Reloading 6.5 Creedmoor - Berger 140 Hybrid, H4350, CCI BR-4, Lapua Brass

[christopheraz]

Hey guys,

I'm loading these Berger 140's and I'm wondering how much you are jumping this bullet off the lands? They are pretty long and I tried jumping them .020 off the lands, but they do not fit in my magazine. I ended up jumping them .070 to get them to fit in the magazine. I've yet to be able to test them for accuracy other than using them in a match.

I just wanted to see what everyone else's results were.

Thank you,

 

[dirthead1]

I've worked up loads for about 8 different 6.5 Creedmoors over the last few years, all shooting 140 hybrids, and all have shot best with the bullet jumping from .040" to .080". Most of those rifles were capable of being mag fed with the bullets seated to the lands. If memory serves me correctly, two had mag length restrictions that required a jump of about .020" to feed consistently, but they also shot best with some jump.

From everything that I've seen, they are very jump tolerant. The pic below is a seating depth test I did with my AIAX 6.5 CM and 140 Hybrids a couple weeks ago. You can see how the groups start to tighten up past .040" jump.

(Disregard the small hole at 3 o'clock on the .035" target. The was a ricochet from someone shooting one the lane beside me.)

 

[christopheraz]

Awesome thanks. I think .060 fed into the magazine I have, but I went to .070 just to be safe. I'm pretty sure I'm using a Magpul Pmag. Do you know what you're using and did you have to modify it at all?

 

[dirthead1]

I'm using an AIAX magazine.

 

[Steel head]

My last barrel I was jumping hybrids .120 inches and they shot quite well.

 

[christopheraz]

I'll have to dig around I'm pretty sure I've got an AICS mag somewhere.

I can only get paper targets out to 200 to check groups, I would like to have it out a bit farther maybe 300.

 

[DellaDog]

The Berger’s will jump.

 

[Sixfivesavage]

I don't even know where the lands are on my AX. I just jammed some 130s in to alpha cases, luck of the draw they ended up the same BTO length as the Berger 130 FGMM ammo from some measurements a fellow hide member gave me. Once all my brass was formed I did a ladder across a magnetospeed with 140s and have been running the node I found that way since. Never did a seating depth test and never moved it from the 130s.

 

[dirthead1]

I think the moral of the story is the hybrids are not super sensitive to jump. You will need to figure out how that relates to your gun. Dont be afraid to experiment with a lot of jump!

 

[christopheraz]

Yea, it looks like I should be just fine with .070 or farther if needed. I'll check my groups at 200 on paper which is really the best I can test at.

Thank you for all the help guys.

 

[Shankin]

I’m using 130 hybrids, so it’s not apples to apples, but I thought I would let you know that I’ve got about .080” jump, and they shoot great.

ETA: the Magpul mag is going to rob you if possible overall length. Any metal AICS mag should get you more length. I’m using Accurate Mags for what it’s worth.

 

[christopheraz]

I guess while we're talking about this as well. What kind of speeds are you guys looking for when you load these? I'm around 2774 but I'm getting cratered primers. I am in Arizona so it'll be heating up here for sure in the next couple weeks and into the 110+ over the summer. It was about 70-80 degrees when I ran this last set of ammo at 41 gn. I'm also running the MPA production rifle 26" xcaliber barrel.

 

[dirthead1]

Mine are running right at 2800 fps out of a 24" Bartlein barrel with Lapua brass and RL16. Your cratered primers could just be a loose fit between your firing pin and firing pin hole. Are you seeing any other pressure signs (ejector swipe, heavy bolt lift, etc).

 

[christopheraz]

Nothing else at all. I was looking for a heavy bolt lift or swipes.

 

[Sixfivesavage]

42.4 grains H4350 and a 140 hybrid in alpha small primer cases are 2765 for me from a 24" 2018 profile AX with a 30P-1 on the end.

 

[emann1022]

I got 2850 from a bartlein 26" barrel using reloader 16 in Lapua SRP brass. I'm also in AZ and shot it all last summer with no issues. I tried H4350 but didn't get the same speeds without pressure signs.

 

[christopheraz]

Sounds good. Do you shoot any of the AZ LRPRS club matches?

My barrel has around 200 rounds through it now. I've read that new barrels will speed up as well? Any idea when that or if that may happen?

 

[emann1022]

I haven't yet. I've shot the 4 peaks match at Rio Solado in Mesa. I'm hoping to get out to the AZLRPRS matches this year. I got my 6.5 creed barrel with 250 rounds on it, my load has stayed at 2850 since I started using it. I'm at 2,000 rounds now so I will recheck it to see if it has changed. The accuracy hasn't seemed to change. I also haven't chased the lands since first using this load.

 

[christopheraz]

I shot the Four Peaks one a couple weeks ago. It was a fun smaller match. You should definitely get up to Cowtown if you can. Those matches have been filling quickly though. I think in a day or two.

 

[dirthead1]

I'm also in Phoenix and have shot 1 AZLRPRS match at Cowtown. It was an absolute blast! I highly recommend it. They put on a great match. I'm going to try to make a few this year, but they fill up fast. Also, it's a hot mf'er out there June - Sept. Bring a few gallons of water.

 

[christopheraz]

I'm going to try and make it to more of the 4 Peaks match and they started holding NRL22 at Phoenix Rod and Gun Club. My step daughter likes shooting those matches and the centerfires. Let me know if you guys make it up to any of the upcoming matches, it's always nice to meet new people. We've been doing the AZLRPRS matches since March last year.

 

[dirthead1]

Will do. @MysizeisMAGNUM and I are going out to Commiefornia in June for a Terry Cross 3 day training session at @NoLegs24 home range. We won't be shooting any matches before then. The Terry Cross training is going to be off the chart. Where are you in the valley?

 

[emann1022]

I'm definitely going to try and get into a match at cowtown. The four peaks match is convenient for me because it's close to my house.

 

[christopheraz]

Will do. @MysizeisMAGNUM and I are going out to Commiefornia in June for a Terry Cross 3 day training session at @NoLegs24 home range. We won't be shooting any matches before then. The Terry Cross training is going to be off the chart. Where are you in the valley?

I'm out in Gilbert by the Polytechnic campus. There's just not many places to shoot past 300 other than Cowtown.