Need help as new reloader with questions!!!!

D

Domino2013

New member
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
Location
petawawa
Hello everyone! I am new to reloading and just made my first 5 rounds. However I have 2 questions maybe someone can help me with in regards to 6.5 creedmoor reloading.
1. The books say 2.825 for OAL however some of my bullets came to 2.815-2.824 with the the final one being 2.825 for OAL. Was trying to get the bullet seating depth just right and messed up I think. Will this be a problem to shoot or can I shoot them any ways.

2. I only have varget for powder right now (for my 308). I have seen online that most people use 34.5 - 36gr for their loads max load is 36.4 I think. I am using Hornady brass, CCI LARGE RIFLE 200 primers with 140 ELDM bullets. I can’t find the load for ELDM in my reloading manuals (Sierra and lee load manual). Should I just base it off of the 140 weight bullet?
 
OAL is a book's "recommendation" - you should find your lands and establish how much "jump" that you want - in time. First concern when starting is that the round fits into your magazine, regardless what the book says for length. Which leads to:

In your reloading books you saw many times about "working up" - you should not just pick somebody's random load and use it in your rifle - you start at a Start load, and load up a series in 1.0, 0.5 or 0.3 grains until you get to your "target" weight - somewhere along the way, you might find a load that shoots much better in your rifle. You might also discover that your bolt gets harder to open, maybe several grains less than that random load - or even before a Max load from a manual - they are simply reporting pressure tested results using the brass, primer, powder and bullet that they had, in their rifle - not likely that you are exactly matching any of them - same lot number, etc.

As you have discovered, there will be rounds that you make that do not satisfy you - do not "make do" - get a bullet pulling tool, take down the "mistakes" and start over - all the components can usually be salvaged and used again. All kinds of mistakes happen - including whole series that are not working out - you want to be able to pull the bullets, dump out the powder and start again.

Sort of "walk first", then get to "running, later. It is a great hobby - read those books that you already have - it is all in there. Don't "make up" stuff...
 
Last edited:
You can use generic 140 grain data. Varget is a bit fast for 6.5, but is fine for your "early days" activities. Think 4350 in the future...
As far as COAL is concerned, the recommended length you have ensures that you can fit the cartridge in the magazine, and that the bullet is reasonably distant (eg 1/8 inch) from the rifling in all factory rifles. Its more important to keep variables the same from cartridge to cartridge, to ensure consistent performance from shot to shot. As far as what you have in hand, shoot away, it'll be a while before you get into some serious tuning for accuracy.
 
Last edited:
Firstly, measuring OAL off bullet tips is only for verifying magazine length and relative conformity with the load data. Some variance will almost always occur and is perfectly normal. Precision handloaders will use a bullet comparator to measure from the base of the cartridge to the ogive of the bullet (referenced as BTO, base to ogive) This measurement is where you want consistency as the ogive is the first part of the bullet to contact the rifling. Not necessarily at the exact same datum line as your comparator, but that datum line is important for your measurements as you ideally want each loaded round to measure the same length at that point. It's worth noting that with most bullets, having an identical BTO measurement on a batch of rounds will almost always show variance in the COAL measurement. This is not a concern. The reason for this is bullets will not always be perfectly uniform nearer the tip, or meplat. This is very common on OTM bullets. Quality bullets will be consistent between their base and ogive. Another important note is regarding bullet interaction with your seating stem. Once you start measuring BTO you may find variance that you do not want. Often the culprit is bullets making contact with the seating stem further towards the tip. Just like when measuring, seating off this point leads to inconsistencies. That is why match seating dies are designed with stems that make contact close to the ogive. There are some other factors that will cause seating depth variance but measuring BTO and making sure your seating stem contacts near the ogive are 2 of the biggest steps in attaining precise results while seating bullets for match ammo.

Lastly, you do not need bullet specific data. Usibg data for the same weight and construction of bullet is all you need. Just don't mix cast, jacketed or especially monolithic bullet data with the wrong bullet type. It's not always dangerous but until you know and especially understand the dangers it is unwise to do so. For example, for your 140 ELDM you can use any data for your cal, powder choice and a 140 jacketed bullet whether it's a match or hunting bullet. Use the start load and work up safely watching carefully for pressure signs.
 
Good advice.
Might be a bit late...but could ask Santa for these...makes life a lot easier.

Hornady HK55 Lock-N-Load Headspace Kit

Hornady Lock N Load Overall Length Gauge

And you'll also need a 6.5 Creedmoor Modified Case Hornady #A65C

5WRYAOF.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom