That's interesting, I don't think I've seen that powder associated with 6.5 CM. Do you know what kind of velocity you are getting? The Hogdon website says 2432 to 2695, which is pretty slow in my admittedly short experience. My gun runs 150-200 FPS lower than the loads shown in the Hornady manual because they use a much longer barreled gun than my 22" Savage.Originally Posted by CFJunkie
Both Hodgdon and Sierra list H4831 load data for heavy bullets in 6.5CM
Sierra Data lists 45.6gr H4831 as MAX load with 142gr HPBT 2700fps
24" Barrel 1-18 Twist
Hornady Brass
Winchester WLR
COAL=2.810"
Most recent results using a 12 FV 6.5 CM 26-in barrel in an Oryx chassis using a Sinclair Gen 3 F-class bipod and Protektor rear rest from a bench at 100 yards in Northern VA at 250 ft above sea level, temps from 38 to 43 degrees F. in less than 5 mph winds (all with CCI BR-4 primers and Lapua brass):
With ELD-M 140 gr bullets:
H4831SC - 44.6 grs at seating depth 2.878 and trim length 1.908, I got 2707 fps. (8 5-rnd groups - average 0.344)
H4350 - 41.5 grs at seating depth 2.880 and trim length 1.910, I got 2690 fps. (8 5-rnd groups - average 0.337)
With ELD-M 147 gr bullets:
H4831SC 44.4 grs at seating depth 2.898 and trim length 1.907, I got 2685 fps. (6 5-rnd groups - average 0.310)
H4350 41.4 grs at seating depth 2.899 and trim length 1.908, I got 2666 fps. (7 5-rnd groups - average 0.347)
H4831SC is a slower powder than H4350.
Takes more powder but gives a very slight increase in velocity.
Seems to favor heavier bullets based on performance with the 147 gr ELD-Ms, although it will take a lot more groups to confirm that.
So far, I have shot 287 groups at 100 yds with H4350 powder and a variety of 130 to 147 gr bullets to an overall average of 0.324.
The 14 groups with H4831SC powder with 140 and 147 gr bullets averaged 0.329.
I'm going to have to try H4831 after I'm done experimenting with H4350
Today was idiots day at the range, luckily the only person with the idiot, err me, was a good friend.
It started off with me not being able to hit anything at 200 yards. After 5 shots I gave up and headed over to the 100 yard range to check zero. The problem was, I only had one small target and I couldn't hit it from 100 yards. The backer boards were so full of holes, I couldn't tell where I was hitting. I had no clue what was wrong since I had no trouble out to 950 yards the last time I shot and I had done nothing but clean the gun. I gave up and went back to the long range to break the news that I was done.
My buddy talked me into trying to figure out what was wrong so we picked a spot on a berm 200 yards away, and used it as a target. I fired and didn't see any impact, but luckily my buddy saw the bullet make impact waaaaay over the berm. He was looking through his scope and said I was about 20 MOA high. That's when it hit me!. One full revolution of the turret on my scope is 20 MOA. The last time I shot was at the 950 yard target which required over 26 MOA of elevation. When I was done, I returned the turret to zero, but I needed one additional revolution to bring it to the true zero. My scope has a zero stop, but I didn't make sure I hit it. First lesson learned.
If that wasn't enough, I had another faux pas later which made my head hurt. My shooting partner had his own ballistics calculator, but he had a variety of ammo and was having to enter data for each one individually. One of the boxes was Hornady Match and since I use the Hornady calculator, I told him I'd enter that one in my calculator since I could select that exact bullet and wouldn't have to enter the ballistic data for it. That worked fine and he was able to hit steel at 950 yards. Somewhere in there, I started shooting and was having a little trouble with the holdovers. I was able to hit out to 850 yards, but my numbers weren't matching and I was having to walk the shots in. Then it hit me, (I was sloooow today) I was not using the data for my rifle. Once I got that sorted out everything worked well.
I shot 46 rounds over four hours and had a great time. Working with a spotter made making corrections a breeze, even in the semi-muddy conditions. Last time I was out there was much more difficult. I also learned that having two people shooting can complicate things if you aren't on top of your game.
I feel for ya. I did the same thing this week. Not turning the turret another revolution. The worst part is I had done the same thing just last week!! Maybe I'll learn my lesson the next time :)
I think I will mark the scope somehow. I've done that kind of thing with other adjustable things and it works quite well.
PS one of the reasons I like shooting at longer ranges is I can be my own spotter. The rifle 'settles' before the bullet gets to the target.
Nice picture! Looks like a heck of a place to shoot. Trying to figure out the location…. Is that by any chance a Mesquite tree over-head to the left?
Yes, having a spotter is quite nice. Precisely why Snipers don’t work alone, but in pairs. Of course though.. both need to be speaking English! If one is speaking Swahili, Fagettaboutit!
Man I’d love to join ya out there. I’d spot anytime!
I’m glad I’m not the only one!
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