Factory Match 108Eldm Findings

[CJS-6.5]

Been loading for my 6mm Creed and also shooting some factory ammo. Been pretty happy with the accuracy from the factory ammo, so decided to check it out. I have 2 different lots. Here's highest and lowest total weight from the first lot. Pretty crazy.

 

[canezach]

2.2 grains for loaded factory rounds are pretty damn good! I'd venture a guess that 99% of the weight difference is from the Hornady brass itself.

 

[CJS-6.5]

Pulled the bullets from both cases. The lighter cartridge had a bullet weighing 108.3 gns and 40.3 gns of powder while the brass with primer weighed 154.9 gns. The heavy cartridge had a bullet weighing 108.5 grns and 40.3 grns powder while the brass with primer weighed 157 gns. So it's the brass that is inconsistent.

 

[CJS-6.5]

Hard to tell for sure what the powder is. Here's H4350 on the right next to it.

 

[CJS-6.5]

When I loaded them back up to factory 2.235 to ogive I was surprised at how easy they seated. Hardly any neck tension.

 

[CJS-6.5]

The second lot had a high cartridge weight of 309 and a low of 305.9. The heavier one had 40 grns of powder and a 108.3 grn bullet with 160.7 brass. The lighter one has 40.1 grns powder with a 108.1 grn bullet and 157.7 grn brass. So bullets and powder is fairly consistent with a lot to lot dispersion of 154.9 to 160.7 brass weight.

 

[CJS-6.5]

So those of you that buy factory ammo and reload the cases might want to look at weight sorting.

 

[canezach]

It's probably a proprietary powder that isn't available to consumers. Hornady used to load their 6.5 Creedmoor AMAX rounds with H4350, but they switched to a different powder years ago and I'd bet it's the same powder in your 6 Creed loads.

 

[mercracing]

I can’t wait to try mine!

 

[CJS-6.5]

It's just interesting to me that for years I've been careful about brass and yet the factory stuff is horribly inconsistent yet shoots well under moa.

 

[mercracing]

I guess this will work.