Powder Change Up?

[YZ-80]

Has anyone had good success with IMR 4350 in their beloved 6.5 Creedmoores? I know H4350 is essentially the "go-to" but I got kinda a surplus of IMR 4350 on hand cause I use it a lot in my .243s. I'm aware of the temperature stability advantage of the H but trying to work with what I got and maybe get a bit more speed in the process. I have been using RL-15 with sub-.5 MOA results but the node is very distinct and accuracy falls apart on either side of the 37.2 grain charge (143 ELD-X). Even .1 grain expands things to over a minute. I should add that I do also have some Varget on hand but published data says it's slow by comparison. Thoughts?

 

[Rhett Crider]

Here you go

 

[just_jon]

IMR 4350 is on my list to try in my 6.5 CM. I may have some data to share tomorrow or Saturday. On the subject of other powders for the 6.5 CM, I shot five ladder tests Monday with H4350, RL-17, StaBALL 6.5, Varget and W760 using 131 grain Hammer Hunters. All 10 shot tests were loaded at .2 grain increments ending at Nosler's listed max. Varget was substantially slower that others tested. Worse yet, the lone velocity node was on the bottom end (35.7 to 37.5) with an average speed of 2,706. Most impressive was W760 with an ES of only 64 over a two grain powder difference and a wide speed node at the top end. RL-17 and Staball 6.5 both had speed nodes at top end as well and will continue on to the next round of testing. H4350 speed is good, but I've not found acceptable accuracy in other tests. Note: 26" barrel with chrono at 10'.

Avg. Max
H4350 2,869 2,986
RL-17 2,920 2,975
Staball 2,883 2,964
Varget 2,753 2,824
W760 2,889 2,921

 

[YZ-80]

IMR 4350 is on my list to try in my 6.5 CM. I may have some data to share tomorrow or Saturday. On the subject of other powders for the 6.5 CM, I shot five ladder tests Monday with H4350, RL-17, StaBALL 6.5, Varget and W760 using 131 grain Hammer Hunters. All 10 shot tests were loaded at .2 grain increments ending at Nosler's listed max. Varget was substantially slower that others tested. Worse yet, the lone velocity node was on the bottom end (35.7 to 37.5) with an average speed of 2,706. Most impressive was W760 with an ES of only 64 over a two grain powder difference and a wide speed node at the top end. RL-17 and Staball 6.5 both had speed nodes at top end as well and will continue on to the next round of testing. H4350 speed is good, but I've not found acceptable accuracy in other tests. Note: 26" barrel with chrono at 10'.

Avg. Max
H4350 2,869 2,986
RL-17 2,920 2,975
Staball 2,883 2,964
Varget 2,753 2,824
W760 2,889 2,921

This is helpful information, Sir and many thanks. It seems like I might be wasting my time trying to get more speed out of Varget and my 37.2 grain charge of RL-15 has me at a pokey 2,675 FPS (SD:5 & ES:16) with a 24" pipe. This is a 143 ELD-X.

At any rate, I am tempted to just load up a basic test ladder with the IMR 4350 and see how it groups. It'll be tough beating those Magnetospeed numbers I got with the RL-15 but I'd like wider node (better yet 2) and a bit more speed. It just seems like I might be leaving something on the table.

 

[LVJ76]

Here is the data from Sierra, not the fastest but I do know IMR-4350 is very accurate

This is right before you hit pressure according to Sierra but as you know start lower and work up. Here is for 130gr, 140gr and 150gr bullets

Hope this helps and stay safe

 

[YZ-80]

Here is the data from Sierra, not the fastest but I do know IMR-4350 is very accurate

This is right before you hit pressure according to Sierra but as you know start lower and work up. Here is for 130gr, 140gr and 150gr bullets

Hope this helps and stay safe

View attachment 200430

View attachment 200431

View attachment 200432

It does! Thanks, Bro!

 

[Flatbush Harry]

Here is the data from the Nosler website. Go to Nosler.com, pick media from the pull-down menu and go to "Load Data".

Nosler Load Data

Explore the world of Nosler, renowned for crafting the finest bullets, ammunition, rifles, and brass. Discover our extensive lineup, including Partition, AccuBond, E-Tip, Ballistic Tip, Custom Competition, and more. Experience superior quality and performance with Nosler products.

load-data.nosler.com

Good luck,

Harry

 

[YZ-80]

Here is the data from the Nosler website. Go to Nosler.com, pick media from the pull-down menu and go to "Load Data".

Nosler Load Data

Explore the world of Nosler, renowned for crafting the finest bullets, ammunition, rifles, and brass. Discover our extensive lineup, including Partition, AccuBond, E-Tip, Ballistic Tip, Custom Competition, and more. Experience superior quality and performance with Nosler products.

load-data.nosler.com

Good luck,

Harry

Thanks, Harry. I've loaded up 5 check charges and 5 each in the 39.5 to 41.5 range and I'm gonna see what IMR 4350 has to offer today as a little "proof of concept" experiment.

Best,

-YZ

 

[OFFISHN]

Has anyone had good success with IMR 4350 in their beloved 6.5 Creedmoores? I know H4350 is essentially the "go-to" but I got kinda a surplus of IMR 4350 on hand cause I use it a lot in my .243s. I'm aware of the temperature stability advantage of the H but trying to work with what I got and maybe get a bit more speed in the process. I have been using RL-15 with sub-.5 MOA results but the node is very distinct and accuracy falls apart on either side of the 37.2 grain charge (143 ELD-X). Even .1 grain expands things to over a minute. I should add that I do also have some Varget on hand but published data says it's slow by comparison. Thoughts?

Here's mine.

 

[YZ-80]

Here's mine.
View attachment 200549

Couldn't you get it tighter than that? AND you missed the target - LOL!!

I have a group set up at 41.7. I would be ecstatic with similar results!

-YZ