6.5 Creedmoor - Reloading Advice

[mag44uk]

Cant speak specifically about the creedmoor but I do load for 260rem.
I would stick to the N150/N160 powders as the 5 series powders are higher energy I believe.
Not tried any of the elx type bullets due to the cost of them.
I am a fan of 123gn and 139gn lapua scenars.
Both shoot well to 1k plus.
And they are relatively cheap in 1k boxes and always available.

[223AI]

Brass - I would go Lapua which is SRP and small flash hole, it is stronger, will last longer and will get you all the velocity you need

Powder - for absolute velocity RS60 is hard to beat but it’s a barrel burner. you mention n550 & N560, you will need double best for highest velocity out of a shortish barrel but have you considered N555 which Vihtavuori developed specifically Prs calibres like creedmoor https://www.vihtavuori.com/powder/n5...energy-powder/

Dies- whatever you prefer, I use the Lee deluxe set but will get a micrometer seater at some point. Just be aware if you go small flash hole then you will Need a suitable sized decamping pin (redding I think ) or turn the decapper on other dies as I did with the lee.

Bullets; can of worms, accubond long range 129 are showing a little over 1/4 mod accuracy in my Howa, not tried on deer yet. But as I said elsewhere you being you the eld-x is your place to start

[223AI]

Cant speak specifically about the creedmoor but I do load for 260rem.
I would stick to the N150/N160 powders as the 5 series powders are higher energy I believe.
Not tried any of the elx type bullets due to the cost of them.
I am a fan of 123gn and 139gn lapua scenars.
Both shoot well to 1k plus.
And they are relatively cheap in 1k boxes and always available.

No good for deer though.....

[big rich]

Watching this thread with interest....

Rich

[big rich]

I'm currently gathering up brass for reloading for the creedmoor.
With Seller and Belliot 140gr sp knocking out 3/4 INCH groups (£19 a box)with a rifle not even broken in yet im wondering is it worth my while...
Rich

[223AI]

I'm currently gathering up brass for reloading for the creedmoor.
With Seller and Belliot 140gr sp knocking out 3/4 INCH groups (£19 a box)with a rifle not even broken in yet im wondering is it worth my while...
Rich

Ha I'm using the same as haven't had a chance to do much load testing, that said I have a load for 129 gr ABLRs that is showing pomise. How are you finding the S&B for damage though, I am getting quite a lot (search Elliot's thread on SD for photos) but the second box seems a bit harder.

I will still probably load as I don't like to be reliant on shops being open and having stock for ammo but it is nice to have a factory option at sensible money if I am pushed for time. Have ordered a box of each of the other expanding loads that they do inc lead free to try, would be nice if they had a 90/95 gr varmint load!

[big rich]

I haven't shot any deer with them, just bought some to run barrel in as only other option was hornady 140 eldm @£39.
I'll probably pick up a set of dies in the near future. But well impressed with the S&B on paper anyway

Rich

[big rich]

Ha I'm using the same as haven't had a chance to do much load testing, that said I have a load for 129 gr ABLRs that is showing pomise. How are you finding the S&B for damage though, I am getting quite a lot (search Elliot's thread on SD for photos) but the second box seems a bit harder.

I will still probably load as I don't like to be reliant on shops being open and having stock for ammo but it is nice to have a factory option at sensible money if I am pushed for time. Have ordered a box of each of the other expanding loads that they do inc lead free to try, would be nice if they had a 90/95 gr varmint load!

Oh goodness lol, just found photos on SD, they sure do cause a bit of carcase damage😲

Rich

[Leeman]

I'd second the recommendation of N160 or N555, despite the latter being the 5 series it has similar energy content to the 1 series powders in the same burning rate range so should be kinder to the barrel that N550 or N560 which can be very erosive, especially if you run high pressures. N160 is quite bulky, I haven't seen the kernel size of N555 but when I did a search on google I got directed to a Vit page which listed it quite small, similar to N550 so it should pack well in the case.

I would only use small primer brass if the firing pin is a good fit to the bolt face, I've read Bergara's can be on the sloppy side which can cause cratering and blanking, not something you really want to deal with. Large primer brass is more forgiving in this area although it won't hold up as well to stout loads, but Lapua is the brand to buy. There would not be that much difference between large and small primer velocity, there are many more factors that would affect velocity than the size of the primer, make of primer being one example.

The only other thing to watch is the throat length vs magazine length unless you're happy to load singly. Many of the heavier bullets in 6.5mm especially the Hornady are very long and can intrude into the case limiting powder capacity which with a 22" barrel you would want to maximise.

As to dies I use/d a combination of Whidden, Redding and Forster, Wilson are also very good but not sure if they do 6.5 Creedmoor.