6.5 120 hammer HBC load work up

[PLhunter]

Buddy had a 15 sample pack that didn’t line up right for his PRC mag. So I loaded them up for the creedmoor. This rifle shot the 124 hammer hunters very well.

Powders used were 6.5 Staball and RL-16. All to the same seating depth. Didn’t get close to pressure with RL-16 and nothing but flat primers with Staball. RL-16 was more accurate. Going to try varget after I get some ordered. Also, going to experiment with crimping as the es and sd data wasn’t encouraging

 

[PLhunter]

Ended up getting a new barrel. Took about 6 months longer than I was expecting. The new barrel liked the 120 hbc’s. Here’s the first four down the pipe. About 25 rounds into the barrel.

 

[PLhunter]

Before switching the barrel I saw some promise with Varget, as I ran out of room with other powders. Velocities were low but showed absolutely no pressure.

After about 25 rounds I decided to run a ladder with varget and the 120’s. I know it’s too early to really set a load but it’ll give me a good idea of the powder and bullet combination potential.

39 and 39.3 grains were the above pictured group. Velocities were right around 2800 fps.

Then shot 40.3, 40.7, 41.3, and 41.8.
2 shots each. Grouped together well. Velocities were good but seems like work will need to be done regarding es, and sd. Going to try crimping when I come back to it.

Center low is the hammer load ladder all together. Right is a badlands bd2 ladder. And top is 140 eldm light plinking load I made just to get some down the tube.

 

[PLhunter]

Should note this is with a 19 inch barrel with a 9 inch can on it.