RL16 vs R26 for 6.5 Creed

[BallisticPrimate]

Is there a consensus on which powder is better in the 6.5 Creed?
I'm looking for a touch more velocity than H4350 produces - this is for a 20' Tikka hunting rifle pushing 147 or 140 ELD-M's.

Any real world advise appreciated.

 

[Supersubes]

The 16 should give you a small bump in speed over h4350. Not sure how 26 will act in your short barrel, but in longer barrels, 26 is smokin! You’re gonna have to give each a try. I’m a pretty huge fan of the RL powders lately. I'd pick 16 or 26 over h4350 any day in my CM’s, so I think you’re on the right track there.

 

[Stpilot12]

Haven't tried 26 yet, but with RE16 I'm getting 2650fps out of my 20" CTR with the 147ELD. Out of my Desert Tech with a 30" tube I'm getting 2940.
Those speeds are about 40 fps avg higher than with H4350. Actually, slightly more in the Tikka

 

[Bradu]

Where does the R26 powder fall at on the burn rate chart? I've been looking lately and haven't found anything.

 

[Supersubes]

Where does the R26 powder fall at on the burn rate chart? I've been looking lately and haven't found anything.

Way down at the bottom. It’s a tick slower than RL25.

 

[BallisticPrimate]

Haven't tried 26 yet, but with RE16 I'm getting 2650fps out of my 20" CTR with the 147ELD. Out of my Desert Tech with a 30" tube I'm getting 2940.
Those speeds are about 40 fps avg higher than with H4350. Actually, slightly more in the Tikka

Good info, I'd be happy with 2650fps - 2700fps with the 147's from a 20' - what is your load. I've heard the Tikka Creeds have long throats.

 

[snarkscarbine]

Not saying anyone else can do this safely, but I comfortably got a 140 over 2900 with 16 in my Creedmoor on a hot Texas day.

Backed down to about 2820 to find a single-digit node. This stuff is extremely consistent across temperatures, too. My magneto read the same velocity across a 70deg ambient spread.

Never going back to 4350.

 

[BallisticPrimate]

Not saying anyone else can do this safely, but I comfortably got a 140 over 2900 with 16 in my Creedmoor on a hot Texas day.

Backed down to about 2820 to find a single-digit node. This stuff is extremely consistent across temperatures, too. My magneto read the same velocity across a 70deg ambient spread.

Never going back to 4350.

Barrel length?

 

[DrainTheSwamp2017]

Not saying anyone else can do this safely, but I comfortably got a 140 over 2900 with 16 in my Creedmoor on a hot Texas day.

Backed down to about 2820 to find a single-digit node. This stuff is extremely consistent across temperatures, too. My magneto read the same velocity across a 70deg ambient spread.

Never going back to 4350.

I’ve hit the same speed with a 140 in a 24 inch criterion, settled on a node around 2817, and tested velocity from 30°F to 70°F with 3-4 FPS difference. It’s safe to say I like RL16. I would think rl26 would be too slow but maybe I’m unaware of the latest and greatest.

 

[BallisticPrimate]

I’ve hit the same speed with a 140 in a 24 inch criterion, settled on a node around 2817, and tested velocity from 30°F to 70°F with 3-4 FPS difference. It’s safe to say I like RL16. I would think rl26 would be too slow but maybe I’m unaware of the latest and greatest.

Found this online

 

[snarkscarbine]

Barrel length?

24” Hardy 1:8

 

[Possumpete]

2970 with reloader 26 in 26 inch
with Berger 140s

 

[DrainTheSwamp2017]

2970 with reloader 26 in 26 inch
with Berger 140s

Compressed? What was the charge weight?

 

[Stpilot12]

Good info, I'd be happy with 2650fps - 2700fps with the 147's from a 20' - what is your load. I've heard the Tikka Creeds have long throats.

42.4 gr 147ELD .030 off RE16 Lapua brass CCI 450's Started seeing pressure around 42.7

 

[Juggerxxx]

Lots of good database the reloading forum from lots people trying RL26
http://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/147gr-eld-and-reloader-26-test.6894466/

 

[Ledzep]

21" Brux 4-groove 1:8 twist #4 contour barrel

Reloader 26, 47.1 grains
147 ELD-M
Hornady Brass, CCI 200 primer
2.860 COAL

2767fps avg. SDs between 7-12fps over 4-5x 10-shot tests. 10-shot groups under .7" @ 100. Typical .3-.5" 3-5 shot groups.

I was lucky enough to run 48.0gr of RL26 (everything else the same) in a SAAMI pressure test barrel and that load gave 60.5-61ksi. So my 47.1 is likely under 60ksi. RL26 in other calibers has shown to be temp insensitive within the 'noise' of the measuring device/tests...

Have taken this load out to 1680yd and hit a 12" plate 2 for 10 at that range. First round hits at 1210yd, 1050yd, etc... I'm sold on RL26 and the 6.5 Creed.

 

[Kiba]

Great node at 2890fps with 140 ELDs and 42.45gr RL16 in my new 28" bartlein. Great accuracy and really low SD too. Doubt I'll be using any more of my H4350 stash...

Haven't tried RL26 yet, but after reading some results I'll probably pick up a pound to test.

 

[Bulldog Firearms]

I've had terrible issues with a carbon ring in a 6creed with rl16. However I've done load development for 2 customers. Bergara b14 hmr @ 43.4 at 2.93 (long chamber) 2840 out of 22 inch barrel. 6.5 284 with 53.8 doing 3180 with 140s elite hunters. All sub half moa and single digits sds. 6.5 284 had carbon ringing issues too. I've taken to spraying a barrel full of foaming bore cleaner after I'm done shooting and patching it out when I get home. So far it has stayed ahead of the issues.

 

[Possumpete]

Compressed? What was the charge weight?

48.2 in Winchester brass or whoever makes the Winchester brass.

 

[Lunchbox27]

Is there a consensus on which powder is better in the 6.5 Creed?
I'm looking for a touch more velocity than H4350 produces - this is for a 20' Tikka hunting rifle pushing 147 or 140 ELD-M's.

Any real world advise appreciated.

20" Tikka CTR pushing 140 Hornady bthp's at 2675 with RL16 (hornady case/CCI 200 primers). 42.4 is my charge. No signs of over pressure.

 

[Juggerxxx]

21" Brux 4-groove 1:8 twist #4 contour barrel

Reloader 26, 47.1 grains
147 ELD-M
Hornady Brass, CCI 200 primer
2.860 COAL

2767fps avg. SDs between 7-12fps over 4-5x 10-shot tests. 10-shot groups under .7" @ 100. Typical .3-.5" 3-5 shot groups.

I was lucky enough to run 48.0gr of RL26 (everything else the same) in a SAAMI pressure test barrel and that load gave 60.5-61ksi. So my 47.1 is likely under 60ksi. RL26 in other calibers has shown to be temp insensitive within the 'noise' of the measuring device/tests...

Have taken this load out to 1680yd and hit a 12" plate 2 for 10 at that range. First round hits at 1210yd, 1050yd, etc... I'm sold on RL26 and the 6.5 Creed.

Can you please tell me more about how you got these numbers for pressures? Don’t take this the wrong way I am not trying to fight with you I am actually very excited to see any reported numbers for pressure. I haven’t found any reports of pressure tests with RL26 in a 6.5CM with a 140gr or larger projectile.
Was this an actual chamber that took pressure measurements, quick loads numbers or a calculation?
Thanks

 

[Ledzep]

I had access to a SAAMI pressure test barrel/ballistics lab while doing my load development and ran 3 rounds through it out of curiosity. SAAMI spec chamber, and load matched what I posed above except it was 48.0gr of powder. NOT officially published data that represents any company or organization, use at your own risk, follow proper reloading procedures, YMMV, etc...

What I found was that SD's have a tendency to grow as you start compressing the load. It was interesting to read in the other posted link that someone else also ended up around 47-47.4gr for their optimal MV/accuracy node. In my rifle there is another node around 48.5gr but it was not consistent enough for me. MV was awesome, like 2830fps, and showed now obvious pressure signs, but I decided to back it down and keep it modest.

 

[Juggerxxx]

I had access to a SAAMI pressure test barrel/ballistics lab while doing my load development and ran 3 rounds through it out of curiosity. SAAMI spec chamber, and load matched what I posed above except it was 48.0gr of powder. NOT officially published data that represents any company or organization, use at your own risk, follow proper reloading procedures, YMMV, etc...

What I found was that SD's have a tendency to grow as you start compressing the load. It was interesting to read in the other posted link that someone else also ended up around 47-47.4gr for their optimal MV/accuracy node. In my rifle there is another node around 48.5gr but it was not consistent enough for me. MV was awesome, like 2830fps, and showed now obvious pressure signs, but I decided to back it down and keep it modest.

That is comforting to hear the measurements were real and not calculated. Makes me feel better about using RL26.
That posted link was actually my post with my results. Your pressure numbers makes me believe it was just the Hornady brass on its 11th reload being the reason for the case head separations.
I did find using a straw as a drop tube helped to achieve lower SDs so I agree with you on the compressed loads. I have a drop tube funnel on order now.

 

[260284]

I get 2835 fps with 41.4 grs of Re16 in Peterson SRP brass out of a 23.5" Bartlein barrel shooting suppressed. I use CLR every 200 rounds to clean out the carbon ring. Single digit sd and tested from 23-94 degrees.