6mm Creedmoor questions

[spudgun]

Since I have a shortage of H4350 in my area I have been trying different powders:
H44350, IMR 4350, RL 17 and H8431SC.

My first testing was done with H4350. My load was 40.6 at 2982 FPS, 105 Gr Hornady match and was getting 3" groups at 600 yds and very pleased. Then when the shortage hit me I was forced to try different powders.

After several tests I came upon RL 17. My first test loads showed a very good promise at 100 yds. My groups were sub .5MOA and was pushing 3050 FPS.

Last night I was at the 600 yd range and after shooting steel, clay pigeons, getting my barrel temps up to 120 Deg, I shot 5 at paper.

What looked god on steel plates ended up a 1 MOA (6") group at 600 paper.

I am wondering if pushing my bullet over 3000 FPS caused a issue. My twist is 1:8 and 24" barrel.

Looking for some advise on pushing the 6mm and at what speeds.

I will be backing down the load to get back to the 29XX FPS to see if it gets my accuracy back.

 

[whatsupdoc]

I run my 6mm creed at 3040FPS and it shoots great,I was using h4350 but now I run IMR4831.
You need more than one test group to reveal a loads accuracy potential. There could of been other factors that caused the widening of your group, shooter noise, wind, mirage or whatever else that affects the outcome.

 

[Matt_3479]

I’m running mine closed to 3150 and had excellent results. I’ve even had it to 3200 with exceptional es and sd but figured it wouldn’t last too long. Currently backing down a load to 3100 and looks to be extremely promising

 

[STOMP442]

You are a little on the slow side of that cartridge. R16 is a good alternative to H4350 and generally gives a bit more velocity. 41.5-42gr should put you right in the sweet spot between 3100-3150fps. I'm not real big on R17 as it is fairly sensitive to temperature in my experience.

 

[Ranger188]

If you can find RL16, buy it. Works just as well as H4350 or better.
Your RL17 is a little more temp. sensitive than other powders.
If your outside temp. or even if you left the round in the chamber
a bit longer before you shot it, will affect the speed some at distance.
If you run your 6 creed in the 2900+ their is no sense using it, some like the
prolonged barrel life, but might as well have started with a 6.5.
Your nodes are about .6g of powder apart in the 6 creed case.

 

[D. Eason]

I've been using H4831LC, no reason other than I use it in several other calibers. I was shooting the 105s with very good results at 29-2950. Both of my Creedmoors seem to love the slow powder. As a result, I've recently switched over to a heavier bullet, where I run 115s around 3040, on a 29"er. I shoot sling, but it holds a solid X ring. For me, that's 6" at 600. I think if I were to put it on a bipod, 2" groups would be very doable at 600. Based on the way both are shooting with 4831, I don't see using any other in my foreseeable future....

 

[jamesh]

I run 105s at 3170 because it shoots best there.

 

[Ranger188]

All 3 of my barrels ran better above 3100fps.
Just order another barrel or 2, now....
Shot my best 3 shot group ever with my 6 creed.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BX1Ia0jjJLv/

 

[D. Eason]

All 3 of my barrels ran better above 3100fps.
Just order another barrel or 2, now....
Shot my best 3 shot group ever with my 6 creed.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BX1Ia0jjJLv/

Agreed Ranger 188! Great cartridge! Never owned a cartridge that produced so many small groups!

 

[spudgun]

If you can find RL16, buy it. Works just as well as H4350 or better.
Your RL17 is a little more temp. sensitive than other powders.
If your outside temp. or even if you left the round in the chamber
a bit longer before you shot it, will affect the speed some at distance.
If you run your 6 creed in the 2900+ their is no sense using it, some like the
prolonged barrel life, but might as well have started with a 6.5.
Your nodes are about .6g of powder apart in the 6 creed case.

You could be on to something.

My first run with RL17 the temps were around 35 deg, Temps last night were about 45 Deg.

I guess with all been said, my 6.5 CM with RL17 kept the groups at 600 but the 6mm CM did not.

I have only been shooting the 6mm for about 2 months now. Still working on the golden load. It took mew about 6 months of tsting to get my 6.5 CM tuned in so I expect some testing to be done..

Thanks for the nfo.

 

[WeatherbyFan]

Im using 41.0grs of R16 and 108gr ELDM bullets with excellent results

 

[ballisticxlr]

RL-23 should turn in numbers nearly identical to the H4350 with the same charge weights based on my testing in 6XC and .243AI. It simply will not meter volumetrically so that's the downside. Otherwise it's really stable on temp and makes great velocity.