Reloader 26 in 6.5 creedmoor

[25WSM]

I thought you were a huge .25 fan.

I still am a 25 fan. But the bc on the 6.5 is so good. Now there are high bc 25s but all my 25s have a 10 twist. 257wbymag is my long time favorite cartridge. But I now have a 6.5x257wbymag. Its better in every way.
Shep

 

[25WSM]

I hit pressure with superforamance at 46 gr and ~ 2950 fps. I didn't hit pressure with the R26 until ~3000 fps.

Every gun and barrel is different. Thats what makes it fun.
Shep

 

[dougduey]

Remember the problem with RL-26 seems to be at higher temperatures, in the 80's Fahrenheit and above.

Yes and NO. I had issues with it above 80 degrees in my 6.5-284 Norma, but zero issues at any temperature ranges in my 6.5 Creed, 7 STW and 338 Lapua. Can't tell you why, but that's my experience. I live in South Texas and have used RL26 from 40-100 degrees, and my Norma was the only one that gave pressure spikes around 85+ degrees

 

[dougduey]

I also tried rl-26 in my 26in criterion. I posted my results on the rl-26 thread but I'll post them again. I didn't achieve the velocity bowfishin did but still impressive nevertheless. I settled on 48 grains with a 140 hornady eld-match at 2945. I ran up to 49 grains which yielded 3014 fps. 49 grains was halfway up the neck in my hornady brass. I shot the 48 grain load at 1000 last week with great results. It shot just as well as My tried and true load of 42 grains of rl-17 at 2880. My 5 shot group with 48 grains was in the .3s and a 3 shot group with 49 grains was also .3s.

I pretty much achieved the same results as you with RL26 in a 24" Proof barrel and the 143gr ELDX. Got it over 3000 fps and ran out of case capacity before finding pressure. Settled on 2954fps with a ragged hole group.

 

[dougduey]

Great info. I use R26 in my 6.5 PRC,with great results, but never in the creedmore, how would it work for the lighter bullets such as the Hammer 124 Hunter, in the 6.5 Creedmore?

RL16 works better with the 124 Hammer in the Creed. Super accurate at 3033fps and very temp stable. Does a number on deer and hogs. I put one round through 3 javalina that lined up perfectly a few years ago. The 3rd one required a finishing shot of mercy since his guts were strung outside of his body by about 2 feet. That copper shank can do a lot of damage even after it's shed all it's petals.

 

[RAGGED EDGE]

I still am a 25 fan. But the bc on the 6.5 is so good. Now there are high bc 25s but all my 25s have a 10 twist. 257wbymag is my long time favorite cartridge. But I now have a 6.5x257wbymag. Its better in every way.
Shep

Just had a ,25-06 AI built with a 7.5 twist for 125-grain HH.

 

[25WSM]

Just had a ,25-06 AI built with a 7.5 twist for 125-grain HH.

That will got it done. I had one of those for short time. Then needed another 257 wbymag so punched it out and still have that one. Still a 10 twist. But its a hammer. I have one of Lawtons personal barrels. Long story how I got it from him but I was in need and he had a few he hand picked from a production run for someone. He said 25 was his favorite barrel to make. He said the land and groove ratio's were perfect on 25s. From all the times talking to him I think 6mm was his favorite. He loved the 1000 yard game. But my Lawton 257wbymag will never be sold or shot out. Shoots 1/4 moa with Bibb vlds. That one is for special hunts. As much of a 25 fan I am I like AIs just as much. Another friend of mine shot a 6.5-06 AI at 1000 yards and has won so much wood he has a wall covered in it. Viper gave me my first 1000 yard lessons. There are so many super guys in our sport that go out of their way to help you succeed.
Shep

 

[codyadams]

RL16 works better with the 124 Hammer in the Creed. Super accurate at 3033fps and very temp stable. Does a number on deer and hogs. I put one round through 3 javalina that lined up perfectly a few years ago. The 3rd one required a finishing shot of mercy since his guts were strung outside of his body by about 2 feet. That copper shank can do a lot of damage even after it's shed all it's petals.

Ioaded the 124s with rl16 as well, 22" and shot good right at 3000 fps. Factory rifle, between .5 and .75 MOA consistently.

 

[BALLISTICJESUS]

I use RL-26 in a 23" 6.5 CM with the 153.5gr Berger's @ 2783 fps with good results.

 

[ptb]

Thanks for all the info, I'm definitely gonna have to pick up a jug and try it. So for hunting temp it should be plenty stable. It's amazing people are getting performance to rifle a 6.5 gap out of a 6.5 creedmoor

"Pick up a jug"…. Lol. You sound like it's a gallon of milk from the Walmart!!

 

[ptb]

Thanks for all the info, I'm definitely gonna have to pick up a jug and try it. So for hunting temp it should be plenty stable. It's amazing people are getting performance to rifle a 6.5 gap out of a 6.5 creedmoor

" pick up a jug"..lol. Make it sound like grabbing a gallon of milk at the Walmart!

 

[BALLISTICJESUS]

A quick note. Speed comes with a cost no matter the chambering. I played nice with my last 25 SAUM barrel and 135gr Berger Hybrids. Chased speed. Never got the barrel hot, strict cleaning regiment. Barrel lasted a handful of rounds past 700. Spendy 700 rounds when you add up the cost of a carbon fiber barrel , muzzle threading, chamber/thread and fit. Barrels are consumables but I prefer a 2K+ round count when it comes to barrel life.

I tried a polygonal barrel on a 6.5-.338 Ultra Mag improved(40 Degree) shot super tight but in the end it was an epic fail. The polygonal couldn't handle 160gr Matrix's bullets @3400 + for long. By the time I worked up a load and got my ballistics app dialed in to my real world. At just over 200 rounds , she was done. Everything went through the target side ways at 300. The weird thing was. When we pulled the barrel and bore scoped it. It wasn't the throat or the led. It was fried for about the last 8" of barrel on a 26" barrel.

 

[beaueel]

Great info for my 6.5 Cr. Love it.

NOW ! I need help with info for my new 22 Cr.
60 & 66 gr bullets. Mostly coyotes

HELP, and THANKS

 

[25WSM]

As to what Canhunter35 said about getting 6.5 gap speeds from a creed is not correct. I shoot 147 eldms 2900 in my creeds but the same bullet in my saum/gap gets 3150. The extra 250 fps is a typical jump seen when going from a standard to a magnum. As far as what Ballisticjesus said about barrel life, well pretty much any high overbore cartridge run at full capacity will burn your barrel down in short order. I personally do not consider the creed to be any where near an overbore cartridge. I shoot my creeds well over 1500 rounds before I set the barrel back. Cut off just the threads and then rethread and rechamber the barrel and get another 1500 rounds. This is on my match rifles. Ive never put 1500 rounds though any hunting rifle ever in my life. As far as the 6.5 gap goes I don't know yet. I expect to have hunting accuracy to 1000 rounds. It may end up less but I will never find out. I have hunting rifles and target rifles. Barrels are expendable on my target rifles. Once the barrel is not competitive it comes off. I love the 147 eldm so much I buy the 2000 packs. I shoot 1000 yard and 600 yard matches with them and hunt with them. I even load up all the ones culled out of my match lot into hunting rounds and they shoot fine.
Barrel life is subjective. You want a speed demon expect to buy more barrels. Its up to you if it's worth it or not. Then again someone shooting a 308 5 to 6000 rounds a barrel would say my creed is a barrel burner. Another reason shooting is so awesome. There is something for everyone. And if there isnt make one that is.
Shep