Superformance in 6.5CM anyone?
- Thread starter 2aBaC̶a̶
- Start date
Nice, Anything special with working up loads? Ball powder meters the best in my setup but seems like all the popular ones are extruded (which doesn't)
Last edited:
Well for me the Hornady factory 120 GMX superformance ammo shoots like poop. Example below, 100 yds 3 shots of hand loaded 123 gr Lapua Scenar on left followed by 3 shots of Hornady factory ammo. (Scenars loaded w H4350). This is a 20” Tikka CTR 6.5 CM.
I've used it a touch so I could run a full progressive on the dillon without weighing individual charges. I was a little shocked at first with the higher speeds and 142 SMK, but it hasn't shown pressure signs or terrible FPS swings with temp changes.
Sellier & Bellot brass
FGM 210s
42.0 gr superformance
Hornady 140 ELD-M @ 2.855" OAL
Alpha LP brass
FGM 210
44.4 gr superformance
Sierra 142 MK @ 2.810"
2795 fps average, out of a 21" fieldcraft
Sellier & Bellot brass
FGM 210s
42.0 gr superformance
Hornady 140 ELD-M @ 2.855" OAL
Alpha LP brass
FGM 210
44.4 gr superformance
Sierra 142 MK @ 2.810"
2795 fps average, out of a 21" fieldcraft
Bolt gun? What kind of numbers are you seeing for velocities and es and sd?
Everyone i talk to tell me to stay away but like you im looking for a ball powder that meters better in my progressive. Extruded is +/- .3gr
Everyone i talk to tell me to stay away but like you im looking for a ball powder that meters better in my progressive. Extruded is +/- .3gr
Bolt gun ja, 21" barrett fieldcraft.
With the 142 SMK, 2795 avg/8sd/20es at 70*F.
I didn't chrono the 140 ELDM (magnetospeed alters my POI).
Tikka Tac A1, I found a node using 45.0 gr. of superformance, 143 eldx, hornady brass, br2 primer. 2740 fps, 3.8 SD. No pressure. Less than 1/2" 5 shot groups. Loading hotter just increased the SD and opened the groups.
Great load, just a tad slow. I got 75 fps more from RL 16.
If I was only shooting for groups out to 500, this would be my load.
Great load, just a tad slow. I got 75 fps more from RL 16.
If I was only shooting for groups out to 500, this would be my load.
What kind of groups are you getting with the fieldcraft? I just started loading for one, verdict is still out.
I'm not the best test case - I never shot the stock trigger, I just mounted a new optic last trip out, I've mostly been playing with different bullets and powders because I enjoy tinkering, and, on the whole, I'm not a particularly good shottist. I did drop the torque on the rear action screw to 26in lbs and I think that helped a smidge in back to back testing (Borka tools kit was money well spent).
.5 to .8 MOA is typical for my best loads. I dont' see a clear winner as far as bullets. 142 SMK and 130 Berger Hybrid are about even on the top, with 140 ELDMs slightly behind. 140 ELDMs with superformance were 1.1 MOA at 300yds and the Sierras with superformance will print somewhere in the .7-.8 range but I'm leary of a ball powder load I worked on in February when I'll be in AZ in august... I'd be interested to hear what other people are seeing for temp stability with the superformance powder.
I've heard good things about the Barnes 127 LRX, and I have a ladder of them loaded over superformance to run over the magnetospeed tomorrow to try this 10 shot load development thing. I'll post up what I find if I can get it into a reasonably coherent format.
I've worked up a load with Superformance on an RPR in 6.5CM with favorable results. This RPR is generally a half to 3/4 MOA rifle at 100 yards. It does seem to be pickier than most other powders in that rifle. I'm not at a point where I can look at the load data right now, but I worked up 5 rounds each for several different loads. Results were something along the lines of .75, .75, .6, .3, .6, .6
The groups quickly opened up again when I kept going higher in powder charges. I loaded all the same again and went back a different day to repeat the test and saw extremely similar results. I think the powder is fine for the cartridge, but accuracy nodes are narrow for my RPR.
The groups quickly opened up again when I kept going higher in powder charges. I loaded all the same again and went back a different day to repeat the test and saw extremely similar results. I think the powder is fine for the cartridge, but accuracy nodes are narrow for my RPR.
So excuses excuses excuses - Finally shot the 127 LRX / superformance ladder.
Load data pulled straight from Barnes, including their shorter than average COAL of 2.720". They start at 40.5gr @ 2584fps to a max of 45.0 gr compressed @ 2865 fps from a 24" barrel... I have a 21 but I still matched expected velocity fairly well. I dont think the chart tells me much...
45.0gr was not compressed for me. I could shake and get some powder movement.
I started to get pressure signs around 44.4gr and up. Started with bolt lift and got ejector circle on 45.0. Anything past 42.9 had a flat primer, but with large primers this gun flattens them with regularity.
I was indoors, 50yds, 75-80*, shooting off my recon mini and free recoiling, just to practice. 43.2 to 44.7 all shot to same approximate POI.
Not really sure where to go next. May try H4350 or RL16. I really wanted to not buy several boxes of 127s for a single deer trip in august...
Load data pulled straight from Barnes, including their shorter than average COAL of 2.720". They start at 40.5gr @ 2584fps to a max of 45.0 gr compressed @ 2865 fps from a 24" barrel... I have a 21 but I still matched expected velocity fairly well. I dont think the chart tells me much...
45.0gr was not compressed for me. I could shake and get some powder movement.
I started to get pressure signs around 44.4gr and up. Started with bolt lift and got ejector circle on 45.0. Anything past 42.9 had a flat primer, but with large primers this gun flattens them with regularity.
I was indoors, 50yds, 75-80*, shooting off my recon mini and free recoiling, just to practice. 43.2 to 44.7 all shot to same approximate POI.
Not really sure where to go next. May try H4350 or RL16. I really wanted to not buy several boxes of 127s for a single deer trip in august...
Attachments
Is this in a 6.5CM? Its seems slow for superformance.
How does this compare to other powders you've tried?
Im getting 2800 with 44gr of RL16 out of a 22"
I'm no expert but I would load up a few and test groupings of every .1gr between 42.5-43.2 and then 44.0-44.7
How does this compare to other powders you've tried?
Im getting 2800 with 44gr of RL16 out of a 22"
I'm no expert but I would load up a few and test groupings of every .1gr between 42.5-43.2 and then 44.0-44.7
This is for 6.5 CM. I think my barrel runs slow, on average.
I think I'll try some at 44.3, .5, and .7.
Please do.
Keep in mind therebis a large 6.5 CM thread in the reloading section that covers a broad spectrumnof powders, bullets, etc. This thread was Hodgdon Superformance powder specific.
Last edited:
There are not many people that are going to tell you this powder is gold in the creed. It may work great for some, but is not some hidden gem.
