6.5mm SAUM group with 143gr Hornady ELD-X

[wildcat284]

After a bit of playing around with a couple of 6.5mm bullets and H1000 / Retumbo, I've finally found the load my rifle likes. This is a 3 shot group that measures 0.462 MOA fired at 100 yards.

Bullet: 143gr Hornady ELD-X, 0.20 off lands
Powder: Retumbo (62.5grs)
Case: Norma 300 SAUM, sized down to 6.5, using a Redding S-Type busing die and 0.298 and 0 .292 bushings (I first size down the cases using a Hornady New Dimension 7mm SAUM die). When seating the projectile, I use a Forster Ultra Micrometer seater die, with the 7mm seating stem replaced with a 6.5mm
Primer: CCI BR2.

Initially I started off my load development with H1000, but I just couldn't get it to give me the groups I was after - the best was 0.7 MOA at 100 yards. Even after playing around with the seating depth and switching from a Federal 215 magnum primer to a CCI BR2. I thought that H1000 might be the powder, since it is the powder most shooters are using and gives top accuracy. I guess it shows that each rifle is a law into itself.

What i have discovered is just how consistent this Criterion barrel is. Even shooting bullets that are completely different, I could super impose two targets over the top of each other and the groups are in a remarkably similiar position.

Only thing left to do is to chronograph this load. 62.5grs H1000 gave me 3072fps (this is a 24 inch barrel), it will be interesting to see if Retumbo is the same or a bit faster. I'm happy either way.

 

[EBaker]

Nice! I hadn't thought about Retumbo but that's good as I have about 12 lbs of it for my .338 Lapua. I have about 30 rounds through my 6.5 SAUM with H1000. Still searching for the "magic" load. I just bought some 140 Accubonds and plan on trying them. I haven't given up on the 130 berger VLD Hunting yet.

 

[wildcat284]

To be honest, most guys probably dont think of Retumbo, as all the load data I see on the net is for H1000.

Actually, two guys down here in New Zealand put me on to using Retumbo, with the 140gr projectiles. They have both said it will give me a higher velocity than H1000, so will be interesting to see when I get to chrony that load.

62.5grs of H1000 was max in my rifle, I could safely load to 63.5 of Retumbo. However, 62.5 is where its at with Retumbo in my rifle after loading 3 rounds at 0.3gr increments. I also tried Retumbo with the 127gr Barnes LRX, I'm about to post again shortly. Check out the ladder test I did.

Mike.

 

[EBaker]

Having an OAL gauge made at my gunsmith right now. That may be pary of my problem...finding the lands. I will definitely give the Retumbo a try.

 

[wildcat284]

130 swift Sciroccos shot terribly in my rifle, even with a 1:8 twist. At 100 yards the groups looked like a shotgun.

 

[EBaker]

I zero at 100 yards with a generic load. Then, shoot possible loads at 300 yards to find best one. Has worked for me in the past.