6.5 CM loading help

[C-grunt]

Im loading ammo for my 6.5 CM with a 22 inch Gradous barrel.

Loads tested were 41.5 grain and 42 grains of H4350
Each load was a Hornady once fired case (through my rifle), a 140 ELD-M, Federal Champoin large rifle primers, Full length resizing, and loaded to 2.8 COAL. All done with a Lee hand loader

The 41.5 grain load shot better accuracy but it had a SD of 19.

2020-01-13_03-25-21 by chase ditwiler, on Flickr

I yanked one on this group but it still shot a decent group

2020-01-13_03-31-10 by chase ditwiler, on Flickr


The 42 grain load shot lower SD of 12 but would overall shoot a little less accurately and would throw a flyer every so often.

2020-01-13_04-35-42 by chase ditwiler, on Flickr

2020-01-13_04-36-00 by chase ditwiler, on Flickr

This 42 grain group shot better but I had a primer that wouldn't ignite so it's only a four shot group (last of my loaded rounds)

2020-01-13_03-24-38 by chase ditwiler, on Flickr





Now I fully acknowledge that the flyers could have been me but those shots felt good and I was shooting off a concrete bench using bags. All the ammo was loaded at the same time and Im not sure why the flyers would be so far off. Im still fairly new at reloading so what should I be looking for to either improve the SD on the lighter load or get rid of the flyers on the hotter load?

[hotrodder636]

Have you tried a load somewhere between 41.5 and 42? I go in 0.3 increments when developing my loads....and when close may tweak with 0.1-0.2 gr.

[C-grunt]

Have you tried a load somewhere between 41.5 and 42? I go in 0.3 increments when developing my loads....and when close may tweak with 0.1-0.2 gr.

This was my first test.

[Pappabear]

what was your velocities? Looks like you are good to go depending on velocity.

PB

[C-grunt]

what was your velocities? Looks like you are good to go depending on velocity.

PB

2765 and 2770

[Pappabear]

2765 and 2770

That works

[Send it...]

I ended up at -

143ELD-X

Lapua SP brass and 42.7 gns from my OCW testing. Rem SR BR primer.

I chose 1% increments.

25” Bartlein @ 2840

Shoots extremely well. Good luck to you.

[lsllc]

How did you arrive at one or the other. Where they just random loads or did you develop this loads?


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[C-grunt]

How did you arrive at one or the other. Where they just random loads or did you develop this loads?


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These were my first 2 loads I tried. I chose them because they were both commonly found "good loads" when researching on the internet.

[lsllc]

These were my first 2 loads I tried. I chose them because they were both commonly found "good loads" when researching on the internet.

Most people develop a load for their gun. For the most part “good loads” you read about on the internet are bullshit. There are too many variables to decide on a load based on the internet. You may have different freebies, different lots of powder/primers/bullets, different stamp brass, etc.

You should work up the load and tune it for YOUR rifle.

I use the “Saterlee Method” and have for years, before it was even known as such. It’s one of the most efficient ways to work up a load. Once you figure our barrel harmonics, then you can tune OAL and really find a good load. I’d also recommend picking up a concentrate gauge to make sure you’re loading straight rounds. If you load bananas, you may get descent groups at 100, but that ES/SD will kill you at longer ranges.

Basically, you’re leaving too much on the table.


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