120 gr ELD in 6.5 CM

[jlorenzo]

Looking at picking up a 6.5 soon, tiring of the 308 for now (mostly recoil and needing a new barrel).
The only bullets I am finding readily available are the 120gr ELD and 140gr BTHP, Hornadys.
I was already leaning towards the 130gr stuff because most shooting will be 1000y and in, also anything I can do to make the gun softer shooting I want to do so the 120s sound good to me.
Anyone have experience with the 120s? Will probably be looking to source some VV powder, N550 a good choice? Help me out, I haven't seen any h4350 for sale in quite awhile. New to 6.5.

 

[Rodney]

With 120 grain bullets you can use varget burn rate powders. The 140’s will have better wind bucking abilities at longer ranges, would be my choice. Most 6.5 CM rifles have a threaded barrel that will allow a muzzle brake to further reduce recoil. A great cartridge all around. You will be pleased with any bullet choice.

 

[Rob01]

Both the 120 ELD and the 140 BTHP will work to 1000 and in. I would get both and try them and see what the rifle likes. Both are pretty easy to load for. N550 should work as it's a little slower burning than H4350 but faster than H4831 or Superformance which people use also with those bullets. IMR4451 is another good powder if you can find it.

And as mentioned get a brake if you want it to be softer recoil.

 

[jlorenzo]

I have Varget, N140, N150, IMR4895, Tac, CFE223 and BL-C2. Looking around for other powders that work well with 6.5 but not finding much lately.

 

[Enosiophobia]

I've had success with Varget and 147's. Blue Collar Reloading had a bunch of 147's awhile ago.

 

[Rob01]

I have Varget, N140, N150, IMR4895, Tac, CFE223 and BL-C2. Looking around for other powders that work well with 6.5 but not finding much lately.

Some use Varget with the 140 but I think it’s too fast of a powder and leaves velocity on the table but it can be used well with the 120s. N150 might be worth trying also.

 

[venatic]

N550 is an excellent choice but I will have to respectfully disagree with Rob01 it is a little faster than H4350 so do not use 4350 data to go off of. Yes I have seen it listed as slower but it’s closer to Varget than H4350 from my experience loading 130gr bullets.

 

[Rob01]

N550 is an excellent choice but I will have to respectfully disagree with Rob01 it is a little faster than H4350 so do not use 4350 data to go off of. Yes I have seen it listed as slower but it’s closer to Varget than H4350 from my experience loading 130gr bullets.

I never said to use H4350 data with any other powder. Never would. Always use data for the powder being used.

i have also only ever seen N550 slower than H4350. Where have you seen it faster?

 

[Kracken McGraw]

IMR 4350 pops up at Powder Valley pretty often if you watch close.

 

[Hondo64d]

Looking at picking up a 6.5 soon, tiring of the 308 for now (mostly recoil and needing a new barrel).
The only bullets I am finding readily available are the 120gr ELD and 140gr BTHP, Hornadys.
I was already leaning towards the 130gr stuff because most shooting will be 1000y and in, also anything I can do to make the gun softer shooting I want to do so the 120s sound good to me.
Anyone have experience with the 120s? Will probably be looking to source some VV powder, N550 a good choice? Help me out, I haven't seen any h4350 for sale in quite awhile. New to 6.5.

Haven’t shot the 120gr ELDs yet but have had good results from 120gr Ballistic Tips and 123gr Scenars pushed by Varget. Accuracy seems to be best at about 2920 to 2950fps. Its not until 1000 yards or so that the 123s start showing more wind drift when compared to my 140gr BTSP load, which starts at about 2700fps. Additionally, recoil is noticeably less with the 123s.

John

 

[jlorenzo]

Haven’t shot the 120gr ELDs yet but have had good results from 120gr Ballistic Tips and 123gr Scenars pushed by Varget. Accuracy seems to be best at about 2920 to 2950fps. Its not until 1000 yards or so that the 123s start showing more wind drift when compared to my 140gr BTSP load, which starts at about 2700fps. Additionally, recoil is noticeably less with the 123s.

John

This was my thought. Reduction of some recoil at the cost of a little bit of wind farther down range is what I am after.

 

[venatic]

I never said to use H4350 data with any other powder. Never would. Always use data for the powder being used.

i have also only ever seen N550 slower than H4350. Where have you seen it faster?

View attachment 1324832

Vihtavuori Powder Question

Forget N150 and N550 for the 284 with 175gn and heavier bullets. These powders are markedly faster burning than burning rate charts and tables show. That's why they're widely used in 308 Win and even 223 Rem, the latter with heavier than 80gn bullets. In fact, forget / ignore burning rate charts...

forum.accurateshooter.com

I am not the first not one that’s seen it but just looking at the fact most are running 42 gr give or take with 140 gr bullets in Creedmoor with H 4350 and Vihtavuori max for N550 is always under 39.0gr tells me it’s faster.
I didn’t mean to imply you said use H4350 data at all just stating that someone could assume since N550 was shown on the powder burn chart as slower that they could use H4350 data and be safe but since it’s not you would be well above max.

 

[marchx]

With a muzzle brake I don't see huge difference in recoil between 140s and 120s- in borh cases it's very mild. I shot 120gr BT at 300m and they shoot reasonably well with VVN555. At 1000y I would however choose something heavier unless you expect calm weather.

 

[Hohn]

This was my thought. Reduction of some recoil at the cost of a little bit of wind farther down range is what I am after.

Just load the 140s at the lower node. The 140bthps are so good for the money I’d stick with them.

 

[Hohn]

Vihtavuori Powder Question

Forget N150 and N550 for the 284 with 175gn and heavier bullets. These powders are markedly faster burning than burning rate charts and tables show. That's why they're widely used in 308 Win and even 223 Rem, the latter with heavier than 80gn bullets. In fact, forget / ignore burning rate charts...

forum.accurateshooter.com

I am not the first not one that’s seen it but just looking at the fact most are running 42 gr give or take with 140 gr bullets in Creedmoor with H 4350 and Vihtavuori max for N550 is always under 39.0gr tells me it’s faster.
I didn’t mean to imply you said use H4350 data at all just stating that someone could assume since N550 was shown on the powder burn chart as slower that they could use H4350 data and be safe but since it’s not you would be well above max.

I’d generally agree but some high energy powders have lower charges because of density and energy— not necessarily faster burn speed.

 

[sbhooper]

This was my thought. Reduction of some recoil at the cost of a little bit of wind farther down range is what I am after.

You are concerned about recoil with a Creed?

 

[jlorenzo]

You are concerned about recoil with a Creed?

I am not "concerned", I have been shooting a unbraked 308 for awhile now (175s then 155s) and frankly I'm sick of the excess recoil. I like shooting 223 and 22 lr the most. I like spotting my shots.
Ive shot 7 and 300 mag, I have no problem but I woulnt shoot 100+ rounds like in do in most range sessions/matches.

 

[Bc'z]

I am not "concerned", I have been shooting a unbraked 308 for awhile now (175s then 155s) and frankly I'm sick of the excess recoil. I like shooting 223 and 22 lr the most. I like spotting my shots.
Ive shot 7 and 300 mag, I have no problem but I woulnt shoot 100+ rounds like in do in most range sessions/matches.

Is your rifle braked?
If not you'll probably have difficulty spotting your shots.
I shoot a lot of 123gr bullets in my 6five no brake and have difficulty spotting shots @600, rifle is probably close to 13#.
Recoil is minimal, velocity is mid 2900fps.

 

[rijndael]

If not you'll probably have difficulty spotting your shots.
I shoot a lot of 123gr bullets in my 6five no brake and have difficulty spotting shots @600, rifle is probably close to 13#.
Recoil is minimal, velocity is mid 2900fps.

One thing that's missed when people talk about spotting hits is that your FOV/magnification can make a big difference. If your rifle recoils a bit, zoom out, you may find it's still in your FOV and you can catch it.

YMMV.

 

[jlorenzo]

Is your rifle braked?
If not you'll probably have difficulty spotting your shots.
I shoot a lot of 123gr bullets in my 6five no brake and have difficulty spotting shots @600, rifle is probably close to 13#.
Recoil is minimal, velocity is mid 2900fps.

It will be yes.