Powder selection for 6.5 CM short barrel suppressed

[Jody Simcox]

I’ve been using IMR 8208 (heard it on the net) in my son’s 6.5 Creedmoor with an 18” Proof Sendero shooting 120 class bullets with some success...any change in powders I should look at if he transitions to 140 class bullets? Does the 18” barrel (always suppressed) dictate a faster burning powder? What would you recommend and why? Thanks

 

[Sniper338]

same powder you would use if it was long barrel. It just tends to take alittle more grains to reach the node.

 

[358WCF]

I like RL26 with 140s. Short bbl. discussion here...

6.5 Creedmoor out of 20" barrel

I have a Sauer 100 inbound in 6.5 Creedmoor and a 20" barrel. It will be used with a 9" suppressor, which might add some velocity to the loads; but I don't think it would make the slower powders suitable... I am totally new to the 6.5 Creedmoor and picked-up a box of the 130 grain Sierra Game...

forum.nosler.com

 

[EOD Rob]

8208 is on the faster end of 6.5CM powders. IMR-3031 was the only one I saw that is faster. With that said, I agree with Sniper338. Stick with what is already shooting good! If you find that the 140s dont like that powder, then look at changing. I'd be wiling to guess, you'll be fine!

 

[dantiff2]

What most people didn't catch is that you said this weapon is always suppressed. Go with the faster powder with best chance of having a complete burn in the barrel and not in the can. Try to minimize the amount of pressure in the can to reduce the chances of a baffle strike due to stress related pressures. You'll also enjoy the benefits on the can more and the better velocity obtained through the short barrel length. You are loosing a lot of burn with only an 18" tube and it only gets worse with the slower the power burn rate.

 

[vegas]

Bumping an older thread as I have a similar goal. Would Varget give a full burn with an 18” barrel? Thinking about 123 or 130gr bullets.

Thanks.

 

[Hoot]

Consider Alliant AR-Comp. Resultant velocity change of only 20fps over a temperature swing of -20 to +160 F
It may not milk every last fps from a load but my experience has been that it produces wide accuracy nodes.

Hoot

 

[vegas]

Thanks for the recommendation. I've been wanting to try AR comp with 77gr SMK's also.

 

[venatic]

ARComp is a good recommendation been using it for a long time with 120-123 bullets for mild load that shoots well but gets the job done. I would think Benchmark would be a good one too.

 

[lb-ft]

Nosler accuracy load from a couple years back was 8208 with a 140 in 6.5 Creedmoor.