So I’m going to get a 6.5 Creedmoor custom build rifle. this will be my first 6.5, so I don’t know where to star in the development process. Any recommendations on which bullets, powder, brass, and primers to start with?
Load development for 6.5
- Thread starter Ray78
- Start date
Bullets
140 ELDM
143 ELDX
140 Hybrid
130 Hybrid
142 SMK
140 BTHP
135 A-Tip
130 Golden Target
147 ELDM
Brass
Hornady
Lapua
Peterson
Rainbow Unicorn magic dust
RL16
RL26
H4350
RL17
I'll let someone else decide on primer
140 ELDM
143 ELDX
140 Hybrid
130 Hybrid
142 SMK
140 BTHP
135 A-Tip
130 Golden Target
147 ELDM
Brass
Hornady
Lapua
Peterson
Rainbow Unicorn magic dust
RL16
RL26
H4350
RL17
I'll let someone else decide on primer
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With a custom rifle, I'd say ask the gunsmith. But I'm sure any combination on that list will work. Also depends on your distances shot.
I have a 6.5 RPR and use 140ELDs, Lapua brass, H4350 (but RL 16 is great also), CCI BR primers.
If I had to choose one component as my top choice, I'd say get Lapua brass. It's that good. And after enough reloads, it becomes the cheapest component per shot (besides primers)
I have a 6.5 RPR and use 140ELDs, Lapua brass, H4350 (but RL 16 is great also), CCI BR primers.
If I had to choose one component as my top choice, I'd say get Lapua brass. It's that good. And after enough reloads, it becomes the cheapest component per shot (besides primers)
- Mar 15, 2018
- 1,370
- 5,388
H4350 - 41.5gr [Insert all standard disclaimers here]
Hornady 140gr ELD-M
Lapua small rifle primer brass
Fed 205M primers
26" Bartlein Barrel, 1:8"
Hornady 140gr ELD-M
Lapua small rifle primer brass
Fed 205M primers
26" Bartlein Barrel, 1:8"
I hate you 6.5 loaders! The same powders used for 300WM are the same sought for by the 6.5 round koolaid crew and they’re all bought out! ?
Oh yes. H4350, IMR 4350, and what I use, AA4350. Most accurate powder I’ve tried for my 300WM. 212 ELDX cruising 2760fps. .425 MOA groups.
I’d love to try RL-26 and H1000 but they’re unicorn cereal right now.
If you're going to load a 140 class bullet with H4350, you'll probably find that it'll like anything between 41.3 to 42.5 grains. Obviously start lower, around 39.5 grains and work up...
yeah, I'm thinking the berger hybrid 140, or ELDM..
thanks for the help..
i finally got my 6.5 and it looks great!
im starting load development this week. Going with H4350, Berger Hybrid 140, Fed Match primers, and Nosler brass.
going to star my loads at 40 grains and work my way up by 3’s to 42 grains. how many rounds should I load 3-5 per load? also, I know this is going to sound stupid, but what am I looking for? Speed and tight groups??
im starting load development this week. Going with H4350, Berger Hybrid 140, Fed Match primers, and Nosler brass.
going to star my loads at 40 grains and work my way up by 3’s to 42 grains. how many rounds should I load 3-5 per load? also, I know this is going to sound stupid, but what am I looking for? Speed and tight groups??
Find similar POI’s for several charge weights that are close together and are in a desirable velocity range. Once you’ve established that data point, pick the middle charge weight and work on seating depth to finalize your load. Sounds so simple, right? Check out Dan Newberry’s OCW when you have a few minutes to kill.
I have had really good luck with Hornady ELD-M 140s, and ELD-X 143s, as well as, Sierra 142 SMKs. For powder, I use Staball 6.5 but have used H4350 in the past.
I did take a look at Newberry’s awesome article.... I just just wanted to pick your guys brain s too, to see how you guys do it.
thanks for the help
Ok, I’ll make note of that thanks.... I’ve been told you can’t go wrong with any load -that’s how good 6.5 is.
+2 on 41.5 H4350. With 140 AMax, 136/139 Scenars, 140 Nosler CC and 140 Hornady BTHP. A ‘universal’ load?...probably about as close as you might get. Work seating depth to really nail it.
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I tested up to 44 grains without pressure. I would work your load up though. Your results may vary
