Pet load.

[Sasman]

Hi .
With so much trouble here consistently finding finding a certain powder or bullet that my 6.5 Creedmoors seem to like , i seem to have found both that i can at least get .
Problem is , for the bullets , i have never used them so just asking if anyone has a " pet load " they would be willing to share to save me some time and lots of $$$ .
The bullets are 139g Lapua Scenars .
For powders , i have access to H4350 , IMR 4350 , IMR 4831 , IMR 7828 ,Retumbo and some Varget .
Rifles i load for are Tikka CTR , Christensen Arms BA Tactical and Remington 700 Magpul .
Any help with charge weights and COAL would be welcome .
Thanks in advance .

 

[Roughrice]

Work up to around 41.5 of H4350 @ .020-.030 off...that should get you a successful load.

 

[Sasman]

Work up to around 41.5 of H4350 @ .020-.030 off...that should get you a successful load.

Thanks for the reply . Ill try that recipe as soon as the bullets arrive .

 

[sourdough44]

You likely have a handful of manuals or you can scour the net. Most cartridges have powders common to various loadings & bullet weights. As an example, you often see Varget listed as a top powder for the 243. Some manuals state what powders were best in the text, the data may be similar.

Of course you have to test yourself, ideally a few different loads & bullets. If pressed for time(and components) just do a few loads with the bullets you have. To choose the powder, you already looked what's recommended in a few manuals.

I'm doing similar right now with the 400 Legend. My goals are modest, inside 150 yards for IL deer hunting. I have a fair amount of powders, but only 3(maybe 4) different types of bullets. I went right to the top listed powder(average) Win-296/H-110. So far my chronograph speeds are great, further accuracy testing next. I narrowed the powder to Win-296 because of favorable comments and book numbers.

Most cartridges have 'peripheral' powders listed, workable, but not top choices. Anyway, that's my advice, do some manual study before you start to load.

 

[LBEdgin]

41.4gr of VihtaVuori N160 works great with 139gr Lapua, I realize you don't have that powder but I had to share it as it works well for me.

 

[Sasman]

41.4gr of VihtaVuori N160 works great with 139gr Lapua, I realize you don't have that powder but I had to share it as it works well for me.

Thats another option as i regularly see that powder for sale but never tried them . Thanks for that .

 

[Roughrice]

Work up to around 41.5 of H4350 @ .020-.030 off...that should get you a successful load.

Just to add… some people find accuracy with Scenars a bit closer to the lands but I don't for other reasons.

 

[Sasman]

Work up to around 41.5 of H4350 @ .020-.030 off...that should get you a successful load.

The bullets showed up .
On my Tikka CTR , I measured 2.900 to the lands .
Magazine length measured 2.865.
The Remington measured 2.899 to the lands , mag length is 2.890 .
I cant measure the C Arms as none of the fired brass will chamber ( they get stuck) so ill wait until i get some used brass from that one.
Should i load the Tikka rounds at 2.870 and the Remington the same ?
I always single feed so im not really concerned with the mag length .

 

[Roughrice]

Looks like that will start .030 off lands if your measurements are correct .
I like .020 to start . I really don't like closer but many would argue differently… so may your journey begin!
Best of luck.

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

IMR or H - 4350 start 40gr.
Hope this helps.

 

[Sasman]

IMR or H - 4350 start 40gr.
Hope this helps.

I have both powders so i'll be sure to try em all .

 

[Sasman]

Work up to around 41.5 of H4350 @ .020-.030 off...that should get you a successful load.

I started off loading 0.050 off the lands .
The most accurate in this configuration was 42.0g .
Still really nothing to brag about in group size though .
All were 3 round groups using 139g Lapua scenars and H4350 powder .
Remington 700 , 41.5g 0.950 , 42.0g 0.685, 42.4g 0.722 .
Tikka CTR , 41.5g 0.992 , 42.0g 0.485 , 42.4g 0.647 .
I also loaded some rounds with 39.0g IMR3831 as this powder usually does OK .
Remington gave me 0.771 , the Tikka was 0.665

Should i go back and start at lower charge weight and work my way back up to 41.5g using the H4350 as well as changing the seating depth to 0.020 off the lands ?

 

[Roughrice]

If you didn't show pressure signs… just move seating depth up to .020 off with same powder charge weight.
Not sure why you tried .050 to start.
It's usually best to start closer like 10-20 k off and and work farther away in 30k increments
So… in a sense you started in the middle.
Now try 20k off and see how she flies.
There's a chance it may squeeze a bit tighter group..
If not… roll with what you found since it sounds like a good group.

If you're a bit new to loading, I wouldn't get any closer than 20k off.

 

[Rick Richard]

I started off loading 0.050 off the lands .
The most accurate in this configuration was 42.0g .
Still really nothing to brag about in group size though .
All were 3 round groups using 139g Lapua scenars and H4350 powder .
Remington 700 , 41.5g 0.950 , 42.0g 0.685, 42.4g 0.722 .
Tikka CTR , 41.5g 0.992 , 42.0g 0.485 , 42.4g 0.647 .
I also loaded some rounds with 39.0g IMR3831 as this powder usually does OK .
Remington gave me 0.771 , the Tikka was 0.665

Should i go back and start at lower charge weight and work my way back up to 41.5g using the H4350 as well as changing the seating depth to 0.020 off the lands ?

That may be all this barrel is capable of producing.
I would try the .010-.020 and even go .030, but I doubt you will see a significant change…but maybe.

Next step would be to run some H4350 with Berger 140 Hybrids. That has been my best load for me in the CREED.

Last ditch effort would be to run the HH 110 or H124. If it will not shoot that, then I recommend passing this one…as in sell. Life is too short for aggravation and frustration.

But that is just me with my opinion. Good luck.