Questions re: 6.5 Creedmoor

[Dacam]

Hey guys,
Ive been thinking about changing caliber in my AI AE MKIII 308 to 6.5 Creedmoor. Currently Im shooting 100yds to 1000yds with 308.

This is fairly new to me as I don't have a whole lot of experience with this cartridge or reloading. Ive only been reloading for about 2 years with 308 and have had
great success at that.

What is the go to powder everyone is using for say the 120g to 140g bullets, probably gonna run the 139 scenars.
Ive seen guys use h4350 and also Rel 17. Ive got a ton of Varget and imr 4064?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[thrusty]

Go to powder for the heavier pills is H4350. For the 120gr and 123gr projectiles, you'll be ok using Varget. In fact, Hornady changed their load for the 120AMAX factory ammo to use Varget.

 

[shotdown]

We use H4350 for both the 140 AMAX and 139 Scenars. Haven't tried the Varget.

 

[Kebo57]

thrusty is right on the money with his advice. I have found the exact same to be true. I've run about 1000 6.5 CM rounds through my rifle in the past year. Almost exclusively with the H4350....in fact my load is pretty much a duplicate of the factory 140 AMAX load with the exception of seating depth. My load /rifle combo is averaging about half minute for 5 shot groups...pretty much any distance. I shoot primarily from 100 -600. Only outing at 1000 where I could measure a group was 5 shots into 4". I ring steel at 600-900 often but gongs are not easy to get to to put a tape on the groups. The 6.5 CM is a great choice.

 

[PharmShooter]

I have used IMR 4350 pushing 140 gr SMK's with great results. That was only because H4350 was unavailable at the time. Never tried Varget in 6.5 creedmoor though. I may see how it does with 123 gr scenars.

 

[Dacam]

Thanks for the powder recommendations.
Also is there any special requirements in brass
prep or in the reloading process that I should
know? What reloading die sets should I be looking at?

 

[Rob01]

The 6.5 Creedmoor is very easy to load. I have always used H4350 because it works very well. I use Hornady dies for mine. The standard set with the micrometer seater stem added. Brass is very good and no special requirements. If you load for .308 then you will have no problem with the 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[Dacam]

Cool Beans..... I can't wait!

 

[JGorski]

Thanks for the powder recommendations.
Also is there any special requirements in brass
prep or in the reloading process that I should
know? What reloading die sets should I be looking at?

These right here.
Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Reloading :: Metallic Reloading :: Dies & Die Accessories :: Rifle Reloading Dies :: 6.5 Creedmoor :: 6.5 Creedmoor Match™ Grade 2-Die Set (full length)
Im pissed that Forster doesn't make their Ultra Mic seater for the 6.5 Creed, otherwise id get that if I were you, got a 6XC Ultra Mic seater that fits perfect for my 6 Creed. But, they do have the tooling to make them, hint, hint. call them after the new year.

 

[pkt1199]

Go to powder for the heavier pills is H4350. For the 120gr and 123gr projectiles, you'll be ok using Varget. In fact, Hornady changed their load for the 120AMAX factory ammo to use Varget.

Good to know - will make utilizing like powder between my 308 and 6.5 even easier!