6.5mm Creedmoor; Hodgdon and Hornady load tables

[rick357]

What is with reloading manuals currently? Pretty much totally useless data in them for the 6.5 Creedmoor. Someone screw up and import data sheets for 6mm Creedmoor? I have worked up multiple loads with multiple bullet types and weights and now use some of the listed max loads as a starting point for my development. Used to be that the rifle loads published were pretty decent and close to the mark for .308, 300WM and .223 but the 6.5 Creedmoor info in my opinion is rubbish. Yeah, I get it that the 'nobody moves, nobody gets hurt litigious atmosphere' abounds, and everyone goes running, 'whining, pissing,and moaning' to the government when they have been incredibly stupid or lacked foresight to understand their actions when they can't find anyone else to blame. I'll get off my soapbox now and state that at least Sierra has published some reasonable 6.5CM data and it is available for download off their site. As always, my comments are for me and my rifle; be absolutely certain to work up loads for YOUR RIFLE.

LOTS of different brass available. I am still using my Hornady brass I bought from Jerry at Mystic. It is holding up just fine so far. Palma style small primer Lapua and apparently large and small primer Pederson is available. Both large primer and 'Palma' style small primer Starline is available stateside and SHOULD have been here by now.

 

[camster]

How exactly are you measuring the pressure generated by your loads? Are the speeds you chrony at similar to published?

Although published data may be watered down for a litigious society, it's not impossible that bona-fide testing gear by the data publishers showed safe loads with THEIR test equipment either. The max loads aren't just to avoid immediate catastrophic failures, but with the safe use of loads over time. More than one verified account of seemingly "safe" loads (brass wasn't hinky, nor hard bolt lifts, etc) set lugs back with continued use.

No 6.5CM here so working on generalizations: It's a fairly new round, so the rifles chambered in it tend to be newer too...as such, they may be able to shoot at higher pressures without some of the tell-tale signs of high pressures. Over time though the rifle may show it was fed a "hot supper" a little too often...

What sort of speeds are you getting?

 

[rick357]

Hodgdon H4350
Min: 36.0 2,464 49,200 PSI
Max: 40.0C 2,660 59,200 PSI

The preceding Hodgdon data is NOT accurate in MY rifle.

Sierra H4350
Min: 35.1 2,300
Max: 42.0 2,700

The Sierra data is very close.

And yes, when load developing I chrony the crap out of everything going down the pipe and I record every shot. I inspect fired primers carefully. I inspect brass carefully. I weigh charges to 0.1g. No bolt lift problems, no extraction problems. Super smooth.

This is the fifth rifle for which I have worked up EVERY load I shoot. I started with a Rem 700 5r .308 8 years ago, then got a 300WM which has never had a factory round through it. Then a 223 which has fired all of about 5 factory rounds and several thousand hand loads now. I have lost count - but I have the records if I want to add it all up. Next up was a shorter barrel .308 which has never seen a factory round and has also seen around 1800 hand loads. Now a 6.5CM which has also never seen a factory round. Pretty sure I have figured it out.

 

[K-C]

Why are you referencing data from Hodgdon or Sierra?
Hornady 9th edition shows loads for 14 bullet types - 59 different published loads in total. I'm certain the 10th Edition has even more.
That would be my first choice for reliable data for this cartridge After all, Hornady "invented" the 6.5 Creedmoor in 2007 and they are passionate about it...

 

[rick357]

Why are you referencing data from Hodgdon or Sierra?
Hornady 9th edition shows loads for 14 bullet types - 59 different published loads in total. I'm certain the 10th Edition has even more.
That would be my first choice for reliable data for this cartridge After all, Hornady "invented" the 6.5 Creedmoor in 2007 and they are passionate about it...

Umm, you DID read the subject line? Hornady (10th Edition) is somewhat better than Hodgdon but still well under what Sierra publishes and which I have verified by extensive testing in my rifle with Hornady, Berger and Sierra bullets. I have downloaded all the latest data published by Hornady for their newest bullets. I also have Lyman data as well. At any rate, question still begs an answer. Why would Hodgdon have such useless info. I mean 40.0gr max and a compressed load? 42gr isn't compressed - and I am using Hornady brass!

 

[remington jim]

rick357 I am sure by your info that you are a acommplised reloader BUT every manual-manufacture is different and they are just GUIDES ! after 51 years of reloading i have found a HUGH varrinance in load data and in in rifles - so just start out with the data and finish up with what works in your rifle and forget the manual - info then !
Some of my loads which are find in my rifles and my brass life is good- bolt lift is good - extraction is good are NOT ?? safe ?? in some manuals but ok in others ! Sounds like you know what your doing ! jmo

Cheers Jim