6.5 prc seekins havak 2 w/ 140gr berger hybrids

[cb4128]

Just picked up a seekins havak 2 in 6.5 prc and started to put together a load today

Here's the components and the result of my pressure test, keep in mind this is with a 24" barrel:

new lapua brass
210m primers
140gr berger hybrids
h1000 powder

Started at 57.0gr - 2,876 fps
57.5 - 2,916 fps
58.0 - 2,945 fps
58.5 - 3,003 fps
59.0 - 3,013 fps
59.5 - 3,042 fps (had an increased bolt lift and starting to see marks on the brass)

The 58.5-59.0gr window looks great and grouped tightly on paper, but I just think it's too close to pressure signs to roll with in a new rifle.

***I was also very surprised it pressured up so quickly, I was expecting to get to 61gr before I saw significant pressure. Berger factory ammo in a 24" barrel with 156gr bergers is advertised as going 2,945 fps. So, I was expecting to get around 3,050 fps with this combo.

In any case, does this seem like I have a tight chamber or something else is going on? I don't want to make a big deal out of it, because it does shoot really well so far - but backing off to 156gr velocities kind've seems silly to me as well.

Thanks for any input!

 

[QuietTexan]

If you over-pressured new brass the next cycle they're really going to be over. Shoot your brass once at 57gn, shoot through them all, clean the barrel, and then start doing velocities.

In general though H1000 isn't a fast choice. Precise and easy to work with yes, but it's not typically the speed demon pixie dust like RL26 or Retumbo.