Bullet question for reduced recoil loads (6.5 CM)

[matchbook454]

I’m looking to buy my daughters a Savage Axis II compact in 6.5 CM. I’m planning on loading reduced recoil loads for deer hunting as well as shooting steel. I’m thinking of loading 130 gr. bullets and thinking either Sierra TGK or Matchkings. The reason why I am thinking about matchkings is because I am concerned with expansion on the TGK’s at lower velocities. Looking for thoughts and opinions. Would consider other bullets as well. I have a bunch of IMR 4350 collecting dust that I’d like to start with as well.

 

[wind gypsy]

I’d go 123 ELDm or SST or 100 or 120 nosler ballistic tip and you could do a reduced recoil load with h4895 if wanted.

 

[matchbook454]

I’d go 123 ELDm or SST or 100 or 120 nosler ballistic tip and you could do a reduced recoil load with h4895 if wanted.

Ok thanks!

 

[ResearchinStuff]

Yeah, you can go lighter than 130s for reduced recoil and deer. Someone earlier today was posting about using light nosler ballistic tips for deer, I think they were 100 grains.

 

[Ucsdryder]

not a big fan of the monos, but you might look at an 80gr class mono. Fast and light and it’ll recoil a lot less.

 

[A382DWDZQ]

You could probably try the starting loads for the IMR4350 since it’s already a pretty light cartridge. Then for reduced below that, if you can’t find H4895, IMR4895 and IMR4198 would be good candidates and are available right now. I just did some TTSX 168gr in the 308 with 36gr of IMR4895 and it worked great. SD was not that great, but accuracy was 0.598 MOA at 100yds. Avg was a bit over 2200fps from 18” barrel.

 

[matchbook454]

Yeah, you can go lighter than 130s for reduced recoil and deer. Someone earlier today was posting about using light nosler ballistic tips for deer, I think they were 100 grains.

Thanks. I’ll give 120/123’s a try. I don’t want to go too light. My daughters are shooting a pretty light weight 20 ga. Shotgun and pheasant loads for turkeys so I’m thinking if they can handle that the 6.5 CM shouldn’t be much of an issue.

 

[A382DWDZQ]

These are not 6.5CM, but close, from Hodgdon’s 2009 I think.

 

[matchbook454]

These are not 6.5CM, but close, from Hodgdon’s 2009 I think. View attachment 545577

Thanks! I’ll look for some H4895 and try to buy 2-3 lbs. I’ll compare that with the IMR 4350. Doesn’t have to be crazy with SD, etc.. only shooting out to maybe 500 yards at steel and deer hunting to 200 yards.

 

[MattB]

Ignore this if you already know this, but the benefit of H4895 is that you can load it down to ~60% of max load, can’t go near that low with most other powders.

My daughter was really recoil-sensitive and I loaded her .243 with a 71 gr. Hammer at around 2,750 fps using H4895. Recoil with that load was .223ish.

https://www.ballisticstudies.com/site/ballisticstudies/files/Hodgdon%20H4895%20reduced%20load%20data.pdf

 

[matchbook454]

Ignore this if you already know this, but the benefit of H4895 is that you can load it down to ~60% of max load, can’t go near that low with most other powders.

My daughter was really recoil-sensitive and I loaded her .243 with a 71 gr. Hammer at around 2,750 fps using H4895. Recoil with that load was .223ish.

https://www.ballisticstudies.com/site/ballisticstudies/files/Hodgdon%20H4895%20reduced%20load%20data.pdf

I did not know that you could load that low with this. Was wondering what made it special for reduced recoil loads. Thanks for the explanation!

 

[A382DWDZQ]

Ignore this if you already know this, but the benefit of H4895 is that you can load it down to ~60% of max load, can’t go near that low with most other powders.

My daughter was really recoil-sensitive and I loaded her .243 with a 71 gr. Hammer at around 2,750 fps using H4895. Recoil with that load was .223ish.

https://www.ballisticstudies.com/site/ballisticstudies/files/Hodgdon%20H4895%20reduced%20load%20data.pdf

Same with IMR4895 and the 4198s. There is also a lot of good info in the Lee Modern Reloading 2nd edition book for how to calculate reduced loads for other powders. I’ve also used the Lyman 3rd edition cast bullet handbook PDF to get load data. Did some loads with Unique under 130gr Badman coated bullets the other day and they were running about 1,900fps. Very light recoil.

 

[kota]

I have made some 60% loads with 120 BTs and h4895 for a buddy’s daughter. They were really tame.

I have taken deer with that same combo and a moderate dose of h4895 without issue. I would not hesitate to use the reduced recoil version on deer at reasonable ranges.

 

[ATL]

I made light loads for my daughter for the 6.5 CM with 123gr. SST, approximately 30gr. H4895. I had heard the 123’s were designed for the Grendel, and would work well for a reduced load in the CM.

 

[matchbook454]

I made light loads for my daughter for the 6.5 CM with 123gr. SST, approximately 30gr. H4895. I had heard the 123’s were designed for the Grendel, and would work well for a reduced load in the CM.

I’ve looked around for H4895 and am not having any luck. Will make a couple calls tomorrow. Hope I get lucky.

 

[Northernpiker]

I’ve looked around for H4895 and am not having any luck. Will make a couple calls tomorrow. Hope I get lucky.

Where are you located, maybe someone can help!

 

[matchbook454]

Where are you located, maybe someone can help!

N.E. IL

 

[Davidson51]

My boys shot these until they could handle more recoil... super accurate out of my tikka.

Norma 6.5 Creedmoor Polymer Tip Boat Tail 93 Grain Lead Free - Kosher Surplus - Unique High Quality Ammunition

Norma 6.5 Creedmoor Polymer Tip Boat Tail 93 Grain Lead Free

www.koshersurplus.com

 

[Unckebob]

I am going to start my daughter on deer hunting with a 6.5CM this deer season.

My plan is to load up some 120g Speer Gold Dots (basically, Federal Fusion) with about 41g of H4350. Looking at Nosler's load data, that should get me around 2,700fps and 90% case fill.

My rifle doesn't seem to like the 127g Barnes bullet or I might consider having her use that bullet.

 

[KenLee]

123 gr ELD-M.
They are money on deer from a 6.5 Grendel, so from a detuned Creed, they'd be great