RL-17 (Alliant) for 6.5 Creedmoor

[brusky21]

I'm Resurrecting this thread instead of starting a new one. Just got back from the range today doing some load testing in my 6.5CM. Last week I tried 40.7 gr, 41 gr, and 41.2 gr with 139 Scenars with an OAL of 2.81. The 40.7 showed just Ok accuracy, but the velocity was only around 2650, which is a little slow for me. I was actually a little bummed about the results so this week I loaded 40.7, 41.5, 42, and 42.5 but this time with an OAL of 2.820. The change in OAL seamed to make a world of difference. My best 5 shot group was with the 42 gr that measured .39" center to center and shot 2820fps with a standard dev of 11 and max spread of 29. I can totally live with this load, but from reading this thread it seams like people are using a decent amount more powder. Should I try this or should I just go with the load I just found? I'm new to reloading so I'm pretty stoked with today's results. I'm not sure if I can really get any more performance out of the round other than what I just found.

 

[brusky21]

BTW I'm shooting a 22" barrel

 

[bornhunter04]

I'm going to test some 139 scenars from my 22" bartlein this weekend with RL 17. Any troubles with pressure since its warmed up a bit? Hoping I can hit 2800 with these bullets from that barrel.

 

[VLDshooter]

I got 2938 with 43 gr out of a 24 inch barrel wiith 140 grain berger vld's no pressure signs what so ever. Gonna play with it some more this weekend.

 

[Xtremegunnr]

I have found with the 140 class bullets 42.3 grains gets me 2750 out of a 22" with no pressure issues.

42.7 worked well to. As i went higher the groups go worse. I made it to 2850fps with 44 grains but the primers pockets were shot...i mean.....destroyed after one firing.

 

[bornhunter04]

I tried 41-42 yesterday when it was 95*. 41 shot great 3/8 moa. So I think I'm right at the top of a node there. Need to try to go a little higher looking for the next node. No real pressure signs up to 42gr.

 

[360precision]

So I am new to reloading less than 100 rounds. Started load development for a match rifle bighorn tl3 bartlein 1:8 5r 26" From everything I've read and Max load for h4350 and r17 is below 41.5. so I loaded 10 rounds of h4350 from 40.6 to 41.5 max fps Was 2802. The 10 rounds fired made a less than 1.5" group and the node was at 41.4.
I also loaded up 10 more rounds of r-17 at 41.5 and if there was no pressure signs with the h4350 I was going to shoot the 10 for muzzle velocity and accuracy going off that most of the time it shoots faster but shows pressure at similar load charges. First 3 shots one hole pulled the fourth, fith shot back in the first hole and I was getting a max fps at 2862. I will admit it is dirtier my necks are alot darker than with the h4350 but the muzzle velocity is there. I've seen pictures of too much pressure but after checking all the cases there might be a case swipe but no sticky bolt lift no popped primers. Temperature was 63 in wa. I don't really care about finding Max load due to the fact I want to keep it around 2850 to be in that sweet spot for speed but not so hot I'm burning the barrel out faster. Idk which load I will go with yet.

 

[360precision]