So I recently started loading for my 6.5 Creedmoor. I worked up an excellent load for my 300PRC so I decided to tackle the 6.5 next. I’m using Petersen brass. Even with the lightest loads in getting some heavy bolt lift. I’m using H4350 and Federal 210 primers. No blown primers, some light ejector marks. Fired brass chambers just fine and the bolt opens easily on it. Also the loaded rounds chamber just fine. The rifle is a Tikka CTR with a 20” barrel. It’s got a long throat on it also. I’m having to jump the rounds .1 to the lands. Also, will these loads cause any damage to the rifle? Because accuracy is great right now with them. Thanks!
6.5 Creedmoor Causing Heavy Bolt Lift
- Thread starter TheChief
- Start date
The loads I’m running are 38 grains for a 140 Berger and 39.3 grains for a 129ABLR. Which are both below max as per my reloading manual. I checked over my brass and it’s dry to the touch. I use Hornady 1 shot and made sure the cases were dry before shooting.
If it was me, I’d resize to .002 smaller than fired size and reload and see what happens on firing #2. It’s possible that the new brass is sized very short and is pretty soft. As the brass hardens, and the case is closer to chamber size, the sticky lift goes away. Your loads seem reasonable. Watch for other indicators of over pressure and wear eye pro. Also, that’s what I would do...not what I recommend you do.
In my estimation, if the bolt is a little sticky but your primers aren’t slammed flat, you don’t have extractor stamp, and god forbid, your primers aren’t pierced or popped, you are probably not going to damage your action. If things get worse or change dramatically, stop and visit your favorite gunsmith.
In my estimation, if the bolt is a little sticky but your primers aren’t slammed flat, you don’t have extractor stamp, and god forbid, your primers aren’t pierced or popped, you are probably not going to damage your action. If things get worse or change dramatically, stop and visit your favorite gunsmith.
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May want to check neck wall thickness. As an example, my Lapua brass for 30-06 is 0.015. A loaded round is 0.308 + (0.015 x 2) = 0.338"
SAAMI spec on a 30-06 chamber is only 0.340" which means I only have 2 thousandths total clearance, for a radial clearance of only 0.001," a thousandths of an inch. Not much!
Works great for me because I neck turn. Knock down the high spots to an even 0.0145." Redo the math, 0.308 + (0.0145 x 2) = 0.337 for a total clearance of 3 thousandths and a radial of 1.5 thousandths.
If you don't have enough neck clearance for a clean release of the bullet, you can encounter pressure early.
Measure the diameter of a fired piece of brass and compare it to the total diameter of a loaded round.
SAAMI spec on a 30-06 chamber is only 0.340" which means I only have 2 thousandths total clearance, for a radial clearance of only 0.001," a thousandths of an inch. Not much!
Works great for me because I neck turn. Knock down the high spots to an even 0.0145." Redo the math, 0.308 + (0.0145 x 2) = 0.337 for a total clearance of 3 thousandths and a radial of 1.5 thousandths.
If you don't have enough neck clearance for a clean release of the bullet, you can encounter pressure early.
Measure the diameter of a fired piece of brass and compare it to the total diameter of a loaded round.
I don’t have any way of trimming the necks on my brass unfortunately. I did reload five of each load into once fired Petersen brass and just got back from shooting it. It was still sticky but seemed less than it was on the first firing. Extracts cleanly though. And a piece of fired brass still chambers just fine. This is odd.
So I should be good to go with it? Don’t think it’ll cause any issues with my rifle being slightly over pressure on the first firing? Don’t wanna mess up the rifle. Primers are good and there are extremely light ejector marks.
Your load is not over pressure. 38 grains of 4350 under a 140 jumping .100” is no way no how over pressure. Your brass is too soft at the shoulder. Once the shoulder hardens (after a few reload cycles), your heavy bolt lift will go away.
Yeah I didn’t figure it would be over pressure. Even with heavier brass thats a load that shouldn’t be over pressure for sure. I was just concerned from the bolt lift. Shoots very well though. Only getting about 2450 from it. Tikka barrels are slow and it’s only a 20”.
