OCW test 6.5 CM, what do you see?

[scissorhands]

Rifle is a Bergara HMR 6.5 CM. I would like everyones opinion on the test. All bullets were seated to 2.80 (2.178 ogive)

 

[Kracken McGraw]

It looks like your over the max loads with Varget, according to Hodgdon load data.

 

[scissorhands]

It looks like your over the max loads with Varget, according to Hodgdon load data.

I used the Latest Hornady book, they list 38.2 as max charge weight.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I used the Latest Hornady book, they list 38.2 as max charge weight.

Sorry, I just saw that Hodgdon showed a max of 34.9 for a Nosler 130gr AB.

 

[JFrank]

The odd thing that I noticed is the point of impact is nearly identical despite the increased charges.
I’m not very good at interpreting OCW but the last I heard it wasn’t about group shape it was location of the group.
Someone correct me please

 

[hunter67]

I would go with the 37.6 load now run seating depth

 

[shoot4fun]

I am with @hunter67 on this. 37.6 grains Varget and seating depth. ELDM, at least in most all my testing, does best with a 15-30 thousandths jump over seating in the lands.
Now, for my question. Why Varget? There are much better options available for the 6.5 Creedmoor. I would be looking at H4350 or, even better, RL16. I have seen RL16 to be the easiest to tune and, even more importantly, show the widest accuracy nodes of any powder I've tested. This seems, IMO, to be especially true for the Creedmoor family.

 

[scissorhands]

I am with @hunter67 on this. 37.6 grains Varget and seating depth. ELDM, at least in most all my testing, does best with a 15-30 thousandths jump over seating in the lands.
Now, for my question. Why Varget? There are much better options available for the 6.5 Creedmoor. I would be looking at H4350 or, even better, RL16. I have seen RL16 to be the easiest to tune and, even more importantly, show the widest accuracy nodes of any powder I've tested. This seems, IMO, to be especially true for the Creedmoor family.

I have about 9lbs of Varget so I thought I would start with it. I do have H4350 as well, but not as much.

 

[Bc'z]

I have about 9lbs of Varget so I thought I would start with it. I do have H4350 as well, but not as much.

Very same reason I worked with it, had a few pounds and figured why not.
I wound up at 36.7 gr

 

[lawman29]

36.1 missing. The test is difficult to analyze as you have used two different aiming points: the center of two lines that form a t and the arc of a circle intersecting a line. So as you visually look at it - it is confusing requiring more effort to figure it out... Keep your aiming points to the "t" intersections when you do more testing.

 

[ngb1787]

Try h4350, i think u will be happy with results,

 

[Hohn]

I know OCW is generally done with three shots, but if you want to distinguish between those, you'll need a larger sample size or farther distance or both. Try 5 shot groups and coarser powder charge increments. In the charge weight range you're using, 0.3gr is less than 1% variation. You will experience more than 1% variation just due to temperature changes and ammo temp changes, (how hot the chamber gets, how long a round is chambered before firing, etc).

6.5 can shoot very accurately with Varget/RL15/H4895 class powders but they will but down a LOT of MV compared to the "proper burn speed ranges. You'll also have a bunch of empty space in the case with the faster powders. I'd definitely go slower on powder. But if you're set on Varget, you might have better luck with 120s or lighter bullets.

 

[scissorhands]

36.1 missing. The test is difficult to analyze as you have used two different aiming points: the center of two lines that form a t and the arc of a circle intersecting a line. So as you visually look at it - it is confusing requiring more effort to figure it out... Keep your aiming points to the "t" intersections when you do more testing.

I agree, I was being bothered at the range .

 

[Lefty Trigger]

I agree try H4350 or 4831SC, also mine did real well with IMR4451.

 

[trailrider121]

Looks like 36.4 is your scatter node. I would say one node at 37gr and next higher node is 38gr. Conduct a seating depth test in .003" increments.

 

[Fast14riot]

I'd look closely at 37.6gr-37.9gr. Tune seating depth with the lower charge, then work between those in .1gr increments.

 

[Depart123]

36.1 missing. The test is difficult to analyze as you have used two different aiming points: the center of two lines that form a t and the arc of a circle intersecting a line. So as you visually look at it - it is confusing requiring more effort to figure it out... Keep your aiming points to the "t" intersections when you do more testing.

Better yet, set it up like this:


These are obviously single shots, but you get the idea.

 

[wbm]

_.

 

[BruceWayne]

Rifle is a Bergara HMR 6.5 CM. I would like everyones opinion on the test. All bullets were seated to 2.80 (2.178 ogive)

Edward; My novice input: your target POI (lack of) height spread looks like you're at 100 yards, is this correct? At 100 yds, the Nosler book Varget loads are 34.5-38.5, 2586-2812 ft/s, = 0.02 MOA spread, = 0.2", and your loads are a smaller range, so less than 0.2". This is not measurable at 100 yds, operator input will be this much. You may need longer range or a chrono. I think this is what SPJ is onto above. I started this way and learned that a chrono is pretty necessary for reloading, fun also. Good luck

 

[scissorhands]

Edward; My novice input: your target POI (lack of) height spread looks like you're at 100 yards, is this correct? At 100 yds, the Nosler book Varget loads are 34.5-38.5, 2586-2812 ft/s, = 0.02 MOA spread, = 0.2", and your loads are a smaller range, so less than 0.2". This is not measurable at 100 yds, operator input will be this much. You may need longer range or a chrono. I think this is what SPJ is onto above. I started this way and learned that a chrono is pretty necessary for reloading, fun also. Good luck

Thanks for the reply, a chronological is on my list.
I am at 100 yards.