Work up load for 6.5 Creedmoor, shooting PRS 24" barrel?

[rap36case]

I am waiting on my A5 stock for a rifle build. The action is from a CZ 550, Mauser type. The trigger is factory from CZ. The barrel is a Kreiger 24" match with custom contour and 1 to 8 twist. I will try shooting PRS style out to 1100 yards and beyond. The scope for now is a PST 6 - 24 50mm EBR2C.

I have some H4350 and small primer brass. I have seen a few velocities bantered around for 26 to 30" barrels. I know no one in PRS that shoots long barrels. I also know the routinely reach out to 1400 yards.

Any suggestions on muzzel starting and ending velocities for a ladder?

 

[#40Fan]

Everything I have read says around 43 grains of H4350 is what you should use in a 6.5. I'd start working my way up until velocity stops increasing if that is all you are looking for.

 

[JBT47]

Everything I have read says around 43 grains of H4350 is what you should use in a 6.5. I'd start working my way up until velocity stops increasing if that is all you are looking for.

That will be too hot in most rifles. 41.5-42.4gr of H4350 will most likely give you what you need. Start lower and work up.

 

[#40Fan]

That will be too hot in most rifles. 41.5-42.4gr of H4350 will most likely give you what you need. Start lower and work up.

Depends on the bullet too, right?

 

[Tom Smith]

If I was worried about velocity and shooting PRS I think a 26" barrel would squeak out a little more velocity without having to run your loads real hot.

That being said, the 100fps or so that you will lose with a 24" barrel will make more difference in your head than it will on paper.

If you are looking for max velocity in your gun and you are using 140gr bullets I would suggest trying Reloder 16. I got significantly more velocity than I was with H4350. I was able to get over 3,000 fps with 140 Bergers without any pressure signs. Keep in mind I have a 28" barrel.

 

[#40Fan]

An Alliant powder load sheet attached for 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[JBT47]

Depends on the bullet too, right?

Yes it does.

 

[rap36case]

Thank you all very much! This gives me a starting point. I will work up a powder ladder first and then seating depth to accommodate magazines. I plan to shoot more PRS style than F-class in that I will not feed them one at a time in prone position. I expect an Omega 300 'can' will require adjustments later in the load.
I understand from experts in PRS that they have moved to 6mm and 3000+ fps muzzel to reach extreme ranges. I will be happy if I can shoot consistently at 1000yards.

 

[fredo]

Be sure to allow a margin of 'pressure safety' when loading for a practical rifle match. I.e. the 'high node' might not be the 'best node'...

Last thing you wanna have is a warm load become HOT and lock yer action up during a stage. Also, consider how moisture/debris in chamber will spike pressure, making an otherwise 'safe' load...over pressure!

It's nice to get a few extra FPS, but not at the expense of blowing a primer/sticking a round...cuz that will ruin your day.

Be careful and have fun!

 

[Rob01]

Thank you all very much! This gives me a starting point. I will work up a powder ladder first and then seating depth to accommodate magazines. I plan to shoot more PRS style than F-class in that I will not feed them one at a time in prone position. I expect an Omega 300 'can' will require adjustments later in the load.
I understand from experts in PRS that they have moved to 6mm and 3000+ fps muzzel to reach extreme ranges. I will be happy if I can shoot consistently at 1000yards.

That is not why. Recoil is why some changed to 6mms but calibers are always changing in the sport. The 6.5 can reach past 1000 just fine. Don't worry. And even with a good brake will be light shooting. I have shot one in PRS matches since 2008.

Start lower and work up. Start around 40grns and go up. I shoot the 140 ELDs and just started working with the 147s as well. You should be able to get decent velocity with a 24" barrel in the mid 2700s or so with 140s. That's plenty fast for PRS matches.

 

[D.Stone]

42 grains H4350
140 ELD

It should be right around 2800-2850fps depending on bbl length.

 

[Rob01]

Should be close with a 28". I need 43grns to get my 27" to 2850fps with the 140 ELD. If I remember correctly I was around 2775fps at 42grns but that is with Hornady brass too. If you use Lapua or one of the others with less internal capacity then those numbers would have gotten me over 2800.

 

[#40Fan]

Reloaded and fired some moly coated 142 SMKs in a 22" barrel, Winchester brass, 43.4 grains RE-16, 2800 fps!

 

[Farmerboy78]

I run a 6.5 creedmoor in prs... I have 2 different loads that I use.

130gr nosler rdf over 39.5gr varget, cci 450 primers, Peterson srp brass...2892fps

107gr sierra tmk over 40.7gr varget, cci 450 primers, Peterson srp brass...3112fps

I use the 107gr sierra tmk out to 750ish yes and the 130gr rdf beyond

 

[Rob01]

I run a 6.5 creedmoor in prs... I have 2 different loads that I use.

130gr nosler rdf over 39.5gr varget, cci 450 primers, Peterson srp brass...2892fps

107gr sierra tmk over 40.7gr varget, cci 450 primers, Peterson srp brass...3112fps

I use the 107gr sierra tmk out to 750ish yes and the 130gr rdf beyond

You should really pick one load and use it for a match. Makes life a lot easier and also less confusing under stress of match conditions. What if you had a stage from 200 to 1000 yards? Out of the two, I'd run the 130 load for everything.