6.5 Creedmoor small primer

[JEBruns]

I'm likely going to buy a 6.5 Creedmoor soon, so diving into the reloading side of that ammo. At first, I was discouraged by the large primer thing. Switching a Dillon 1100 over is enough of a pain when using the same primer. But adding primer/swager change into the mix is enough to dampen the desire for the 6.5. Plus finding any LRP's. They are still in pretty short supply.

But then I discovered some (Norma, Lupua, Starline) also make small primer brass. Yeah! I have plenty of those primers. I figured I'd buy some factory ammo, shoot that up and use the brass for reloading. But now I only want to buy ammo that has small primer brass, of course.

So, finally, the question. What exact factory ammo uses small primer brass for their 6.5 Creedmoor rounds?

 

[rayatphonix]

Lapua is small primer with small primer holes. Can’t think of any other large manufacturer that uses small primer brass.

 

[JEBruns]

Lapua is small primer with small primer holes. Can’t think of any other large manufacturer that uses small primer brass.

Is all Lapua factory 6.5 creedmoor the small primer brass? Or just some of it?

Starline makes 6.5 Creedmoor brass with the small primer and large primer hole.

 

[wbm]

Can’t think of any other large manufacturer that uses small primer brass.

Federal Premium Gold Medal 130gr Berger OTM brass is small primer. Go figure!

 

[rayatphonix]

All Lapua 6.5 Creedmoor is small primer.

I’ve been shooting Creedmoor a long time and have brass that has both large and small primers. Many recommend SP Magnum when using SP brass so you may want to consider that. That’s what I use and confess I’ve never tried regular SRP in CM and 308 brass, so I can’t verify one way or another.

 

[243winxb]

I have large Hornady 6.5 creedmoor. The Youtube video with small & misfires is interesting. But need to do own testing.
Some powder are hard to light, more then others. I run into it with H450(discontinued) in 22-250.



6.5 creedmoor over rated imo. Or at least in a Savage Axis. Average shooter for me.

 

[JEBruns]

All Lapua 6.5 Creedmoor is small primer.

I’ve been shooting Creedmoor a long time and have brass that has both large and small primers. Many recommend SP Magnum when using SP brass so you may want to consider that. That’s what I use and confess I’ve never tried regular SRP in CM and 308 brass, so I can’t verify one way or another.

Thanks for that info. I have SPM's as well as SRP's, so will try some of each.

 

[Skgreen]

Lapua is small primer with small primer hole

It is my understanding that the Lapua small-primed 6.5 cases may require a smaller-than-normal decapping pin to accommodate the smaller-than-normal flash hole between the primer pocket and the powder chamber.
https://www.starlinebrass.com/sr-65cm

 

[JEBruns]

6.5 creedmoor over rated imo. Or at least in a Savage Axis. Average shooter for me.

I'm not claiming the 6.5 Creedmoor is the best. I know there are a lot of 6mm's that are doing well. But I'm sure it's going to be way adequate for my purposes in my new Tikka, and probably easier to find reloading stuff for. It still seems to be popular in PRS shooting. Link from 2 years ago (so things may have changed):
https://www.ssusa.org/content/top-5-prs-cartridges/

 

[JEBruns]

https://www.starlinebrass.com/sr-65cm

Thanks for the link. Saw that earlier, but finding it in stock anywhere is a bit of a challenge!

 

[Skgreen]

Peterson and Alpha Munitions also manufacture SRP 6.5 CM brass. Finding any in stock is another story,,,

My situation is a bit different. I've picked enough Hornady 6.5 LRP cases from the local range to burn out 1, if not 2, barrels.
While my current small vs large primer debate has been decided, it doesn't make LR primers any easier to find.

Today, I'm trying to convince myself that the cost of my Range P.U. brass was low enough that I shouldn't cry too loudly about $160.00 / brick for CCI BR2's,,, https://www.natchezss.com/cci-standard-primers-br2-large-rifle.html

The current 10% off Mem. Day Sale (almost) negates the Hazmat, shipping, and tax on 5k primers.

But,,,,,,,,,,, I still haven't convinced myself that just over 8 Ben for a case of BR2 primers is somehow 'a bargain'.

YMMV

 

[JEBruns]

Found CCI BR2 LRP's this morning, via Ammoseek. A little better at $140 per K.
https://www.outdoorlimited.com/

 

[N555]

If you are using ball powder, make sure your load fills the case most of the way.

 

[wbm]

6.5 creedmoor over rated imo. Or at least in a Savage Axis. Average shooter for me.

I have two Axis 6.5CM's and have given two others for youth elk hunts. All are very accurate. Hornady 143gr Precision Hunter was used to take three elk thus far. All were over 250 and all were drt.

 

[Kaldor]

I run small primer Peterson in my 6 Creedmoor. Not a 6.5, but they are close enough, and use the same powders.

First off, dont use a standard small rifle primer IE CCI 400. The cups are not thick enough to handle the pressure from a short action cartridge. Use something that is known to have a thicker cup. Fed GMM, CCI BR2s, etc. Im not convinced that you need a magnum primer in a Creedmoor, as I have zero issues with BR4s with H4350, but a magnum primer will work.

I have tested large rifle cases vs small primer cases, with BR2 vs BR4, and the small primer cases do give slightly better SD/ES numbers on average. I tested Hornady large vs Peterson small cases, which isnt a exactly fair comparison as the Peterson brass is better brass. But with anything, your mileage may vary.

I think most small primer 6.5 cases do use a "Lapua" or small sized decapping pin. Starline might be the exception here. Ive used a Mighty Armory die for decapping for 1000s of rounds and its a solid piece of kit and not that pricey.

Availability is bad right now, Ive been waiting months on Peterson 300 PRC brass. Your best bet is probably Starline, which is probably better than most commercial brass, and being that you are running on a progressive, its might be adequate for your accuracy needs, especially if you are using a powder drop. If chasing small groups, your 1100 will make good ammo, but you need to probably use a powder thru funnel and weigh your charges. You would probably want to look at nicer brass as well then.

 

[JEBruns]

I have both powder through funnel and drop setups for my 1100. Probably use the funnel for 6.5, as I likely won't be shooting as much with a bolt rifle.

 

[Kaldor]

I have both powder through funnel and drop setups for my 1100. Probably use the funnel for 6.5, as I likely won't be shooting as much with a bolt rifle.

I use a Hornady powder thru funnel with my LnL AP which I dont consider to be a very accurate press (shell and base tilt is a known issue). Powder is thrown with my AutoTrickler. No issues making sub minute ammo for my AR10. Anything super precise I use my MEC single though.

 

[JEBruns]

Ended up picking up my new 6.5CM rifle yesterday (Tikka T3X Tact) and the only ammo on the shelf was large primer. I picked up a box of Hornady Match, Aquila and Winchester White Tail. So I'm not doing my reloading small primer 6.5CM plans any good so far!

 

[Kaldor]

Ended up picking up my new 6.5CM rifle yesterday (Tikka T3X Tact) and the only ammo on the shelf was large primer. I picked up a box of Hornady Match, Aquila and Winchester White Tail. So I'm not doing my reloading small primer 6.5CM plans any good so far!

Honestly, Hornady factory ammo is pretty damn good. The 108 ELD Match stuff is within spitting distance of my handloads on my 6 CM, average ground size is probably a legit .625 5 shot at very most. And youll get decent brass to boot.

 

[243winxb]

Hornady factory ammoa legit .625" 5 shot group.

I shot 3 boxes of factory Hormady. Not even close to your accuracy.

The headstamp was pressed into the case head, so hard, that it made a lip on the case head.

Hornady replaced the other guys brass. Not mine.

My Axis is a great hunting gun , not small groups.

 

[JEBruns]

Honestly, Hornady factory ammo is pretty damn good. The 108 ELD Match stuff is within spitting distance of my handloads on my 6 CM, average ground size is probably a legit .625 5 shot at very most. And youll get decent brass to boot.

My best group was with Aquila 140gr FMJ's. The Hornady Match was almost as good, though. Here's my best 5 shot group yesterday, 100 yards:

 

[Kaldor]

I shot 3 boxes of factory Hormady. Not even close to your accuracy.

The headstamp was pressed into the case head, so hard, that it made a lip on the case head.

Hornady replaced the other guys brass. Not mine.

My Axis is a great hunting gun , not small groups.View attachment 1081552 View attachment 1081553

First off, lets temper expectations for your Axis. A $500 rifle like an Axis is not anywhere remotely a good as a $1000 rifle, or in my case a $3000 rifle. My friends Bergara 6.5 CM (around $1000) will easily shoot sub minute with Hornady factory ammo, generally the 140gr stuff. My rifle is a custom built on an ARC action and stock with a Rock Creek barrel. We routinely shoot both of these rifles at 1000 yards with minimal difficulty. Im not saying all Axis rifles are bad, in fact, some are surprisingly good, but you always have to weigh expectations vs dollars spent. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.

My question on the ammo is threefold.
First, was this Superformance ammo? That stuff is loaded hot, as in we are looking at levels of velocity that only careful handloading will get you to. The primers in the first photo are definitely flat and cratered. The blown primer is obvious.
How old are these cases? Ive pointed this out before, Hornady brass is somewhat soft, and early Hornady brass was very spotty in quality. The 6.5 CM kind of got a bad rap for that early on, and Hornady has rectified that issue.
And lastly, I have seen some issues with rifles that have a short chamber/leade and the pressure simply is excessive due to that. I have personally seen 3 Savage rifles that had incorrectly cut chambers and had issues with the chamber being far to long which causes early brass failure, or so short you cant even close the bolt on factory ammo. All of them went back to Savage to be fixed. An incorrectly cut chamber can also include the leade which causes a high pressure spike on firing.

 

[Kaldor]

My best group was with Aquila 140gr FMJ's. The Hornady Match was almost as good, though. Here's my best 5 shot group yesterday, 100 yards:

What was the bullet weight on the Hornady Match ammo? Ive seen and heard of mixed results with the 147 ELD-Ms, and having far better luck with the 140 ELD-Ms. But every rifle generally has its favorites, so YMMV.

 

[243winxb]

Im not saying all Axis rifles are bad, in fact, some are surprisingly good,

True. My Axis 223 is very accurate. Missing primer Missing primer photo, not mine. Came from here- - https://forum.accurateshooter.com/t...rence-of-head-stamp-on-factory-brass.4039617/

How old are these cases?

April of 2021.

I have seen some issues with rifles that have a short chamber/

I too. A club member had to return a better model rifle in 6.5 to Savage, short chamber, using Hornady factory ammo.

Tried some new Starline brass, no help with accuracy. Some barrel are just better then others.

I have a reduced load with 140 Match Burners & IMR 4198 that will stay under an inch.

 

[Kaldor]

True. My Axis 223 is very accurate. Missing primer Missing primer photo, not mine. Came from here- - https://forum.accurateshooter.com/t...rence-of-head-stamp-on-factory-brass.4039617/

April of 2021.

I too. A club member had to return a better model rifle in 6.5 to Savage, short chamber, using Hornady factory ammo.

Tried some new Starline brass, no help with accuracy. Some barrel are just better then others.

I have a reduced load with 140 Match Burners & IMR 4198 that will stay under an inch. View attachment 1081608

Good deal. You likely hit the nail on the head with the barrel, and running a reduced load to find something that works in your gun. Sometimes thats all you can do, and Ive told plenty of people that as well. Ive had plenty of people ask me over the years about what ammo they should shoot, and I always tell them whatever your gun likes the best if you arent willing to handload. So pick a rough bullet weight you want and go try 3-4 different brands, and when you find something that works, buy 5 more boxes because they only shoot 5 rounds a year.