6.5 Creedmoor questions

[mac86951]

Questions: #1 Does anyone have the factory case data? I'm looking for neck diameter to start for my FL sizer with neck bushing. (I'm guessing 0.290, but might be 0.288 for better initial results).

Question #2: Anyone had success forming brass from 308?



Thank you!

-Mac

 

[BCoates]

Here is some information on Hornady brass. I use a 289 bushing and it works well for me.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3848527.msg36424239#msg36424239

 

[DHD]

I too use a .289. I have used from .287 to .290, but like in Goldilocks, I think .289 is just right (unless .288 works better for you......).

I have sized down 100 Lapua Palma's and turned the necks. A pain in the a$@, but the brass is great stuff. I can't tell you that the accuracy is enough better for the investment of money and time, but I had the brass and it gave me an excuse to buy a 21st Century Neck Turner.

 

[mac86951]

I too use a .289. I have used from .287 to .290, but like in Goldilocks, I think .289 is just right (unless .288 works better for you......).

I have sized down 100 Lapua Palma's and turned the necks. A pain in the a$@, but the brass is great stuff. I can't tell you that the accuracy is enough better for the investment of money and time, but I had the brass and it gave me an excuse to buy a 21st Century Neck Turner.

Good to know that in a pinch I can do it. I agree on the excuse to get the Neck Turner, but workload noted. Thank you!

 

[mac86951]

Here is some information on Hornady brass. I use a 289 bushing and it works well for me.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3848527.msg36424239#msg36424239

Also thank you on neck bushing size. My next trouble is that I've got the Hornady Match dies, and no-one has the neck bushing in stock... (.290 or .288 sizes, I'll go with .288)

-Mac

 

[Frankr]

mac86951 I have made mine from 308 lapua palma cases, it's I quite a job, I start the case into a 300 savage die to start the shoulder,then into a hornady FL die with expander ball removed, set headspace to have heavy bolt crush.then trim of the neck maybe .020 over max length. chamfer, neck expand and neck turn. then final trim to length. then clean all cases, anneal neck and shoulder. I found that the shoulders would split after second fireing if I don't anneal. the final product is quite awesome. I you are interested in Good velocity super accurate it's the only way to go as far as im concerened. the loads I shoot on the lapua cases, a factory hornady case the primer would fall out the back of the case on the first fireing.but some people are happy with 2,600FPS I'm not. I also run it in a savage 10 that has a 3" clip so my loaded rounds are around 2.980. a 140 VLD is above the neck shoulder junction. the velocity I get would be considered 6.5-284 or Magnum speed.with only 44.0 gr of powder.
accuracry has been .300-.450 well under 1/2 moa. I realy like it. I also have fired and loaded the cases over 5 times with no ill effects, primer pockets still lapua tight. I will keep shooting them.If you were close to me I would give you a pile of new hornady brass. I don't use the stuff. I would like to try the new Norma's or the Nosler's to see if they have a hard head or not.

 

[BCoates]

Here is some information on Hornady brass. I use a 289 bushing and it works well for me.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3848527.msg36424239#msg36424239

Also thank you on neck bushing size. My next trouble is that I've got the Hornady Match dies, and no-one has the neck bushing in stock... (.290 or .288 sizes, I'll go with .288)

-Mac

I have used the regular Hornady dies in the past, and they work pretty well. Having said that, I would buy a Redding or Whidden bushing die. The reason is you can use Redding or Wilson bushings that come in every size, not just the even number sizes like the Hornady bushings.

 

[BCoates]

Winchester is also making 6.5 Creedmoor ammo now, so hopefully they will offer brass to reloaders soon. I personally wouldn't invest the time in forming brass from .308. I would have to look closely at the dimensions, but I think it might be easier to form from .243 or 22-250 brass.

 

[Jdne5b]

I made some from Lapua 22-250, comes out a little short, but worked quite well.

 

[Catskinner]

I make it out of 243 brass a lot better than the others. Also make a high bc uld projo for them.

 

[DHD]

Here is some information on Hornady brass. I use a 289 bushing and it works well for me.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3848527.msg36424239#msg36424239

Also thank you on neck bushing size. My next trouble is that I've got the Hornady Match dies, and no-one has the neck bushing in stock... (.290 or .288 sizes, I'll go with .288)

-Mac

I have used the regular Hornady dies in the past, and they work pretty well. Having said that, I would buy a Redding or Whidden bushing die. The reason is you can use Redding or Wilson bushings that come in every size, not just the even number sizes like the Hornady bushings.

I've always been curious by this reference. Have you ever tried a Redding/Wilson bushing in a Hornady die? I use them all the time in both the 308 and 6.5Creedmoor Hornady Match Grade dies.

I just measured the OD of a pile of bushings made by Redding, RCBS, and Hornady and they all measured between .501- .503.

I'll be the first to admit that I prefer Redding and Forster dies (gotta get some Whidden dies) because something that costs twice as much has to be twice as good, but my rifles tell me that I might be mistaken. They have yet to complain when I use Hornady dies, but what do they know....

 

[BCoates]

Here is some information on Hornady brass. I use a 289 bushing and it works well for me.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3848527.msg36424239#msg36424239

Also thank you on neck bushing size. My next trouble is that I've got the Hornady Match dies, and no-one has the neck bushing in stock... (.290 or .288 sizes, I'll go with .288)

-Mac

I have used the regular Hornady dies in the past, and they work pretty well. Having said that, I would buy a Redding or Whidden bushing die. The reason is you can use Redding or Wilson bushings that come in every size, not just the even number sizes like the Hornady bushings.

I've always been curious by this reference. Have you ever tried a Redding/Wilson bushing in a Hornady die? I use them all the time in both the 308 and 6.5Creedmoor Hornady Match Grade dies.

I just measured the OD of a pile of bushings made by Redding, RCBS, and Hornady and they all measured between .501- .503.

I'll be the first to admit that I prefer Redding and Forster dies (gotta get some Whidden dies) because something that costs twice as much has to be twice as good, but my rifles tell me that I might be mistaken. They have yet to complain when I use Hornady dies, but what do they know....

I don't own any Hornady bushing dies, so I don't know if they work well or not. I only own Whidden bushing dies and have found that they work very well.

 

[brian427cobra]

I load my 6.5 Creedmoor with 35 dollar Hornady dies, I got them just to get started and now after 1k rounds I see no reason to spend any more money on Redding/Whidden/Wilson dies, I added a 20 dollar Hornady micrometer top to the seater, concentricity of loaded rounds is .0015 or less when I do the seat turn seat turn thing

 

[243DH]

I've been running a 6.5 creed for 3-4 yrs, in multiple bolt guns and one gasgun. I have no trouble getting 2800-2850 fps with 139-142gr bullets in 24-26" barrels. The only brass i have used is hornady, i typically get 7-11 firings on the brass. I use br2 primers, but tula is supposed to be a little oversized and some guys use them to extend brass life. The biggest problem i have heard about hornady creedmoor brass is by 6 mm creedmoor users. They are trying and achieving 243&243ai from smaller case. They have complained on the hide about "inferior brass". I think it might be the 70,000 psi pressure they run chasing the bigger case velocity. I use Redding type S fl with .289 bush and their comp seater. I've found that my 6.5 creedmoors were easier to find a load and stayed in tune then my 260, it was a finicky bitch.

 

[SFGUY]

I too like the 6.5 creedmoor. I shot with a 6.5mm-08 years ago and thought it would be a great round across the course for NRA competition but there were not enough really good bullets then. No excuse now. Plenty of good ones.

I was making 6.5 CM from LC .308 simply because i had a lot of it. still do. I can't think of a reason to go out and buy a bunch of brass of another caliber to neck up/down. If you are buying brass go ahead and get what you need. if you are sitting on a pile of brass you can't use and it can be formed to something else, that makes sense.

 

[mac86951]

Here is some information on Hornady brass. I use a 289 bushing and it works well for me.

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index.php?topic=3848527.msg36424239#msg36424239

Also thank you on neck bushing size. My next trouble is that I've got the Hornady Match dies, and no-one has the neck bushing in stock... (.290 or .288 sizes, I'll go with .288)

-Mac

I have used the regular Hornady dies in the past, and they work pretty well. Having said that, I would buy a Redding or Whidden bushing die. The reason is you can use Redding or Wilson bushings that come in every size, not just the even number sizes like the Hornady bushings.

I've always been curious by this reference. Have you ever tried a Redding/Wilson bushing in a Hornady die? I use them all the time in both the 308 and 6.5Creedmoor Hornady Match Grade dies.

I just measured the OD of a pile of bushings made by Redding, RCBS, and Hornady and they all measured between .501- .503.

I'll be the first to admit that I prefer Redding and Forster dies (gotta get some Whidden dies) because something that costs twice as much has to be twice as good, but my rifles tell me that I might be mistaken. They have yet to complain when I use Hornady dies, but what do they know....

FIRST FINDING. Hornady Bushing Dies will accept RCBS, Redding, Wilson Bushings. (I called Hornady to be sure) There isn't an OD step like those Hornady makes, but all will fit and function. My Redding bushing is on the way.

SECOND Finding: I have a pile of 243 brass so I'll try that for 6.5CM, since I don't have a 243 (yet). I am in the process of building a 308, so I'll keep that brass separate. I am waiting on parts for my 6.5CM Gas Gun for which I'll be shooting MR F-Class and/or precision tactical. Barrel break-in will be done with factory ammo (Hornady 120 A-Max), and I grabbed 100 cases, and two boxes of 100ea bullets, one is 140gr SMK, the other is 130gr Berger VLD. We'll see how they shoot once the last parts for my rifle are here (should be next weekend with results the following: caution all projected dates are potential slip points, which could extend out 12 weeks without notice).

-Mac

 

[Zachary Lauderman]

Winchester is also making 6.5 Creedmoor ammo now, so hopefully they will offer brass to reloaders soon. I personally wouldn't invest the time in forming brass from .308. I would have to look closely at the dimensions, but I think it might be easier to form from .243 or 22-250 brass.

I use 260 lapua brass. It's so easy n perfect brass. Cut it down to trim length, lube then run thru my die. I fire form then anneal. More velocity and better brass.

 

[mac86951]

I use 260 lapua brass. It's so easy n perfect brass. Cut it down to trim length, lube then run thru my die. I fire form then anneal. More velocity and better brass.

Thanks, since this thread (2014) I've acquired plenty of brass, though tend to like the 22-250 method most, I'll keep the 260 info thank you!

-Mac

 

[Changeling]

Winchester is also making 6.5 Creedmoor ammo now, so hopefully they will offer brass to reloaders soon. I personally wouldn't invest the time in forming brass from .308. I would have to look closely at the dimensions, but I think it might be easier to form from .243 or 22-250 brass.

Where did you hear/find out that Winchester was making 6.5 Creedmoor cases now ?

 

[Strafem30MM]

Another option is to buy Prime Ammo 130gr 6.5 Creedmoor ammo. It is made with Norma Brass.