Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Load development

Is there anyone in Washington state that I can send a rifle to that can do load development at a cost?

It is a 16" 6.5 creed.

elim, Go buy a box of every thing you can find in 6.5 CM and develop your own best round. my 16" CM likes the 143 gr ELD-X, hand loads aren't going to be 1/2" better than most factory loads. Rio7

Problem is I want to shot Hammer 123's

Not Washington, at least the wet side anyways. Don't know about the East side.

You might make a quick check with Wayne York at oregunsmithing in Pendelton, OR, or perhaps MOA Rifles in Redmond, OR since you mention 6.5 CM.

HTH

You don't say where at in Washington, but in the south central part of the state, there is an ammo manufacture that no one knows about. Only a few guys here have probably heard of them (Minuteman ammo). They do (or used to do) a lot of their ammo testing at my clubs range in Washington. I used to talk to the owner a lot, but I think they changed ownership, from what I've been told. I know the old owner would have taken you up on your quest. He liked loading and testing different ammo, but mainly specialized in ammo for AR's, and many pistol cartridges. The old owner was very cool, and actually asked for input a few times when I talked to him at the range.

In Oregon, there is also a guy/company called "The Proficient Marksman", that also loads ammo. He's out of Creswell Oregon. It may not work for you, as I believe he has a 500 round minimum order. May be worth a look at though, or maybe ask if he may be able to help you out? I don't know this guy (Mike) personally, but believe I've shot against him at some of my clubs bowling pin matches.

Good luck with your search..

I did not know that Oregunsmithing did this. He built me a stock for my 338 ultra years ago.

I am in Gig Harbor Wa.

I may have just gotten lucky...but back when Hammers were all you could find in stock...I bought a box of 6.5, 124 gr Hammer Hunter. I thought, oh boy, here we go, load development with the most expensive bullets on the market. Lacking a lot of data to get started, I pulled the 129 Hornadys and seated the 124 HH on top of the old H4831...bingo, load development was done. Maybe you could get lucky too. I found Hammers to be so much easier than Barnes in .30-06, 8x57, and Swede...no endless fiddling with seating depths and juggling powder choices.
I would think a short Creed would be too easy.

Any powder suggestions for a 16" creed?

Here is an option on Vashon Island that I’ve used: https://americancustomcartridge.com/

barrel that short.... Reloader 7, IMR 4198, IMR 3031...

I run H4831 under a 147gr ELD. I haven't looked at a book, but with 123gr bullets, ild check into 4350.

Regardless of barrel length, I’d be trying something in the Varget to 4350 range with those 123s.

Follow Jordan's advise above, and throw in a some 'Stick advise of "kiss, find pressure, rock on," and you'll be there in a few iterations.

Especially with a 6.5 Creed, its just not that hard.

H4350 and Varget are very temp stable, as well.

Give Steve at Hammer a call and he will set you on a path to success

Thanks guys. I hope 4350 works I have 8 pounds of that..

Good news Stephen at American Customs says that is just his game.

I talked with Steve from Hammer and have some new powders on the way.