Updates with IMR 4451 and med 6.5s (260, x47, CM, etc)

[jimbo88mm]

I'm shooting Berger 130 hybrids. Just sent berger an email so hopefully they come back with some data.

I did an initial work up with my 260.

I have a nice node between 40.5 and 41 but the velocity (2650) is too slow I think to really take advantage of these bullets. I decided to push ahead to find the next node but I'm not sure where I can top out other than looking for pressure signs. 42.9 was my top load to date, no pressure signs and the velocity was better (2844) but accuracy wasn't great. Hodgdons website shows max for a 125 nos partition at 42.5.

I'm curious to see how everyone else is doing with this powder and if anyone has tried my specific combo (260, berger 130, imr4451).

 

[NevadaZielmeister]

I have not used your specific combination but have worked this powder for the 6.5 Creedmoor. I was pushing 140 grain Hornady A-Max's out of a 26 inch barrel with Hornady brass. I went from 39 grains all the way up to 45.5 when I blew a primer. I thought I had a good node at 43.6 grains but this loosened my primer pockets and eroded my throat too much. At 43.6 grains, I was pushing that 140 grain bullet 2960fps!! Way too fast.

I am currently working on load development for a slower velocity, hopefully in the 2850 range, if possible. The work continues but there is very limited information on the web regarding this powder. My father reached out to Hodgdon and Chris Hodgdon replied advising to just use the "Hodgdon Reloading Center", which did not address his questions for use of Quickload.

 

[jimbo88mm]

Berger came back with the same recommendation I had seen before, which is to follow their 130 vld data, which lacks these newer imr powders. I think I'm going to stay under 43 grains. Hopefully I can find a node between 42.5 and 43.

 

[alphapygmy]

Played with IMR4451 and the Berger 130 Hybrids in my 26" 260AI. It shot pretty good, well under .5 MOA at 300 yards for 5 shot groups. My Labradar is supposed to be here in a couple weeks so I don't have speeds yet. It seems slow though. My standard load is 142SMK with 46.8 H4831 at 2825 fps, needing 3.5 MOA up at 300 yards, the 130 Berger loads needed 4 MOA up. There was a good node for me between 43.0-43.4 so I've been loading them at 43.2.

 

[Laurie]

I found it inferior to H4350 in a Creedmoor with the 140gn Nosler, lower MVs and larger groups. (Factory Savage LRP.) Not bad results, just not as good as from H4350.

 

[jimbo88mm]

Wow, I started this thread last year. Since it popped back up I'll share my results with my 260.

I found a very accurate load with 41.5gr of IMR 4451 with Hornady 140 bthps with a MV of 2810 fps.

I could not get the berger 130 hybrids to shoot as well as these Hornady 140s and the velocity wasn't that much higher (2855). I've got a couple hundred of the new ELD bullets coming in so we'll see how it goes.

H4350 is hard to find so I've been using 4451 as a substitute. I'm tempted to give RL-16 a try (if I ever see it).