Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 6.5 Creedmoor 140 optimum speed?

using these newer powders available, is it even possible to get a 140gr ( any) to a solid 2800fps, from a 22" barrel? And, if not, how close can one do it, safely of course. I'm think 62K Max pressure. I'm not talking about chasing the dragon, just wondering if it can be done? I know that a 1402800 is a solid killer i.e 7x57; 7mm/08, and similar rounds.

It should be possible to get in the ballpark. I'm shooting a 143 ELD-X at 2,760 from a factory Bergara barrel, cut to 21". This is over RL26, using a drop tube. I got my load from another Bergara shooter who was just over 2,800 with his 22" barrel and his lot of RL26. It's not far off the data published by Speer with 140gr bullets if I recall correctly.

And I've shot that load in 80-85 degree temperatures with no issues. I don't shoot when it's 100F outside, so I can't comment on extreme heat with RL26.

Thanks Pard! I was able to squirrel away some R26 a couple years back. Mind if I ask you your load? Thanks.

Upper 2700s out of my 21” barrel is my norm. Using RL16.

Sure. 47.5gr RL26, Hornady case, CCI 200, 2.855” OAL. I’ve got a fair jump to the lands, but it’s accurate.

Amy time now somebody will claim 3000fps with a 147 ELD and--of course--RL-26........

Agreed. Should be able to get at or better than 2800 fps with either RL-16 or RL-26 and 143 ELDX in a 22" barrel in my experience.

I am getting 2740 using 140 Speer Gold Dots, over Reloder 19. I could push it a bit more, but the accuracy was better at this speed. Reloder 26 was not much different. I have not pushed my Creed too hard, but during testing, I had the 147 close to 2800, but started to see some pressure. I loaded the 147 to over 2800 in my .260, which is not much different. I have pretty much quit just chasing velocity. I am happy with any load over 2700, with the heavier bullets.

I wish Reloder 26 would become more available and I would do some more experimenting. I save it for my Creed and the 147 right now, running it at 2745.

Thanks guys. I will just have to see what this rifle likes, of course, but I have some guidelines now. My C.A. Mesa 300WM has a tight (minimum spec) chamber and I consistently hit Max about 2gr less than most data. No problem, one just has to keep a good eye on the chronograph and primer pockets, right? I don't "have to have" 2800fps/140, just going to try it out. The wind is my "boogerman"! I really liked 120/125 in the 6.5/284, but I was humming them right at 3200fps. Me and my "looneyism" like a lwt bullet and a heavy one in any rifle. For instance, If I get good accuracy with the 120 TTSX, I'll probably hunt everything with it. I may just end up shooting coyotes/rocks in the desert with any 140. But, my rifle will soon be in my hot, sweaty little hands...:)

The monos in lighter weight would be a great hunting bullet for about anything. I only hunt deer, anymore, so I do not have a need for a mono. I run the 129 Interlocks at 2950 in my .260 and used to have them a bit over 3000. I dropped the velocity, as my second .260 thought that was a bit warm. I have not pushed them much in my Creed, because I mainly shoot the heavier bullets in my Creeds.

I think that the 130-class of bullets really shines in the 6.5 cartridges-whether standard, or mono.

.5 over max of H4350,140gr nosler AB only get 2676 from my 22" ruger hawkeye. Not fast but accurate. I tried the reloader powders but wasn't satisfied with the groups.

Reality check, if your 6.5 CM won’t group with either RL16 or 26, your average velocity with the best powders will be around 2,680 FPS with a 140 from a 22” barrel.

That's pretty much what I have gathered by reading what other Creedmoor guys are getting. I got outstanding results in my last .270 and R26, but only with the Nosler 160. A .280 wouldn't group well with nothing and R26, but I got great speeds, ha. Since I am not what you call a Long Range Hunter ( 375 is a challenge for me and I've only done that a handful of times) I never worry about the 140s in any 6.5 I ever had. The 120/125s killed deer/exotics very well with a 6.5/284. That 125PT was impressive enough that I would have hunted elk, with that rifle. The Creedmoor just seems more 120 friendly to me, with the Barnes 120TTSX at the top of the heap. . I am going to see what I can do with the 140, more for grins than a hunting load for deer/antelope. The 120 will more than suffice for me.

Questions for those with 21" and 22" bbls and pushing 140 gr. bullets near, at or over 2800 fps MV:

- does the COAL fit the magazine or are they single loaded?
- what is the brass life?
- what is the primer pocket life?

I'm bore sighting & zeroing a CA Mesa tomorrow with factory ammo and then will turn to hand loading for it.