6.5 Creedmoor loads?

Bed Wetter · Dec 31, 2017

I came into a Barrett Fieldcraft in 6.5 CM, 21” barrel. (It came with white frame sunglasses and coupons for 5.11 tactical pants, Ford Raptor accessories, and collectible watches.) I now have until fall to either cook up some loads or buy bulk factory loads. Need a bullet/load to kill whitetails the bestest. Go!

guywhofishes · Dec 31, 2017

http://nodakangler.com/forums/showthread.php?7857-Handloading-6-5-creedmoor&highlight=creedmoor

Bed Wetter · Dec 31, 2017

guywhofishes said:
http://nodakangler.com/forums/showthread.php?7857-Handloading-6-5-creedmoor&highlight=creedmoor

Meh. Not a very productive thread. 24” and 26” barrels. I’ve got 21” to work with. Maybe a lighter bullet? 130 or lighter?

- - - Updated - - -

Waiting for...
- Kurtr to provide entertaining and enjoyable examples of his own
- SuppressYourself to share data and analysis of his successes and failures. (Mmmmm numbers)
- SDMF to get bored with whatever he’s up to, stroll into NDA, tell me exactly what to do in no uncertain terms. Then be told he’s wrong by Kurtr/Prairieghost. Rolls his eyes and says, “fine, I’m not saying I disagree with you, but here’s why I’m right you neanderthals...”

Now that that’s out of the way, can we just skip to the part where SDMF tells me what to do?

guywhofishes · Dec 31, 2017

Bed Wetter · Dec 31, 2017

Wow! Surprised by the minimal loss in velocity with barrel length in the 6.5 CM. In the test, 142 SMK loses only ~40 fps with 21” bbl. Perhaps there really is something to this “high BC” fad...
https://rifleshooter.com/2016/02/6-...el-length-on-velocity-cutting-up-a-creedmoor/

PrairieGhost · Dec 31, 2017

Hey you Neanderthal want to talk spear sharpening?

My only experience with short barrels would be with 223 and 308. The 308 tolerated short barrels a lot better. My experience has been you loose less velocity with heavy bullets. Not just in fps, but percentage wise. Since my 143 ELD-X outshoot my 139 Lapua Silver Scenars I need look no further than the 143 ELD-X. I shoot the 160 round nose subsonic, and I consider an 1.5 inch at 100 yards good for subsonic. I don't know why but the 147 ELD match are not doing good for me. Soooooo if the 142 match shot well stick close to that size. ----------- just don't turn into one of these target bullet shooters for animals. There is a reason bullet companies make both types. Go figure. :::

Edit: Just read your article. That sure surprised me. What surprised me is with the heavy bullet the 24 inch barrel got higher velocity than the longer barrels.

SupressYourself · Dec 31, 2017

The 6.5 is still relatively new to me, but here's what I know.

The 139 Lapua Scenar is an absolute tack-driving dream, but after my poor experience with it on coyotes, I certainly would not try it on deer.

The 143 Eldx has been a bit more finicky in my gun. Of course I'm expecting routine < .5 MOA groups, so I guess "finicky" relative.
Here's what I settled on:

143 Eldx
41.9 gr H4350
Lapua brass
CCI 450 primer
2.220 to ogive
Velocity is in the 2840 range in my 26" barrel. Consistently single digit SD.

I would recommend running a box or two of factory Hornady Match 140 Eldm through it. Maybe not the best deer bullet, but those things shoot amazingly well out of my gun.

Also, Scheels in Fargo (as of Friday anyway) had 8# jugs of H4350 in stock. They have two fewer after my visit.

Petras · Dec 31, 2017

I would try out the 140 and 120 eld-m. The 140 eld-m works very well out of every 6.5 I've ever shot. It also performs very well on animals.

Bed Wetter · Dec 31, 2017

I have plenty of Reloader 15 for my .308. Seems H4350 is the “go to” for 6.5 CM but is it really that much better or will R15 do the trick?

SDMF · Dec 31, 2017

Bed Wetter said:
Now that that’s out of the way, can we just skip to the part where SDMF tells me what to do?

Order up a Forster bushing sizer, micrometer seater, Lapua brass and we'll get it sorted out.

Kurtr · Dec 31, 2017

Search Luke moffat on rokslide he has that gun and is using one of the rl powder with great results. I have never used anything but h4350 and am getting 6 plus loading out of my junk Hornady brass. It is a super easy to load for cartridge. I used 42.5 h4350 2.831 oal and have never changed

Forgot to add you might as well sell your .308 before it is a dust collector

PrairieGhost · Dec 31, 2017

I talked with the guys at Hornady and they sure think that H4350 is the ticket. I tried about seven or eight powders. I see someone asked about Hybrid 100V and I did try it, but don't remember anything about it. Slightly higher velocity, but not the accuracy I think was why I didn't purchase any more of it.
I am scratching my head this morning after reading the high velocity of the 24 inch barrel and you and kurtr getting 100fps more than me. I guess that's because you are using more powder, but I start to get pressure beyond the factory 41.5 gr. I guess I have not bothered to try after my Creedmoors have a few rounds through them, but with the 143 ELD-X I am getting groups under .2 inches. Three shot groups. I know some people think you need five, but after shooting under .2 a dozen times it's not like number 4 and 5 are going to go nuts. After that last little debate I did have to go shoot a few five shot groups. That was only a waste of bullets and powder.

Oh, the rifle that's under .2 inches is a Savage model 10 BA Stealth. I sent it back to the factory and they put on a new barrel. The first barrel was a total looser with subsonics.

Downrigger · Dec 31, 2017

I've loaded up 123 sst with 44.0 gr. 4350 and 130 gr nosler accubond with 39.0 gr 4350. Both have killed whitetail dead with the sst kill at 90 yards and the nosler at 450. The 123 shoots at 2755 through a 22 inch barrel. The 130 is for my brothers gun and I think that is in the 2,650 range. Not looking for the fasted but both are tack drivers.

Not sure what others have found but through our savage 6.5s I've found seating depth to be an important factor with the "sweet spot" being .015 to .020 off the lands.

I have not tried bullets outside of nosler and hornady. I have some others to try but that won't be till the temps improve. I have an antelope hunt to prepare for next year.

SDMF · Dec 31, 2017

This should probably me moved to the political threads.

Downrigger · Dec 31, 2017

;:;funnypost

Bed Wetter · Dec 31, 2017

Thanks for the tip on H4350 at Scheels, Supressyourself. I picked up an 8# jug this afternoon and he said they had 16 more in stock.

Kentucky Windage · Dec 31, 2017

SDMF said:
This should probably me moved to the political threads.

It belongs in the trash can. He will sell it long before legitimately shooting it. Ask me how I know.

guywhofishes · Dec 31, 2017

ba ha ha! poor wetter. Windage is so mean to him.

also, I’m going 6.5 - I’ll buy that 4350 when you no longer need it

Bed Wetter · Dec 31, 2017

Kentucky Windage said:
It belongs in the trash can. He will sell it long before legitimately shooting it. Ask me how I know.

At least I cut my hair. Both of them.

SupressYourself · Dec 31, 2017

Bed Wetter said:
Thanks for the tip on H4350 at Scheels, Supressyourself. I picked up an 8# jug this afternoon and he said they had 16 more in stock.

That's impressive considering the prior two years or so they've only been able to get small amounts and it doesn't last a day. Maybe the H4350 shortage is coming to an end.
Or... maybe I should go buy it all up and gouge you poor bastards.

6.5 Creedmoor loads?

Founding Member

Founding Member

Founding Member

Founding Member

Founding Member

Founding Member

Founding Member

Founding Member

Founding Member

Founding Member

Founding Member

Founding Member

Founding Member

Founding Member

Founding Member

Founding Member

Founding Member

Founding Member

Founding Member

Founding Member

Similar threads

Friends of NDA