6.5 creedmoor - 140gr Hornady BTHP match - D4350 Dominion powder

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sk8snwmx

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Hey guys, I've only reloaded for 9mm and 223 but I'm having a real issue finding a place to start with my new to me 6.5 Creedmoor. Basically I got a great deal on a completely matching rifle to my .223 only in 6.5 with only 60 rounds though it (came with the 60x brass and dies). Savage 12 FV heavy barrel in an MDT ESS chassis.

I'm getting different info from multiple sources about the same recipe on starting points and every load I read about on the internet forums I google is over max. I figure there must be some guys here running to Dominion Powder.

I have the 60x once shot Hornady brass out of the rifle, and I bought 5xlbs of Dominion D4350, 100x Hornady 140gr BTHP Match and Winchester large rifle primers...

My Lyman 49th edition doesn't have 6.5cr in it..

Hodgdon website states (for 140 Amax, not BTHPs)
H4350 36-40gr
I4350 37-41gr

the Hornady book pages a friend sent me says
H4350 38-40.8
I4350 38.2-41.5

I have D4350 which states start at 10% less and work up... I know I should probably just load some 36-37gr rounds and sight in a spare scope that I have on hand, (a little Nikon 3-5 P-tactical MRAD) then ladder up 5-10 rounds .3gr or so at a time to see how it goes (maybe I answered my own dumb question)

Thanks in advance.
 
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IvoB said:
Use IMR4350 data, minus 10% and work up the load.
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This^^^^^^^^. I am using it right now in my 6.5 x 55, and noted that it seems a bit bulkier than IMR 4350. It is a very consistent shooting with this powder, and very accurate.
 
I’ve run just over 400 rounds through one of my 6.5 CM with D4350SSC

The lot I have is slower burning than IMR 4350.

My load:

Starline Brass
CCI 200
139 Lapua Scenar
42.5 gr D4350

This is an extremely consistent and accurate load in my rifle.
 
280_ACKLEY said:
I’ve run just over 400 rounds through one of my 6.5 CM with D4350SSC

The lot I have is slower burning than IMR 4350.

My load:

Starline Brass
CCI 200
139 Lapua Scenar
42.5 gr D4350

This is an extremely consistent and accurate load in my rifle.
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Thanks for the reply, this is EXACTLY what I was trying to get at, every resource I currently have puts max load for 4530 at about 40-41 gr and all the recipes I see posted are always over max. I'm pouring powder right this minute, going to start with some 38gr loads to sight in with and I will work it up later.
 
sk8snwmx said:
Thanks for the reply, this is EXACTLY what I was trying to get at, every resource I currently have puts max load for 4530 at about 40-41 gr and all the recipes I see posted are always over max. I'm pouring powder right this minute, going to start with some 38gr loads to sight in with and I will work it up later.
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You should PM 280_Ackley as to which lot number his particular tub of D4350SSC is from.

It does make a difference.

The lot number I have is almost identical, but just a tiny bit faster than the blended lot of H4350 I have on hand and slower enough than the IMR4350 blended lot I have that the maximum load would be close to the start load for the D4350SSC.

The Dominion offerings seem to be very consistent within their lot range, the thing is, they don't seem to be consistent between lots.

We're spoiled with most of today's off the shelf cannister grade powders/primers in that they tend to be very consistent between lot numbers as far as burn rates go.

The Dominion powders, sold by Canada Ammo, are not CANNISTER GRADE POWDERS.

DO YOUR OWN DUE DILIGENCE ON YOUR LOT# OF POWDER.

It's not going to be much of an issue if you start on the low side and find it's a maximum load for your particular rifle/brass/bullets/primers.

It's not complicated to work up to a reasonable pressure.

You only need ONE cartridge for each increment with the bullet/case/primer/powder charge to determine if your pressures are to high.

The 6.5 Creedmore has a very tight range between minimum and maximum In the Lyman #50 manual, only 2.0 grains of IMR4350. Starting at 37.5 topping at 39.5

H4350 is, to my knowledge, no longer being made, ever since Hodgdon's bought up the IMR brand names. They're all being sold under the IMR brand name and seem to be almost identical to the original IMR powder burn rates. Likely they've settled on the cheapest/most consistent recipes and maybe gone to the original IMR producing facilities, utilizing the IMR personelle there???

The only H4350 recipes you're going to find will be in older reference manuals.

If you start at 34.5 grains and work up one grain at a time you will likely find your maximum charge, without doing any harm, right around 40 grains, + or- 2 grains.

Sadly, depending on your circumstances, this means two trips to the range to get into the ball park you're looking for. Maybe very time consuming???


If you have a small, portable reloading kit, you can combine everything you need to do, other than maybe the fine tuning, into one trip.

For some folks, they can't afford the extra expense or justify it for only one firearm.
 
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Load up like everyone has mentioned with 10%less to start. Load one of each powder charge and then go over the max in book and keep looking for pressure signs. Once you find it, don't shoot any of the higher charged cartridges and stay below the charge that showed signs of pressure. Or work up the load with the precision nodes and watch for pressure signs. If you reach the higher precision node and don't get pressure signs then stay at that level . The reloading manuals give you a baseline to work with but bullet seating depth and brass capacity can affect that so the figures in the books aren't always 100% right. Everyone will get different results so be careful using other people's loads as it may be different for your rifle.
 
It's been a while! but I forgot to update and I thank you for all the previous replies.. I RMA'd a scope, upgraded and switched scopes on all my rifles and re-zero'd them all, shot a few 25m & 50m pistol club matches, volunteered at the range and taken photos for a Rimfire PRS match etc, its been busy spring but not with the 6.5cr but here it goes.


I ended up ladder loading starting at 39gr of 'D4350', made 10 rounds of 39gr to zero with then test and then went up .2gr up to 41.2.

Funny thing happened, I bore sighted and zero'd the scope (Athlon Midas tac) at 50m on paper with 3 rounds, then shot another 3 rounds that was basically in the same hole. I was excited, dialed for 100m and re-zero'd the turret, shot another group pretty well touching again. Went up the ladder and it just got worse, so I'm happy not 'chasing velocity' as I know there should probably be another node up there in the 41-42gr area, but I'm just a target shooter, and very happy with my 'Salvage Franken-rifle' and the reloads, first load was a winner so far. I'm sure I will test it further, but I don't think I can shoot any better then that. I reloaded another 30x rounds a last week and shot a few more groups and had another shooter friend shoot it, same results.

Savage 12FV, MDT ESS, Athlon Midas Tac 4-24x50
39gr D4350 (lot #25), Hornady brass, Hornady 140 Match bthp #26335, Federal large rifle primers (all I could find) COL is about 2.796 Thanks again Guys! :cheers:
 
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