New 6.5 Creedmoor

[jpistolero02]

Based on all the good things I read on this forum, I decided to pick up an AI AE MK III. It was cold and windy by Central Texas standards, but I was dying to try her out. It took me 4 rounds to get sighted in. This is my first group. Actually, it's a combined 4 shot group because my dad wanted to fire a round. I had him keep the same aiming point. This was factory 140 A-Max ammo. Tomorrow, I will do my OCW test. It is showing some real promise. I just love the way the rifle feels as well.

 

[cramey74]

I had the same results almost exactly a year ago. I bought a Mark III after owning several other rifles and a GAP Crusader the same month. The AE is my go to rifle now and I will not be selling it anytime soon. There really isn't anything I can complain about and it just shoots lights out.

 

[Papagallos]

Why would you want to reload for it when it's shooting like that with factory ammo? My GAP 6.5 Creedmoor is a stellar shooter with 140 factory ammo. I don't even have dies to reload for it.

 

[Rob01]

Congrats on picking an excellent cartridge. The factory ammo shoots the same in my rifle. That's why I use it for my match ammo.

 

[PatrickChewing]

Gotta love the Creedmoor!

 

[jpistolero02]

I am just weird and like to tinker. With two young kids, I might have to use more factory ammo with limited time. I was on the fence on weather I should go custom, but I liked the idea of swapping my own barrels. So far I am thrilled with my choice.

 

[leadbullet]

So factory ammo shoots bug holes and you want to do an OCW test, just load the brass with the recipe on the box and shoot bro, it's done.

 

[Papagallos]

So factory ammo shoots bug holes and you want to do an OCW test, just load the brass with the recipe on the box and shoot bro, it's done.

Not so fast. Any powder varies from lot to lot, which may or may not produce the same results. The factory recipe will have him around the ballpark though.

 

[jpistolero02]

Exactly, I need to make sure my lot of powder lines up. I am also trying the Berger 140. I just didn't anticipate the factory stuff to shoot so well. I thought maybe an inch or so, but this has me spoiled.

 

[280nosler]

The 6.5 creedmoor has a following for a reason. Great factory loads and handloads provide a cheaper method of putting rounds down range.

 

[garandman]

Love my 6.5 Creedmoor.

I reload for it cuz it saves me money, which I shoot up.

 

[jpistolero02]

I guess my only complaint would be with the AI scope mount. It works well enough, but I am not that impressed with the ring portion of the mount. Mine came from Mile High with scratches along the top of the rings. Almost like it had those and then instead of being buffed out they were just painted over. Doesn't seem like a $180 mount.

 

[Dacam]

Yeah, the AI mounts are all like that. Its not a Sphur for sure but it works.

 

[5RWill]

Rifle Pic? Great group BTW. Looking to rebarrel in 6.5CM come 2014. Can't wait honestly.

 

[jpistolero02]

Here is my OCW test. I need to tinker with seating depth because I didn't have a length gauge when I first loaded these and I arbitrarily loaded them 2.82" which is a little longer than factory. They might need to come in or out.

140 A-Max


140 Berger Hunting VLD. You can see it scatter right away and start to tighten as I go up in powder. I need to load one two more charges higher to confirm. Showing some promise though.

 

[Papagallos]

Just shoot the damn factory 140 ammo.

 

[Rob01]

You using H4350? If so I wouldn't waste powder on anything below 40grns with the 140grn bullets. Most find loads in the 41.5-43grn area. Factory is listed at 41.5grns but it's usually a little more due to powder lot variances.

 

[jpistolero02]

Good catch. I wrote the charges down wrong it was 41.6, 41.9, 42.2 and 42.5 of H4350. Not sure why I had those numbers in my head.

 

[jpistolero02]

Went back out and tried a few more rounds. I have my 140 A-Max load and now a 130 Berger VLD load. All three 130 loads were well under .5". I seated them at 3.810" which is well off the lands. I need to try seating the 140 Berger further off the lands to see if it likes that as well. Please excuse the randomness of the groupings.

 

[Boltfluter]

That rifle just plain shoots. Nice shooting on your part as well. Have fun.

Paul