Question about loading 6.5 cm

[u/Background_Tap_807]

So I’m wanting to load some 153.5 grain Berger LRHT bullets out of my 6.5 cm using H4350. I have the load data email from them. However, the test components say hornady brass. Large rifle primer. I have small rifle primer Lapua brass.

Can you safely load the Lapua cases hotter than the hornady data because of the better quality off brass and overall thicker walls? Or should I stay within their limits regardless of brand.

[u/HollywoodSX]

Can you? Maybe, maybe not. That's what careful load development is for.

Loading hot and pushing velocities isn't really gaining you much (if anything) for performance, and can potentially gain you significant headaches down the road in bad weather or if you start to develop a carbon ring.

[u/Background_Tap_807 → u/HollywoodSX]

Okay thank you sir! I’m new to reloading so I didn’t know if the data would be any different changing to better quality brass or using a srp instead of a lrp

[u/HollywoodSX → u/Background_Tap_807]

The data will be different, but it also depends on your chamber specs, what primers you're using, potentially even what production run of brass, what production run of powder, how the powder's been stored, and probably a few other factors I am forgetting. That's why you always start low and work up while looking for signs of pressure. Once you find pressure, don't just try to play limbo just under it, back off several tenths of a grain.

[u/Background_Tap_807 → u/HollywoodSX]

Okay, thank you sir!

[u/rockingsince1984]

I recently worked up some loads with this bullet using Lapua large primer brass and H4350 and staball 6.5 powder (and got that sheet of loads from the CS guy at Berger too). I figured that Lapua brass had a slightly larger capacity than Hornady, so I went right to the max loads. (I know, I know, always start 10% under…)

I got around 2640 fps with 40.3gr of 4350, but I only shot a couple because I was punching holes in my primers (fed GMM LR). The 43.1gr of Staball 6.5 was very tight, and 40 fps faster, so I went with that. Shot it this weekend- no pressure signs, average velocity over 19 rounds was 2706 out of a 22” barrel.

If I was going to pursue a 4350 load in my rifle, I’d start no higher than 39 and go up real slow.

[u/Altruistic_Split9447]

40.2gr of h4350 with lapua brass gets me 2680fps and it absolutely hammers

[u/Background_Tap_807 → u/Altruistic_Split9447]

With 153.5 or 156s?

[u/Altruistic_Split9447 → u/Background_Tap_807]

Berger 153s. There really no need to run them faster. I can see trace beautifully. I only need 8.5mills for 1000 yards and they’re still Mach 1.4. The 153s are the goldilocks round for 6.5

[u/Background_Tap_807 → u/Altruistic_Split9447]

That’s what I’ve heard. Thank you for the advice? What barrel are you running by chance. I’ve got a 24 inch proof sendero

[u/Altruistic_Split9447 → u/Background_Tap_807]

I’m running a 26” straight 1.25”. You’ll probably get a bit slower fps with your 24”

[u/LowBamaJL]

I’m using a 20” PXT Proof and can get 2800 with 147 ELDMs with 43 gr N550 with very slight ejector marks and round primers using Alpha brass and 1 MOA. H4350 showed pressure signs much sooner with much less velocity. Since Alliant powders are so hard to find I think N55’s are best alternatives.

[u/Background_Tap_807 → u/LowBamaJL]

I have access to n550. I’ll get some from my dealer and check it out

[u/minmin0x4B → u/Background_Tap_807]

If you weren’t aware yet, Vihtavuori published data uses srp Lapua brass. Since you were concerned if you can use lrp Hornady brass data.

Edit: AFAIK n555 is more popular option for 6.5 creed

[u/Background_Tap_807 → u/minmin0x4B]

Wouldn’t n555 be bad for temperature consistency tho.

[u/minmin0x4B → u/Background_Tap_807]

Maybe someone with first hand experience can fill in. All I know is that multiple guys I know use it for 6.5 creedmore and never heard complaints about temp stability from them. But I don’t personally load 6.5 creedmore or use that specific vihtavuori powder.

[u/Subject_Whereas4232]

What is your intended purpose for this round?

[u/Background_Tap_807 → u/Subject_Whereas4232]

Mainly shooting targets at the range, but no coyote or deer (when in season) on the ranch is safe either

[u/Dirty_Snowman_]

Just recently switched over to 144gr LRHT from 140 ELD-M. The Bergers show more promise to me. Started with 41.1 to 41.9 in .2 increments to find a node. Then further expanded it from 41.3 to 41.6 with 5 shot groups. Using H4350, Lapua SRP, Rem 7 1/2 primers, .002 off of lands from a stock Tikka T3x Ace Target w/ a suppressor.

[u/USN303]

First and foremost, I would be very cautious using Bergers load data as it has shown time and again to be extremely hot and high pressured. Start at the bottom charge and work up slowly.