6.5 Creedmoor

[trob_205]

^What he said. I’d load 43.2 or 43.3 and roll.

 

[Eurodriver]

This thread is great.

I just got an 8lb jug of 4350 and 500 140gr ELDMs for my new 6.5. I’m about to do a ladder test at 300y coupled with chrono data, but my only sticking point is what brass to use.

Will Lapua keep my SDs down?

 

[DMP]

This thread is great.

I just got an 8lb jug of 4350 and 500 140gr ELDMs for my new 6.5. I’m about to do a ladder test at 300y coupled with chrono data, but my only sticking point is what brass to use.

Will Lapua keep my SDs down?

My experience is Lapua. I started with another brand if brass but changed over after testing Lapua. Just start with the best!

 

[Hondo64d]

This thread is great.

I just got an 8lb jug of 4350 and 500 140gr ELDMs for my new 6.5. I’m about to do a ladder test at 300y coupled with chrono data, but my only sticking point is what brass to use.

Will Lapua keep my SDs down?

Lapua limits you to small rifle primers, if that’s important to you. It is to me so I tried Alpha. It seems to be every bit as good as or even better than Lapua.

John

 

[Dooby]

This thread is great.

I just got an 8lb jug of 4350 and 500 140gr ELDMs for my new 6.5. I’m about to do a ladder test at 300y coupled with chrono data, but my only sticking point is what brass to use.

Will Lapua keep my SDs down?

Try ADG (Atlas Development Group) Brass. But not sure if they have 6.5CM in stock.

Price is better than Lapua and Norma. I've never tried Lapua so cannot comment. But vs Norma, it seems more consistent.

 

[upthewall]

This thread is great.

I just got an 8lb jug of 4350 and 500 140gr ELDMs for my new 6.5. I’m about to do a ladder test at 300y coupled with chrono data, but my only sticking point is what brass to use.

Will Lapua keep my SDs down?

I like Peterson SRP brass with CCI 450 primers for 6.5 and have maintained low sd’s and es with it.

 

[Safety_3rd]

Im on reload #6 of my lapua brass and I only neck sized for the first 3 loads. Then I started salt bath annealing, I just use the little lyman deburing tool on the inside and outside and then check the cartridge length. I full length resized after 3x shot and will after 6x. This brass doesn't grow at all! Im shooting a mild load:
H4350 41.7 at 2750, lapua SRP, cci 450, 140 eldm and consistently get 1 digit SD and my ES is usually 20-30 fps max

 

[Dale264]

Re: **6.5 Creedmoor Loads**

28" Criterion bbl
140g Match Burners
42.0g H4350
cci 200 primers
2.820 oal
Savage Target Action in a HS Precision

 

[Jake the dog]

Bergara B14 BMP, 24", 1-8 twist
142 SMK
Lapua brass, fl sized
Fed 205M
40.4 gr H4350
2710-2720 fps
2.240 BTO
Does .3 to .35 moa at 100 yds

 

[JOE62]

What do you guys think?

Testing out some RL16
22" barrel
Hornady 140 ELD
No signs of excessive pressure. To be continued.
View attachment 7077556

Those seem like some slow velocities. May be a slower lot of powder and the 22" barrel but I got 2790 @ 40.90 grains in Lapua brass with 136 Scenar and 26"barrel. I'm at 200 feet altitude. Been getting very good ES and SD's with the Re16 and CCI 450's.

 

[JOE62]

Im on reload #6 of my lapua brass and I only neck sized for the first 3 loads. Then I started salt bath annealing, I just use the little lyman deburing tool on the inside and outside and then check the cartridge length. I full length resized after 3x shot and will after 6x. This brass doesn't grow at all! Im shooting a mild load:
H4350 41.7 at 2750, lapua SRP, cci 450, 140 eldm and consistently get 1 digit SD and my ES is usually 20-30 fps max

I'm using the same load with Berger Hybrid Target 140's and my experience has been the same. Very consistent brass. I went up to 41.9 with H4350 and poi on target was the same. Velocity was 2769 from 26" barrel.

 

[Eurodriver]

Working up my ladder.

What do you think? I think I should dial it back to 41.4-41.5 but it shoots nicely at 41.7 I don’t wanna mess with it. Hmm

 

[DMP]

Working up my ladder.

This ladder looks identical to mine. I settled on 41.6!

 

[JOE62]

Very nice.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Pretty much spot on with my collection of Creedmoor's too, velocities may differ a bit from barrel length to barrel length, but those are my nodes.

 

[360precision]

Hornady 1x brass
Cci br2
140 eld-m
41.5 gr reloader 17

 

[JOE62]

Outstanding velocity. I don’t know what it is but I can’t get the ELDM to shoot in any of my Creedmoors. I don’t know if I’m not jumping them enough or too much. I’ve had much better luck with the HPBT’s and the Sierras. I’ve never tried Re17. Re16 works well though.

 

[Defender3]

What do you guys think?

Testing out some RL16
22" barrel
Hornady 140 ELD
No signs of excessive pressure. To be continued.
View attachment 7077556

What program are you using to chart the results? TIA.

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

What program are you using to chart the results? TIA.

Microsoft Excel or Google sheets

 

[Defender3]

Microsoft Excel or Google sheets

Thanks, I'll use Excel for my plots. I was just wondering if there may have been a new app.

I have a 24" WinTac coming this week for my AI AT. I've not shot 6.5CM before so I want to find a good factory load as well as work up some 140gr class loads. Lots of good data in this thread.

 

[TIMMYTOY]

Re: **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"

would like to see 42.8 group unless the pressure is to much ? to see if group opens up or not? flat line groups find the middle then adjust seating depth. just my 2 cents

 

[shooter98]

Hornady 1x brass
Cci br2
140 eld-m
41.5 gr reloader 17View attachment 7092647

I’m surprised to see that kind of velocity with RL-17. I was never able to get good results with 17. I switched to RL-16 and have never looked back. I live on the coast range and have huge temperature and humidity sweeps on any given day and I think that was the problem with the 17.

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

Those seem like some slow velocities. May be a slower lot of powder and the 22" barrel but I got 2790 @ 40.90 grains in Lapua brass with 136 Scenar and 26"barrel. I'm at 200 feet altitude. Been getting very good ES and SD's with the Re16 and CCI 450's.

It shoots about 100fp slower than box ammo specs which is usually with a 24". I think a 26" would be an even bigger gap.

 

[JOE62]

How many rounds do you have through it? Maybe different lot of powder, brass capacity or maybe my chrono just reads faster. I don’t have another one to check it with. The difference in rifles is why we have to work up each one individually.

 

[Eurodriver]

would like to see 42.8 group unless the pressure is to much ? to see if group opens up or not? flat line groups find the middle then adjust seating depth. just my 2 cents

I was getting some significant swipe and primer cratering at 42.6. I don’t want to push it but it is interesting. If 42.8 is flat too it would be a good node to get me close to a mile. Just need to decide if the lower brass life is worth it.

 

[JOE62]

Your brass is telling you to back off. If you need more velocity you could have your chamber throated longer or switch to a different caliber. 42.8 might get your hand and/or face.

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

How many rounds do you have through it? Maybe different lot of powder, brass capacity or maybe my chrono just reads faster. I don’t have another one to check it with. The difference in rifles is why we have to work up each one individually.

Probably around 400rds. So far. I'm hoping to land somewhere around 2800fps with a 140gr. pill but that takes 44.4gr of RL16 and gets cruchy. So I may have to settle for 2750 and or a slighly lighter bullet. Im still experimenting.

 

[shooter98]

Probably around 400rds. So far. I'm hoping to land somewhere around 2800fps with a 140gr. pill but that takes 44.4gr of RL16 and gets cruchy. So I may have to settle for 2750 and or a slighly lighter bullet. Im still experimenting.

Not sure what brass you’re using but with Hornady brass and 140 eld-m’s I’m at 2850 with 41.9 grains at sea level. 44 GR of anything in the 6.5 cm is a ton.

 

[Wormydog1724]

Working up my ladder.

What do you think? I think I should dial it back to 41.4-41.5 but it shoots nicely at 41.7 I don’t wanna mess with it. Hmm

Is your barrel broke in? Those were identical to my speeds for about the first 300 rounds in my Havak Pro HP1 (now the Bravo).
Same components except Starline brass instead of Lapua. I'm also using a suppressor, not sure if you are.

Mine sped up after 300 rounds and now I'm around 2810fps with 41.9gr. I did another ladder test after the speed up and it was nearly identical curve, just faster.

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

Not sure what brass you’re using but with Hornady brass and 140 eld-m’s I’m at 2850 with 41.9 grains at sea level. 44 GR of anything in the 6.5 cm is a ton.

I was thinking the same. I ran out of case volume trying to find the pressure ceiling.

Recycled Hornady Gunner brass. Im at sea level also for what its worth.

 

[Eurodriver]

Is your barrel broke in? Those were identical to my speeds for about the first 300 rounds in my Havak Pro HP1 (now the Bravo).
Same components except Starline brass instead of Lapua. I'm also using a suppressor, not sure if you are.

Mine sped up after 300 rounds and now I'm around 2810fps with 41.9gr. I did another ladder test after the speed up and it was nearly identical curve, just faster.

After that ladder I have exactly 94 rounds through my rifle, so no it’s not broken in.

You said your node didn’t change (as far as powder charge) the velocity just increased?

I thought rifles are pretty broken in by 100 but I’ll check it out and do another ladder in another 200 rounds. I thought my stuff looked slow.

I’m also using a suppressor.

 

[Wormydog1724]

After that ladder I have exactly 94 rounds through my rifle, so no it’s not broken in.

You said your node didn’t change (as far as powder charge) the velocity just increased?

I thought rifles are pretty broken in by 100 but I’ll check it out and do another ladder in another 200 rounds. I thought my stuff looked slow.

I’m also using a suppressor.

I don't know that it was exactly 300 rounds when it sped up, that's just about when I noticed it. I'd keep shooting the load/node you found and just don't be surprised if later you notice an increase in speed.

 

[Txmack]

I am a new member here. I am looking for load data on the 6.5 creedmoor 135g A Tip match bullets.

 

[pbatesaz]

Well that’s a new pill, but you might look at the Berger manual’s data for their 135 as a starting point if Hornady doesn’t show anything.

 

[Txmack]

i will be reloading 6.5 creedmoor ammo. Do anybody have any tips ?
24in Barrel 1/8 Twist
RL16 OR RL19
135gr A-Tips
Fed 205m primers
Once fired Hornady brass

 

[Txmack]

Well that’s a new pill, but you might look at the Berger manual’s data for their 135 as a starting point if Hornady doesn’t show anything.

Thanks

 

[Bantam1]

Hornady has data up on their website for the A-tips.

Load Data - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc

Hornady develops and publishes reloading data for the Handbook of Cartridge Reloading and makes it available in three ways: the traditional hardcover book, an e-book on Apple iBook or on your Kindle, and on the Hornady Reloading App. Like the bound and...

www.hornady.com

 

[pbatesaz]

Let us know how the A-Tips work for you. I am interested to follow your load workup. I may try them out in 6.5 and 6.0 CM.

 

[M113A3]

Does anyone know if the Hornady data is based on a 24" barrel which is my assumption. Thanks

 

[clcustom1911]

Does anyone know if the Hornady data is based on a 24" barrel which is my assumption. Thanks

Looks like it. Their 147 ELDm Data for R17 is damn near identical to what I'm running. 40.5g in Prime cases and FED 210M gives me 2680 @ 70*. No pressure at all.

 

[2aBaC̶a̶]

Those Lehigh defense Titanium tips though.?? ?

 

[Eurodriver]

Working up my ladder.

What do you think? I think I should dial it back to 41.4-41.5 but it shoots nicely at 41.7 I don’t wanna mess with it. Hmm

Quoted my post so you all could see the ladder.

I went with 41.5gr. This was the result of 35 rounds trying to simulate real world conditions. Not waiting between shots, shooting a string of 10 in 3-4 mins then letting it cool for a half hour. Tried to simulate a PRS match. The ES of 41 concerns me, but the SD of 9.1 and high round count make me wonder if I should be bothered by it (plus, the first 3 rounds seem a little slower than the rest)

600 yard group - 5.580". Was hoping to be around 3 or 4, but I'll let you guys chime in.

In case anyone is wondering - the hole in the tape is not from me

 

[Txmack]

Let us know how the A-Tips work for you. I am interested to follow your load workup. I may try them out in 6.5 and 6.0

When I get complete load data I will post!!

 

[Txmack]

Test shots at 100 yds Hornady black 140gr bthp. From factory 24 inch 5R barrel with barrel tuner set at 0. I am very impressed with grouping of factory ammo

 

[Defender3]

Test shots at 100 yds Hornady black 140gr bthp. From factory 24 inch 5R barrel with barrel tuner set at 0. I am very impressed with grouping of factory ammo

I received a new AI AT/AX 6.5CM barrel this week (WinTac from MileHigh) and took it out yesterday at 100 to break it in, and with nine different factory loads to see what the barrel may prefer. I was surprised that the American Eagle 140grs shot so well! And of course, the AE is discontinued by Federal. The barrel is a 24" 1:8, threaded but no muzzle device (yet).

 

[JOE62]

Consistency is the problem with factory ammo. Lot to lot. But if you can find a butt load of it same lot, you’re good to go. And it gives you some information about bullet jump and brass to use. Great shooting Guys.

 

[360precision]

I’m surprised to see that kind of velocity with RL-17. I was never able to get good results with 17. I switched to RL-16 and have never looked back. I live on the coast range and have huge temperature and humidity sweeps on any given day and I think that was the problem with the 17.

I live in wa near the Puget sound, I will repost if I find the same results.

 

[360precision]

Outstanding velocity. I don’t know what it is but I can’t get the ELDM to shoot in any of my Creedmoors. I don’t know if I’m not jumping them enough or too much. I’ve had much better luck with the HPBT’s and the Sierras. I’ve never tried Re17. Re16 works well though.

Check this thread out.

 

[Txmack]

Check this thread

Re: **6.5 Creedmoor Loads**

With everyone's input thus far, is the factory ammo worth focusing on or are the hand load results far better?
My build will be complete soon and I was looking to shoot the factory ammo. I'd like consistent results. I have 400 rounds in the cabinet already. if I need to buy dies, I can move that way too.
I'd appreciate the opinions.

SP

I bought 800 rounds of Hornady Black 140gr BTHP to plucker with. They had it on clearance at Academy sporting goods. IT SHOOTS REALLY GOOD OUT OF MY RIFLE !

 

[garandman]

Some recent work. No signs of pressure. This is WAY over the Hodgdon / Berger maximums, so....proceed at you own risk. But confirmed by several other posters here.

Bullet: 140B Berger Hybrid Target
2.247 COAL (to ogive)
Powder : H4350
100 Yd