Loads for 6.5 SAUM 4S

[SwampDog13]

24" proof sendero.

Really interested to hear what others are finding with this bullet. I was able to push up to ~3130fps but was seeing some health ejector marks so I think I'll wind up settling down in the 3050fps range. I'm really considering trying the VV powders next.

 

[79steeler]

Copper Creek has some of the new 156's loaded up. 2930 fps. 40" flatter at 1,000 yards then their 143 load. I may try a couple boxes before I load them. I'm running an extreme hunter. G7 .347

 

[zandnubbz]

I really like the 156... my goal was 3050 FPS. I have shot almost 200 of the 156s now with HBN coating; also HBN coated my barrel before I shot them. I found a good node at 3080, but pushed them all the way to 3170 with Retumbo. If I could have stayed at 3140 I would have... but it was just too close to pressure and a good amount of compressed powder.

FYI... They shoot well at .005 off and .035 off the lands.... I ended up at .005.

I shot H1000 and Retumbo, Retumbo was better on both 150 SMK and 156 Berger’s... both HBN coated.

 

[jtatum1]

I have been getting good accuracy with RL-26. My load is running 2980fps. I’m using hornady brass and anything over 3000fps is burning up my primer pockets. No other pressure signs. I’d love to push them harder, but I can’t stand throwing once fired brass in the trash.

 

[DEWD_STUFF]

First little bit of testing done today, I failed a little too conservative but I can live with that. It'll be Monday before I can get back out and push a little farther. The barrel only has 111 rounds through it including these 11 in the pressure test, I wouldn't be surprised if it still speeds up a little more on it's own.

What was your COAL? Wondering if these 156 are way to long for DBM

 

[prwillard2]

Does anyone have any load data with VV565?

 

[SPAK]

Anyone got any loads using ADG brass h1000 with a 140 hybrid in a 24” barrel?

 

[Iron Worker]

Can the chamber on a 6.5 PRC be opened up to a 6.5 SAUM ?

 

[axtr]

Somebody’s Extreme Hunter is gonna fling some 156’s for T&E, I guarantee you that!

I also have a GAP xtreme hunter with an 8.7 twist. Has anyone tried the 156 yet with this barrel??

thanks

mike

 

[trailrider121]

Anybody currently using 156's and Retumbo in their 6.5 SAUM's? Getting ready to load some up using Remington brass, and looking for a starting point.

 

[30cal user]

first time out with the 156 berger today
24' bartlein bbl, GAP original reamer, Manners T3, Bushnell LRS 3-12 scope, about 250 rounds on the bbl, 50 F 30% hum in La
all once fired brass and all WOLF large primer and all H1000
Harris bipod and bag on the bench at 100 yds

Lab Radar stats at the muzzle

Hornady 2nd gen brass
2.900 COAL, 2.210 CBTO
56 gr - 2785 avg
58 gr - 2871 avg
59 gr - 2910 avg ---good accuracy, ES 12 SD 5
2.205 CBTO
58 gr - 2873
59 gr - 2917 ----good accuracy
60 gr - 2944---hot
61 gr - 2977 ---too hot
2.195 CBTO
61 gr - 2993 ----smokin hot
61.5 gr - 3007----smokin hot

RP 7saum nk'd down to 6.5mm
2.210 CBTO
58 gr - 2882
59 gr - 2901 avg, ES 12 SD 6 ----v good accruacy

 

[trailrider121]

first time out with the 156 berger today
24' bartlein bbl, GAP original reamer, Manners T3, Bushnell LRS 3-12 scope, about 250 rounds on the bbl, 50 F 30% hum in La
all once fired brass and all WOLF large primer and all H1000
Harris bipod and bag on the bench at 100 yds

Lab Radar stats at the muzzle

Hornady 2nd gen brass
2.900 COAL, 2.210 CBTO
56 gr - 2785 avg
58 gr - 2871 avg
59 gr - 2910 avg ---good accuracy, ES 12 SD 5
2.205 CBTO
58 gr - 2873
59 gr - 2917 ----good accuracy
60 gr - 2944---hot
61 gr - 2977 ---too hot
2.195 CBTO
61 gr - 2993 ----smokin hot
61.5 gr - 3007----smokin hot

RP 7saum nk'd down to 6.5mm
2.210 CBTO
58 gr - 2882
59 gr - 2901 avg, ES 12 SD 6 ----v good accruacy

Thanks for sharing. I shot the some 156 EOL with Retumbo in RP brass, neck down, .014" turned. Using Gap reamer with .120" Freebore. Fed 215 mag primer, .020" OTL. Found a node around 61grs. I ran all the way up to 61.5gr and got only a slight click on bolt and figured it was max. Speed avg around 2950 fps with 25" barrel. Groups were 3/4" at 100 yards. Needs some fining turning but looks promising.

 

[Huckleberry75]

Maybe it's just me, but isnt 61.5gn a bit warm for that combo?

 

[30cal user]

Maybe it's just me, but isnt 61.5gn a bit warm for that combo?

yes it will never be attempted again

edit, talking to me or trail rider?

 

[Huckleberry75]

Trail rider, but yeah, yours was a pretty warm load too. I normally run H1K myself, so not as familiar with the happy place on retumbo

 

[trailrider121]

Huckleberry,
I forgot to mention my 156 EOL are HBN coated and I ran another test from 60.6 to 61.4 grs. Zero pressure issues using RP brass, Retumbo and speed was 2975 avg.

Found a good node from 60.8 to 61.2 held .4” triangle groups at 100 yards. Getting better and happy so far with results wither 156’s and Retumbo.

My old load was 61.5grs with bare 140 hybrids at 3060 FPS. Got 17 firings from RP brass and they were done.

 

[30cal user]

Back at it today with max length for my AI mags
6.5 RSAUM GAP built
.081 FB
24" bbl guessing 8.7 twist
2.955 COAL
2.262 CBTO
156 Berger EOL
RP 7&300 saum brass, twice fires, 2.020 case length, my necks are very thin, loaded only gets me .289 od and I think I need to test no turn brass also

62 F, 40% hum, 30.14 BP, -100 DA

H1000
56 gr = no chrono forgot the cord
57 gr = same
58 gr = same.....all 3 were good with 58gr being best, no pressure signs

RL 26
55 gr = no chrono ok accuracy
56 gr = got a cord from RO!!! 2911 avg (2 shots chrono) 3 shot total , outstanding accuracy
57 gr = 2952 avg press faint
58 gr = 2984 avg press faint

RL 25
56 gr = 2814 avg
57 gr = 2858 avg outstanding accuracy
58 gr = 2904 avg


definitely appears to be a good "node" around 2900

 

[trailrider121]

Well my 156 EOL and Retumbo load is doing really well. Since its my hunting rifle, and very pleased with the results at 993 yards. Shot prone on natural uneven ground. Temps were from 53 deg with 5 mph wind with slight mirage from it warming up.

New video by Anthony Fernandez

photos.app.goo.gl

 

[30cal user]

Back at it today with max length for my AI mags
6.5 RSAUM GAP built
.081 FB
24" bbl guessing 8.7 twist

today was 63 F, 74% Hum, 30.21 BP, DA +50


156 Berger EOL
2.959 COAL
2.262 CBTO
RP Brass, wolf primer


Reloader 22
50 gr = 2733 avg
51 gr = 2757 avg
52 gr = 2850 avg
54 gr = 2906

RL 22 was just an experiment in case other powder not available

H4831
50 gr = 2694
51 gr = 2725
52 gr = 2768
stopped, pressure, this is NOT a powder for this bullet...move on

IMR 7828
52 gr = 2736
53 gr = 2773
54 gr = 2836
55 gr = 2892
56 gr = 2930
57 gr = 2975
this one works, need further development

Virgin Bertram Brass
wolf primer
156 Berger
2.262 CBTO

RL 26
55.5 gr = 2894 avg ES 50 SD 30 ! accuracy ok/good
56 gr = 2897 avg SD 4 ES 8 ! two touching, one 1 inch low and left

130 Berger OTM
2.904 COAL
2.308 CBTO
Virgin Bertram Brass
wolf primer

RL 26
59 gr = 3130
60 gr = 3187 avg ES 13 6 SD...accuracy ok
another experiment, but with RL 26 this time and 130 OTM

 

[tcamel4]

Just joining this thread. Some great information here. Thanks to all who have posted list data.

I'm hoping for 3100~ or more fps with the following;

Desert tech 6.5 saum barrel, 26in 1/8 twist, .298nk .120 fb
Ultra 338 suppressor
RL 26
Bertram brass is what I currently have (if needed will go Hornady or adg)
215 magnum primers
berger 156

From what I've read here this isn't terribly unreasonable.

 

[trailrider121]

I’m running 25” barrel, 156’s at 3000 with retumbo. No Hornady brass will handle what you plan to do. ADG might but won’t last long or maybe it will.

 

[trailrider121]

Not saying you can’t but have a hard time thinking components will live long at that speed. You might get a couple firings from the brass is what I’m thinking. My 2 cents

 

[tcamel4]

Not saying you can’t but have a hard time thinking components will live long at that speed. You might get a couple firings from the brass is what I’m thinking. My 2 cents

with the berger 156 it might be pushing it but the RL 26 is fast. and I'll be at 3000 elevation or more with could help.

hopefully someone has achieved it and can pitch in some advice.
if needed, I will just run between 3000 and 3100 wherever I find the node

currently running the 147 eldm at 3070 without a hitch at all. but that is retumbo powder.

 

[Deleted member 110994]

Just joining this thread. Some great information here. Thanks to all who have posted list data.

I'm hoping for 3100~ or more fps with the following;

Desert tech 6.5 saum barrel, 26in 1/8 twist, .298nk .120 fb
Ultra 338 suppressor
RL 26
Bertram brass is what I currently have (if needed will go Hornady or adg)
215 magnum primers
berger 156

From what I've read here this isn't terribly unreasonable.

I'm running a 26 proof 7.5 twist, 150 SMK, Norma brass BR2 and 60 gr of Retumbo with a speed of 3106 average... So its very doable and I have some brass with 10 plus firings.

 

[tcamel4]

I'm running a 26 proof 7.5 twist, 150 SMK, Norma brass BR2 and 60 gr of Retumbo with a speed of 3106 average... So its very doable and I have some brass with 10 plus firings.

and I presume you're annealing in between to keep the brass alive?

 

[GMZ]

Just joining this thread. Some great information here. Thanks to all who have posted list data.

I'm hoping for 3100~ or more fps with the following;

Desert tech 6.5 saum barrel, 26in 1/8 twist, .298nk .120 fb
Ultra 338 suppressor
RL 26
Bertram brass is what I currently have (if needed will go Hornady or adg)
215 magnum primers
berger 156

From what I've read here this isn't terribly unreasonable.

Where did you get your barrel? Those specs look like the same ones I’m looking at for my SRS.

 

[tcamel4]

Where did you get your barrel? Those specs look like the same ones I’m looking at for my SRS.

bought it used with 130 rds on it from a friend. It was done by ES Tactical. Spiral fluted and cerakoted FDE. My favorite barrel. I'd really like to do ES Tactical A2 flutes on the shank for $57 but that is a lot of money and shipping to send there for a 4.4oz reduction in weight.

 

[Deleted member 110994]

and I presume you're annealing in between to keep the brass alive?

I do anneal after 3 firings

 

[tcamel4]

I really like the 156... my goal was 3050 FPS. I have shot almost 200 of the 156s now with HBN coating; also HBN coated my barrel before I shot them. I found a good node at 3080, but pushed them all the way to 3170 with Retumbo. If I could have stayed at 3140 I would have... but it was just too close to pressure and a good amount of compressed powder.

FYI... They shoot well at .005 off and .035 off the lands.... I ended up at .005.

I shot H1000 and Retumbo, Retumbo was better on both 150 SMK and 156 Berger’s... both HBN coated.

so the HBN is helping a lot with speed? and it appears you're coating the barrel as well as the bullets?

 

[schmi015]

Hey I've had wonderful success with 135 Atips and 130 bergers with 62 grains of h1000 and 153 Atips using 59.6 grains of h1000. Does anyone have similar loads for RL26? Just looking for a starting point.

 

[30cal user]

There is a node around 3050 fps with the 156, at elevation you should good to get there

 

[30cal user]

Hey I've had wonderful success with 135 Atips and 130 bergers with 62 grains of h1000 and 153 Atips using 59.6 grains of h1000. Does anyone have similar loads for RL26? Just looking for a starting point.

I have found RL-26 about 2 grains faster than H1000.......58 gr RL 26 = 60 gr H1000, but please start lower

 

[30cal user]

Just joining this thread. Some great information here. Thanks to all who have posted list data.

I'm hoping for 3100~ or more fps with the following;

Desert tech 6.5 saum barrel, 26in 1/8 twist, .298nk .120 fb
Ultra 338 suppressor
RL 26
Bertram brass is what I currently have (if needed will go Hornady or adg)
215 magnum primers
berger 156

From what I've read here this isn't terribly unreasonable.

check your flash hole/primer area with the Bertram’s, some aren’t great

 

[zandnubbz]

so the HBN is helping a lot with speed? and it appears you're coating the barrel as well as the bullets?

I coated the 156s right out of the gate along with the barrel. So on that particular combination and caliber I didn't have a good comparison. I did shoot them in a Proof barrel without HBN and they ran into pressure at about 2990 FPS... same length of barrel. I don't feel that is a good basis to make a statement that they increased my speed per say though... my Proof has been slower than my Benchmark on multiple bullet combinations. I ended up slowing the 156s down again for life of the components.

I did do a comparison on a 22 creed with 95 SMKs. I ran them with H1000 and RL26 not coated then went ahead and coated the barrel and bullets. I was not able to get them any quicker than what I was shooting them previously without coating. I didn't necessary run into presssure, but they wouldn't make it to the target. They were coming apart just under 3100. It was 6.5 twist and I wouldn't cut a 6.5 twist for 95s again, I would run a 7.3 or 7.5 twist instead.

I am sorry I don't have a simple "yes or no", but at this time I stopped on the 22 creed as it didn't yield any added performance and I am building a new 6.5, just waiting on the barrel, and I won't HBN it.

Hope that helps!

 

[30cal user]

here is a spreadsheet with load data i have collected from my own rifle plus others

RSAUM load data.xlsx

drive.google.com

 

[akxx]

here is a spreadsheet with load data i have collected from my own rifle plus others

RSAUM load data.xlsx

drive.google.com

Super helpful for comparing different powders. Thanks for sharing this!

 

[30cal user]

My pleasure guys, please feel free to add your information and share with others

 

[5RWill]

Nvm figured out the issue i have the wrong bushing size in that die.

 

[DerrtyMac]

Just picked up a 6.5 SAUM from P/X section and found this thread very helpful.

Reviving for any new people or more reloaders to add data.

Please refer to post #235 by @30cal user to data data.

Thanks @30cal user for starting it!!

 

[XTREM HTR16]

Chopped the barrel on my XH to 20” over a year ago. Now getting 2,990 suppressed with Ultra 7.
load data:

 

[DerrtyMac]

Anyone happen to have done a work up with N540? Or a good place to start?

Using 215M, ADG brass, Lapua 139gr

26" Brux SS barrel, 7.5 twist, Sendero contour
Geared toward being suppressed

Thanks

 

[4O6shootist]

Anyone happen to have done a work up with N540? Or a good place to start?

Using 215M, ADG brass, Lapua 139gr

26" Brux SS barrel, 7.5 twist, Sendero contour
Geared toward being suppressed

Thanks

I'd prob start around 48-50gr. Case fill will be low as that's a very fast burn powder to run in a 65 short mag. 560, 565 are much more common. Believe 540 is closer to Varget burn rate.

 

[DerrtyMac]

Thanks @4O6shootist
There is limited reload data for the 6.5 SAUM, I found a few on here and other forums. So was just wondering as I finally got some N540, along with N165 which will be my starting powder for the load development.

 

[4O6shootist]

Thanks @4O6shootist
There is limited reload data for the 6.5 SAUM, I found a few on here and other forums. So was just wondering as I finally got some N540, along with N165 which will be my starting powder for the load development.

N165 would be a much better choice. Rl23, rl26, H1000, Retumbo, 7977, 8133, would all be better than 540. 540 is pretty much a 6br powder no?