personally i would never go over what the book indicates - like others use a faster powder for velocity - learn to shoot - sometimes (always) your groups may not be the powder but the person pulling the trigger and environmental factors. I would be happy if I had a place to shoot 500m plus and it would make no difference as long as I heard the "taaaaang" after each pull
How hot should I go?
- Thread starter awesomealvin
- Start date
I think people mean to use a slower powder like 4350 instead of Varget. Slower refers to the burn rate, not bullet speed. Having been reloading for many years, and having made some reloading blunders (ahem!), I always give myself some safety margin from published max load (1-2 grains). Easier on your components, your bore (6.5 is a barrel burner) and easier on your head if you screw up. (and you will, based upon my experience)
I own several 6.5's (not CM) and I have found that H4350 consistently performs better (more accurate) than any other powders I have tried - H4831, Re19, Re22, etc.
I own several 6.5's (not CM) and I have found that H4350 consistently performs better (more accurate) than any other powders I have tried - H4831, Re19, Re22, etc.
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800m just feels like a completely different monster compared to 500m. My range max out at 800m, I think it's the longest public range in all of Western Canada. Any further out and I'll need to find a spot on crown land somewhere. (no clue where to even start).
There's something really satisfying about seeing a splash 1.3 seconds after discharge, followed by hearing "ding" 2 seconds later. I'm running a Prostaff 3-9x40, so the sight image is quite tiny and fuzzy, add's to the satisfaction I guess.
Ah yes, slower burning = powder longer time to accelerate the bullet.
To be honest, the wear on my barrel is not much of a concern for me. By the time I run $1500 worth of ammo through, I hopefully can afford to upgrade to a match barrel or the entire rifle completely.
No. You want a slower powder. Velocity is a function of peak pressure and area under the curve. A slower powder has a bigger charge of powder and more energy. I would use RL17 or H4351.
But most guys would be thrilled to have the velocity and accuracy you already found.
Be wary of exceeding max, even if you are not "seeing" over pressure signs. Many of these visual indicators won't show up until you are over 70,000 which in many instances is well beyond SAAMI specs.
Another option is change your scope to have a turret specific to your cartridge's and environmental specs to assist in long range hits at 800m.
If looking for more speed in the 6.5 Creedmoor, look at Re-26. Get QuickLoad to provide you with the specifics for your particular rifle and and loading components to determine safe pressure loads. Or you can look for a different bullet with a higher BC to flatten your long range trajectory
But if you are truly looking to flatten your trajectory, you need to add more volume to your case to get the velocity, or in other words select a larger cartridge, such as the 6.5 PRC.
Another option is change your scope to have a turret specific to your cartridge's and environmental specs to assist in long range hits at 800m.
If looking for more speed in the 6.5 Creedmoor, look at Re-26. Get QuickLoad to provide you with the specifics for your particular rifle and and loading components to determine safe pressure loads. Or you can look for a different bullet with a higher BC to flatten your long range trajectory
But if you are truly looking to flatten your trajectory, you need to add more volume to your case to get the velocity, or in other words select a larger cartridge, such as the 6.5 PRC.
H4350 in 140’s will get you to 2690-2730 FPS likely in a 24”. Mine is at 2710 at 41.1 hrs and Berger VLD hunters. 41.5 grns of H4350 for 143 ELDx at 2710 is a tad hot in my rifle but shoots good too. Hornady brass, Fed 210 primers, big bullet jump to the lands.
RL 16 or 26 powder will get you more speed yet. I would not hot rod this caliber though, keep it quick but don’t push it too hard and your brass and barrel will be happy.
RL 16 or 26 powder will get you more speed yet. I would not hot rod this caliber though, keep it quick but don’t push it too hard and your brass and barrel will be happy.
Ah yes, I'll be looking to into a different powder. Would love to upgrade to a Target Scope, something like the Vortex Diamondback Tactical FFP or Nikon FX1000 was on my wish list for a while now. My current Prostaff 3-9x40 is...stretching it. The turret adjustment was really designed to be zero'ed once on a hunting rifle. To hit 800m target, my turrets are dialed to the limit...very dodgy I know. But I gotta work with what I got.
My though processes was that the scope's only purpose was to provide me a point of aim, so all I got to do was determine the inaccuracy of the turret adjustment and compensate. While I was developing my load, I kept the same point of aim and dialed my scope up for each group. Made a table of the data and made educated guesses to fill in the blanks. Worked quite well so far.
Well I'll need to buy more powder soon, H4350 would be on the top of my list now. Same with the 140gn Hornady Bullets. Thanks
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
IIRC, Jerry of Mystic Precision used a 783 heavy barrel with great accuracy. Think he has his own sub forum here. Might get some ideas on tweaking the platform.
He upgraded his to a custom match barrel. But yes, his thread got me interested in the 783.
