Reloader 26 in 6.5 creedmoor

[shawnb]

I see lapua has small flash holes as well. And starline advertises bigger flash holes with the srp. Is there any opinion on whether the larger flash hole will help that much with ignition?

 

[DBoone]

Thanks for your load report. It's encouraging. I'm gonna try Hornady brass with F210M next. I might even try some 215Ms.

Barrelnut

That's pretty much the path I went down. Here are my better stats I've experienced so far.

49.3 with Rem 9 1/2M- 2950fps SD4 ES9
49.3 with Fed 210- 2974fps SD2 ES4 (light ejector marks)
49.3 with Fed 215- 2999fps SD10 ES21 (ejector marks)

As my speed increased, so did my group sizes, starting at .75ish MOA with the 2950 load and ending at 1.3ish MOA with the 2999 load.

I had more sub MOA groups at 100 yards in the 49.2-49.4 range but my SD's crept up to 15 on some of the loads.

Like I mention in a previous post, I have changed lot #'s on my powder and lost some speed. I'm back playing with charge weights and primers. Going to give some BR2's a try and go back to the Fed 215's. With my Hornady brass as soon as I get to the 2970fps range I start to get ejector marks. So be careful, these loads probably aren't for everyone. Good luck.

 

[Barrelnut]

Finally got to do a little more load work and though I would update my results...

Tried Lapua brass with with 135 Classic Hunters with CCI450s from 47 to 48.8 Gr.
I got a couple low SDs around 8~9 but nothing consistent. In the end the SD spreads were more like 15 to 25 FPS. Speeds were not really much different with the CCI450 over the BR4.
IMO the Lapua SRP brass and RL26 just are not a good fit. The RL26 just seems to need more primer spark to get things going.

Next tried Hornady brass with F210M and F215s and things changed dramatically.
Accuracy improved and had SD 7.5 across 6 shots of 48 gr RL26 with velocity of 2907!
Good groups too right at .4 AND .5 MOA.

Next tried Hornady brass with F215M. Across 6 shots had: SD4 with velocity of 2971!
Sadly the groups went to .8 and 1.15 MOA though....

I am going to abandon the Lapua brass with RL26. With Hornady brass and F210M, I think there is a good load right around 2900 FPS. I am gonna pursue that.

Might also revisit the Hornady brass with the F215M. Think I will back off on the powder a bit till I hit around 2950 and try to find another node.

My experience seems to echo a couple other experiences posted around RL26 and Lapua vs Hornady brass and SRP vs LRP.

 

[coop2564]

I finally got temps in 90's, 97 to be exact.
Took the 6.5cm out. So its a Bergara HMR 22" barrel. Back in winter tested the RL 26 at 70 degrees i get 2863 using 47.3gr Nosler brass, CCI LR. Some reports of pressure spike when u get over 80 degrees had me worried. But i shot 20 rds at 500yds today. My avg velocity only changed too 2881. Which is right on with QL! Nothing crazy like some have said, at 97 it does put me right at sami on pressure, but had no sign over pressure. My group at 70 degrees was .4moa today with 20mph winds still was .7 moa. I plugged todays temp in my ballistic calculator which had my data from sight in @70 degrees and alliants recommended temp factor and dialed to 8.2 moa hit 6" plate every shot at 500yds even with 20mph wind.

Being a hunter first, this powder gives me another 150yds of energy over most other powders. Gives me velocity and energy to hunt out to 900yds if the need was to arise.

 

[DMP25-06]

Give me some specs on your set up, COAL @ about .020" off lands, what Case and primer you are using, barrel length and I will run QL with those bullets using RL26.

Hello Bowfishn ,
May I get your help with QL for my 6.5 CM ?
Peterson brass , empty weight = 175.0 grains with BR2 primer
With case full length sized , water volume = 50.7 grains
Bullet is Hornady 147 gr. ELD-M . C.O.A.L. 2.865" @ .015" from lands
Second choice seating depth - C.O.A.L. 2.835" @ .045" from lands
CCI BR-2 primer
RL 26 powder
Rifle is Ruger with 28" barrel

Also , if not too much of a request , could you possibly run the same combination using
H 4350 powder ?

Thank You ,
DMP25-06

 

[Bowfishn]

RL26
COAL 2.865"

Cartridge : 6.5 Creedmoor Hornady
Bullet : .264, 147, Hornady ELD-M 26333
Useable Case Capaci: 44.332 grain H2O = 2.878 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.865 inch = 72.77 mm
Barrel Length : 28.0 inch = 711.2 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-26

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.431% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-04.3 101 44.40 2789 2539 49172 8630 100.0 1.443
-03.9 102 44.60 2802 2563 49986 8641 100.0 1.433
-03.4 102 44.80 2815 2587 50813 8651 100.0 1.422
-03.0 102 45.00 2828 2611 51658 8661 100.0 1.412
-02.6 103 45.20 2841 2635 52518 8671 100.0 1.402
-02.2 103 45.40 2854 2659 53396 8681 100.0 1.392
-01.7 104 45.60 2867 2683 54292 8691 100.0 1.382 ! Near Maximum !
-01.3 104 45.80 2880 2708 55205 8701 100.0 1.372 ! Near Maximum !
-00.9 105 46.00 2893 2732 56135 8710 100.0 1.362 ! Near Maximum !
-00.4 105 46.20 2906 2757 57086 8720 100.0 1.352 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 106 46.40 2919 2781 58055 8729 100.0 1.342 ! Near Maximum !
+00.4 106 46.60 2932 2806 59044 8738 100.0 1.333 ! Near Maximum !
+00.9 107 46.80 2945 2830 60053 8747 100.0 1.323 ! Near Maximum !
+01.3 107 47.00 2958 2855 61082 8755 100.0 1.313 ! Near Maximum !
+01.7 107 47.20 2970 2880 62134 8763 100.0 1.304 ! Near Maximum !
+02.2 108 47.40 2983 2905 63205 8772 100.0 1.295 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 106 46.40 3043 3022 74005 8282 100.0 1.232 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 106 46.40 2723 2420 45318 9108 97.9 1.491

COAL 2.835"

Cartridge : 6.5 Creedmoor Hornady
Bullet : .264, 147, Hornady ELD-M 26333
Useable Case Capaci: 43.917 grain H2O = 2.851 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.835 inch = 72.01 mm
Barrel Length : 28.0 inch = 711.2 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-26

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.435% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-04.3 101 44.00 2776 2515 48620 8564 100.0 1.450
-03.9 102 44.20 2789 2539 49429 8575 100.0 1.440
-03.5 102 44.40 2802 2563 50254 8586 100.0 1.429
-03.0 102 44.60 2815 2587 51093 8596 100.0 1.419
-02.6 103 44.80 2828 2611 51952 8606 100.0 1.409
-02.2 103 45.00 2842 2636 52826 8616 100.0 1.398
-01.7 104 45.20 2855 2660 53718 8626 100.0 1.388 ! Near Maximum !
-01.3 104 45.40 2868 2684 54623 8635 100.0 1.378 ! Near Maximum !
-00.9 105 45.60 2881 2709 55557 8644 100.0 1.368 ! Near Maximum !
-00.4 105 45.80 2894 2734 56503 8653 100.0 1.358 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 106 46.00 2907 2758 57469 8662 100.0 1.348 ! Near Maximum !
+00.4 106 46.20 2920 2783 58456 8671 100.0 1.338 ! Near Maximum !
+00.9 107 46.40 2933 2808 59463 8680 100.0 1.329 ! Near Maximum !
+01.3 107 46.60 2946 2833 60490 8688 100.0 1.319 ! Near Maximum !
+01.7 108 46.80 2959 2858 61538 8696 100.0 1.310 ! Near Maximum !
+02.2 108 47.00 2972 2883 62609 8704 100.0 1.300 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 106 46.00 3032 3000 73232 8213 100.0 1.237 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 106 46.00 2709 2396 44905 9019 97.7 1.498

 

[Bowfishn]

H4350
COAL 2.865"

Cartridge : 6.5 Creedmoor Hornady
Bullet : .264, 147, Hornady ELD-M 26333
Useable Case Capaci: 44.332 grain H2O = 2.878 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.865 inch = 72.77 mm
Barrel Length : 28.0 inch = 711.2 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H4350

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.495% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-05.0 96 38.40 2607 2218 49953 7247 98.4 1.470
-04.5 97 38.60 2619 2239 50711 7276 98.6 1.460
-04.0 97 38.80 2631 2260 51480 7304 98.7 1.451
-03.5 98 39.00 2643 2281 52261 7332 98.8 1.441
-03.0 98 39.20 2656 2302 53055 7359 98.9 1.432
-02.5 99 39.40 2668 2323 53860 7386 99.0 1.422 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 99 39.60 2680 2344 54678 7411 99.1 1.413 ! Near Maximum !
-01.5 100 39.80 2692 2365 55509 7437 99.2 1.404 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 100 40.00 2704 2387 56352 7462 99.3 1.395 ! Near Maximum !
-00.5 101 40.20 2716 2408 57209 7486 99.3 1.386 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 101 40.40 2728 2430 58079 7509 99.4 1.377 ! Near Maximum !
+00.5 102 40.60 2740 2451 58963 7532 99.5 1.368 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 102 40.80 2752 2473 59860 7554 99.5 1.359 ! Near Maximum !
+01.5 103 41.00 2764 2494 60772 7576 99.6 1.350 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 103 41.20 2776 2516 61698 7597 99.7 1.342 ! Near Maximum !
+02.5 104 41.40 2788 2538 62638 7617 99.7 1.333 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 101 40.40 2828 2610 68301 7236 100.0 1.291 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 101 40.40 2587 2185 48041 7466 95.2 1.490


COAL2.835"

Cartridge : 6.5 Creedmoor Hornady
Bullet : .264, 147, Hornady ELD-M 26333
Useable Case Capaci: 43.917 grain H2O = 2.851 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.835 inch = 72.01 mm
Barrel Length : 28.0 inch = 711.2 mm
Powder : Hodgdon H4350

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 0.498% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-05.0 96 38.20 2605 2214 50103 7195 98.4 1.469
-04.5 97 38.40 2617 2235 50870 7224 98.5 1.459
-04.0 97 38.60 2629 2256 51649 7252 98.6 1.450
-03.5 98 38.80 2641 2277 52440 7280 98.8 1.440
-03.0 98 39.00 2654 2298 53244 7307 98.9 1.431
-02.5 99 39.20 2666 2320 54060 7333 99.0 1.421 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 100 39.40 2678 2341 54888 7359 99.1 1.412 ! Near Maximum !
-01.5 100 39.60 2690 2362 55730 7385 99.1 1.402 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 101 39.80 2703 2384 56585 7409 99.2 1.393 ! Near Maximum !
-00.5 101 40.00 2715 2405 57454 7433 99.3 1.384 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 102 40.20 2727 2427 58336 7457 99.4 1.375 ! Near Maximum !
+00.5 102 40.40 2739 2449 59232 7480 99.5 1.366 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 103 40.60 2751 2470 60142 7502 99.5 1.357 ! Near Maximum !
+01.5 103 40.80 2763 2492 61067 7523 99.6 1.348 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 104 41.00 2775 2514 62007 7544 99.6 1.340 ! Near Maximum !
+02.5 104 41.20 2787 2536 62962 7564 99.7 1.331 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 102 40.20 2826 2607 68632 7186 100.0 1.289 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 102 40.20 2586 2182 48228 7412 95.2 1.488

 

[Bowfishn]

I finally got temps in 90's, 97 to be exact.
Took the 6.5cm out. So its a Bergara HMR 22" barrel. Back in winter tested the RL 26 at 70 degrees i get 2863 using 47.3gr Nosler brass, CCI LR. Some reports of pressure spike when u get over 80 degrees had me worried. But i shot 20 rds at 500yds today. My avg velocity only changed too 2881. Which is right on with QL! Nothing crazy like some have said, at 97 it does put me right at sami on pressure, but had no sign over pressure. My group at 70 degrees was .4moa today with 20mph winds still was .7 moa. I plugged todays temp in my ballistic calculator which had my data from sight in @70 degrees and alliants recommended temp factor and dialed to 8.2 moa hit 6" plate every shot at 500yds even with 20mph wind.

Being a hunter first, this powder gives me another 150yds of energy over most other powders. Gives me velocity and energy to hunt out to 900yds if the need was to arise.

Thanks COOP2564 thats good info.

 

[Prieto9000]

While I feel the 120/123 bullet weights are ideal for the 6.5 CM you don' see much info on them.

Its a good question, I've been thinking to load the wife's CM with bullets in that class for hunting. Our shots are very hard to stretch out much past 300yds so the need for high BC bullets is limited to shooting steel at the range.

I use the 123 SST on my hunting 6.5 CM
It is a Tikka T3 sporting a 18.5" Melonited benchmark. It spits the 123gr close to 3000fps using Varget.
Great hunting load. I killed a very nice whitetail last season using that load.

 

[DMP25-06]

Bowfishn ,

Thank You .

Prior to my asking for your help , I had tried to work up a loading for my 6.5 CM Ruger Hawkeye Heavy Varmint/Target rifle with 28" barrel , 1:8" twist , laminated heavy target stock . My results were less than spectacular , and are as follows :

Using the 6.5 CM Peterson brass , CCI BR-2 primers , 147 gr. ELD-M , and RL26 ,I had previously loaded single cartridges , starting at 45.4gr. , increasing by .3 gr steps ( 45.4 , 45.7 , 46.0 ... up to 48.1 gr. at 2.835" OAL ) and the velocity ranged from 2739 FPS w/45.4 gr. up to 2860FPS w/ 46.9 gr. which showed a cratered primer , but no stiff bolt lift . I stopped at that point .Velocity was measured by a Magnetospeed V1 .
I also loaded 10 single cartridges , using Federal 215 Match primers at the same powder increments as listed above .
Velocity with the Fed.215M primers started at 2799 fps w/ 45.4 gr. up to 2944 fps w/48.1 gr. RL26 which showed flattened primer and bolt face marks on cartridge base .

I chose to load the cartridges with BR-2 primers @ 46.4 gr. because the single test loads of 46.3 gr. and 46.6 gr. had chronographed the same at 2844 fps , AND the fill volume was near the top of cartridge case . I used an electric toothbrush to settle the powder down to the base of the neck .

After weighing the cartridge cases and bullets to get get same weights on each , I loaded 10 cartridges with 46.4 gr. RL26 ,BR-2 , 147 ELD-M @ 2.835" O.A.L.
Average velocity for the 10 shots was 2788 fps , ES 105 , SD 25
100 yard group size was less than 1 MOA.

I also loaded 10 of the same @ 2.865" O.A.L.
Average velocity for 10 shots was 2795 fps , ES 118 , SD 27
100yard group size was less than 1 MOA .

Temperature was 70* F.

All of my testing was done with NEW brass , full length sized .
I will next try once fired brass , FL sized with neck bushing Hornady Match die set , and I will post my future results . Probably in 2 - 3 weeks . Work calls .

Again , Thank You very much .
DMP25-06

 

[Nomosendero]

I would have thought the 28" tube would give you more velocity

 

[Bowfishn]

Yes, I would have thought the same thing. With RL26 and 147 ELD-M bullets out of my 26" tube I get 2930 fps at my accuracy node and a bit more before any pressure signs.

 

[Bowfishn]

Bowfishn ,

Thank You .

Prior to my asking for your help , I had tried to work up a loading for my 6.5 CM Ruger Hawkeye Heavy Varmint/Target rifle with 28" barrel , 1:8" twist , laminated heavy target stock . My results were less than spectacular , and are as follows :

Using the 6.5 CM Peterson brass , CCI BR-2 primers , 147 gr. ELD-M , and RL26 ,I had previously loaded single cartridges , starting at 45.4gr. , increasing by .3 gr steps ( 45.4 , 45.7 , 46.0 ... up to 48.1 gr. at 2.835" OAL ) and the velocity ranged from 2739 FPS w/45.4 gr. up to 2860FPS w/ 46.9 gr. which showed a cratered primer , but no stiff bolt lift . I stopped at that point .Velocity was measured by a Magnetospeed V1 .
I also loaded 10 single cartridges , using Federal 215 Match primers at the same powder increments as listed above .
Velocity with the Fed.215M primers started at 2799 fps w/ 45.4 gr. up to 2944 fps w/48.1 gr. RL26 which showed flattened primer and bolt face marks on cartridge base .

I chose to load the cartridges with BR-2 primers @ 46.4 gr. because the single test loads of 46.3 gr. and 46.6 gr. had chronographed the same at 2844 fps , AND the fill volume was near the top of cartridge case . I used an electric toothbrush to settle the powder down to the base of the neck .

After weighing the cartridge cases and bullets to get get same weights on each , I loaded 10 cartridges with 46.4 gr. RL26 ,BR-2 , 147 ELD-M @ 2.835" O.A.L.
Average velocity for the 10 shots was 2788 fps , ES 105 , SD 25
100 yard group size was less than 1 MOA.

I also loaded 10 of the same @ 2.865" O.A.L.
Average velocity for 10 shots was 2795 fps , ES 118 , SD 27
100yard group size was less than 1 MOA .

Temperature was 70* F.

All of my testing was done with NEW brass , full length sized .
I will next try once fired brass , FL sized with neck bushing Hornady Match die set , and I will post my future results . Probably in 2 - 3 weeks . Work calls .

Again , Thank You very much .
DMP25-06

Your ba on the lot of RL26 is running lower than most. I am surprised you were able to get 48.1 gr in the case considering the case volume. I am also surprised you are seeing pressure signs at those velocities with a 28" tube. I will run you new numbers on your rl26 using the ba you have based off velocity as soon as I am able to get to my laptop.

 

[DMP25-06]

Your ba on the lot of RL26 is running lower than most. I am surprised you were able to get 48.1 gr in the case considering the case volume. I am also surprised you are seeing pressure signs at those velocities with a 28" tube. I will run you new numbers on your rl26 using the ba you have based off velocity as soon as I am able to get to my laptop.

The powder charges for ALL of my loadings are first dispensed from a RCBS Chargemaster electronic scale , then transferred to a balance beam scale that I either trickle or remove granules of powder into pan to get each powder charge exactly the same .