Faster powder for a short barrel?

[sram9102]

Planning on cutting a few inches off a tikka 6.5 creedmoor to make it handier getting in and out of blinds with. Is there any merit to go to a faster burning powder to get more of it burnt in the barrel? I have some H4350 that I have been loading for it currently. Also have IMR 4064, staball 6.5, and some varget available. Appreciate any input or recommendations.

 

[brad407210]

I cut mine from 24 to 20 and was planning to start with my same powders, unless you're going real short I wouldn't worry about hotter powders.

 

[sram9102]

Planning on going from 20 to 16.5. A 9 inch can makes it a pain in the box blind.

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[NevadaZielmeister]

I would recommend maybe a slightly faster powder but with a lighter bullet. Just don't expect long range performance, which I suspect will not be an issue shooting out of a blind.

 

[sram9102]

That was the plan. I was shooting 143 eldx and I'm gonna give 130 vld's a try over some varget or the 4064. 350 would be a long shot where I do most of my deer hunting.

 

[brocksw]

I believe typically powder burn rate is influenced more by bullet weight than barrel length. There may be a point/length where that changes but I know I've migrated from 24-26" tubes down to 20-22" tubes over the last couple years and the same powders that gave me the best speeds before, still give me the best speeds now. Your own testing might be the only way to verify.

 

[brad407210]

Varget or 4064 would both be good options in that combo, I used to spend more time playing with powders to optimize my loads, but now I tend to focus on playing with the projectile and seating depth using 1 or 2 powders that should work and have better luck. I used to like burning out half my barrel life looking for the perfect combo but I can't afford that route anymore.

 

[sneaky]

Try some of the Absolute Hammers out of your short barrel. That'll help you maintain some speed. At 350 and under you aren't going to be overly concerned with ballistics anyways.

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[wildwilderness]

If you go with the 109 Absolute Hammer go with a faster powder, one for 90-100gr bullets and a mag primer. Will definitely get your speed up. I'm testing a few.

 

[4ester]

My 6.5 has a 18” tube and I went with a 130 vld and varget for the same reason.


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[Windigo]

Some anecdotal info; out of an 18" .308, I get ~100-150fps faster when I use H4895 over Varget, which is slightly slower (right?). No real idea why.

 

[White Mamba]

39.5 varget and 123 eld work good for short creedmoors