6.5 Creedmoor rl17 140 AMAX Loads

[Xtremegunnr]

Hey guys, Anyone running a similar load in their rifle? I have a 1:8 rock 22" barrel on a rem action.

I ran a ladder test today from 41 to 44. I started seeing brass flow into ejector pocket at 43 grains. At 44 it was considerable. No primer issues.

Velocity (roughly....going off memory)
42 grains = 2680 fps
42.5 grains = 2730 fps
43.0 grains = 2760 fps
43.5 grains = 2785 fps
44 grains = 2815 fps

The accuracy was good at 42-42.5, dropped way off from 43 to 43.5, and came back at 44, but was leaving nice raised circles on the brass from flowing.

Let me know your thoughts.

 

[shoot4fun]

Pretty sure my memory says I use 42.7 RL17 with a 142 SMK. It is very accurate and sounds like you were in the same node.

 

[Xtremegunnr]

Thanks Shoot4. I feel I could get the accuracy back at say..44.5 but I was shooting without the suppressor, and in 20 degree weather. I would bet I would be darn near 2900 with the suppressor on but would have major pressure issues.

I am going out tomorrow with 10 rounds at 42, 42.5, and 43. We will see what happens.

Anyone else?

 

[DHDeal]

Kind of apples and oranges here, but I have tried Re17 with 130 VLD's. Saw great velocity but accuracy was not as good as with H4350. FWIW, my best accuracy load with Re17 was 43 grains, Wolf LRM, Hornady brass, 130 VLD jammed .010", 2950ish fps.

My rifle does not shoot the VLD's great unless they see some rifling. My son's will shoot them jumped or jammed. The rifles are nearly identical except mine has an Obermeyer 5R 1-8.4", and his has a Brux 1-8.5" 4 land and groove. Same new reamer.

I have shot quite a few 140 Amax's, but only using H4350.

 

[Aimsmall55]

Your node will be anywhere from 42.3 to 42.6

 

[427Cobra]

Your speeds seem low, I get 2800 out of 43.2 H4350 in my Creedmoor

 

[Xtremegunnr]

I went out again today. I loaded 6 at 42, 42.3, 42.5,42.7 (as I saw pressure signs at 43 and the accuracy dropped)

42 Nothing special
42.3 ES and SD were crazy. I had 4 duplicates and two that were within 4 fps. Accuracy was quite good but i was at 2680 (22" barrel)
42.5 Accuracy seems slightly worse than the 42.3
42.7 accuracy was similar to 42.3, velocity was 2735 (40 degrees...i would think it would be more around 2760 or so in the summer...maybe a bit faster)

As of now, the 42.7 has my vote. I might mess with jump but I have had good results with nearly all of the amaxes at .015 jump. They are seated at 2.890".

The neck is full of bullet so i dont think there should be an issue with tension. I also use a lee factory crimp die with very light pressure

Seem too long? Should I jump them more? Aimsmall, it seems like you have some experience with this. Should I switch powder......jump...etc. I will take all the help you can give.

I shoot a ton of .30 caliber and have a ton of data on those, but no 6.5

 

[shoot4fun]

I think that COAL is maybe a little long. Mine is just inside 2.75" with 142SMK and the factory rounds I have measure 2.80" with 140 Amax.
I have a 24" barrel and get 2820 from my 142SMK load. RL17 is more temp sensitive than H4350 so speed will go up with temp. Real shooting data has me dialing up 8.5 mils from my 100 yard zero to make center hits at 1000 yards.
Pressure will too. I have never had any pressure issues at 42.7 grains in my rifle.
I do have another rifle with a 22" barrel but have not done any chrono comparison.

 

[Xtremegunnr]

at 2.75 you have to have some crazy jump though dont you? I would have .155 jump.

I suppose I will try some a bit shorter but i would think having them closer would give me more use of the case capacity and more consistency...maybe not though.

 

[shoot4fun]

It is quite possible the Amax is less tolerant of jump than the SMK I guess. But all the guys that shoot the great 6.5CM factory ammo are dealing with it just fine.
Are you saying you want more space in the case to add more powder? That doesn't always make things better.

 

[Xtremegunnr]

I experimented with the seating depth today. I did some at .015 off lands and some at .040 off.

They seems to shoot about the same. Condition were extremely muddy, and we had to lay on the ground. Wasnt as stable as I would have liked.

Next time to the range, I will be shooting off a bench and testing velocity between the two.

When I reloaded the brass from my 44 grain load, the primers could have been pushed in with my thumb and a strong nudge.

Ill stay away from that