Here are a few loads that worked for me. I loaded for both a Howa and a Ruger American 6.5 Creedmoor, and I was surprised to find that both had the same preference for bullet, powder, and charge. Probably just luck. Both are 1-8" twist and 22".
130 ABs and 129 ABLR behind 42.5g of RL17 was probably the best overall hunting load. Around 0.5" for the Ruger and 3/4" for the Howa. Right around 2,800 FPS, and a little faster in the Ruger. I could load it hotter, but groups opened up I went up to 44.0g looking for another node, but didn't find it. I found the 130 AB and 129 ABLR to be interchangeable. Same POI and they always grouped the same at 100 yards, regardless of the gun or charge. 42.0g of H4350 had the same tight groups, but at around 2,720 FPS. Seating depth didn't matter much with these bullets.
A great youth load is a 100g NBT behind 36.5g of Varget at about 2,720 FPS. The Howa shot this under a half inch (6 in a row were touching) and the Ruger shot it about the same. Groups opened up if I tried to push it faster, but this load was the most accurate in both rifles.
The Ruger loved the 120 NBT behind 43.5g of RL17. 2,950 FPS into 0.7". The Howa preferred 43.0g of RL17 and shot the 120 NBT and the 120 Sierra Game King both right around 1.0". The NBT had a 2" higher POI, though.
Neither really loved the 140 bullets. I tried 140 ABs, 142 ABLR, and 143 ELD-X. The Howa did shoot the 142 ABLR just under an inch behind 41.5g of H4350 or RL17. Both powders at around 2,680 FPS.Groups opened when I went faster. I was surprised to find that neither shot the 143 ELD-X very well (1.5"-3"), despite everyone else seeming to have great luck with them.
An interesting observation was that H4350 and RL17 could almost be used interchangeably (within 0.5g) and get the same accuracy results. RL17 would run about 50 FPS faster with the 120-130g bullets, but they were about the same with the heavier bullets. At least in these two guns, anyway.
