Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 6.5 Creedmoor loads

A lot of interest in the Creedmoor; I stumbled into a Ruger Predator, 1 in 8, 24". It is, by Gawd smooth, trigger is crisp, I like it. I am going for a 600 yard, dial-in elevation, kill'r here. Seriously would like some help getting going as forever I have been hungup at 100 yards...

Here's what I was able to find and there will be no shopping for awhile... New Hornady brass, lots of WLR primers, 3 lbs Varget, 1.5 lbs H4350, .75 lb Big Game, and a bit of RL 17.


Lately, my reloading mojo has been more miss than hit. As a novice loader, I've usually always just loaded up a few of this, and a few of that, and gave it a go. But, nowadays - time and components are more a premium.

Should I pick one powder and load up in increments to find book max velocity then go from there?

Any suggested loads - for starters?

My first place I look is Nosler's data on line...

Seems the 6.5 CM favors the midrange powders..RE15...4007ssc

http://www.nosler.com/65-creedmoor

H-4350 from 41 to 43.5 grains and a 140 grain bullet is the go-to load in the Creedmoor. Use Fed210M primers

Thanks. Guess that's about the standard, H4350 and 140s. I read where you shot that for a ladder at 600... If limited to 300 initially, any suggestions for finding a node?


Anyways, I have 2500 WLR primers.

Have the above mentioned powders plus H4831. Bullets: 129 Interlocks in hand and 123 Amax and 140 BTHP coming. Like to use these Interlocks to get sighted minute of deer out to 300. Then work onward to the 600 load.

I don't have a Creedmore but I have moved almost entirely to Quickload for picking powders and estimating max loads. I am not discounting any suggestion above, only providing the information suggested by the QL powder table.

Setup for 100% fill max, 63091 psi max pressure and 140gr Amax, and excluding powders we generally don't use in the USA, in the order of preferred to less so:

RL17, 96.6% fill, 2946 fps
H414
W760
V N550
Accurate 4350, 100% fill, 2891 fps
Norma 204
Ramshot Hunter
Ramshot Big Game
Reloader 15, 91% fill, 2853 fps

There are about 17 powders listed between RL 17 and RL 15, and the spread is only about 100 fps, but it may help pick a powder that is in the ballpark and you have on hand.


Edit: H4831 is way down the list with 140's, 100% fill and 2587 fps.

Norman, I have the same rifle and mine likes 140 gr SST and ballistic tips over RL 17 ...... Easily get 2800fps and 1/2" moa

I love the RL17 in the Creedmoor!

Some of my loads out of my 23" barrel rifle:

123 Scenar, 44.8grns RL17, WLR Primer, COAL 2.790, 3000fps

Barnes LRX 127grns, 43.8grns RL17, WLR Primer, COAL 2.803, 2,950fps

123 AMAX, 44.5grns RL17, WLR Primer, COAL 2.790, 3,000fps

125 Partition, 44.5grns RL17, WLR Primer, COAL 2.770, 2975fps


All of these loads were tested and verified on a cool morning (about 50F), velocity figures as reported are a little conservative (ex: 3013, 3008, 3024 = 3,000fps). My rifles' chamber seems like it may be a little tight, but note that predicted powder charges are off (less powder needed than QL,predicted) in some cases to reach predicted velocities. I stopped when I got the velocity I wanted at a predicted moderate pressure.

HTH

David

WTB RL17. Lol

No love for Varget, sure been accurate for me in 7-08, 300 Savage, 22-250? Just not fast enough ehh...


Thanks for all the great info folks. It's truly appreciated.



Ok, went out and found a couple pounds RL 17 and one lonely box of 140 NBT. Managed to return the 129 Interlocks. Will give this a try first. Thanks Mitch.

This is the one I have...

I hate to go for the slight hijack but would you point the 140 amax at a big mule deer or pick a different slug? Im setting up a 6.5 for the wife and would like to run on load for practice and hunting.

Is there a significant terminal difference between the 140 amax and the 140 sst?

I've never used the 140 A-Max....but the 140 SST have busted a few large bucks ranging from 100 yards to 450 yards out of my Swede. The Creed does everything my Swede does with less powder.
Never had to chase one after the shot and never had to shoot one twice...I have been playing with the 140 Accubonds, thinking I need more penetration for some reason

Be cautious of using QL for determining pressures. Just as every other reloading source since the A-Square manual; QL does not give lot numbers, nor testing dates. If you want pressure data, just buy a Pressure Trace. QL seems to struggle with ball powders coming from General Dynamics.
My Creedmoor loves the 760 family. Win760=H414=AA2700; Keep in mind nominal lot variations.

Here is a 140gr A-max kill. Fired from a 264WM, the distance was 75 yards. I'm thinking it will be going a few clicks slower in a Creedmoor

For reference, my pard holding the gutted deer is 6'5" and 270. It was a BIG frigging Sitka

Thanks Steelhead, was wondering if something like this is minute gack or a real difference between the two.

Dang, Cool pic!

Just a head's up, if'n anyone likes 'em, Lee is making 6.5 Creedmoor Collet Neck die now. Can be had in a 4-die set from Midway at $46 or alone from Lee at $26+ shipping.

Thanks for the info .Perfect timing i'm new to the 6.5 Creedmoor and waiting on my scope for it. Backordered another month so will put a backup Bushnell Elite 3x9 until then. And have most of the mentioned powders in inventory.