H50BMG for 6.5PRC?

[ajkellerusmc]

Walking out on a limb here.

I am starting load development for a Ruger Hawkeye in 6.5PRC with a 26"pipe. I have bullets selected 140gr sierra matchking and berger140gr VLD target. Would like to shoot targets out to 1500yds one day.

I am trying to choose a powder, I have on hand Retumbo, US869 and H1000. I also have this 8lb jug of H50BMG thats been bugging me for about 10 years since I bought the Barrett 50 but have not opened the jug.

The 6.5PRC being a new, there is not much data out there. The Hodgdon annual manual shows the use of Retumbo, H1000 and US869 with 869 producing the highest velocities but with some of the lowest pressures. The burn rate chart shows 869 being the slowest and is one step slower than H50BMG. The other powders I listed above are all faster than 869 and H50.

My other option is IMR 8133 which there is data for and is temp stable and has CFE. But I have none!

Would YOU as an experienced handloader try or have tried a powder not listed in any manual? And if so where would You start?

Am I out of my mind?

 

[Jud96]

That's way too slow. Use H1000, RL26, or IMR 7977.

 

[Jud96]

 

[ajkellerusmc]

I have that same data from Hornady and also the data from Hodgdon. If H50 is too slow why is Hodgdon showing load data for US869 which is slower than H50?

 

[Jud96]

US869 is a ball powder and you can get it to fit in the case. Similar to how people make RL26, which is a really small stick powder, work in smaller Creedmoor cases, when other powders that are similar burn rate don't work. You'll never get enough H50BMG in the case to reach adequate velocities. I wouldn't waste my time with it. I know a lot of powders are hard to get right now, but if you can find any IMR 7977, IMR 8133, or anything else Hornady and Hodgdon tested, I'd go for that.

 

[ajkellerusmc]

US869 is a ball powder and you can get it to fit in the case. Similar to how people make RL26, which is a really small stick powder, work in smaller Creedmoor cases, when other powders that are similar burn rate don't work. You'll never get enough H50BMG in the case to reach adequate velocities. I wouldn't waste my time with it. I know a lot of powders are hard to get right now, but if you can find any IMR 7977, IMR 8133, or anything else Hornady and Hodgdon tested, I'd go for that.

Ok that makes sense now. Thanks for your expertise.

 

[ajkellerusmc]

Ok that makes sense now. Thanks for your expertise.

I talked with Berger and they only have load data for H1000 and also said that Retumbo and 869 are too slow for the 140 VLD target. Looks as if H1000 will be my choice, for now.

 

[Jerry M]

Look at what works for 6.5 Remington Magnum & .264 Winchester with will get you in the ballpark.

Good Luck

Jerry

 

[johnnyk]

I don't shoot a 6.5PRC but according to the above data, I do not think Retumbo is too slow. I have a 6.5-284Norma and run Retumbo exclusively, as do others on this site. Hornady data is claiming 3100fps with 59.3gn's of Retumbo. That is almost identical to and mimics the Norma round, which is what Hornady was trying to do, I believe.
I know this doesn't solve the 8lb jug of H50BMG problem but I can't find any load data using it in the 6.5PRC. May be some brave soul on here has tried it out in a similar cartridge and can advise you on your course of action.

 

[ajkellerusmc]

I don't shoot a 6.5PRC but according to the above data, I do not think Retumbo is too slow. I have a 6.5-284Norma and run Retumbo exclusively, as do others on this site. Hornady data is claiming 3100fps with 59.3gn's of Retumbo. That is almost identical to and mimics the Norma round, which is what Hornady was trying to do, I believe.
I know this doesn't solve the 8lb jug of H50BMG problem but I can't find any load data using it in the 6.5PRC. May be some brave soul on here has tried it out in a similar cartridge and can advise you on your course of action.

Berger bullets only said that about retumbo for their up and coming data. All the load data I have from Hornady and Hodgdon shows retumbo being used with near top velocities.

 

[ajkellerusmc]

Just not with Berger Bullets!

 

[johnnyk]

They (Berger) do give great advice. I have used their tech support on several occasions and each time it has resulted in a tighter group(s) or more efficient load.
I recently called them about loading the 156gn Berger in the 6.5-284 using Retumbo and they gave me a range which was overlapping with the 147gn ELD-M load I was using. I thought that was neat and just used my current load data. Velocity checked in at 2950ish, accuracy was terrific and I let it go with no more work up. Deer season was about to open and I had other things to bother with. Turns out I didn't see a good buck while carrying that rifle.
That's strange they would say that. ??

 

[BrentM]

You can try it. Berger shows RL33 with the 156 as being the best. Personally, i'd stick with a stable powder and it you wish give it a try.

 

[ajkellerusmc]

They (Berger) do give great advice. I have used their tech support on several occasions and each time it has resulted in a tighter group(s) or more efficient load.
I recently called them about loading the 156gn Berger in the 6.5-284 using Retumbo and they gave me a range which was overlapping with the 147gn ELD-M load I was using. I thought that was neat and just used my current load data. Velocity checked in at 2950ish, accuracy was terrific and I let it go with no more work up. Deer season was about to open and I had other things to bother with. Turns out I didn't see a good buck while carrying that rifle.
That's strange they would say that. ??

Must be cuz I selected the 140gr VLD Target, I bet the 156 is more popular.