Nosler RDF 140, Reloder 26, Tikka T3x TAC A1 6.5 Creedmoor

[shamir]

So this is my first foray into reloading. I've been shooting Prime 130 ammo form my 6.5 Creedmoor rifles, so I have lots of once fired brass. Decided to start by loading it with some Reloder 26 using the Scott Satterlee & 6.5 guys method - http://www.65guys.com/10-round-load-development-ladder-test/. I decided to load two rounds at each charge weight, so that I could be sure that I got a velocity reading from my magnetospeed. Shot 46 to 48.2 grs in .2 grain increments, and then 48.2 to 46.
Results
Charge weight, String 1 fps, String 2 fps

46 2686 2694
46.2 2700 2719
46.4 2720 2736
46.6 2712 2745
46.8 2723 2741
47 2748 2715
47.2 2769 2782
47.4 2766 2772
47.6 2812 2824
47.8 2811 2837
48 2841 2838
48.2 2832 2829

Based on this, I am thinking of loading up 20 rounds at 48 grains different COAL and seeing what SD/ES and groups I get. The whole 24 rounds went into barely 1.5", so I think group size won't be a problem.

 

[jb1023]

I'm in the process of putting a new 6.5CM together and interested in watching this discussion, should one start. I'm using the 140 RDF w/H1000 and RL26 in my 6.5 SS and really like it so far, still early in the load devel process, also using the Satterlee method for the first time, but think it will be a shooter. I know this thread is almost 3 weeks old with no other replies but if you have any updates I would love to see them.

 

[shamir]

So I tried the 48.0 grains RL 26 at 3 seating depths. I don't have a sense of where the lands are on my factory chamber, so guessing in the dark a little bit

Reload nosler rdf 140 48.0 Reloder 26 once fired Prime brass
	2.933 COAL	2.825 COAL	2.853 COAL
	2830	2837	2829
	2820	2849	2823
	2822	2838	2829
	2791	2829	2821
	2828	2816	2815
Average	2818.2	2833.8	2823.4
SD	15.8	12.2	5.9

The group sizes tracked the SD very closely. 2.933 was ~1.5", 2.825 < 1", and the 2.853 was one of the best groups of my life, 0.375" CTC. So seems like my go to load for this gun is now 48.0 of RL 26 at 2.853 COAL.

I tried 48.1 grains of RL 26 at another outing at a 2.855 COAL, and it didn't shoot well at all. Still sub-moa for a 10 shot group, but SD opened up to 14, and there were some fliers which went high (mostly of higher velocity). So I am going to keep it at 48.0 and stick to the 2.853. Plan to shoot this load at 3 PRS matches in October and November, so wish me luck.

 

[jb1023]

Thank you for the update and please post up your results. That is what I hope to use my CM for when it is eventually built.

 

[JoeBUtah]

So I tried the 48.0 grains RL 26 at 3 seating depths. I don't have a sense of where the lands are on my factory chamber, so guessing in the dark a little bit

You mentioned you've just started into handloading but it sounds to me you've taken to it. You should consider some sort of bullet seating gauge; it's the only way to know where your bullet is with respect to the lands. Here's one worth looking at: https://www.hornady.com/reloading/p...tools-and-gauges/oal-gauges-modified-cases#!/

 

[Birddog6424]

I agree with the above poster. You need to invest in a couple must have tools to determine where your lands are, as well as a comparator tool. They aren't expensive.

COAL will vary due to lack of uniformity of the tip of the bullet. Measuring off the ogive is far more accurate. So measuring the distance of the ogive to the lands, and loading to length based on the measured COAL from the ogive will give you much better quality control.

 

[Vartarg]

I'm also very interested in this thread....

I've got a Tikka T3X A1 also in 6.5CM....and have about 260 rounds through it, mostly in load development.

Since acquiring a jug of RL26, I loaded 18 rounds....from 47.0 to 49.0 in .5 steps, using Hdy 143ELDX, Lapua brass and 450 primers....I actually loaded 6 of the 48.0 gr since I thought that might be the best. The COL was 2.90".

I didn't have my Magnetospeed at the time I shot those, but later found that they were running an avg of 2865. As you can see, I pulled the third shot in the second group, but FWIW here's a pic.

I've got a couple of boxes of Berger 140gr Hybrids I plan to take to the range Wednesday.

 

[Redeye3]

A buddy and I setup a reloading station at the range yesterday with this powder, We can both say its impressive. (6.5creed 140ELD-147eld)

Started @ 46 = 2730 ( .020off lands) 140ELD) This is with a Slow barrel (H4350 42.9 only gets 2750 w/ 2 different lots)
47 = 2795
47.5 = 2835

Buddies Rifle

47.5 = 2856 (with 147ELD-m)

All shot great and Were trying 2 more tests today to narrow down the node plus another rifle with 147s

 

[sheepdog697]

following this thread

 

[sanpedroranch]

Tag looking for an alternative to 4350 and my 7mag loves R26.