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7/6.5PRC Pressure and Velocity ammo test

I see what you’re saying. Yeah, brass life is important, especially when you’re trying to get enough reloads with the same brass for the barrel life.

I have been trying different brass. Lapua, ADG, and Peterson.

I haven’t gotten any clickers yet that I’ve noticed. I did see the fix to the issue, but not sure I’m willing to lay down the money for the tool just yet.

I will say my ADG hasn’t grown much, but the pockets are loosening up after only 4-5 firings. Only on the second firing of my Peterson and same with the Lapua. I haven’t shot much of the Lapua lately because I was getting good results on target with the ADG and Peterson.

54.8gn was giving me 2880fps with good results on target. If this brass doesn’t get me enough reloads, I may step back down to that on the next batch.

About the Roll Sizer, I had a long phone chat after several emails to the manufacturer as when I first saw it I thought that this would be the long awaited cure for loose primer pockets.
That is not the case, the device is primarily aimed at the target pistol shooting market. The maker has a son that shoots competitively and that was his incentive to invent something that would assure the the case bases we’re always perfectly sized.
It will size the base of the brass above the extractor groove but does not roll the base of the case and shrink the primer pocket.
Pistol shooters need to be assured that the cartridge will chamber exactly and as we know, there is that small space at the bottom of a case where the sizing die just does not touch, this device services that area.
It will take care of “Clickers” by sizing that bottom area of the case that is hard to reduce with a conventional sizing die but will not reduce oversize primer pockets.
That is directly from the manufacturer in Perth.
I have had some success with carefully tapping the case down with a grade 8 bolt turned to just fit into the case against a 5/8” steel ball bearing.
You will need a gauge pin of the correct size as a primer pocket {I use one that just slips into the primer pocket of a new case} and keep checking the fit until the primer pocket is swaged enough to just get the pin in. I have had another 4-5 firings on the cases so treated as they are now able to hold a seated primer… No “Super Glue”
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Just an update, Have now taken the plunge on a RollSizer to see if it is the solution for the clickers I am having on my .280AI and ahead of my conversion to 7PRCW. Also some indication that by reducing the case to factory or less diameter @ time, it will go towards keeping the primer pocket expansion in check for the life of the case. ie. till some other part fails such as the neck/shoulder.
A bit of $$$ bling for the reloading room but if it works I have a few friends that are wanting the “Clicker Cure” as well… Sorry son, if you want to go to collage this year you will have to get a job… {:~)
 
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The issue I see with RL16 in the near future is if Alliant did suspend all powder sales for reloading purposes and will only be available to the ammo makers for the for seeable future....

I see only two sellers on GB that have any for sale. Your looking at basically $70 per pound.

Once you runout and can't find any what are you going to do then? That's the bummer part on some of this.

Keep your options open.
 
Exactly right Frank. I've got quite a bit of the RL 16 but really don't want to go through the trouble of working up a load with it, and then not be able to find anymore.
 
The issue I see with RL16 in the near future is if Alliant did suspend all powder sales for reloading purposes and will only be available to the ammo makers for the for seeable future....

I see only two sellers on GB that have any for sale. Your looking at basically $70 per pound.

Once you runout and can't find any what are you going to do then? That's the bummer part on some of this.

Keep your options open.
Yeah, that’s what I heard. I grabbed enough for two barrels a while back.

Exactly why I’m currently testing other powders I have and can actually get ahold of.
 
Very curious on H4831sc, I know Frank has some results but waiting to see how it turns out for @CBTobias
Most of it is already posted in this thread. Just back up a little. but I'll put it here for you as well on the H4831sc.

This is where we are at for the 190 ATIPS with the H4831sc. I'm waiting on the 57.5 load to be done yet.

190 ATIP’s H4831sc 56.50 2846fps 9 31 64965psi
190 ATIP’s H4831sc 57.50 fps Not tested yet

183SMK H4831sc 57.50 2901fps 9 32 62858psi
183SMK H4831sc 58.00 2924fps 6 17 64540psi
180 Berger H4831sc 58.50 2962fps 14 46 66255psi This load exceeded the 65k psi.

With a 180gr type bullet and H4831sc.... your basically looking at a max load of 58.0.

Full sheet attached.

Later, Frank
 

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Thanks again for all the testing and corresponding data, big time saver for all of us here! My build should be done soon and really looking forward to getting a load done for this cartridge.
 
A question, it seems that many are loading the 7PRCW/7-6.5PRC with the Berger 180 Hybrids & Triple nickel, I have a goodly supply of the 184‘s and lots of 4831sc and wondering if anyone is using this combination?
 
A question, it seems that many are loading the 7PRCW/7-6.5PRC with the Berger 180 Hybrids & Triple nickel, I have a goodly supply of the 184‘s and lots of 4831sc and wondering if anyone is using this combination?
I’ve been meaning to test 4831, but it might be a bit for me as I have 1086 rounds on my barrel and still have two comps left on the season. Maybe I’ll do a small quick test this weekend if I can find time to load up some rounds.

Frank has posted data for 4831 and the 180’s. 58.5gn’s gave them 2962fps in the test barrel, but it was over pressure, so I’m sure the 184’s would not be that far off charge wise. I’ve got a box of 184’s so I can load some of those up as well if I make it out this weekend.

Last match is in September, so I was planning on doing a bunch of testing before we chambered a new barrel over the winter.

I’ll be sure to get temperatures the days I shoot since it will certainly be a lot cooler here in Alaska in September.
 
I tried H4831 first with mixed results. Got better accuracy with H4350 but suffered from pressure spikes though the accuracy was there. Finally tried N555 and found the sweet spot. Somebody is probably using H4831 somewhere.
 
A question, it seems that many are loading the 7PRCW/7-6.5PRC with the Berger 180 Hybrids & Triple nickel, I have a goodly supply of the 184‘s and lots of 4831sc and wondering if anyone is using this combination?
You are basically looking at a max charge of 58.0. I'd start under that some and work your way up. Both the 183's at 58.0 put it right at 65k psi and the 180 Bergers at 58.5 put it over 65k psi. I wouldn't expect anything different with the 184's.

Here is a pic of Scotts last target during testing before shooting the NF ELR challenge. 190 ATIPs and he tied for first place. I intentionally blocked out his powder charge. My/his load has not been run thru the pressure barrel yet.

Also keep in mind your reamer spec, your actual barrel spec., different lot of powder etc... can and will make differences in pressure etc...

1721747724034.jpeg
 
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I've got to load more ammo with RL16 powder. The ammo I sent down to Hornady for testing got lost in shipping.

They did shoot the other H4831sc ammo.... I'm just waiting on the data to be compiled and sent to me.

I wanted to attached some pic's of a fired case for everyone to look at.

I marked up one of the pictures and circled the ring that is left on the case from when it's fired and it pushes against the pressure transducer.

The last pic is of the primer. The firing pin hit looks funny but is normal. When the loads start hitting 60k and higher in the test receiver any little ridge from the firing pin hit gets smeared when the breech is opened. I think this pic is very important for everyone to look at. If you look at the primer it is not flat and nice round edges still. This ammo was running at 66k psi. The reason I'm showing this is a classic example why you hear... " just because you don't see a flat primer etc... doesn't mean the pressure is not running high/over the max etc.... it isn't always a tell tale sign of high pressure!"

Later, Frank

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I've got to load more ammo with RL16 powder. The ammo I sent down to Hornady for testing got lost in shipping.

They did shoot the other H4831sc ammo.... I'm just waiting on the data to be compiled and sent to me.

I wanted to attached some pic's of a fired case for everyone to look at.

I marked up one of the pictures and circled the ring that is left on the case from when it's fired and it pushes against the pressure transducer.

The last pic is of the primer. The firing pin hit looks funny but is normal. When the loads start hitting 60k and higher in the test receiver any little ridge from the firing pin hit gets smeared when the breech is opened. I think this pic is very important for everyone to look at. If you look at the primer it is not flat and nice round edges still. This ammo was running at 66k psi. The reason I'm showing this is a classic example why you hear... " just because you don't see a flat primer etc... doesn't mean the pressure is not running high/over the max etc.... it isn't always a tell tale sign of high pressure!"

Later, Frank

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View attachment 1576439

View attachment 1576441
What primer was used?
I ask because I'm helping a buddy learn to reload his own for 6.5 PRC.
While testing I was keeping an eye on his primers CCI200, nice round edges as well
 
I keep getting lightly cratered primers with the 210m’s even with very light loads running 2840. Not running excessive headspace either. Might try some cci BR primers to see if the issue still persists. Action is a BRMXD so I’m highly confident it’s not an action issue.
 
So I got the test data for the 190 ATIP's and the H4831sc load with 57.5gr.

Avg. velocity was 2900fps, SD = 8, ES = 25

Average pressure was 69,284! Most ran upper 69k and one round came in at 70,690!

See the updated sheet....

What I marked in blue where the most accurate loads. Keep in mind and don't go saying this or that bullet is better than the other. The difference in accuracy was at times only .050"! A change in a powder charge of say .2gr or changing the seating depth on the bullet can make all the difference. No load tuning was being done.

Notice how a 1gr powder charge increase with the H4831sc and the 190ATIPs bumped the pressure 5k psi.

Later, Frank
 

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