I was thinking RL26 would be too slow burn rate for 130gr 6.5CM?Another suggestion to try Alliant Reloder 26.
VooDoo
I was thinking RL26 would be too slow burn rate for 130gr 6.5CM?Another suggestion to try Alliant Reloder 26.
VooDoo
2900ish with 147gr is impressive!! I’m going to try both RL16 and 26, have few rifles to try different bullet combos for different uses. Appreciate the info!Possibly....it literally rocks with 147gr. projectiles and maybe that's the limit in 6.5 for RL26.
Several credible folks have published some data showing 147 gr. 6.5 running at and above 2900 FPS with no signs of excess pressure. There's not enough data available in The Books but many of us are working up 6.5 CM using RL26 and heavier bullets with some pretty good sucess.
Whether or not the results would transfer to 130 gr. I cannot say but it seems to me in my research I saw some data out there using this combination. For what it costs for a pound of RL26 I'd certainly try it.
VooDoo
I haven’t tried chasing the lands because it was grouping awesome and low SD with SAAMi specs 2.800bthp and 2.825eld (140s)I use Boretech Eliminator for copper and it really does a nice job.
I also recheck with my Hornady OAL Gauge the inevitable erosion of the lands and find that OAL will increase over time. Most barrels like a specific distance to the lands to shoot best and that is an ever changing measurement.
Hornady match dies. They have been working awesome and just this week prepping for a match, noticed some serious impact shifts at 100yds. I will be going out again today after thoroughly cleaning my brake, chamber, etc, run a couple shots before I group and see where I’m atWhat's your neck tension? What are your dies like?
I know I was chasing single digit ES for while, and it took some higher end equipment than I started with, and adding an expander mandrel die to the process.
Whats your SD and is this a 24 inch barrel?Would you guys be satisfied with this or should I search for something with a tighter spread?
147gr ELD-M in Alpha LRP brass over 42.6gr of RL-16. 18 shot string.
Serious question. I'm quite new to all of this.
I’ll check the SD in a sec. 24” barrel.Whats your SD and is this a 24 inch barrel?
Slightly cratered primers but no other signs. Still lots of radius left on the edge of the primers. I tap the cases pretty good to settle power out, and it’s slightly compressed.How are you getting 42.6gr of RL16 in Alpha brass without massive pressure signs? I saw pressure at 41.5 of RL16 with a 140 ELD-M.
I do know this chamber is very tight though. Much tighter than the one in my factory Bergara, and it encapsulates more of the cartridge. I can’t fit a fired cartridge from that gun in this gun.I have the same question as JM. My match load with Alpha LRP and a 140 ELDM is 39.36 grains of RL16. That puts me around 2850
My results exactly: Very convenient setup, saves time, no drift in the scale (if you turn off the AC), accurate to one or two kernels of powder, but not more accurate on target than the Chargemaster (accurate to four kernels of powder) or similar 0.1 grain accuracy scales. In the latest Bryan Litz book, he came to a similar conclusion comparing the much more expensive Sartorius lab scale with the Chargemaster.Next is throwing powder charges. I have used the ADFX120i and Auto Trickler for a couple of years, and while it's fantastic piece of kit, it didn't give me remarkably better numbers than my old Chargemaster, according to my MagnetoSpeed V3. It is, however, quicker, and it gives me far fewer overthrows.
As others have said, main difference is to have consistent internal case volume for the 50 or 100 cases in your ammo box, which requires the cases to have very similar case thickness all round. Weight sorting into batches of 2-3 grains helps.Looking at different brass.....what would be the difference between the alpha, lapua, starline, and others?
Does Alpha brass have less volume than Hornady? I only ask since I al loading 42.1 grains of RL14 with 140 ELD-M's and no pressure signs.I have the same question as JM. My match load with Alpha LRP and a 140 ELDM is 39.36 grains of RL16. That puts me around 2850
Yes. I can't remember the exact H2O capacity for both, but the Alpha takes a full 2+ grains less to reach the same pressure and velocities.Does Alpha brass have less volume than Hornady? I only ask since I al loading 42.1 grains of RL14 with 140 ELD-M's and no pressure signs.
I've been running the 130gr Berger AR Hybrids in both my barrels with great success. My current load is 43.0gr of H4350 in Lapua Brass, 2.236" CBTO which gives me about 0.010" jump. It hammers at 2900 fps and an SD of 7 on a 24.5" X-cal 3 groove barrel. I have seen the odd pressure sign when wet so I'm probably gonna back it down a hair.To all,
Looking to try some 130 ELDM, and 130 Berger AR Hybrids s for a new M24 Bartlien barrel 1:8 for 6.5CM. Anyone had success with these? Please share results load data
Thanks
Same. 2840 with a can.I'm at 2820 with RL-16 in a 24" barrel.
I agree,Is this looking like 41.5gr to you guys as well? It's not as flat as I would like it, but it seems to be fairly obvious.
Oh, and yeah I went up to 2960 fps. Ruined that piece of brass. Oops!View attachment 7146097
Just RCBS to FL size and a basic RCBS to seat. I use an expander mandrel separately though.I agree,
What's dies( sizing and seating) are you using ?
That's interesting. I'm assuming you're pulling the expander ball out of the die and allowing the mandrel to expand for you? Just curious. I have the same die set and when I tried it this way, it was sizing down the neck way too far (13 thousands)Just RCBS to FL size and a basic RCBS to seat. I use an expander mandrel separately though.
Did a similar test a few days ago, also on a new MPA 6.5 CM, using Lapua 4x fired brass, FL sized, and Berger 140 Hybrids (with a long jump), and my graph looks remarkably similar. Same / similar big jump in speed from 2650 to 2730 fps for only 0.3 gn more powder. Still need to optimize seating depth.Is this looking like 41.5gr to you guys as well? It's not as flat as I would like it, but it seems to be fairly obvious.
Oh, and yeah I went up to 2960 fps. Ruined that piece of brass. Oops!View attachment 7146097
Absolutely. I’m glad you brought this up.Did a similar test a few days ago, also on a new MPA 6.5 CM, using Lapua 4x fired brass, FL sized, and Berger 140 Hybrids (with a long jump), and my graph looks remarkably similar. Same / similar big jump in speed from 2650 to 2730 fps for only 0.3 gn more powder. Still need to optimize seating depth.
Started at 39.5 gn and stopped at 41.7 gn due to faint half moons and harder than normal bolt lift... Lapua brass is a little thicker than say Hornady, so less volume. I probably could have gone up more. Chamber dimensions (and reamer specs) must be very similar or near identical between our rifles.
Did you also conclude that the chamber is cut closer to min SAAMI spec than max spec? Very little slop if a factory round is chambered. I needed a full grain less powder to reach the same speeds that i got with my Shilen match barrel before.
Sorry Seth. No input on the shorter barrel but does the 140 ELDM do well against meat? I’ve only shot it with paper. Would be curious to know!Hey guys,
So, I just built my daughter a 6.5CM with a 16.5” Barrel for hunting. She’s going to get her first elk in October and I’m looking to see what kind of powder recommendations you have. I was thinking H4350 but with the shorter barrel I’ve seen some posts of guys using RE17 to get the velocity’s up. Looking to run 140 ELD-M’s. I’ve also seen some using RE16, and even Varget for lighter bullets. Being it’s an Elk Hunt I want to er on the heavyset 140 bullets.
What do you guys think? Anyone running and of the above mentioned powders with heavy 6.5 bullets from short barrels with good results? If so, what’s you load data?
That’s in advance.
S/F
Seth