Reloading 6.5 Creedmoor

[Ernest T]

I did some further refinement work on H4350 loads today and got some good groups at near max loads of 41.2 and 41.4 gr. They weren't sub 1/2 MOA, but 3/4 and 5/8" are pretty good. Loads below 41.2 don't group well at all. The velocity, with my 22" barrel, is pretty low. The 41.2 load shoots just either side of 2600 fps and 41.4 gives me about 2630 fps. I think I'm going to try these loads with CCI 450 magnum primers and see if there's any difference. I have been unable to find H4350 in 8 lb containers so this may just be an exercise in futility like the previous loads I worked up in RL-16 and Staball 6.5.

[Dave Hoback]

Well, that’s realistic velocity. Even with a 26” they are only tipping 2700-2750 or so zone.….regardless of the droves of guys online stating 2900+++ with the CM, LOL! No, your velocity is decent given the 22”. Although, it completely explains why the groups go to hell below that 41.2gr powder charge. You are right at the velocity threshold which the heavier pills like.

[Ernest T]

Well, that’s realistic velocity. Even with a 26” they are only tipping 2700-2750 or so zone.….regardless of the droves of guys online stating 2900+++ with the CM, LOL! No, your velocity is decent given the 22”. Although, it completely explains why the groups go to hell below that 41.2gr powder charge. You are right at the velocity threshold which the heavier pills like.

Yeah, accuracy falls off the table just below 2600 fps. Do you think my groups might benefit from a 130 or 120 grain VLD bullet?

[CFJunkie]

Ernest T

I have three 6.5 CMs all Savages, two with 26-inch barrels and one with a 24-inch barrel.
All three shoot accurately, but the 26-inch barrels shoot most accurately with bullets 140 grs and above.
The 24-inch barrel shoots most accurately with 130 grain bullets (Sierra TMKs and ELD-Ms).
I don't think that barrel length is the reason, because I have two Savage 308s, both with 24-inch barrels, and they show different bullet and powder preferences. One likes heavier bullets (175 gr) and the other likes lighter bullets (155 gr).

Each barrel will tell you what it shoots best.
IMHO, the wear on the barrel reamer or a lot of steel being used have more to do with bullet performance than barrel length.
Barrel length will determine velocity because of the time the bullet is being accelerated in the barrel, but I don't think it effects bullet or powder preferences.

[Ernest T]

Ernest T

I have three 6.5 CMs all Savages, two with 26-inch barrels and one with a 24-inch barrel.
All three shoot accurately, but the 26-inch barrels shoot most accurately with bullets 140 grs and above.
The 24-inch barrel shoots most accurately with 130 grain bullets (Sierra TMKs and ELD-Ms).
I don't think that barrel length is the reason, because I have two Savage 308s, both with 24-inch barrels, and they show different bullet and powder preferences. One likes heavier bullets (175 gr) and the other likes lighter bullets (155 gr).

Each barrel will tell you what it shoots best.
IMHO, the wear on the barrel reamer or a lot of steel being used have more to do with bullet performance than barrel length.
Barrel length will determine velocity because of the time the bullet is being accelerated in the barrel, but I don't think it effects bullet or powder preferences.

Thanks, I've decided to try 130 and then 120 grain bullets, just to see how it shoots them.

[Dave Hoback]

Yeah, accuracy falls off the table just below 2600 fps. Do you think my groups might benefit from a 130 or 120 grain VLD bullet?

Possibly… It’s good to try many different bullets, powder, etc. Just never know what your rifle may fancy best.

[charlie b]

There is the possibility the bullets will make a difference, and maybe not. :) Keep in mind that some of the ELD bullets might be more sensitive to distance from the lands. SMK's are known for tolerating large jump to the lands than some others. The Berger 155's in my .308 weren't really 'happy' unless they were touching or slightly jammed into the lands.

I have found that most powders give a lower ES/SD at higher density loads.

[Ernest T]

I ordered Hornady 120 and 130 grain ELD-Match bullets just to see how they'd shoot in my gun. However, I am puzzled by the Hornady reloading manual entries for these bullets. Since I just bought 8 lbs of Superperformance powder, I was looking for loads using that powder and 120 130 and 140 grain bullets. The books lists loads for 140 and 120 grain bullets, but not 130 grain for Superformance. Is that because they just didn't work up a load for that bullet or, however unlikely, is there is possibly an issue using that weight bullet with Superperformance? I'm thinking its the former and that I could work up a load using the data for the 120 and 140 grain bullets to determine a starting point.

In the meantime, I've ordered a pound of Winchester 760 powder which is listed for the 130 and 140 grain bullets, but not the 120. I can understand that since it might not be suitable for the lower weight bullet. I don't understand being suitable for lighter and heavier bullets, but not the one in the middle between them. It'd be nice if there was a powder I could use for all three just for comparison.

[charlie b]

Never been able to figure out how the mfgs decide on which loads to list.

I would just extrapolate.