RL26 and 6.5 Creedmoor

[Alaska2006]

That's what I was thinking!

My quickload V3.9 shows 64,766 with 49.0 gr RL26 and MV 2879. I'm running bereger 140s in my Creed with 45.5 gr Ramshot Hunter at 62000 psi for MV 2827 across lab radar.
Tried some RL17 with 140 berger 45.5 gr at 64600psi and 2907 MV over the radar but wont group well and tough on primer pockets
both loads at 5350 elevation and 72 + degrees.

 

[Bowfishn]

Your lot of powder is close to my lot for BA QL shows for my lot that is adjusted for velocity obtained with Magnetospeed 49 gr RL26 with Hornady Brass 53.5 gr H2O and 147 ELD-M bullets seated 2.800" @ 3001 fps but at a pressure of 73573 psi. 50 gr shows 3060 fps but at 80026 psi. That is if you have a 24" barrel like what came with the rifle. If it was 26" you could do it with 67177 psi, if it was a 28" it would be 63145 psi. This is all based on pressure needed with RL26 to get a velocity just over 3000 fps with 147 ELD-M bullets, and assuming your Chrono or what ever you are using to measure speed is correct. ( I may suspect your Chrono is not giving an accurate reading as over 80k should have shown problems, QL default ba for 50gr RL26 shows 2995 fps at 70373 psi pressure, which most likely would not have shown any pressure signs.)

Reminds me of the load I was testing with 143 ELD-X that I got about 3050 fps, no sign of over pressure, but QL showed over 70k pressure. That was out of a 26" tube.

I have over 800 rounds down my barrel with RL26 and 6 different bullets tested, and have come to trust QL for accurately predicting what I will get from the loads tested. Also Berger has a load listed with RL26 and a 135 gr bullet out of a 24" tube. Their load is showing almost exact speed with QL and QL shows 58030 psi for theirs. It is what you might expect from a company that wants to be safe on loads that will be tried in a lot of varying circumstances.
Just be careful, you may be on the edge of problems.

By the way nice group.

 

[338 bruce]

Your lot of powder is close to my lot for BA QL shows for my lot that is adjusted for velocity obtained with Magnetospeed 49 gr RL26 with Hornady Brass 53.5 gr H2O and 147 ELD-M bullets seated 2.800" @ 3001 fps but at a pressure of 73573 psi. 50 gr shows 3060 fps but at 80026 psi. That is if you have a 24" barrel like what came with the rifle. If it was 26" you could do it with 67177 psi, if it was a 28" it would be 63145 psi. This is all based on pressure needed with RL26 to get a velocity just over 3000 fps with 147 ELD-M bullets, and assuming your Chrono or what ever you are using to measure speed is correct. ( I may suspect your Chrono is not giving an accurate reading as over 80k should have shown problems, QL default ba for 50gr RL26 shows 2995 fps at 70373 psi pressure, which most likely would not have shown any pressure signs.)

Reminds me of the load I was testing with 143 ELD-X that I got about 3050 fps, no sign of over pressure, but QL showed over 70k pressure. That was out of a 26" tube.

I have over 800 rounds down my barrel with RL26 and 6 different bullets tested, and have come to trust QL for accurately predicting what I will get from the loads tested. Also Berger has a load listed with RL26 and a 135 gr bullet out of a 24" tube. Their load is showing almost exact speed with QL and QL shows 58030 psi for theirs. It is what you might expect from a company that wants to be safe on loads that will be tried in a lot of varying circumstances.
Just be careful, you may be on the edge of problems.

By the way nice group.

So what does quick load say is the max safe load with rl26 and hornady brass

 

[Bowfishn]

So what does quick load say is the max safe load with rl26 and hornady brass

It is not so much the Load as it is the velocities you see with a given powder, you adjust QL for actual velocity with a given load.

Went shooting this morning to test a new bullet and powder combo, 6.5 creedmoor 147 eld , started at 46.0 grains 2850 fps and worked up to 50.0 grains 3060 fps, col 2.80", 49.0 was the best load 3005 fps, Savage model 10 predator max1 1-8" twist 24" barrel.View attachment 82033

So I will give you the default.
Cartridge : 6.5 Creedmoor Hornady
Bullet : .264, 147, Hornady ELD-M 26333
Useable Case Capaci: 46.236 grain H2O = 3.002 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-26

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.042% 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

-10.4 94 43.00 2547 2118 40255 10266 98.8 1.458
-09.4 95 43.50 2580 2173 41827 10356 99.1 1.432
-08.3 96 44.00 2613 2228 43467 10438 99.4 1.406
-07.3 97 44.50 2645 2284 45187 10512 99.6 1.381
-06.3 98 45.00 2678 2340 46983 10578 99.8 1.357
-05.2 99 45.50 2710 2397 48860 10636 99.9 1.332
-04.2 100 46.00 2742 2455 50826 10685 100.0 1.309
-03.1 101 46.50 2774 2512 52884 10725 100.0 1.285
-02.1 103 47.00 2806 2571 55040 10760 100.0 1.262 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 104 47.50 2838 2629 57300 10793 100.0 1.240 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 105 48.00 2870 2688 59665 10825 100.0 1.218 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 106 48.50 2902 2748 62154 10856 100.0 1.196 ! Near Maximum !
+02.1 107 49.00 2933 2808 64766 10886 100.0 1.175 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.1 108 49.50 2964 2868 67509 10914 100.0 1.154 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.2 109 50.00 2996 2929 70393 10940 100.0 1.134 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.2 110 50.50 3027 2990 73422 10965 100.0 1.114 !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 105 48.00 2998 2933 76062 10298 100.0 1.114 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 105 48.00 2670 2327 46412 11178 97.4 1.356
This is based off 24" barrel, so if that is what you have then we look at velocity verses actual velocity obtained with load.
Yours was 3060 with 50 gr, and 3005 with 49 gr. that is caused by higher than predicted pressure with the powder, that could be from your lot or your barrel is tighter than some. In any case you can adjust the Ba of the powder to match velocity.
These are the pressures based off of velocities obtained from actual shooting.

Cartridge : 6.5 Creedmoor Hornady
Bullet : .264, 147, Hornady ELD-M 26333
Useable Case Capaci: 46.236 grain H2O = 3.002 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-26 lot # 08014Y050115

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.042% 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

-10.4 94 43.00 2634 2265 45232 10127 100.0 1.387
-09.4 95 43.50 2666 2319 47046 10176 100.0 1.362
-08.3 96 44.00 2697 2374 48942 10220 100.0 1.338
-07.3 97 44.50 2728 2429 50925 10263 100.0 1.315
-06.3 98 45.00 2759 2484 52999 10305 100.0 1.291
-05.2 99 45.50 2790 2540 55172 10346 100.0 1.269 ! Near Maximum !
-04.2 100 46.00 2820 2596 57444 10386 100.0 1.246 ! Near Maximum !
-03.1 101 46.50 2851 2652 59827 10424 100.0 1.225 ! Near Maximum !
-02.1 103 47.00 2881 2709 62328 10462 100.0 1.203 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 104 47.50 2911 2766 64944 10498 100.0 1.182 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+00.0 105 48.00 2941 2824 67698 10533 100.0 1.162 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+01.0 106 48.50 2971 2882 70582 10566 100.0 1.141 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.1 107 49.00 3002 2940 73594 10598 100.0 1.122 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.1 108 49.50 3031 2999 76746 10629 100.0 1.102 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.2 109 50.00 3061 3059 80049 10659 100.0 1.083 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.2 110 50.50 3091 3119 83513 10686 100.0 1.065 !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 105 48.00 3049 3035 85619 10078 100.0 1.069 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 105 48.00 2772 2508 52068 11146 99.6 1.288

It would appear that based off what data you have provided
47.1 grains of RL26 keeps it within Industry standards. With your 24" barrel and 2.800" Col
But something else must be off because your rifle would have shown signs of extreme pressure at those velocities. (50.00 gr. RL26 3061 fps 80049 psi pressure.)
Are you running a longer barrel or a can? What is your method of checking speed? If it is a Chronograph and not a Magnetospeed or Labradar I would suspect the speeds were recording higher than actual speed, which changes things.
Again your load of 49 grains was a sweet shooter, and a factory Savage.

I was fire forming brass today with HBN coated 130 ELD-M bullets and working up preliminary loads for my new 10 BA Stealth. Used 47 thru 48.5 gr RL26 .5 gr jumps, with GM210M primers, Virgin Nosler Brass, and a COL of 2.825" of those the best was with 48.5 gr @ 2950 fps. 5 shots 100 yards (52834 psi pressure)
.440" ctc
I think the max I would have been able to get in the cartridge was 49 gr because of lack of space in the virgin brass.
Once I start working with fire formed I think I will be able to get 49.5 gr into it. I will probably see a velocity of about 3000 fps with 1/2" or less at 100.

 

[338 bruce]

It is not so much the Load as it is the velocities you see with a given powder, you adjust QL for actual velocity with a given load.


So I will give you the default.
Cartridge : 6.5 Creedmoor Hornady
Bullet : .264, 147, Hornady ELD-M 26333
Useable Case Capaci: 46.236 grain H2O = 3.002 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-26

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.042% 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

-10.4 94 43.00 2547 2118 40255 10266 98.8 1.458
-09.4 95 43.50 2580 2173 41827 10356 99.1 1.432
-08.3 96 44.00 2613 2228 43467 10438 99.4 1.406
-07.3 97 44.50 2645 2284 45187 10512 99.6 1.381
-06.3 98 45.00 2678 2340 46983 10578 99.8 1.357
-05.2 99 45.50 2710 2397 48860 10636 99.9 1.332
-04.2 100 46.00 2742 2455 50826 10685 100.0 1.309
-03.1 101 46.50 2774 2512 52884 10725 100.0 1.285
-02.1 103 47.00 2806 2571 55040 10760 100.0 1.262 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 104 47.50 2838 2629 57300 10793 100.0 1.240 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 105 48.00 2870 2688 59665 10825 100.0 1.218 ! Near Maximum !
+01.0 106 48.50 2902 2748 62154 10856 100.0 1.196 ! Near Maximum !
+02.1 107 49.00 2933 2808 64766 10886 100.0 1.175 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.1 108 49.50 2964 2868 67509 10914 100.0 1.154 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.2 109 50.00 2996 2929 70393 10940 100.0 1.134 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.2 110 50.50 3027 2990 73422 10965 100.0 1.114 !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 105 48.00 2998 2933 76062 10298 100.0 1.114 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 105 48.00 2670 2327 46412 11178 97.4 1.356
This is based off 24" barrel, so if that is what you have then we look at velocity verses actual velocity obtained with load.
Yours was 3060 with 50 gr, and 3005 with 49 gr. that is caused by higher than predicted pressure with the powder, that could be from your lot or your barrel is tighter than some. In any case you can adjust the Ba of the powder to match velocity.
These are the pressures based off of velocities obtained from actual shooting.

Cartridge : 6.5 Creedmoor Hornady
Bullet : .264, 147, Hornady ELD-M 26333
Useable Case Capaci: 46.236 grain H2O = 3.002 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length : 24.0 inch = 609.6 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-26 lot # 08014Y050115

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.042% 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

-10.4 94 43.00 2634 2265 45232 10127 100.0 1.387
-09.4 95 43.50 2666 2319 47046 10176 100.0 1.362
-08.3 96 44.00 2697 2374 48942 10220 100.0 1.338
-07.3 97 44.50 2728 2429 50925 10263 100.0 1.315
-06.3 98 45.00 2759 2484 52999 10305 100.0 1.291
-05.2 99 45.50 2790 2540 55172 10346 100.0 1.269 ! Near Maximum !
-04.2 100 46.00 2820 2596 57444 10386 100.0 1.246 ! Near Maximum !
-03.1 101 46.50 2851 2652 59827 10424 100.0 1.225 ! Near Maximum !
-02.1 103 47.00 2881 2709 62328 10462 100.0 1.203 ! Near Maximum !
-01.0 104 47.50 2911 2766 64944 10498 100.0 1.182 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+00.0 105 48.00 2941 2824 67698 10533 100.0 1.162 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+01.0 106 48.50 2971 2882 70582 10566 100.0 1.141 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.1 107 49.00 3002 2940 73594 10598 100.0 1.122 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.1 108 49.50 3031 2999 76746 10629 100.0 1.102 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.2 109 50.00 3061 3059 80049 10659 100.0 1.083 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.2 110 50.50 3091 3119 83513 10686 100.0 1.065 !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 105 48.00 3049 3035 85619 10078 100.0 1.069 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 105 48.00 2772 2508 52068 11146 99.6 1.288

It would appear that based off what data you have provided
47.1 grains of RL26 keeps it within Industry standards. With your 24" barrel and 2.800" Col
But something else must be off because your rifle would have shown signs of extreme pressure at those velocities. (50.00 gr. RL26 3061 fps 80049 psi pressure.)
Are you running a longer barrel or a can? What is your method of checking speed? If it is a Chronograph and not a Magnetospeed or Labradar I would suspect the speeds were recording higher than actual speed, which changes things.
Again your load of 49 grains was a sweet shooter, and a factory Savage.

I was fire forming brass today with HBN coated 130 ELD-M bullets and working up preliminary loads for my new 10 BA Stealth. Used 47 thru 48.5 gr RL26 .5 gr jumps, with GM210M primers, Virgin Nosler Brass, and a COL of 2.825" of those the best was with 48.5 gr @ 2950 fps. 5 shots 100 yards (52834 psi pressure)
.440" ctc
I think the max I would have been able to get in the cartridge was 49 gr because of lack of space in the virgin brass.
Once I start working with fire formed I think I will be able to get 49.5 gr into it. I will probably see a velocity of about 3000 fps with 1/2" or less at 100.

At 50 grains of powder in once fired and full length resized Hornady brass, I had 1/8" space to the end of the case, my primer pockets measured the same as new brass, my chrono is a shooting chrony and I haven't checked for drop to verify speeds yet. At 46-47 grains the groups were 1 1/4", 48-49 was very tight and at 50 it opened back up.

 

[Bowfishn]

At 50 grains of powder in once fired and full length resized Hornady brass, I had 1/8" space to the end of the case, my primer pockets measured the same as new brass, my chrono is a shooting chrony and I haven't checked for drop to verify speeds yet. At 46-47 grains the groups were 1 1/4", 48-49 was very tight and at 50 it opened back up.

With Hornady brass you would think primer pockets would start having issues if pressure was as high as QL predicts for that speed with your load, if you know anyone with a Lab Radar or Magnetospeed see if you can check the loads for speed, that will tell where you are at.

 

[338 bruce]

Drops at 930 yards confirmed velocity at 2900 fps

 

[Bowfishn]

At 2900 fps for a 24" barrel it should be well with in pressure between 61 and 62K according to QL.

 

[30 Hammer]

Your lot of powder is close to my lot for BA QL shows for my lot that is adjusted for velocity obtained with Magnetospeed 49 gr RL26 with Hornady Brass 53.5 gr H2O and 147 ELD-M bullets seated 2.800" @ 3001 fps but at a pressure of 73573 psi. 50 gr shows 3060 fps but at 80026 psi. That is if you have a 24" barrel like what came with the rifle. If it was 26" you could do it with 67177 psi, if it was a 28" it would be 63145 psi. This is all based on pressure needed with RL26 to get a velocity just over 3000 fps with 147 ELD-M bullets, and assuming your Chrono or what ever you are using to measure speed is correct. ( I may suspect your Chrono is not giving an accurate reading as over 80k should have shown problems, QL default ba for 50gr RL26 shows 2995 fps at 70373 psi pressure, which most likely would not have shown any pressure signs.)

Reminds me of the load I was testing with 143 ELD-X that I got about 3050 fps, no sign of over pressure, but QL showed over 70k pressure. That was out of a 26" tube.

I have over 800 rounds down my barrel with RL26 and 6 different bullets tested, and have come to trust QL for accurately predicting what I will get from the loads tested. Also Berger has a load listed with RL26 and a 135 gr bullet out of a 24" tube. Their load is showing almost exact speed with QL and QL shows 58030 psi for theirs. It is what you might expect from a company that wants to be safe on loads that will be tried in a lot of varying circumstances.
Just be careful, you may be on the edge of problems.

By the way nice group.

Has anyone (or will someone for me) run QL on a 6.5 CM, Hornandy brass, 140 Accubond seated at 2.815" and 210GM primers?

Thanks!!

 

[30 Hammer]

By the way with a 22" barrel sorry!

 

[JAYgs8163]

Hey there. I've been running 48-49gr of RL26 in Peterson and Lapua Brass with great results. 140 Berger VLD Elite Hunter, CCI 450. My best load in the Savage Stealth was with 49gr and with my MS measured 2992 fps with a 3.7 SD. Have been running this load in 3 different Savage rifles. Stealth, a model 10SR and a Savage LRH. Have any of you got info on throat wear using RL26? This has become my go to powder with the Creedmoor. Thanks, Joe

 

[KTP]

I finally had a chance to test some RL26 in my 6.5 Creedmoor. I kept it simple. PRIME once fired brass, full length sized, GM210 primers, COAL at 2.810. I used 2 guns. Savage action barreled to a 26" savage heavy barrel 1:8. Tikka T3 with 24" field barrel 1:8. 140VLD hunting bullets. I simply fired 2 rounds for each load over my Oehler chrony. 45 degrees. I'm not pulling down some of the velocities that I read about. Of course I could have fired more of each load, but I was simply trying to get a feel for velocity.
SAVAGE
46.6 grains 2757, 2747 velocity
47 grains 2797, 2785
47.5 grains 2830, 2843
48 grains 2863, 2863
TIKKA
47 grains 2746, 2732
48 grains 2856, 2845

 

[JAYgs8163]

I finally had a chance to test some RL26 in my 6.5 Creedmoor. I kept it simple. PRIME once fired brass, full length sized, GM210 primers, COAL at 2.810. I used 2 guns. Savage action barreled to a 26" savage heavy barrel 1:8. Tikka T3 with 24" field barrel 1:8. 140VLD hunting bullets. I simply fired 2 rounds for each load over my Oehler chrony. 45 degrees. I'm not pulling down some of the velocities that I read about. Of course I could have fired more of each load, but I was simply trying to get a feel for velocity.
SAVAGE
46.6 grains 2757, 2747 velocity
47 grains 2797, 2785
47.5 grains 2830, 2843
48 grains 2863, 2863
TIKKA
47 grains 2746, 2732
48 grains 2856, 2845

Your lot of powder could be off some as well as your Chrony! I'll get my coal for you also. I'm running about 20-30 off the lands. Your 47 gr loads are off almost 50 fps in each Rifle but not as much on the 48 gr loads.

 

[KTP]

I'm working to validate the chrony. Appreciate you mentioning that.