Loads for M1A with 6.5 Creedmoor

[JimBobNW]

Anyone out there shooting M1A w/6.5 Creedmoor?

I'm in the process of rebarreling my M1A Standard over to 6.5CM and plan to shoot 400yds to 800 yds. This is a 22" Criterion 8T barrel. I've found a few posts for AR10 shooting 6.5CM, but no one shooting the M1A. I assume loads will be pretty similar, but would like to hear from someone who actually shoots an M1A.

Thanks for your help....

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The carolina load works in the one ive seen. Use the slowest powder you can because of the piston is what i guessed and it worked

 

[Zero333]

Stay away from slow powders. H-4350 might be too slow as well.

M1A action is nothing like a Large frame AR-10. And definitely far from a bolt gun action Stick with powders faster than H-4350.

IMR or H-4895
IMR-4064
Varget
RL-15

That means nothing heavier than 130 gr.

 

[fatelvis]

The carolina load works in the one ive seen. Use the slowest powder you can because of the piston is what i guessed and it worked

What is the Carolina load Dusty?

 

[Dusty Stevens]

What is the Carolina load Dusty?

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/the-secret-6-5-carolina-load.3958973/

 

[std7mag]

Blastphamous!!!


Lol

 

[mic2377]

For ease of tuning, and something easy on the gas system, you would be hard pressed to beat something like a 123 SMK over 39.0-39.5 gr of Varget. This duplicates the old Hornady match factory ammo with the 123 Amax.

You will be hard pressed to find someone else shooting a M1A in that caliber. In fact bolt guns probably outnumber gas guns shooting 6.5 by a factor of 10x, and the AR platform outnumbers any other semi in 6.5 CM by another 10x.

I wish I could contribute more but I am just one of those AR shooters. That being said for the above load, the brass looks great and it runs great in my AR hot or cold, with or without a suppressor.

 

[CAPTHOOK58]

You definitely will have to handload. Tried almost every weight of manufactured ammo and still all over the place. Got about 100 rounds through it. One day will get around to loading for it.

 

[Hohn]

RL15 or Varget will get you what you want. Start around 35gr and work up from there.

 

[Hpwrshooter]

I pulled my hair out trying to find a load that shot at least 1.5 moa. Everything I tried was around 3 moa. The heavier bullets over 140 grain did not do well. I tried Varget Re15 and H4350 and agree H4350 too slow for M1A . Tried 37gr IMR 4064 and 120 gr Sierra MK and bingo got slightly under 1 moa accuracy with a couple groups a little better than that. Good luck

 

[Captain Jim]

I shoot the M1A in 6.5 and found it to be very accurate but have not found a load that makes it cycle or not jam. If you have a load that works the action correctly let me know. I started with H4350 and 140 Gr. BTHP I am now using IMR-4895 and 120 or 123 GR, BTHP with better results but still jams every 4th or 5th round. That said it puts 5 in one minute of angle at 100 yards.