6.5 Creedmoor

The Berger web site has a Stability calculator that is spot on!
Yep. That is what I used when I decided not to try 153.5s in my 8 twist. The 140gr Hybrids have shot lights out for me.

Current load pushed out to 1952yds yesterday. I was alone, so no spotter and berms were damp from rain the night before…no splash. All I had was a hit indicator on target. Found the wind after my third attempt and went 4 out of 6.

41.5gr H4350, Lapua brass, CCI450s at 2760fps. Loaded at mag length. Not trying to chase velocity.

 

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For the Berger 140 Hybrids. My only guesses were, semi auto, or they just want you to see pressure early for their reference load. This is from their website and their Android app alike, the 2.717" COAL.

I tried some in my Seekins just to see the difference on that short length load. Rifle didn't like that jump very well compared to 2.795 - 2.805 lengths.
 
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I’m having some trouble finding a good load for my 110 tactical- I did testing of h4350, rws primers, Barnes match burner 140gr and Hornady brass. Coal 2.82”

Tried:

41.3
41.4
41.5
41.6
41.7

42.3
42.4
42.5
42.6
42.7


I can’t seem to find a consistent load and I’m not sure why…. Attached is chrono for 42.6, which had the tightest grouping in my first round of testing (no chrono that day).

Any suggestions? I seem to get more consistent loads in the 2600-2650 area with staball 6.5, but I want a bit more velocity.
 

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I’m having some trouble finding a good load for my 110 tactical- I did testing of h4350, rws primers, Barnes match burner 140gr and Hornady brass. Coal 2.82”

Tried:

41.3
41.4
41.5
41.6
41.7

42.3
42.4
42.5
42.6
42.7


I can’t seem to find a consistent load and I’m not sure why…. Attached is chrono for 42.6, which had the tightest grouping in my first round of testing (no chrono that day).

Any suggestions? I seem to get more consistent loads in the 2600-2650 area with staball 6.5, but I want a bit more velocity.
you might get more data in the 6.5CM AR forum
 
I’m having some trouble finding a good load for my 110 tactical- I did testing of h4350, rws primers, Barnes match burner 140gr and Hornady brass. Coal 2.82”

Tried:

41.3
41.4
41.5
41.6
41.7

42.3
42.4
42.5
42.6
42.7


I can’t seem to find a consistent load and I’m not sure why…. Attached is chrono for 42.6, which had the tightest grouping in my first round of testing (no chrono that day).

Any suggestions? I seem to get more consistent loads in the 2600-2650 area with staball 6.5, but I want a bit more velocity.
Neck tension? How are you setting neck tension? You measuring shoulder bump in the chamber or comparator? Annealing?

Try better brass.
 
Neck tension? How are you setting neck tension? You measuring shoulder bump in the chamber or comparator? Annealing?

Try better brass.

I am annealing the brass on my burstfire annealer.

I don't know how to set neck tension? I'm using hornady custom grade dies to size and seat.

I am measuring shoulder bump with comparators - about 2 thou bump back, HOWEVER, this brass was previously shot in a different rifle- this would have been the first firing through this gun. Would it cause me trouble?

I'm open to trying better brass, but would like something halfway consistent before I invest in 2-400 pieces of lapua brass.



Would having the brass fire formed to a different rifle be causing me issues?



Thanks,

CH0MPS
 
At a minimum I would be using a neck bushing FL resizing die. Start with a .290 bushing usually will get most brass to around .002 neck tension. I don’t mandrel and still see single digit SDs.

Brass fired in a different chamber may have some negative effects but not huge. I’m using Lapua brass 1x fired from a different chamber and I can tell a difference from virgin brass fire formed in my own chamber. But I think it will get better after the 2nd firing in my chamber. Neck tension will play a huge role in consistent velocities.
 
I am annealing the brass on my burstfire annealer.

I don't know how to set neck tension? I'm using hornady custom grade dies to size and seat.

I am measuring shoulder bump with comparators - about 2 thou bump back, HOWEVER, this brass was previously shot in a different rifle- this would have been the first firing through this gun. Would it cause me trouble?

I'm open to trying better brass, but would like something halfway consistent before I invest in 2-400 pieces of lapua brass.



Would having the brass fire formed to a different rifle be causing me issues?



Thanks,

CH0MPS

Being shot in a different rifle definitely could effect it as that rifle may have a lot or little shoulder growth and your bumping it from that fired and not fired from yours. Measure yours fired and the stuff you sized and check.

Measure the neck of a sized case and then measure a loaded round neck and you will get your neck tension. Those Hornady dies should be close to .002” or so of neck tension. I used those for a few years from 2008 on with Hornady brass and they worked fine. They will load accurate ammo.

Your rifle may also not like those bullets or the jump. Can you measure to the lands?
 
Being shot in a different rifle definitely could effect it as that rifle may have a lot or little shoulder growth and your bumping it from that fired and not fired from yours. Measure yours fired and the stuff you sized and check.

Measure the neck of a sized case and then measure a loaded round neck and you will get your neck tension. Those Hornady dies should be close to .002” or so of neck tension. I used those for a few years from 2008 on with Hornady brass and they worked fine. They will load accurate ammo.

Your rifle may also not like those bullets or the jump. Can you measure to the lands?
I can measure the lands, yes.


I set the seating die to the exact depth the hornady 140gr match ammo is at. It worked on my last rifle?''


It sounds like there are a number of variables here - I think i may need to just completely start over now that I fire formed the brass to this gun.

Should i continue with my current seating depth or go back to sami spec?
 
I can measure the lands, yes.


I set the seating die to the exact depth the hornady 140gr match ammo is at. It worked on my last rifle?''


It sounds like there are a number of variables here - I think i may need to just completely start over now that I fire formed the brass to this gun.

Should i continue with my current seating depth or go back to sami spec?

That seating depth or overall length or OAL doesn’t need to be “SAAMI spec”. Hornady loads their 140s at 2.810” so as long as they fit in your mag and feed don’t worry about it not being a certain spec. You need to figure what the bullet you are using likes to be set at. Some bullets are not good at longer jumps and need to be closer and some are pretty workable with many OAL. Never used the bullets you are using so cant help there.

I’d do as you are doing with the brass and check your neck tension and figure out the OAL when touching the lands and then work off that as your reference point.
 
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I don’t suppose you have a pictures of 308 Hornady load data?
I’m not sure if they even printed this kind of data on 308, might’ve just been 6.5CM.

No nothing on the back of the .308 ammo. This was done on the 6.5 to show their load data so people had the info as it wasn’t in any manuals yet. That was the initial loading and they had it on for about 4 years or so and then ended up taking it off as people were pulling bullets and saying their load wasn’t the same. Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. They didn’t understand about lot differences in powder.
 
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Just got a new barrel In. 26” 1.25 Straight CRB .170fb 1:8tw from TS Customs. Didn’t get any shots of groups but took it out to 1000y today. Shooting lights out.

40.3g H430
Berger 153’s
Lapua 6.5cm SRP brass.

I just loaded 50 rounds with H4350. On rounds 38-50 I was getting some ejector swipes and heavy bolt lift to will back it down a little.

Rounds 13-23 on my
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The 11 shot string is round 39-50
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I’m having some trouble finding a good load for my 110 tactical- I did testing of h4350, rws primers, Barnes match burner 140gr and Hornady brass. Coal 2.82”

Tried:

41.3
41.4
41.5
41.6
41.7

42.3
42.4
42.5
42.6
42.7


I can’t seem to find a consistent load and I’m not sure why…. Attached is chrono for 42.6, which had the tightest grouping in my first round of testing (no chrono that day).

Any suggestions? I seem to get more consistent loads in the 2600-2650 area with staball 6.5, but I want a bit more velocity.
My best groups normally have the worst SD/ES. And the low SD/ES have the worst groups. Can't win. I loaded and shot a 0.3 SD/0.8 ES this weekend and the groups sucked. And yes. Those numbers were correct.
 
Hello all, i have an mpa pmr in 6.5 cm 26" and was wondering what the pet loads are out there using h4350 and 147 eldms? Oh, i also have staball 6.5
My load for the 147 eldm is 41.2gn H4350 in a Bartlien 26" barrel .015 off lands. 2705 FPS SD4/ES10. Not mag length. 2.885 OAL. Brand new Alpha brass with CCI 450 SRM primers.
 
For those running the 153.5 LRHT with 6.5 Creedmor. What freebore and twist rate are y'all running in your barrels?

< 2700 FPS with the 153.5 / 156
1:8 .170FB with 153’s. I’ve only out 50 rounds down the barrel. This is data for the last 47. First 3 I deleted since it was brand new. They are all 40.3G H4350. I started getting heavy bolt lift and ejector marks around 38 ish rounds Untill 50 but barrel was pretty hot.
 

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I have been shooting Hornady Mach 147s right now. I am looking at getting into reloading and it seems Berger is the go to. It seems like 140 or 144s are the go toos. Any reason to choose one over the other? I have a range that goes out to 1400yards and am trying to tighten up my groups a bit. I definitely need more time behind the gun for sure...
 
I have been shooting Hornady Mach 147s right now. I am looking at getting into reloading and it seems Berger is the go to. It seems like 140 or 144s are the go toos. Any reason to choose one over the other? I have a range that goes out to 1400yards and am trying to tighten up my groups a bit. I definitely need more time behind the gun for sure...
Buy whichever is cheaper!

That said - my Berger 140's don't dip into the transonic zone until 1600+ yards.

I honestly have not worked up a load for 144's yet, though I do have some projos on hand.

My Berger 156's go transonic around 1500 yards, in theory the 144's should be in between 1500 and 1600 yards.
 
Transonic isn’t really an issue if the bullet is designed correctly. Bullets can go transonic and still be accurate.
I have been shooting Hornady Mach 147s right now. I am looking at getting into reloading and it seems Berger is the go to. It seems like 140 or 144s are the go toos. Any reason to choose one over the other? I have a range that goes out to 1400yards and am trying to tighten up my groups a bit. I definitely need more time behind the gun for sure...

Any of those will work. Try loading some 147 if they are shooting well in the rifle now. You can load and make them shoot better.
 
Transonic isn’t really an issue if the bullet is designed correctly. Bullets can go transonic and still be accurate.


Any of those will work. Try loading some 147 if they are shooting well in the rifle now. You can load and make them shoot better.
They are shooting OK. I just bought a few 100 rounds of ELD147 without thinking about trying a bunch of other once to see what shoots the best lol
 
They are shooting OK. I just bought a few 100 rounds of ELD147 without thinking about trying a bunch of other once to see what shoots the best lol

It’s factory ammo. When loading you can tune them better. If you were going to shoot only factory then I would say get a tuner like thenATS for the rifle but if loading you can tune the load.
 
Hi guys, I am 300-PRC guy but trying out a 6.5 CM for a bit less recoil. At the moment, I plan to shoot Berger 154 gr. I will be shooting out of a magazine. What leade are you using? I have looked around on this thread and I don't see much. Any comments like, "I wish I had ..."? Or, "I did this and things got better?"
 
Hi guys, I am 300-PRC guy but trying out a 6.5 CM for a bit less recoil. At the moment, I plan to shoot Berger 154 gr. I will be shooting out of a magazine. What leade are you using? I have looked around on this thread and I don't see much. Any comments like, "I wish I had ..."? Or, "I did this and things got better?"

SAAMI spec for the Creedmoor is a .199 but you can go less if you want to be closer to the lands.
 
Hi guys, I am 300-PRC guy but trying out a 6.5 CM for a bit less recoil. At the moment, I plan to shoot Berger 154 gr. I will be shooting out of a magazine. What leade are you using? I have looked around on this thread and I don't see much. Any comments like, "I wish I had ..."? Or, "I did this and things got better?"
I'm shooting a stock Bergara 6.5cm HMR PRO. I'm loading 147 ELDM over 42g Staball 6.5 with a velocity of 2650. These are about .015 off the lands, and shoot .3MOA at 100yards.
 
I'm thinking that leade is another word for bullet jump. Is that right? In days gone by, bullet jump was from zero to about 25 thou. Has that changed in general or is the 6.5 CM different?

Yeah it’s the freebore so would be considered the jump but it’s not all jump. With a .199 freebore and factory 140 ELD-M the bullet is jumping about .070”. Still very accurate.the amount of jump will be bullet dependent as some bullets are less jump sensitive than others. You need to figure out how long you can load in a magazine and what your distance to lands are and load accordingly. I usually like a .020” jump but sometimes it’s not possible and I have my 153 ATips jumping .050” and they still shoot great.

If you wanted you could do something like HP588 did and get something like a .170 freebore. I tried a .169 before in one barrel but just went back to the .199 as it didn’t hurt anything for me. Don’t go too short though.
 
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Thanks, whatever I shoot it will feed out of the magazine. I use AICS 308 magazines so the max COL is about 2.83 and change. Barrel length will be 26-inches (give or take), Bartlein MTU #7 contour, 5R, 1 in 7.5 twist, glass-bead, and Ace brake.

AICS.308 mags will allow you about 2.860” with a little room to spare.
 
Guys, is 2738 FPS too hot with 144s out of a 24" using h4350?

Edit**

Loaded to COAL 2.884" ± .001" in peterson fireformed brass
I just ran GRT for 24" barrel, H4350, Berger 144, 2.810" COAL with 53.8gr H20 volume (that's my Hornady cases).

At 42.4gr H4350, GRT is predicting 2798.7 fps, and 61,636 psi.

I haven't loaded/shot this combo, I just ran it to see what it would say for your Q.
 
I just ran GRT for 24" barrel, H4350, Berger 144, 2.810" COAL with 53.8gr H20 volume (that's my Hornady cases).

At 42.4gr H4350, GRT is predicting 2798.7 fps, and 61,636 psi.

I haven't loaded/shot this combo, I just ran it to see what it would say for your Q.
I'm gonna look up GRT or quickload or one of those programs. Seems like it would be very very useful. Thank you for looking it up.

Reason I asked, I just got back from shooting and had 3 pierced primers. My charge weight was 40 grains. I've been having trouble with this damn rifle. Before, I had mediocre groups. Today, I had a very acceptable 5 shot group but 3 pierced primers. Primers are Rem 9 1/2.



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For reference on the below pic. The other 6.5 CM fired cases had 130 hybrids with 40.5 grains.
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You're welcome, GRT is a pretty nice tool. Some folks may like quickload better. I've found GRT to help. But to get the most out of it you need to enter as many variables as possible, projectile dimensions and case water volume especially.

I'm not a bolt gun gunsmith of any kind, so I don't know if there are firing pin possiblities to explain your situation. Are the primers seated fully? Could that influence piercing?
 
You're welcome, GRT is a pretty nice tool. Some folks may like quickload better. I've found GRT to help. But to get the most out of it you need to enter as many variables as possible, projectile dimensions and case water volume especially.

I'm not a bolt gun gunsmith of any kind, so I don't know if there are firing pin possiblities to explain your situation. Are the primers seated fully? Could that influence piercing?
I measured 4 to 5 thousands below flush with an occasional one being only at 3 thou