Good info. This made me remember a mishap I made 20 or more years ago loading for my 270. I use the same powder for it as my 6mm Remington and somehow I ended up loading fifty rounds of the 270 with the lighter charge for the 6mm. It wasn't a safety issue, it just ended up being some light loads for the 270. I realized the mistake and ended up pulling the bullets and reloading with the proper charge. I did keep and shoot about 10 rounds of the light charge just to see how they preformed and they were not half bad, but they certainly were not preforming like my hunting load that I had already worked up the specs on. Thanks again, continue the work up and have fun with it. It sure will be rewarding once you get it all dialed in. That's for sure.
For reasons unknown, my Tikka 6.5 CM shot the 140 grain Sierra Match King well but the velocities were in the 2675 fps max. So I started trying Ramshot Hunter and wow. Excellent velocity and accuracy. I am able to find the powder and have been very pleased with the results. My charge is 44.8 grains with Hornady brass. I have also tried Staball 6.5 and while the velocity is equal to the Ramshot accuracy is not as good. I also use Ramshot in my Sako 30-06 and have had excellent results. I really enjoy your presentations. Thanks
Rick, I didn't get into stick powders vs ball but as you've already seen ball powders can really get the velocity up there. They just seem to be a little more sensitive to charge weight needing to be spot on and changes in temps.
Tom I have used both imr& hogdon 4350 and hogdon seams to grop just a little bit better in a A bolt 3 I want go into charge wt. Hopefully you will get it down to 1/2 min before you give up. Took me a pound of power and a bunch of bullets bullets. God bless and have a good week .
Roger, I'm no where near giving up on this one and I think the IMR 4350 is already capable of producing half MOA groups? For me neck sizing fire formed brass has always shrunk my group sizes and I have no doubt it will on this one as well.
I have found for cup and core boboolits in my 260s and 6.5x55 the Hornady 129 ptsp and Varget or 4831 and RL15 has really worked well. Good velocities and accuracy. There are almost unlimited combinations. It drives me crazy sometimes. Thanks for all your informative info.
I have loaded my own rifle ammo for over 45 years and i have recently had a strange experience with a Christensen Arms in .270 winchester.. the first day at the range i just tried ammo loaded for another .270 that i shoot which is one of my “ go to” loads for a .270 and it shot awful.. It also shot 200 fps faster that my other .270 with the same ammo…. I finally had to work up loads for this C.A. rifle that were 3 grains less of a powder charge but still nearly 100 fps faster than all of my other .270’s.. just kinda reminded me that i always need to start low and work my way up.. and a chronograph is very useful in load development..
Those Hornady 129 grain ptsp are some of my favorite bullets. Great luck with them in 6.5 CM, 260 rem, and 6.5x55. Also the old Hornady 140 sp in the same calibers is great too.
@@dantyack1059I recently swapped from Hornady to Norma brass in my 416 Remington. Same powder charge and everything and it picked up 75 fps. Luckily no pressure spike or anything, but it could of been. I didn’t even think about it at the time, but will definitely remember it for future loadings
Keep at it, you will figure it out, that one group was great, and you are correct, it really helps if you have the correct data, I've never been a fan of SAMI specs, especially knowing that the European specs are usually hotter than the SAMI ones and the only reason I can figure out is LAWYERS and that is not a good reason to do anything other than make sure your pistol works well.
I am developing a new load for a custom sabot for slug gun deer hunting and there is little to no published data… I started with a specific powder used for bird/lead sabot loads. I am trying to do things very safely, but there is not much published data anywhere for sabot and rifle bullet loads in rifled shotguns… Any idea(s) about who I can talk with about this topic.
Varget is my go to in that size case. My philosophy of use for the 6.5 Creedmor is different than most (Model 70FW with a Leupold 2-7X) as a light medium range deer rifle. A modern day, and readily available, 6.5 Swede. Conventional wisdom seems to say Varget and light bullets. But, I’m happy with my 140gr varget loads. They aren’t screamers, but that’s not what I need. They’re very consistent.
I believe any powder that would work well in the 308 Winchester would be fine n the 6.5 Creedmoor, anything from IMR 4895 to IMR 4350 if you wanted to stick to extruded powders. My bet would be H-414, it meters extremely well and is relatively temperature stable. Are you using cases for small rifle or large rifle primers? I believe faster, single base powders would work best with small rifle primers.
Mark, that's pretty much what I'm seeing out of this rifle. It does seem to prefer the 308 powders and with that said my go to powder for 308 is IMR 4064 with Varget a close 2nd so I'm going to try Varget next. And I'm using large rifle cases.
That's the same SIerra Manual I have, but it was an upgrade from the 3rd edition. I can't see buying a third. One big downside for getting new cartridges for me, besides, Now I gotta get new dies. Anyway, that one good group was really good. One powder I have yet to try is Varget. I may not if I have to buy it from my go-to store since they must think it has GOLD DUST in it at over $60 a pound. NO WAY I will pay that. They must be passing on their entire hazmat fee with every pound even though they order by the cases. I could see marking up 50 cents or a dollar, but not $10 a pound. Must be why they have a whole shelf full. Nobody wants it at $65/pound.
I've noticed all of the Hodgen stick powders have gone up in price including 4831. If I'm not mistaked their stick powders are made in Australia and maybe that had something to do with the price increases?
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving You are NOT mistaken. I just checked h4895, h4350, h4831 and all are made in Australia, possibly by ADI maybe? I'm not too sure I like the idea of my powders depending on Australia and Canada (on my ball powders) etc, At least my H414 (before they D/C it, and my W748 was made in USA, at least when I bought them.
Well Stuff happens n often times at least in past only the most common calibers came with trimmers n etc.speaking of the pilots..My Lyman didn't either. Pays to add the missing ones whether we use or not..as have ran into needing anyway. God Bless Time
Emory, I don't know if whatever is causing the vertical issues with this rifle have an affect here but so far IMR 4350 seems to be the sweet spot for this rifle?
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving well Tom I'm certainly not criticizing in fact I'd like to see you run with the IMR4350. With stable velocity I don't think you can count the vertical in a small sample group as really anything. You could do a couple 5 shot groups in .2 increments around the charge weight and see if that reveals anything. Regardless what's next I'm enjoying the show brother!
@@emoryzakin2576 Emory that's exactly what I'm thinking. I'm going to load in .2 grain increments around that charge that produced the .325" group which is exactly the half way mark between the charges I shot and then I'll get to see if those groups repeat and when that good groups falls apart if it repeats.
Instead of a new Sierra Manual (I won't buy another Hornady, as they bias their data toward their own inventions), I may buy the smaller, One Cartridge/One Caliber booklets from Loadbooks USA. I have one for .243 and .223. They have data from multiple bullet and powder manufacturers. About $8 at Midway and 6.5 CM is available.
Hodgen also keeps some pretty good load data on hand for various bullets with their powders and it's free online. That's where I got my data that I initially loaded to. It was for a Hornady 140gr Amax and the numbers were pretty close the 140gr Swift A Frame that they also had listed.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving The do indeed. I use their online resource all the time. I used to buy an annual manual; every year as well since about 2007. but as the acquired more powder companies, they seem to have decided to eliminate some cartridges, like 6.5X55, 7X57, I don't know maybe to make room for the added powders. I kinda didn't like that and did not buy one this year...even though they usually had good articles.
Tom, I like you so much that I endured two Joe Biden commercials to get through this video 🤣. I guess that RUclips needs to fix their AI algorithms because nobody that watches you is going to vote for that idiot! But you're right, we do make mistakes and with rifle accuracy, you just need to work out a load development plan. I have a 65cm 26-in 1:8 twist barrel that loves 147gr and H 4831SC but if you like the 4350's, get some Accurate 4350. It's a little slower than the IMR and might work for you. God bless.
Sounds like RUclips is trying to sabotage my channel with commercials like that! LOL Jeff, I'm trying to stay away from the ball powders. They can shoot just as good of groups as stick powder but they tend to not be as stable are more finicky about being at the right powder charge and temp changes. But I'm really curious now as to what this rifle will think about a faster powder and Varget?
With election time getting closer, they'll be coming out of the woodwork, poisoning the country they have hated; the USA! I love your governor though. He's as solid as they come! Accurate 4350 is a single base stick powder. It will be interesting to see how Varget behaves. Now that's a versatile powder! I'll be be watching!
Thanks Mr Tom this video got my wheels turning on what to try in my 6.5
Good info. This made me remember a mishap I made 20 or more years ago loading for my 270. I use the same powder for it as my 6mm Remington and somehow I ended up loading fifty rounds of the 270 with the lighter charge for the 6mm. It wasn't a safety issue, it just ended up being some light loads for the 270. I realized the mistake and ended up pulling the bullets and reloading with the proper charge. I did keep and shoot about 10 rounds of the light charge just to see how they preformed and they were not half bad, but they certainly were not preforming like my hunting load that I had already worked up the specs on. Thanks again, continue the work up and have fun with it. It sure will be rewarding once you get it all dialed in. That's for sure.
For reasons unknown, my Tikka 6.5 CM shot the 140 grain Sierra Match King well but the velocities were in the 2675 fps max. So I started trying Ramshot Hunter and wow. Excellent velocity and accuracy. I am able to find the powder and have been very pleased with the results. My charge is 44.8 grains with Hornady brass. I have also tried Staball 6.5 and while the velocity is equal to the Ramshot accuracy is not as good. I also use Ramshot in my Sako 30-06 and have had excellent results. I really enjoy your presentations. Thanks
Rick, I didn't get into stick powders vs ball but as you've already seen ball powders can really get the velocity up there. They just seem to be a little more sensitive to charge weight needing to be spot on and changes in temps.
Thanks Tom. Love your channels...
Tom I have used both imr& hogdon 4350 and hogdon seams to grop just a little bit better in a A bolt 3 I want go into charge wt. Hopefully you will get it down to 1/2 min before you give up. Took me a pound of power and a bunch of bullets bullets. God bless and have a good week .
Roger, I'm no where near giving up on this one and I think the IMR 4350 is already capable of producing half MOA groups? For me neck sizing fire formed brass has always shrunk my group sizes and I have no doubt it will on this one as well.
I have found for cup and core boboolits in my 260s and 6.5x55 the Hornady 129 ptsp and Varget or 4831 and RL15 has really worked well. Good velocities and accuracy. There are almost unlimited combinations. It drives me crazy sometimes. Thanks for all your informative info.
Robert, it drives us all crazy sometimes!
I have loaded my own rifle ammo for over 45 years and i have recently had a strange experience with a Christensen Arms in .270 winchester.. the first day at the range i just tried ammo loaded for another .270 that i shoot which is one of my “ go to” loads for a .270 and it shot awful.. It also shot 200 fps faster that my other .270 with the same ammo…. I finally had to work up loads for this C.A. rifle that were 3 grains less of a powder charge but still nearly 100 fps faster than all of my other .270’s..
just kinda reminded me that i always need to start low and work my way up.. and a chronograph is very useful in load development..
Those Hornady 129 grain ptsp are some of my favorite bullets. Great luck with them in 6.5 CM, 260 rem, and 6.5x55. Also the old Hornady 140 sp in the same calibers is great too.
@@dantyack1059I recently swapped from Hornady to Norma brass in my 416 Remington. Same powder charge and everything and it picked up 75 fps. Luckily no pressure spike or anything, but it could of been. I didn’t even think about it at the time, but will definitely remember it for future loadings
Excited to see the varget results
I'm curious about that myself!
Great video. Great information.
Great video!
Keep at it, you will figure it out, that one group was great, and you are correct, it really helps if you have the correct data, I've never been a fan of SAMI specs, especially knowing that the European specs are usually hotter than the SAMI ones and the only reason I can figure out is LAWYERS and that is not a good reason to do anything other than make sure your pistol works well.
FYI, if you have an iOS device (iPad or iPhone) you can get sierras free app with all their current load data. The app is really nice!
I am developing a new load for a custom sabot for slug gun deer hunting and there is little to no published data… I started with a specific powder used for bird/lead sabot loads. I am trying to do things very safely, but there is not much published data anywhere for sabot and rifle bullet loads in rifled shotguns… Any idea(s) about who I can talk with about this topic.
Dan, I have no clue on that one or where you would even start for that? Does the bullet/sabot manufacture have any data?
Just throwin' this out there but keeping in mind that you are shooting 6.5CM from a 28" barrel, you may want to try a slow burning powder?
Try to get your hands on N555 powder. Look forward to future vids.
I can't wait to see what Varget does.
Gizom, I can't wait either!
Varget is my go to in that size case. My philosophy of use for the 6.5 Creedmor is different than most (Model 70FW with a Leupold 2-7X) as a light medium range deer rifle. A modern day, and readily available, 6.5 Swede. Conventional wisdom seems to say Varget and light bullets. But, I’m happy with my 140gr varget loads. They aren’t screamers, but that’s not what I need. They’re very consistent.
I believe any powder that would work well in the 308 Winchester would be fine n the 6.5 Creedmoor, anything from IMR 4895 to IMR 4350 if you wanted to stick to extruded powders. My bet would be H-414, it meters extremely well and is relatively temperature stable. Are you using cases for small rifle or large rifle primers? I believe faster, single base powders would work best with small rifle primers.
Mark, that's pretty much what I'm seeing out of this rifle. It does seem to prefer the 308 powders and with that said my go to powder for 308 is IMR 4064 with Varget a close 2nd so I'm going to try Varget next. And I'm using large rifle cases.
I certainly made mistakes, thankfully Ruger replaced the Cylinder in my super blackhawk hunter for free...30% overload was an error
Alpha Brass ,140 Grain Hornady ELD-Ms seats .030 off the lands, 41.5 Grains H4350. Done.
Joe, I'm loading 130gr ELD-M's as we speak to try out.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving The load I shared is a known load for PRS shooters. Seating depth and consistent neck tension are key.
That's the same SIerra Manual I have, but it was an upgrade from the 3rd edition. I can't see buying a third. One big downside for getting new cartridges for me, besides, Now I gotta get new dies. Anyway, that one good group was really good. One powder I have yet to try is Varget. I may not if I have to buy it from my go-to store since they must think it has GOLD DUST in it at over $60 a pound. NO WAY I will pay that. They must be passing on their entire hazmat fee with every pound even though they order by the cases. I could see marking up 50 cents or a dollar, but not $10 a pound. Must be why they have a whole shelf full. Nobody wants it at $65/pound.
I've noticed all of the Hodgen stick powders have gone up in price including 4831. If I'm not mistaked their stick powders are made in Australia and maybe that had something to do with the price increases?
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving You are NOT mistaken. I just checked h4895, h4350, h4831 and all are made in Australia, possibly by ADI maybe? I'm not too sure I like the idea of my powders depending on Australia and Canada (on my ball powders) etc, At least my H414 (before they D/C it, and my W748 was made in USA, at least when I bought them.
Well Stuff happens n often times at least in past only the most common calibers came with trimmers n etc.speaking of the pilots..My Lyman didn't either.
Pays to add the missing ones whether we use or not..as have ran into needing anyway.
God Bless Time
Michael, was that you commenting on checking the rest to make sure it was tight?
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving I dont recall commenting on a rest on any of your videos.
Varget is good stuff but in 6.5 h4350 stands out in all of my rifles that I've tested.
Emory, I don't know if whatever is causing the vertical issues with this rifle have an affect here but so far IMR 4350 seems to be the sweet spot for this rifle?
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving well Tom I'm certainly not criticizing in fact I'd like to see you run with the IMR4350. With stable velocity I don't think you can count the vertical in a small sample group as really anything. You could do a couple 5 shot groups in .2 increments around the charge weight and see if that reveals anything. Regardless what's next I'm enjoying the show brother!
@@emoryzakin2576 Emory that's exactly what I'm thinking. I'm going to load in .2 grain increments around that charge that produced the .325" group which is exactly the half way mark between the charges I shot and then I'll get to see if those groups repeat and when that good groups falls apart if it repeats.
My 6.5 creedmoor really likes that staball 6.5 powder. Didn't like h4350.
My friend Joey just picked up some of the staball to try in his 6.5CM and I'll be watching to see how that works out for him.
Instead of a new Sierra Manual (I won't buy another Hornady, as they bias their data toward their own inventions), I may buy the smaller, One Cartridge/One Caliber booklets from Loadbooks USA. I have one for .243 and .223. They have data from multiple bullet and powder manufacturers. About $8 at Midway and 6.5 CM is available.
Hodgen also keeps some pretty good load data on hand for various bullets with their powders and it's free online. That's where I got my data that I initially loaded to. It was for a Hornady 140gr Amax and the numbers were pretty close the 140gr Swift A Frame that they also had listed.
@@TomRiverSimpleLiving The do indeed. I use their online resource all the time. I used to buy an annual manual; every year as well since about 2007. but as the acquired more powder companies, they seem to have decided to eliminate some cartridges, like 6.5X55, 7X57, I don't know maybe to make room for the added powders. I kinda didn't like that and did not buy one this year...even though they usually had good articles.
1883?
Thanks Kurtiss! I'll be changing that type O right now.
Tom, I like you so much that I endured two Joe Biden commercials to get through this video 🤣. I guess that RUclips needs to fix their AI algorithms because nobody that watches you is going to vote for that idiot! But you're right, we do make mistakes and with rifle accuracy, you just need to work out a load development plan. I have a 65cm 26-in 1:8 twist barrel that loves 147gr and H 4831SC but if you like the 4350's, get some Accurate 4350. It's a little slower than the IMR and might work for you. God bless.
Sounds like RUclips is trying to sabotage my channel with commercials like that! LOL
Jeff, I'm trying to stay away from the ball powders. They can shoot just as good of groups as stick powder but they tend to not be as stable are more finicky about being at the right powder charge and temp changes. But I'm really curious now as to what this rifle will think about a faster powder and Varget?
With election time getting closer, they'll be coming out of the woodwork, poisoning the country they have hated; the USA! I love your governor though. He's as solid as they come! Accurate 4350 is a single base stick powder. It will be interesting to see how Varget behaves. Now that's a versatile powder! I'll be be watching!