Looking for a good 6.5 cm load.

What bullets are you going to be using? I’m in “late stage” testing of a few different powders for my 6.5 cm, using Barnes 127 gr LRX and some Hornady 129 gr SP.

Reloder 16, H4350, IMR4451, N555 are all pretty good performers with ~140gr bullets. RL16 with 140's is my go to.

What type of 65mm gun do you have?

Creedmoor is best not abbreviated, especially as cm in the reloading forum. C-M might be a better choice than cm.

entropy said:

What type of 65mm gun do you have?

Creedmoor is best not abbreviated, especially as cm in the reloading forum. C-M might be a better choice than cm.

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Taken out of context, yes I would agree that 6.5 cm is not a great abbreviation in a reloading forum. But as it is a reply to another’s question in which he clearly stated 6.5 CREEDMOOR, I don’t see an issue. Only issue I have is you being the “word police”. If you don’t have anything to add to the OP’s question, don’t just throw your 2 cents in ****ting on someone else because you are obviously far superior than I. Thanks.

Waterboy3313 said:

I'm supposed to be picking up a 6.5 creedmoor from a buddy tomorrow. Its definitely something I want to start reloading for. I do not want to start by buying random components because there is load data available. Hoping maybe I could get some advice as what you all like to use. Looking for accuracy here.

I will be going to a LGS tomorrow that has some powder in stock. Just trying to get a good idea in case there is something available that I shouldn't pass up. I'm not exactly looking for specific load data just some good recommendations on powder etc. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

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I’ve had good luck using Staball 6.5, IMR 4166, and Ramshot Big Game for powders. Having a lack of availability has cut down on trying more powders

How can it be a reply to a question when it is the THREAD TITLE?

Little differences like "cm", "grain/gram" etc. make for BIG differences in results. Reloading is one part of gun culture where precise terms are essential.

entropy said:

How can it be a reply to a question when it is the THREAD TITLE?

Little differences like "cm", "grain/gram" etc. make for BIG differences in results. Reloading is one part of gun culture where precise terms are essential.

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Entropy - Did you read the post AFTER the title? Waterboy3313, sorry your post got temporarily hijacked. I’m done responding to this troll.

H4350 for me. Tried Varget, IMR 4064 and even Staball 6.5, but always ended up with H4350.
Hornady 140gr Match or ELD's. They work well at 1,000 yds. YMMV though.

I’ve used the 142grn SMK, they work well enough. I’ve been using IMR4451, because I couldn’t find H or IMR4350, but I don’t think I’m getting the velocity I would get with one of the 4350’s. I’ve used IMR4064… they pushed the bullet out of the barrel, but in a longer barrel, I would recommend a slower powder.

I did finally get a can of H4350, I’ll start working with that after I get done with my current project.

It really depends on what powder and bullets you can find. My Go-To load for hunting and paper punching is the 139 Lapua Scenar with a max load of H4350. I've found those to be extremely accurate and they have earned a reputation as a deadly bullet on game.

IMO the 6.5CM is best with bullets in the 140 gr range, but you may have to use what you can find. H4350 seems to be the powder everyone wants to use, but if you can't find it Ramshot Hunter, IMR4451, and IMR4350 get a lot of favorable reviews. I've used Ramahot Hunter briefly when I got low on H4350.

IMR4451 or IMR 4166 are ok. After testing, i bought 8 pounds of IMR 4350 for 6.5 CM & 243 Win. & 30-06.

IMR 4350 accuracy about same as Hornady Factory Ammo. 140 & 123 grs. & 120 gr.

And I apologize for the way I pointed it out. Despite Wyo82's comments, I've been here a little too long to be a troll.

H4831 or H4831sc under the 140 class bullet

entropy said:

And I apologize for the way I pointed it out. Despite Wyo82's comments, I've been here a little too long to be a troll.

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I was called a Troll once, I’m really not sure what that even means but i tried to help a person and got that for my efforts. WTH

The manuals all recommend one or all of the 4350 options. Internet seems to think H4350 is the only powder that can be used in this caliber. Everyone wants it...nobody can find it. I used IMR4350 and they all went BANG......and grouped same and on top of factory ammo. I was witness to the event, but wasn't on the trigger.

And from what I can tell, with heavier bullets, 4831 would be my next choice. I had more trouble finding bullets and brass than powder.

I'm not sure how I got so lucky, but of the 5 calibers I'm loading for, 4350 and/or 4831 seems to work for at least 4 of them. Makes life a lot simpler.

My wife's 6.5CM for hunting shoots the 129gr Hornady Interbond and 42gr H4350. Shoots right around MOA with her shooting so its perfectly adequate for hunting purposes.

For target work a Hornady 140 BTHP and 42gr H4350 does well enough for steel plates to 600 yards.

I've had great results with Sierra 140 SMKs and GKs with H4350 in 6.5Creedmoor.
Easy 1/2 moa in my 5R as long as I do my part, has shot as good as 1/4 moa at 300 yards. I'm the limiting factor for sure.
Unfortunately H4350 is hard to come across these days.

https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2-italy-65mm-l17-mountain-gun/

Sounds like the Italians had some difficulty getting higher performance loads to the field.

CarJunkieLS1 said:

My wife's 6.5CM for hunting shoots the 129gr Hornady Interbond and 42gr H4350. Shoots right around MOA with her shooting so its perfectly adequate for hunting purposes.

For target work a Hornady 140 BTHP and 42gr H4350 does well enough for steel plates to 600 yards.

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We use them all the way out to a 1000 yards with H4350 and Sta Ball. Grandson shot a cow elk at a little over 600 yards with one.

It's hard to go wrong with H4350 and 140gr match bullet. I prefer the Hornady 140gr HPBT-M bullet since I bought them in bulk. I've used IMR4451 too but you give up about 100fps in velocity. Varget works too, but found it better for the lighter 130gr pills. Use a match grade primer like the GM205M for best results. All my 6.5 CM brass has the Small Primer pockets. They hold up to the higher pressure better than the large. Both work though.

I use a Barnes match bullet at 140 grains and AA2700. Works for me. Savage LRP likes it.

Another powder possibility is RL17. It works well with 129 to 140 grain bullets in several of my Creedmoor rifles. It may be easier to find than some of the other powders.