6.5CM - 147 ELD-M & 41.5 H4350 - Too Hot?

[MMH]

I am loading 6.5CM - 147 ELD-M & 41.5 H4350 in Alpha SRP brass. Average velocity is 2784 FPS. Shooting out of a MPA PMRII w/ a ARC Coup De Grace action & a MPA 26" 1:8 barrel. About every tenth shot the bolt lift is tight (nothing too crazy) and I see minor ejector marks. Primer looks OK.

I did not do much load development on this just settled on something that had a low SD on velocity. Don't want to punish my barrel or brass & I'm not shooting past 1200 yards so dropping a little velocity should not hurt me. Should I find a lower velocity node?

 

[acourvil]

A 147 at 2784 in a 6.5 Creed is definitely on the hot side. 41.5 is at the top of the reloading charts, and IIRC Alpha brass has a bit less volume, so I think your pressure is up there. It would hurt to step it down a bit, especially if you may be shooting at hotter temps.

 

[Supersubes]

Yes, you're too hot. Just load 40.5gr and be done with it.