jd followed home by Creedmoor

[jds holler]

My brass is gonna be Hornady for awhile, since that's what I've got. I have actually seen the StaBall 65 powder around here, can't remember if BiMart or Sportsmans. My powder closet looks like a shelf in a 1970's sporting good store -- but I do have a pound of new IMR 4831 standard grain. StaBAll would be much funner to load with if ya ask me.

I appreciate all a you guys information/advice. These rifles are advertised to have a sub MOA guarantee with factory match ammo, but I'll never buy a box of it. These hunting shells that came with it are shooting "inch-ish" with me cleaning between shots. I'm about ready to quit that crap and go lay down some groups. jd

 

[ronsatspokane]

H4350 or RL16 are the go to powders for 6.5 Creedmoor. I've used both and they both produce stunning results. I shoot Berger 140 Hybrids. They are a little more forgiving in jump. Those VLD's seem to like to be jammed in my experience but they can shoot. With H4350 I'm using 41.5 grains lit by CCI 450's in Lapua small primer brass and it's driving those 140's at 2835 out of a 30 inch barrel. On this barrel (I've been through a few) it's 1/4 to 1/2 MOA. My load has not changed over the last three barrels.

My first 6.5 was a used Savage Long Range Precision. Found it at the local pawn shop. Had no idea how many rounds were on it. I bought one box of Hornady match 140 grain and another Hornady match 130 grain when I bought the rifle. Promptly took it to the range where that used gun with that ammo shot 1/2 MOA. I was stunned. I used that Savage in F Class for a couple of years. It's a fun caliber. There are days where that 6.5 will give my 6 BRA a run for the money.

 

[perazziguy]

Have you received your sacred Talisman??

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Hornady’s manual shows data for R15 if you need it.

 

[jds holler]

Hornady’s manual shows data for R15 if you need it.

As a matter of fact, I took this rifle out yesterday and tried three different powders, one of which was R15. All these loads were at the bottom of the power scale just to get started, and the R15 worked very well.

Actually all three powders did OK, the others being IMR 4831, and IMR 8208. These were three shot groups, and they all printed under an inch. (100 yds.) Bullets were all seated .030" off lands. Cases were unfired Hornady, run through full sizer, and chamfered mouths. CCI200 primers. jd

 

[Kracken McGraw]

As a matter of fact, I took this rifle out yesterday and tried three different powders, one of which was R15. All these loads were at the bottom of the power scale just to get started, and the R15 worked very well.
View attachment 1594835
Actually all three powders did OK, the others being IMR 4831, and IMR 8208. These were three shot groups, and they all printed under an inch. (100 yds.) Bullets were all seated .030" off lands. Cases were unfired Hornady, run through full sizer, and chamfered mouths. CCI200 primers. jd

Looking really good. No vertical at all.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Have you received your sacred Talisman??

As a matter of fact, I took this rifle out yesterday and tried three different powders, one of which was R15. All these loads were at the bottom of the power scale just to get started, and the R15 worked very well.
View attachment 1594835
Actually all three powders did OK, the others being IMR 4831, and IMR 8208. These were three shot groups, and they all printed under an inch. (100 yds.) Bullets were all seated .030" of lands. Cases were unfired Hornady, run through full sizer, and chamfered mouths. CCI200 primers. jd

They show 37.9 grains as max load.
I have a Lyman long range handbook that shows R15 as potentially the most accurate load for the 143 eldx at 36 grains going 2605 fps.

 

[jds holler]

They show 37.9 grains as max load.

Yeah, I'm gonna start moving on up, prolly .3 gr at a time, and hope to hit a sweet spot on the way. There was plenty of room in the case for more.
Here is my testing facility. I'm pretty new to having a chronograph, and I'm loving it.

 

[Old Navy]

Sorry. Yeah, they are ELD Match.
Is it legal to use the "secret Carolina load" in Oregon?? Details? jd

Eastern Oregon only.

 

[Bc'z]

Eastern Oregon only.

Guess that makes me an outlaw lmao

 

[jds holler]

Guess that makes me an outlaw lmao

You may not be located on the east side of the mountain, but you're still well within the "hillbilly/redneck zone". jd

 

[jds holler]

So I found a pound of Staball 6.5 powder to try in this rig, and loaded more groups of three to try. I kept seating depth the same as before, (.030 off the lands). I increased powder charge by 1 gr. for each load, until I got near the top and started feeling a little tight bolt lift. Nothing serious, and no other pressure signs to note with case head/primer.

Pretty consistent, but nothing spectacular, and looks like now I need to work on seating depth.




But then, I just had to try some ancient H-380 that I've got several pounds of. This stuff is from prolly 1950's, and I knew from previous experience that it is a little light in the pressure department. I started off a little above listed minimum, and with velocity in the 2200's it was grouping pretty good. as I increased in charge weights, I started getting velocity that I wanted, and it was shooting just fine. I finished with these two groups ending in the mid 2600's, and no real signs of pressure.

I'm already happy as a clam, knowing that I've got 5+ pounds of the old stuff and likely will be able to tune this a little better.

As mentioned, I'm .030 off the lands, and could go all the way to the lands, (2.873" OAL) and still fit them in the mag. Or-- start backing off even further and see what happens. jd