6.5 Creedmoor recipies?

[TiGuy]

Just shot the first 52 rounds of factory 120 A-Max Hornady ammo in my new rig. Gunsmith built and trued Rem 700 short action with 28" Douglass 1 in 9" SS barrel etc. First thoughts...very impressed, and appears more accurate than I am,yea, but I'm a rookie)@ 100 yds. Plenty of jagged holes considering I just put this thing together and using factory ammo. No data yet from the cronny. I'll shoot my last 8 rounds over cronny for reference.

Anyone have recipies for Lapua scenars or SMK's yet? I"ll post findings if anyone cares. I'm starting out with 108 gr scenars and 107 SMK's, Hornady brass,duh), CCI BR2 primers and H4350. Looking to first develop the flatest 600 yd target round.

 

[Mudcat]

Only got a few minutes, so here is just some quick data:

With 107s, start at about 40grs and work up,I used Moly bullets and thats where I started, so you will be ok there). With a moly, I was getting 2655fps with 40 grs and went up to 45.0grs of H4350 for 3009fps.

I used Win LR primers.

140grSMK moly data - start at 42.0grs of H4350 to get 2690fps and went to 44.0grs for 2824fps, backed off to 43.0 for 2771fps.

Note that I am now using V100 as I can get more velocity with less pressure. YMMV.

John

 

[TiGuy]

FYI, the factory Hornady rounds actually exceeded the data printed on the box. I was getting more than 3050 FPS from the 120 gr A-Max's out of a 28" barrel blank,27.25" finished after recoil lug).

Lapua 108 gr scenars ran best for me @ 2965 fps, jammed .015, which took 42.2 grains H4350.,1 in 9 twist). Haven't found a faster sweetspot yet after going to 44.2 gr and 3170 fps.

 

[Hayes]

SIR,

I'm running modest velocities with this cartridge out of a 24 inch barrel on a DPMS gas gun.

The 108 lapua is running very nicely at 2800-2820 fps with 40.7 grs H4350. My intention was to use this load at 200 yards for offhand work and the rapid.

The 123 lapua I'M running at 2800-2825 fps as well but will use this primarily as the 300 yard load. It carries well to 500 but it's a bit soft beyond that. 41 1/2 grs in the chamber/barrel gets it there.


The 139 lapua is hammering at 2730-2750 fps and is my 600 yard load, 41.3 grs. is the load.

Berger 140 vld at 2780 fps with 42.3 grs. looks decent .



All of the above is with Hornady brass and Rem 9 1/2 . Off the lands with everything .010-.015 .


On a side note I picked up this DPMS new a few weeks back just for the sake of getting the big gun before problems arise next year with the other half in congress. I really had no intentions of using it for anything other than an occasional F-CLASS or Tac match.
As I was doing some load development for the gun I noticed it was shooting everything very well . I decided to set it up for a x - course match to evaluate it's potential as a viable option for highpower. I 'm using a Rock river trigger cleaned up a bit without accuracy or ignition problems. Talking with Scott Medesha here in Phoenix he says he's sent out some of his guns with Geiselle triggers in them but no feedback as of yet. I even dropped Derrick Martins single stage in to see if there would be any issues with it and the gun worked flawlessly. I turned the barrel down for the sight and recrowned it, polished up the barrel extention and lapped the carrier in. I had to mill a slot in the float tube for the hand stop . I've got 500 rounds through it to date without a malfunction.

However, the gas port is at .070 which is a bit on the small side for anything faster like varget. Now the Varget worked in the gun but would not lock the bolt open on the last round. So if you're bent on something with a burn rate in that range one may cosider opening the port a bit.

DPMS says they made the barrel, Chamber is big, small base sizing for this gun is a must. The lead is a bit long as well but overall not a bad value at 975.00 . Of course I changed out the stock , a necessity if used over the course.

The biggest issue at this point is the brass life in this thing. I believe it relative to the size of the chamber, but too much head expansion, primers will go in 5 times at the most before they're done and thats with 9 1/2, 210m and CC BR-2.

Demille told me just prior to purchasing the gun and brass that he was on his eighth firing in his TUBB gun with this catridge. No indications the brass was giving up on him.

Phil Hayes

 

[Mudcat]

Yes, brass will/can last a long time if you treat it nicely. I have some 6.5Creedmoor cases with over 20 firings on them, but all the loads were "sane". Push em, and the primer pockets go poof instantly. But, there isnt really much reason to "overload" this cartridge. You can get 2700-2800 out of a 140class bullet with sane loads.

Will be shooting my 6.5Creedmoor bbl'd T2k tomorrow and will report how it does...last match was 789,first time out with it).

John

 

[TiGuy]

Mudcat, do you really think running a .615 bc 140gr bullet at 2800 fps is a sane load for this brass? I sure hope you are right 'cause that sounds like a real winner for 600-1000 yard br to me.

I'll be testing the 123 scenars tomorrow. I hope I can find a good 2950 fps sweetspot with these. They should make a great 600 yd round.

 

[Mudcat]

TiGuy:

Sane? Dunno. i do know that I havent toasted a piece of brass at that speed yet, but I have only gotten that speed using V100, and I tried about 6 or 7 powders so far...the usual suspects.

I think it would make a good 600-1000 yard load, though I havent shot it past 600 yet.

Shot the 107s and the 123s today on a 2/300 800agg in Boone. Windy as dogsnot, at least for the 200 portion of the match, 10-20mph or more and wreaked havoc on offhand scores and played with us the rest of the day. Not too great of shooting and yucked out a win with a 781, not good, but enough. I tossed some 9s here and there, but my centered up shoots were bunching up, so I figure if I can get my act together we would see much better scores, but the potential is there. The loads I shot all use 41.5grs of V100.

I would rather be shooting Bergers but I dont have any on the shelf and cant afford to buy em when I got SMKs by the bucketload to use.

TiGuy, if I get a chance, I will test my theory by shooting one piece of brass with a 140 with 41.5grs of V100 till I lose the primer pocket. That will tell us what we want to know. But, alas, I have some 7mm 180s to test tomorrow, so that is going to take priority.

John

 

[TiGuy]

Thanks Mud...haven't gotten the 123's out there yet but congrats on the win, and I will give V100 with BR2's a try.

 

[2644ever]

You guys just forgive my ignorance, but what the heck is that V100 powder? Who makes it?

 

[Rob01]

It's a newer powder by Hodgdon. Here's the info from thier site:

HYBRID 100Vâ„¢ This excellent new product is the result of combining the technologies of spherical powders and extruded propellants. The chemistry of a spherical powder is combined with the geometry of an extruded propellant, creating a smooth-metering, super short granule extruded shaped propellant with high energy. HYBRID 100V has a burn speed between H4350 and H4831, yeilding superb performance in such popular calibers as 270 Winchester, 243 Winchester Super Short Magnum, 7mm Remington Magnum, 300 Winchester Magnum and dozens more.

Hybrid technology: the chemistry of a Spherical powder with the geometry of an Extruded propellant
Ideal for use in calibers that fit H4350, HYBRID 100V delivers stunning velocities not seen before in a variety of popular cartridges
3,310fps for a 150-grain bullet in the 300 Weatherby Magnum –nearly 100fps faster than the nearest competitor
Unique small grain, Hybrid shape benefits the handloader in two ways; the powder accurately flows smoothly and easily through a measure and charge weights are consistent for ideal load density and pinpoint accuracy
HYBRID 100V sets the performance standard with a winning precision target shooting and big game hunting experience.
HYBRID 100V in one and eight pound containers will be at Hodgdon dealers everywhere spring 2008
Complete data is complementary and available 24/7 at the hodgdon.com Reloading Data Center

 

[2644ever]

Well, thank you so much for all this information. Looks like this powder could suit my .260 and my .338WM just fine...

 

[TiGuy]

I just got back from the range after shooting 142 SMK's over the crony. This might not be a "sane" load, but I am very happy with results so far for a 1000 yd load. I'm getting 2890 fps with 43.4 grains of H4350. I don't dare go any higher since pressure signs began to show at 43.8 grains,slight ejector divots/shine). We'll see how long the brass holds up....

At least I feel like I can hold my own with the 6.5 x 284 shooters with those results...at least my ammo will compete with their ammo that is...

Gotta find some 100V.

 

[Mudcat]

Real interested in the readings on your primer pockets after you get those primers out. I had 41.3grs of V100 cause primer leaks the other day....elevation issues as a result. Primer pockets were toast...was first time load brass too, dangit!

John

 

[TiGuy]

The pockets look pretty good. Nothing over .2095 even where I saw pressure signs on the hotter test rounds of 43.8 grains. Keeping my fingers crossed. I'll definitely only use these for 1000 yd work. Got some Berger 130 VLD's on the way too.

 

[Rob01]

I finally got to load up some 6.5 Creedmoor rounds. I used the 140 AMAX and loaded 42, 42.5 and 43grns of H4350. Got the following results:
42grns- Av 2817, ES 23, SD6
42.5grns Av 2831, ES 18, SD 5
43grns- Av 2870, ES 19, SD 5

All loads were right around 1/2 MOA with the 42 and 43s getting some .3" 5 shot groups at 100. I plan to test them this week at 300 yards. No pressure signs at all on any of the loads.

 

[Mudcat]

Ok, well, I finally got me some Re17 and finally got a day that I could go out and tinker with it. But, as luck would have it, the day wouldnt start out well. First, wind, LOTS of it. Steady 7-10mph, with gusts well over that. So I decided to stick to 300 and not deal with clearing the range to shoot 500 yards. Then, I get the chrono out to work up a load, but realize I need to move the F150 to get enough room from the garage to get the chrono set up and have room to fire into my dirtbank. Of course, I am on the phone, distracted, then finally find my keys, hop in the truck and proceed to move it.....when I back up, I feel the truck run over something...uh oh, I left the chrono next to the truck when i went to get the keys!! Yep, ran over the whole bloody thing, box, screens, everything! crushed. No more chrono! Now, its not the end of the world as it was a POS Pact and was going to get replaced, but not a week prior to the big 600 yard weekend at Butner when I am between bbls on several rifles and really need to get a 6.5 Creedmoor load going!! Lets just say I cussed more in 1 minute there than I have in the last year.

Ok, so now what do I do? Well, knowing the Hornady brass will leak at the primer before I go over in pressure, I started at 38.0 grs of Re17 and worked up. Got to 43.0grs and was leaking big time, so I backed back down until I got zero primer pocket expansion and settled on 40.0grs. Again, no idea of velocity but I am going to bet we are talking 3,000fps....or, I sure hope anyhow. Based on what German and Robert were getting in the 6XC, I am going to go out on a limb and say if it aint 3,000fps, its close. Give me some Winchester or Lapua brass in 6.5Creedmoor and 3,000 fps with a 140VLD is a gimme.

I proceed to load up 20 rounds with Berger 140VLD,one kick hiney bullet!), Wolf LRMs, 40.0grs of Re17 and 20 thous into the lands. Headed out back and shot a group on the MR63 high power target that has a 2.75inch X ring. Ended up with 200-19X, having dropped one to a heavy trigger finger. Thats 20 shots fired in less than 10 minutes into a group that measures just under 2.75 inches....well under 1 MOA for 20 shots. Not bad for a guy that shoots off a rest less than a handful of times per year.

Here are the specs on the equipment:

1x fired Hornady 6.5Creedmoor brass
40.0grs Re17
Wolf LR Mag primer
140VLD Berger 20 thous in
T2k with Wilson 26 inch bbl with 700 rds on it
NightForce NSX 12-42x56 scope at 42x
Fired off my Sinclair rest and rear bag on the ground at 300 yards
Wind, from 4-7 oclock, 7-15+mph. I did NOT hold off to account for wind as I wanted to see what these babies would do in the wind.

Needless to say, as long as the velocity is there, I am going to run this load at Butner next weekend. With Re17, even with the soft Hornady brass, the 6.5Creedmoor is a winner, for HP use anyhow,I dont shoot benchrest, etc so whether or not the accuracy meets those standards is of no relevance to me). Give me better brass and I know I can bump this load up to the next accuracy node, easily. I had great results with H4350 and V100 with this cartridge, but the Re17 opens a new door. Now, to see what bbl life is like with this stuff!

Once I run these over a chrono, I will post the fps results.

John

 

[Forum Boss]

Great Report, Mudcat...

Sorry about the chrono :cry:

I don't have a story to top that, but I do know a guy who ran over a deer rifle in a case. He was able to salvage the action, but that's about it.

VERRRRY interesting report on the 6.5 Creedmoor and RL17. This case,like the 6XC) may have enough capacity to benefit from this powder. Basically we've found that if your cartridge shoots well with H4350/H4831 there's a good chance RL17 will work.

Looks like the accuracy is there for you too!

 

[Mudcat]

Ok, I borrowed a Oehler 35 and rushed home this evening to try and get some shots over it before the sun went down. Well, it didnt work too well with the fading light but did get SOME readings. the 40.0gr load seems to be running just over 2700fps, way off my estimated speed. So I ran into the garage and loaded up a 41.0, 41.5, 42.0 and 43.0,all charges I tested yesterday. got 2762, 2810, 2836 and 2945, respectively. The 43.0 leaked at the primer, no surprise.

Now, I am not sure how accurate these readings are, but I will run them again and I will run them over the CED M2 that I just ordered.

For this weekend, I think I will run either 40 or 41, both of which should be just fine, and both get over 2700fps. With a .640bc bullet, thats still not a bad combo!

I will bet some doughnuts that if I can form some 6.5Creedmoor out of Winchester brass, 2950 with a 140 class bullet is going to be very doable. Now THAT kiddies, will be a very nice LR round. So, I am not giving up on it or the Re17 yet, just need to work around the cartridges current weak point.

John

 

[secretsquirrel]

would love to see some data with Re17 driving the 130 berger VLDS
from the 6.5 Creedmoor. anyone tested this combo yet?

 

[TiGuy]

Get busy forming some brass Mud. My primer pocket leaks are a thing of the past with win and lapua brass. 130VLD's with 40.9 grains H4350. 2930 FPS