I developed an accurate handload for my 6.5CM Weatherby Vanguard 24" barrel. 39.8gr H4350 shooting 140gr Nosler Accubonds. Gave great accuracy and produced 3 one shot kills this past season at varying ranges. A hunting buddy handed me a box of Hornady Precision Hunters with 143 ELDx bullets to try out. They shot a clover group at 200yds all 5 holes touching. Shot another 5 after things cooled down with the same results. I think I will stock up on those Hornady factory rounds since I don't think I can easily match this accuracy with handloads, actually why bother.
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Load the same bullet to the same length and test mid 39's to mid 41.x grain charges of H4350, I would guess you will be at 41.2 or 41.3 when you see the same accuracy or maybe even a little better in brass that fits your rifle well after it's been fired 1 or 2 times. That load has shot best in every one that I have seen. I don't have a box to look at right now but I recall that being on the ammo early on, and yes they actually put the load data on the box for a while.
bomberodevil
Well-Known Member
I'll always choose accuracy over velocity, but there's often more than one accuracy node in load development. I've developed several loads in 6.5 CM, and the powder charge you've settled on is a bit lower than what most loaders use for this cartridge.
My loads in H4350 (which is a great stable powder for the 6.5 CM) are in the 41.8 range, delivering 140-143 grain bullets in the 2750 fps range. You didn't state what your velocity is, but with that powder charge, I'd guess in the mid 2600s. These loads of mine are grouping 3-shot groups below .5 moa, so I'm not giving up any accuracy.
Most powders are around 50 fps per grain, so you're leaving about 100 fps velocity on the table. That's not a ton of speed, but if you wanted to continue the load development, I'd bet a pastrami sandwich you'd find a good accurate load in the upper 41 grain range. It will give you better terminal energy and better wind compensation.
I'm shooting a CA Mesa with a 22" barrel, so I'm giving up about 20 fps with the shorter barrel too.
My loads in H4350 (which is a great stable powder for the 6.5 CM) are in the 41.8 range, delivering 140-143 grain bullets in the 2750 fps range. You didn't state what your velocity is, but with that powder charge, I'd guess in the mid 2600s. These loads of mine are grouping 3-shot groups below .5 moa, so I'm not giving up any accuracy.
Most powders are around 50 fps per grain, so you're leaving about 100 fps velocity on the table. That's not a ton of speed, but if you wanted to continue the load development, I'd bet a pastrami sandwich you'd find a good accurate load in the upper 41 grain range. It will give you better terminal energy and better wind compensation.
I'm shooting a CA Mesa with a 22" barrel, so I'm giving up about 20 fps with the shorter barrel too.
FireFlyFishing
Well-Known Member
There's nothing wrong with shooting factory ammo from your man bun rifle. That's the allure of the cartridge. Anyone can grab a rifle and some box ammo and it will shoot decently…for the most part.
Box ammo will not shoot consistently lot to lot though. So, you better be ready to drop some coin if you want you rifle to shoot the same over time…
Box ammo will not shoot consistently lot to lot though. So, you better be ready to drop some coin if you want you rifle to shoot the same over time…
birddog 68
Well-Known Member
My 6.5 CM has probably been the easiest rifle to work up a load with. I purchased my CM to shoot instead of shooting my hunting rifles all the time.
I have loaded 2 different 140 grain bullets (eldm / BT) using 4 different powder's and all have been good.
If you are only going to shoot a half box a year then you may as well just buy a few boxes of the same lot but as was mentioned above the next time you buy the results may not be the same. I'd just buy some bullets and load em up and then you know that they will shoot but I enjoy working up loads.
Top pic 140 eldm. Bottom 140 BT
I have loaded 2 different 140 grain bullets (eldm / BT) using 4 different powder's and all have been good.
If you are only going to shoot a half box a year then you may as well just buy a few boxes of the same lot but as was mentioned above the next time you buy the results may not be the same. I'd just buy some bullets and load em up and then you know that they will shoot but I enjoy working up loads.
Top pic 140 eldm. Bottom 140 BT
