First time reloading 6.5 CM

[Harvey_NW]

Since you'll likely have to retest formed brass to see where pressure is with the dimension changes, I'd just load them all at 40.5 and dial everything in and shoot. Once formed, do another quick ladder to see where you can safely get, and then load accordingly and make the adjustments needed. FWIW I had to drop 1.5gr to get out of pressure after brass was formed on my 6.5 PRC, I know it doesn't translate perfectly just an example. And my Tikkas will also stamp or swipe brass at safe charges, I watch velocity but bolt lift is king for no mo zone.

 

[Mattyq17]

Since you'll likely have to retest formed brass to see where pressure is with the dimension changes, I'd just load them all at 40.5 and dial everything in and shoot. Once formed, do another quick ladder to see where you can safely get, and then load accordingly and make the adjustments needed. FWIW I had to drop 1.5gr to get out of pressure after brass was formed on my 6.5 PRC, I know it doesn't translate perfectly just an example. And my Tikkas will also stamp or swipe brass at safe charges, I watch velocity but bolt lift is king for no mo zone.

The more I think about it the more I am leaning towards this. Once I get all the brass formed and barrel broken in, I will mess with the load some and see what changes. I am more going for accuracy than speed. Thanks again all who posted I appreciate the help.

 

[TimberHunter]

I had similar issues with ejector marks showing up on Peterson brass earlier than I’d expect

I don’t want to bad mouth their brass but I bought into the, better brass will equate to better reloads/consistency.

The out of box weights were all over the place, slightly better than Hornady, ES was just as large as Hornady brass but I got pressure signs with Peterson brass earlier. Both brass shot well at around 1” or less for 10 shots at 100 yards. I only bought 50 pieces so I put them back on the shelf and kept using Hornady since I have a lot of their brass on hand


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[Castle Rock]

Lapua brass is the gold standard

 

[Mattyq17]

Loaded up 45 rounds at 40.5 gr. of H4350, coal 2.825. I did not have the chronograph handy but still wanted to shoot. I shot 5 yesterday adjusted my zero and shot a 10 shot group. Thought I would have my chrono today so I quit for the day. Well I didn’t get the chrono back but shot a 24 shot group anyway. Well 22 shot group as I am not counting the farthest left and right shots as I was messing with my form at the bench and felt the rifle move in the bags. Shooting off bags for now but will move to field positions for the next 50 fire forming shots. 3 shots as fast as I could get on target. The last 2 shots were at squirrels and I went 2/2 farthest shot was around 200 yards. First Tikka and I am loving it so far. I do know I need to work on my form as well as trigger squeeze and not anticipate the shot, I can get a bit punchy on the trigger lol.