Best Powder for 20" 6.5 Creedmoor

[Buzzsaw]

Anyone found their "PET" recipe for a 20", 1-8 Twist 6.5 Creedmoor? I've got tons for a 22" and longer, just looking for 20," 1-8 twist data.
New rifle, haven't shot it yet. My current favorite is 42.4 H-4350, 140gr ELDM, Berger 140 Elite and VLD Hunters, 42.2 H4350 143 ELDX.

I'm going to start with Factory loads: Hornady 143 ELDX Precision Hunters and Nosler 140 Ballistic Tips.

main game hunted: are Whitetails and Axis deer out to maybe 500yrds.

Thanks

 

[blkdog]

I have switched from H-4350 to RE 26 for my Creedmoor 47.5 is a max load in all three of my guns but it gives great velocity and shoots into one ragged hole at 100 and 2 to 3 inches at 500

 

[jasonco]

I'v done more load work with Reloder 17 than H4350, in my 3 rifles. 42gr of RL 17 with 140-143 bullets in 24" & 20" does wonders for velocities and accuracy.

 

[remcraz]

What velocities are y'all getting?

 

[Buzzsaw]

I just shot mine for the first time today, pics later.

Hornady FACTORY 143 ELDX 2570fps. Nosler FACTORY 140 ballistic Tips 2491fps.

will this even kill a deer at 400 yards???

 

[Canhunter35]

will this even kill a deer at 400 yards???

Lol
You will be good to 500yds, no issue and probably farther, ur still above 1800fps

 

[jasonco]

24"Bolt- 143ELDX 42gr RL17 AVG 2769 fps
20"AR10- 140 Nosler Custom Comp 42gr RL17 AVG 2714 fps

And to compare this in my 26", using 42gr-RL17 & 43+ H4350 (designed charge and powder) with 140-143 bullets, it's at 2800-2850 range.

 

[LongWalker]

I'm at 22" so not apples to apples but 43.6 of RE-16 gets me 2856 with the 140 Berger elite hunter. I did try RE-26 but I couldn't cram enough powder in the starline and Lapua brass to get any velocity. I did try it again with Hornady and that got the velocity up but had pressure signs at 2900. Not enough gain to switch brass and do a whole new load work up

 

[peterf225]

I was running a 16.5" 6.5 creed using AA4350. I don't remember what velocity it was running but was accurate (sub .5" groups at 100 yds). I was loading the 120 gr NBT.

 

[Zen Archery]

Published last Nov.
Loaded a bunch more this year.
Will publish again in December

LOAD DATA (My loads are generally hot. Start mild work up)
Berger 140 VLD-H
Powder IMR 4350 @ 42gr
Primer CCI #34
Brass 1.913
OAL 2.810
FPS 2570

Hornady 100 AMAX
Powder Varget @ 41gr
Primer Federal 210
Brass Unpublished
OAL 2.750
FPS 2905

Hornady 123 SST
Powder IMR 4350 @ 44.2gr
Primer CCI #34
Brass Custom Unpublished
OAL Custom Unpublished
FPS 2760

ALCO 130 RB AT VLD
Powder Varget @ 37.9gr
Primer CCI #34
Brass 1.915
OAL 2.210
FPS 2610

Speer 140 HCSP
Powder IMR 4350 @ 41.2gr
Primer CCI #34
Brass Unpublished
OAL 2.775
FPS 2635

Hornady 160 RN Interlock
Powder IMR 4350 @ 42.2gr
Primer CCI #34
Brass 1.910
OAL 2.700
FPS 2505

Hornady 143 ELD-X
Powder IMR 4350 @ 42gr
Primer CCI #34
Brass Unpublisehd
OAL 2.810
FPS 2575

Barnes 120 TAC-X
Powder IMR 4350 @ 44.3gr
Primer CCI #34
Brass Unpublished
OAL 2.760
FPS 2955

LeHigh Defense 122 Controlled Chaos
Powder IMR 4350 @ 44.2gr
Primer CCI #34
Brass 1.910
OAL 2.858
FPS 2810

 

[Flare]

I have switched from H-4350 to RE 26 for my Creedmoor 47.5 is a max load in all three of my guns but it gives great velocity and shoots into one ragged hole at 100 and 2 to 3 inches at 500

How are you getting that much powder in there? I'm using Starline brass and I ran in to compressed load that were giving me eractic OAL?

Corey

 

[Peregrine82]

I find it hard to beat the original loadings from Hornady. H4350 for the 140-grain type projectiles and Varget for the 120-123 grain projectiles.

 

[Canhunter35]

I find it hard to beat the original loadings from Hornady. H4350 for the 140-grain type projectiles and Varget for the 120-123 grain projectiles.

In the instance of a 20" barrel I would think varget would offer a more complete burn and possibly better results than the slower powders?

 

[Buzzsaw]

I tried 43.0 RL-16 and 42.4 H4350
Both were accurate but this is because of the rifle. If I put time in , they would be tighter

4350 load was really too hot, stiff bolt and shiny case heads
RL 16 load was a "tad" warm but had good Vel. I'm going to tone both down a bit, see what happens. My BDC Turret is set for 140 gr @ 2625fps.

Is there any way to figure how much to lower these loads? 1 grain? how many FPS should this lower?

I know I should ladder test but I don't have the time or patients, I'm Old.

I'll post pictures later

Thanks