I am loading 6.5 CM using Hornady brass for a Weatherby Vanguard S2. I noticed that when I take headspace measurements that the fired brass is only about 4 thousands longer than the new or resized brass. Therefore I just do a full resize every time. Anyone else getting the same sort of data?
6.5 Creedmore
- Thread starter Kazman1960
- Start date
Sounds about right. Hornady brass has more case capacity. 2800 in the CM is pushing it too hard anyway. How much powder are you putting in those loads? What bullets are you using? I have two loads. 143 ELDx, 41.5gr ( bit hot ) H4350, 2710. The better load, 140 VLDh, 41.1 gr ( not hot ) H4350, 2710fps. The Berger load has less case growth, no pressure signs whatsoever. The Berger's must have a smaller bearing surface.
Alpha brass: 40.5 grains H4350 2720 fps with 140 ELDM
Hornady brass: 41.5 H4350 2740 fps with 140 ELDM
24" barrel.
You definitely notice the reduced case capacity with the Alpha brass. I had to come down a grain compared to the Hornady. I could probobly push them a little more but testing at 200-300 meters those charges tend to be my smallest groups. Works very well up to 1000 yards.
Alpha is a little bit slower but is a little more accurate for me. Although Hornady brass is very acceptable still.
I could do more testing and maybe push things a bit more. But once I hit .5moa or less and am nailing sub moa at 1000 yards I just shoot the gun and be done with it.
Those numbers can and do change from lot to lot of H4350. My last lot was about 10 or 20 fps slower. Halfway through my next 8 pound jug now.
I am using both lapua and Hornady brass , both work well but the lapua has less case growth in the same rifle.
Currently I only shoot mild loads and lighter weight bullets because I can hold less than 1 MOA at 500 meters with the rifle scoped off the bags using ELD match bullets, but I normally shoot it strapped in with the sling 'n' irons prone and it does very well in that category
I find the 120 grain bullets and H4350 a lot more manageable after a lengthy range session than with the 155's out of the 308 barrel that the rifle came with .
As far as a heavier round goes, until I stretch it out to 1K I won't worry about the longer match bullets
This gun is for the range only, I have rifles that are far more suited for hunting than this one.
Cat
Currently I only shoot mild loads and lighter weight bullets because I can hold less than 1 MOA at 500 meters with the rifle scoped off the bags using ELD match bullets, but I normally shoot it strapped in with the sling 'n' irons prone and it does very well in that category
I find the 120 grain bullets and H4350 a lot more manageable after a lengthy range session than with the 155's out of the 308 barrel that the rifle came with .
As far as a heavier round goes, until I stretch it out to 1K I won't worry about the longer match bullets
This gun is for the range only, I have rifles that are far more suited for hunting than this one.
Cat
Longboat what's you overall length when your seating 2.810"?
The disciplines of my choice ( Palma and F Class) do not allow brakes on a rifle.
Cat
Same. If it moves left or right I know i did something wrong in my setup.
Kazman1960
CGN Regular
- Location
- Timmins Ontario
Well i have tested quite a few combos of Powder and bullet weights in the past 4/5 months .
Used bullets weights from 120g Barnes , 129g Nosler and SST,s 130g Gamechanger,Hornady 140g HPBT match .
Powders used have been ( so far ) IMR 4350, Varget ,W748 ,RL16 and lastly , because it was given to me , Superformance .
I usually take 5 rifles out with me when i go shooting so i can give them all time to cool down .
Mostly i first set up at 55 yards to make sure all rifles are on paper and performing as i hope and to make sure i,m OK lol , then , i step back to 100 /120 yards as this is the max ( for now ) that i have for distance . In all honesty , i don't think i have found a "bad " combination load for the 6.5 yet at the distances i have been shooting .
Typically if there's a flyer , its me or a wind gust .
Looking at my notes though , i guess if i would have to choose , for now i would go with the 130g Gamechanger along with 44.9 grains of RL 16 .
Yesterday was the first time i got to try the 140g Match using 45.6 grains of Superformance , this load looks like it may also have promise , but again at the distances im shooting at 2 or 3 mm is about what separates the good from not so .
I need a longer range
Again , these are just my notes using my rifle and scope combo .
