6.5 CM Powder

[harro]

I’m going to be loading some Hornady 129 gr SST and 123 gr SST projectiles in my Tikka 6.5 CM for use on small Deer and Hogs .
Reading through the Hodgdon data both Varget and H4350 are applicable to my needs .
I have both of those powders already but was wondering if one was better than the other in other people’s experiences.

Does one work better for the 120gn - 130gn weight projectiles ?

 

[Zero333]

With the 123 sst I would test both powders while with the 129 sst I would definitely start with H-4350.

 

[ebb]

Yea that's what the Hodgdon data center will say, those are both Hodgdon powders. VV160

 

[Newhouse]

>>>>>The SECRET.... 6.5 CAROLINA LOAD<<<<<<

The 6.5 CAROLINA LOAD is the load that was given to me from the Guy in Sportsman's Warehouse in Columbia, SC last week. He was just a customer, and I've been trying to find him to thank him, but I've had no success so far. But his load has helped me so much that I thought I would pass it on...

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[rijndael]

.Does one work better for the 120gn - 130gn weight projectiles ?

I run 123 Scenars and 130 Bergers. I got the best accuracy and ES/SD with Shooters World Precision Rifle powder. The 123s ran about 3K fps.

I don't typically move to the 4350 class powders until I use the 139+ bullets. For 130 and under, it's the Varget type powders that do best for me. Shooters World Precision is a Varget equivalent.

Here's the 123 load with 40.2 of SWP and CCI450s, 40F.

 

[harro]

Cheers for the replies , looks like I’ll just start with the 129 sst and H4350
The Tikka has a very long throat and so with the 129gn sst loaded long ( will still be a 30 thou jump ) the projectile doesn’t protrude into the case much at all .
Will start at 39 grains and go up in 1/2 grain increments to see where pressure shows itself.

 

[Bc'z]

Cheers for the replies , looks like I’ll just start with the 129 sst and H4350
The Tikka has a very long throat and so with the 129gn sst loaded long ( will still be a 30 thou jump ) the projectile doesn’t protrude into the case much at all .
Will start at 39 grains and go up in 1/2 grain increments to see where pressure shows itself.

Move in .3 tenths you get a better picture.
Start with seating depth 1.5 gr back of max, take press seater and comparators to range with you.
Then move to charge.
Trust me

 

[6.5 forever]

H4350 all day long.

 

[Sardious]

H4350 for 6.5CM - I use metric bullets from Lapua in the 136 -139 grain range with 41.7 grn of H4350. Still cleans MR/LR targets with high X count at 3.4K

Also, +1 For Shooter's World Precision Rifle; I use this as a replacement for loads where I get pressure signs with Varget. Seems to be a little slower and the primers look better. Wish I could buy more SWPR back when is was unknown and "cheap".

 

[rijndael]

Wish I could buy more SWPR back when is was unknown and "cheap".

You can still find deals on SW powders. I just bought SW LR for ~ $300 / 8#.

 

[Prose]

>>>>>The SECRET.... 6.5 CAROLINA LOAD<<<<<<

The 6.5 CAROLINA LOAD is the load that was given to me from the Guy in Sportsman's Warehouse in Columbia, SC last week. He was just a customer, and I've been trying to find him to thank him, but I've had no success so far. But his load has helped me so much that I thought I would pass it on...

forum.accurateshooter.com

The Carolina load is no good with lighter projectiles and shorter barrels. Needs a 140 and 24” to get good velocity.

 

[Bc'z]

The Carolina load is no good with lighter projectiles and shorter barrels. Needs a 140 and 24” to get good velocity.

I don't even look at 4350

 

[Dave M.]

I’m going to be loading some Hornady 129 gr SST and 123 gr SST projectiles in my Tikka 6.5 CM for use on small Deer and Hogs .
Reading through the Hodgdon data both Varget and H4350 are applicable to my needs .
I have both of those powders already but was wondering if one was better than the other in other people’s experiences.

Does one work better for the 120gn - 130gn weight projectiles ?

Hodg Superformance works great with 129’s for hunting. For target shooting I like H4350 with Berger 140’s

 

[dantiff2]

As already said, H4350 is the easy button. It just works BUT it is slow with bullets lighter that 140 gn. I found really good velo and accuracy with IMR 4895, IMR 4064 and Varget with the 123’s and 129’s. And you’ll get more loads per pound due to lower charges, that’s a bonus with todays crazy prices!
Dan