Reloading 6.5 mm Creedmoor

[T_Bone]

I'm new to PRS and have a new RPR in 6.5 mm crd that I'm putting stuff on.
Reloading is definitely the way I'm going with the cost of factory ammo. I already do 9mm, .38 and .223.
To start of I got a set of Lee Ultimate 4 dies. I will get a better set later but wanted to get started now.
Going with Large Rifle Primers in new Hornady Premium brass. It was the best I could find at the moment.
For powder I figured on starting with H4350.
Only bullets I could find were Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor 129 gr. Interlock. I would've preferred ELD in higher weight but thought for my first loads this will suffice.
Thoughts?

 

[blackd24]

Following. Btw midway has nosler BT 140 grains right now.

i picked up hybrid 100v because that’s all I could find but I now have 1 pound of H4350.

 

[AJC1]

In a competion gun I would only spend time with the components you intend to use long term. Changing bullets is a big change and requires complete do over. Find a 500 or 1k box and go. Lapua is not cheap but may be available or Berger because it's not s/d or plinking. You may also consider barts.

 

[Charlie98]

I reload for the 6.5... you could have done worse. One of the 4350's is the most likely path to success... you got that covered. I've not loaded that light, I've pretty much stuck with the 142grn SMK's... and they have done well enough.

 

[webrx]

I use 140 gr hornady match bthp. But I don’t compete. I just like shooting steel from 300 to 1000

but the h4350 is a good choice.

 

[jmorris]

I would work in small batches at first, especially if you are planning on changing things up.

I also treat new brass the same as fired brass, just because it’s new doesn’t mean it’s the way your are going to want it.

 

[jmr40]

Do what you've got to do for now with what is available. But I've settled on 139 gr Lapua Scanar bullets with a near max charge of H4350. Only bullet I currently load for my 6.5 used for both range and hunting.

I started with 143 gr Hornady ELD's, but like the Scenar's better once I tried them. Not the cheapest bullet, nor most expensive, but good bullets. I've pretty much settled on the 155 gr Scenar's in my 308 for the same reasons. But I do have quite a few other bullets in .308 caliber that I need to shoot up. But as long as those are available I'll buy the Scenars.

 

[The Glockodile]

...I've pretty much stuck with the 142grn SMK's... and they have done well enough.

Not happy with this bullet?

 

[Charlie98]

Not happy with this bullet?

I think it’s more my choice of powder... IMR4451. None of the 4350’s were available when I was powder hunting, so I got that. Not very impressed.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Off topic but this is important.

@T_Bone

Either yourself or @Varminterror needs to change their avatar pic. haha

 

[NMexJim]

Nice rifle.

Hornady brass isn’t bad. They did develop the 6.5 CM after all. I’ve personally been impressed with the consistency across my case measuring gear, and I use it for varmint. Better than some other “muchly” touted brass. Lapua is hands-down the best IMO.

But, in evil times, we do evil things.

4350 can disappear off of shelves in the best of times (damn the development of both 6 and 6.5 CM). Best to have a backup in your back pocket (or better yet, get a bunch).

 

[Varminterror]

Off topic but this is important.

@T_Bone

Either yourself or @Varminterror needs to change their avatar pic. haha

Tie goes to the incumbent!

I’ve been using that version of Wile E. as my avatar for 5 years here (at least 12yrs elsewhere).

 

[T_Bone]

Haha
I’ll give you the avatar! LOL
I’ll try to find one in morning

 

[AK Hunter]

I reload my 6.5 CM with the 95gr Hornady V-Max bullets because I'm just punching paper or banging gongs,
Before the covid panic I could buy a 100 box of the 95 gr bullets for under $20. They would hit the gongs with as much impact as some of my .308s would.
They shoot extremely flat & move fast about 3300 ft per sec. & at 400 yds away still hit the gong hard enough to hear it with other shooters shooting.

 

[DanK3Pos]

In a competion gun I would only spend time with the components you intend to use long term. Changing bullets is a big change and requires complete do over. Find a 500 or 1k box and go. Lapua is not cheap but may be available or Berger because it's not s/d or plinking. You may also consider barts.

Some options, here. I waited a month last fall for an order that was "in stock" at Bobcat's, so caveat emptor.
https://www.bobcatarmament.com/components/rifle-caliber-bullets/264-cal-65mm-264-268/

 

[243winxb]

Hornady Premium brass. It was the best I could find at the moment.

Same here. Went with Hornady factory ammo to get brass. The brass comes with a Donut & deformed case head.
Breaking in a Savage Axis 6.5 CM with Hornady factory 95gr V-Max. Produced heavy copper deposits, cleaning after every shot, for 5 shots. Then every 3 shots. 20 shot average 1.660" @ 100 yards. Disappointing.

Handload- IMR 4451- 40 to 41.1 grs -Barnes 140 gr, Br2 2.780" col. 2 had harder bolt lift with 41.1 grs, primers flat with light flow. 20 shot aver. 1.854" This powder did seem to reduce copper deposits, or barrel is getting broke in? Thinking breakin = Less copper.

Will test more later with IMR 4350. Neck turning to remove donut that starts thickening* around middle of neck. SAAMI shows no taper too loaded rounds necks. Hornady has as much as .0015"

Case head photo is new unfired Hornady "MATCH" ammo. 140gr ELD.

 

[Charlie98]

Handload- IMR 4451- 40 to 41.1 grs -Barnes 140 gr, Br2 2.780" col.

That is my exact load with the 142grn SMK's. The factory Hornady 142's shot better, that's why I think I'll be patient and pick up one of the 4350's... some day. I also tried IMR4064... and that was a mistake. It may be the cat's meow for .308, but not for 6.5CM.

 

[Kaldor]

If you are truly looking at getting into competition you need to settle on a known working combination so that you arent investing a ton of time and money swapping stuff around.

For a 6.5, I would look strongly at this type of setup
Peterson or Lapua brass - buy 500 pieces and be done with it. Brass longevity and consistency is key
H4350 - there simply isnt a better powder for the Creedmores
Berger bullets - The new 144 hybrids are nice, but the 140s are good. But realistically, any bullet in the 140gr and up range will probably shoot decently enough.
Match primers - CCI or Federal

Is this stuff hard to get right now? Absolutely. Will it pay off in the long term? Absolutely. Youll see better results with less wasted time and money.

 

[T_Bone]

That sounds like good advice!

 

[Walkalong]

Good advise @Kaldor

When I was looking to start shooting PRS matches I started reading about what those folks used most, which got me started on solid ground.

 

[Kaldor]

Good advise @Kaldor

When I was looking to start shooting PRS matches I started reading about what those folks used most, which got me started on solid ground.

I have a 6CM that was built by ARC. Its a fantastic gun. But if I was looking to really be in that competitive space for PRS, Id run a 6GT.


This thing will bang 6" plates all day at 900, and kicks less than a 223
My formula is simple:
Peterson small rifle primer brass
H4350
109 Berger Hybrids
CCI BR4s
20 thou off the lands
3150 fps
SD of 4
1/4" groups at 100
The chassis looks weird, but fits me way better than anything else Ive shot. Im building a bigger version of this with a 300 PRC this fall for 1 mile shooting next spring.

 

[Walkalong]

The chassis looks weird, but fits me way better than anything else Ive shot.

I was wondering about that chassis, was hoping to see one in person and get to handle it, but haven't seen one in the wild yet.

A lot of folks run Varget in the GT, but H4350 will work great as well, that's what my buddy Jeff ran last year, GT and 4350, although he used 108 ELDs. The Hybrid 109s are really good stuff.

 

[Walkalong]

My older brother bought a 6.5 Creedmoor from MPA recently, so I have been looking at dies, kind of hit and miss on availability right now.

I too have been reading up on what people use/what works in 6.5 Creed.

 

[GoldieMI]

it's funny for 6.5s I went a different route than I did for 6mms (Dasher, Creedmoor, Arc) - not even sure why
for my 6mm dies- it's Type S (bushing) Redding FL Sizers or Whidden Bushing FL Sizers, and Forster Micrometer Seater
for my 6.5 Creed and 6.5 Grendel setups- I went with FL Sizers from Mighty Armory and Forster Micrometer Seater
all with Mandrel sized necks of course and I anneal everytime. Just to be consistent.

it works either way in my experience...I've shot many a small group with the Grendel and 6.5 Creedmoor to worry about changing to a bushing die setup at this point for those rounds.

 

[Kaldor]

I was wondering about that chassis, was hoping to see one in person and get to handle it, but haven't seen one in the wild yet.

A lot of folks run Varget in the GT, but H4350 will work great as well, that's what my buddy Jeff ran last year, GT and 4350, although he used 108 ELDs. The Hybrid 109s are really good stuff.

Its rock solid, and I like the way the grip on it feels like an old school McMillan stock.
I would think H4895 might be a contender in a 6GT as well. Such a handy versatile powder. Id even try 8208 XBR as you can generally get better velocity from it as the small kernels promote better load density. Im also looking for some RL 15.5, but its hard to find because its very new.

My older brother bought a 6.5 Creedmoor from MPA recently, so I have been looking at dies, kind of hit and miss on availability right now.

I too have been reading up on what people use/what works in 6.5 Creed.

I think the 6.5 is a better round for 1200+ as you cant cheat physics as hard as we try sometimes.
I just use Hornady FL sizer and micrometer seater, with a Sinclair mandrel. Nothing fancy, decapp, anneal, full length size without expander, tumble, mandrel to set neck diameter at 2 thou neck tension, trim on Giraud, and load. I try not to over think stuff.
I thought about going Redding on the 6CM and my 308, but I just dont see enough gains being made to really worry about it at $180 a set for dies. Im a decent shot, but Im purely a casual shooter, not a competition guy.