" Rem Varmint
Stock: Manners T6A
Suppressor: TBAC Ultra 7 in .30cal.

Target: 300y

Chronograph: LabRadar

Load Data
Powder: 41.0 - 45.0 H4350
Primer: CCI 400
Brass: Lapua
Bullet: 130gn Target Hybrid AR


The winning load was:
44.9gn H4350
.03 Jump
Average Velocity 2986fps
SD: 6

There is the faintest sign of the extractor mark but there was no sticky bolt lift or other signs of over pressure. Little bit of primer back flow on all spent primers. I'm going to roll with it for now. I had another node around the 2900fps mark so I might back down to that when it gets to 100 degrees in Texas. Happy to add more upon request.
 

Attachments

  • photo53303.jpg
    photo53303.jpg
    82.5 KB · Views: 192
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: jeffmedlin
Sure! here you go! I pulled a screen shot off the iPad I was using to view and mark shots with the Target Vision and took a photo of my data book.
The Data book shows Shot# (coincides with shot marks on left side), then powder charge, then velocity.

Follow the green line to the green star to pick up 44.2-45 velocities. Those shots aren't marked on the target shown. Shots 2-6 didn't register on the LabRadar due to user error but I had the 2900+fps goal in mind at the onset of this testing. Sorry for the mess. Had I known that I was making this public, I would have been more organized.


TArget:Data.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Archangel01
Is anyone running 140gn Nosler Custom Competition with H4350? I'm up to 41gn and can't seem to get any kind of consistant grouping. Am I running these too slow out of a TIKKA T3X CTR 20" barrel?
 
My load is:

-BULLET: Berger Hybrid Target 140gr

-POWDER: 41.5gr IMR 4350

- BRASS: Prime (Norma)

- PRIMER: CCI 200

-COAL: Seated to mag max 2.86

-VELOCITY: (magnetospeed at 6k ft.)
Avg- 2695
SD- 5.7
ES- 13

Groups under a half MOA when I do my part. Hit the long range with it last weekend, was getting consistent hits on a 12" plate at 1k yrds.

This is the first ever load I have developed and am certainly happy with it. What a difference from factory...I would like to get the velocity up a bit closer to 2800 for wind deflection but as a new reloader I kept to the book max.

Rifle is a customish Savage 10 with a 26" aftermarket heavy Palma barrel.

I could use some advice on what powders to try as I work on developing more loads. As noted above I developed this first load with IMR 4350. Right now I am working with IMR 4451 and have a lb of H4350 for a later date. I am a bit reluctant about getting hooked on the H4350 as it is so hard to find. Don't want to be another guy filling up the forums with "where can I get H4350" posts.
 
Last edited:
My load is:

-BULLET: Berger Hybrid Target 140gr

-POWDER: 41.5gr IMR 4350

- BRASS: Prime (Norma)

- PRIMER: CCI 200

-COAL: Seated to mag max 2.86

-VELOCITY: (magnetospeed at 6k ft.)
Avg- 2695
SD- 5.7
ES- 13

Groups under a half MOA when I do my part. Hit the long range with it last weekend, was getting consistent hits on a 12" plate at 1k yrds.

This is the first ever load I have developed and am certainly happy with it. What a difference from factory...I would like to get the velocity up a bit closer to 2800 for wind deflection but as a new reloader I kept to the book max.

Rifle is a customish Savage 10 with a 26" aftermarket heavy Palma barrel.

I could use some advice on what powders to try as I work on developing more loads. As noted above I developed this first load with IMR 4350. Right now I am working with IMR 4451 and have a lb of H4350 for a later date. I am a bit reluctant about getting hooked on the H4350 as it is so hard to find. Don't want to be another guy filling up the forums with "where can I get H4350" posts.

Ran first round of tests with IMR 4451. With ELD 140's/Norma Brass -FL sized/ CCI 200 primers. 41.9gr (over book max) looks like the sweet spot for now. Shot a handful of groups in the .2's.
Next I need to see how the load does over the chrono.
I loaded 50x more of em today, like an idiot I ended up spilling about a 1/4 lb of the powder on my floor.... can't believe that happened.
 
Sure! here you go! I pulled a screen shot off the iPad I was using to view and mark shots with the Target Vision and took a photo of my data book.
The Data book shows Shot# (coincides with shot marks on left side), then powder charge, then velocity.

Follow the green line to the green star to pick up 44.2-45 velocities. Those shots aren't marked on the target shown. Shots 2-6 didn't register on the LabRadar due to user error but I had the 2900+fps goal in mind at the onset of this testing. Sorry for the mess. Had I known that I was making this public, I would have been more organized.



What's the testing method you used called? I watched at you tube about if a while back but can't remember... i am interested in giving it a try. So far I have just been shooting each batch at a different target. Would like to try something where I can eliminate the error of switching positions for each target...
 
Is anyone running 140gn Nosler Custom Competition with H4350? I'm up to 41gn and can't seem to get any kind of consistant grouping. Am I running these too slow out of a TIKKA T3X CTR 20" barrel?

I have been trying the3 lighter bullets (123AMAX) and Varget. So far its about the same as factory ammo. 38.3,38.6 all show around 1/2MOA but most have 2 rounds touching and a third 1/2" away.

Has anyone played with this barrel and found the lighter bullets and faster powder to work? I do have a few othe rpowders to play with but I figured I would ask before moving to a different recipe.
 
What's the testing method you used called? I watched at you tube about if a while back but can't remember... i am interested in giving it a try. So far I have just been shooting each batch at a different target. Would like to try something where I can eliminate the error of switching positions for each target...

Its called Ladder Testing and its covered in detail on the Reloading Forum. See the Sticky post Hand Loading for Long Range 4: Powderin' it for details. When he says read it over and over - he means it.. Read it
https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...086-hand-loading-for-long-range-4-powderin-it
 
With a SAAMI spec .199 freebore Creedmoor chamber I am at 2.850" COAL at .020" off the lands with the 140 ELD-M. With the 147 ELD-M and .030" off the lands I am at 2.860".
 
Has anyone worked with both RL-16 and RL-17 and 147 gr ELD-M's. If so which works best for you? I have a great working load for my 6.5 Creedmoor using 40.2 gr of RL-17 but it's right at the edge of pressure when shot at 80 degrees in a "warm" rifle. Barrel is 24" and speed average is 2710 fps. Accuracy is fantastic but I'm concerned about temp sensitivity.

Am interested in RL-16 as Alliant is touting it as "Temperature Insensitive" . What experience have others here had with this bullet weight and RL-16?

 
With a SAAMI spec .199 freebore Creedmoor chamber I am at 2.850" COAL at .020" off the lands with the 140 ELD-M. With the 147 ELD-M and .030" off the lands I am at 2.860".

Just took measurements with the 140 gn ELD-M in my Tikka T3. I'm at 2.890 COAL so to be .020 off lands I would have to be at 2.870. Does that seem too long? Fitting in the AICS mag is not a problem. I can have a max oal of 2.895.
 
Just took measurements with the 140 gn ELD-M in my Tikka T3. I'm at 2.890 COAL so to be .020 off lands I would have to be at 2.870. Does that seem too long? Fitting in the AICS mag is not a problem. I can have a max oal of 2.895.

I wouldn't say it's too long but seems close for a factory chamber. You have no problem fitting in the mag so no problems there.
 
Has anyone worked with both RL-16 and RL-17 and 147 gr ELD-M's. If so which works best for you? I have a great working load for my 6.5 Creedmoor using 40.2 gr of RL-17 but it's right at the edge of pressure when shot at 80 degrees in a "warm" rifle. Barrel is 24" and speed average is 2710 fps. Accuracy is fantastic but I'm concerned about temp sensitivity.

Am interested in RL-16 as Alliant is touting it as "Temperature Insensitive" . What experience have others here had with this bullet weight and RL-16?

I have no experience with the 147 ELD-M, but I have been using RL16 since it was first released and I've used a considerable amount of RL17 before that. In my testing, RL16 proved to be VERY temp stable. While Alliant hasn't added the 6.5 Creedmoor to their recipes list yet, an email gets you their max charges for a number of target and hunting bullets. The 147 isn't listed and the closest in weight is the 142 SMK. Max charge for the 142 is 43.9 grains. Start 10% low, work your way up, find your own max, etc.
 
I'm curious to know how it does. I just ordered a few boxes of 147 eld-m. I'll be starting with R17 because I've given up trying to find the unicorn that is H4350.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

I shot some of the RL-16 today and it seems to be every bit as good as the RL-17 was in my last outing. Forgot to the chronograph but by comparing POI's I am seeing similar speeds. It appears that the sweet spot (for my rifle) will be right around 41 gr with the 147 ELD-M's and estimated speed just over 2700 fps from a 24" barrel. Brand new brass and a little wind but I still got between 1/4" and 1/2"" groups over a .6gr spread (three loads .3 gr apart) .


 
Having some luck with Varget. I couldnt find much on the 20 inch 6.5 Tikka so we started at 39.5 and worked up to 40 and we are going to load up some 39.8, 39.9, I forget the speeds, 2700fps from memory. I just ordered some ELD to replace my amax, hope it stays the same. I also have some A4350 for the heavier rounds later on.

Tikka 20" 6.5CM
40g Varget
123 AMAX
Cases and OAL are to hornady book. 1/5" groups (5 shots) at 100
 
Nosler RDF 140gr
Lapua Brass (virgin brass)
42.7g of H4350
Federal Gold Medal Match Small Rifle Primers

COAL: 2.8810
LTOG: 2.3575

Velocity
Avg: 2759
Extreme Spread: 17
Standard Deviation: 6.6

Group Size: 0.248" * **

*5 shot group
** Measurement taken from outside diameter to outside diameter minus the projectile diameter.
 
Good day at the range. Nosler RDF and Hornady ELDM. POA=POI. 3 shots.
[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i29.photobucket.com\/albums\/c280\/jsenuta\/20170614_121850_zpszajqouav.jpg"}[/IMG2]


[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i29.photobucket.com\/albums\/c280\/jsenuta\/20170614_114913_zpsoqicyhda.jpg"}[/IMG2]
 
Last edited:
Good day at the range. Nosler RDF and Hornady ELDM. POA=POI. 3 shots.
[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i29.photobucket.com\/albums\/c280\/jsenuta\/20170614_121850_zpszajqouav.jpg"}[/IMG2]


[IMG2=JSON]{"data-align":"none","data-size":"full","src":"http:\/\/i29.photobucket.com\/albums\/c280\/jsenuta\/20170614_114913_zpsoqicyhda.jpg"}[/IMG2]

I'm really digging the Nosler RDFs at this point. I picked up 500 from Midway at their "birthday" pricing and just ordered another 500 from Core for $135ish shipped.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AR15-SBR
Ya. These were my first RDF loads. Anywhere from 41.5 to 42.5 and the winner was the 42.0gn. A poster said to start at .050 off lands and that is where i started. So I see no reason to go any shorter.