Newbie Reloader Question

[Bennyyb]

Hey fellow CGNers,

I am an avid long distance shooter and have incredible accuracy with factory loaded Hornady Match 140gr ELD in 6.5 CM.

Due to the current ammo shortage situation I have started to do some homework on reloading. I was wondering if anyone has gone through the process to make an excact replica recipe for the factory Hornady ammo I like to shoot. If not could you guys help point me in the right direction in terms of what powder and grains a guy should start with?

Appreciate your feedback!

 

[dan belisle]

The Nosler and Sierra manuals will give you accuracy load information for 140 gr bullets with that cartrdige. Doesn't necessarily mean they will be accurate in your firearms though. - dan

 

[4n2t0]

You cannot produce an "exact replica recipe" of that factory load because the powder used isn't available to you. With that said you could probably achieve the exact same success (or better) through testing.

 

[woodlotowner]

You cannot produce an "exact replica recipe" of that factory load because the powder used isn't available to you. With that said you could probably achieve the exact same success (or better) through testing.

This ^^

 

[junkdude]

Interesting titbit regarding Hornady ammo. I had some (can't remember the exact type) but it was around the 140 gr in 308. Was shooting it out of a Tikka heavy barrel, very good accuracy.

I put a pressure trace on the gun to see if I could replicate the load (match the pressure vs time curve). There was very large secondary pressure spike, yikes! The spike wasn't enough to damage the gun, but it was still an indication of something weird going on with the propellant. Moral of story: factory ammo may not be all it's cracked up to be.

Agree with 4n2t0, you can probably do better than factory with a properly worked up load. FWIW, almost all of my loads ended up being most accurate at 75% of max load from the manuals.