Monolithic reloading

[bazzturd]

I'm wondering what is some of the best accuracy you guys are getting out of monolithic projectiles? Specifically 6.5 CM, but I would love any feedback.

I'm running a Tikka T3x action and Proof 24" 1:8.

I just broke the rifle in with factory stuff and have around 60 rounds through it. It will certainly shoot match stuff. It was shoot factory 140gr ELDM at 1/4 MOA with terrible ES (75) and Berger 140gr hybrid target the same accuracy with way better ES (18). Both around 2700 with Berger being a bit slower.

Outfitter 120gr was 1-1.5 MOA with ES in the 90's and fast as hell. Some was 3000fps.

I was going to work up with 120gr CX and was not sure on Barnes either 127gr LRX or 120gr TTSX.

If you are having great accuracy with something like this, I would love to hear what your data is. Even hearing about great accuracy with other calibers would be encouraging. There just doesn't seem to be a lot of good videos or info on specifically loading and shooting monos. Not like other projectiles.

 

[cmahoney]

124 Hammer Hunters shoot lights out in my factory tikka 6.5 creedmoor


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ophidian]

I’ve never had good success with Hornady CX bullets in factory ammo. Barnes ttsx/lrx in factory have been very good but they really shine when you hand load.

 

[waspocrew]

Sig Cross Sawtooth 6.5 CM
- Gunwerks 127 LRX ammo
- 4 consecutive 5 shot groups

Still on sale for $45/box. Accurate enough for me.

6.5 Creedmoor, Barnes 127 gr LRX, Long Range Hunting Ammunition by Gunwerks

www.gunwerks.com

 

[waspocrew]

FWIW, I used the 145 LRX exclusively last season out of my 7 SAUM. Very accurate load.

Hammer HHTs have shot well also - they are pretty easy to load. I bought some 118s for my 6.5 CM that I’ll eventually try.

 

[bazzturd]

124 Hammer Hunters shoot lights out in my factory tikka 6.5 creedmoor


Sent from my iPhone using Tap

124 Hammer Hunters shoot lights out in my factory tikka 6.5 creedmoor


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What recipe are you using?

 

[bazzturd]

I’ve never had good success with Hornady CX bullets in factory ammo. Barnes ttsx/lrx in factory have been very good but they really shine when you hand load.

Have you hand loaded the CX?

 

[bazzturd]

Sig Cross Sawtooth 6.5 CM
- Gunwerks 127 LRX ammo
- 4 consecutive 5 shot groups

Still on sale for $45/box. Accurate enough for me.

6.5 Creedmoor, Barnes 127 gr LRX, Long Range Hunting Ammunition by Gunwerks

www.gunwerks.com

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That looks fantastic!

 

[SouthPaw]

What recipe are you using?

I don't love Hammer as a company but their 124gr bullet shoots well in every 6.5 I've loaded them for. In a 6.5cm, somewhere 38 - 39.5 Varget is the ticket.

 

[willfrye027]

I have had lackluster terminal performance from the GMX bullets. Eventually we caught one in 7mm mag. It was a 40 yard shot stem to stern starting in the neck…bullet was bent but never expanded. Took several follow ups.

Anyways I wondered if it was a metallurgy issue, bad batch of copper or something. Shot some deer with a 150gr in my 30-06 and also didn’t like the small wound channels.

Barnes work fine I think, but I do like the performance of hammers on game. Loaded them in quite a few guns, been part of somewhere north of 39 animals killed with them. They don’t kill quite like lead but they seem to work just fine. Literally never had a gun that would not shoot them acceptably, some guns it was the best shooting bullet for that gun. But never had to try two different bullets to get acceptable hunting accuracy.

I’d go 124gr, or depending on what you want from the gun my wife shoots the 110gr and has killed a lot

 

[ThorM465]

The 118gr Hammer HHTs shoot lights out from my 6.5 Grendel.

 

[bazzturd]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm looking forward to reading more experiences. Maybe I should just do a few loads of Hammer, LRX and CX to see what I can put together.

 

[shooter7]

Haven't shot monos in 264 cal yet but I've had pretty good luck with 160 CX in my 7PRC. Here's a 10 shot sub minute group out of my rifle from a range session earlier this summer. Works well in my 280 Ackley as well.

These are jumping about 0.115" to the lands so they seem jump tolerant.

 

[bazzturd]

Haven't shot monos in 264 cal yet but I've had pretty good luck with 160 CX in my 7PRC. Here's a 10 shot sub minute group out of my rifle from a range session earlier this summer. Works well in my 280 Ackley as well.

These are jumping about 0.115" to the lands so they seem jump tolerant.

I'd be happy with that. I was listening to a podcast that Seth Swerczek was saying that actually shoot best with some jump. Curious if that is true with most monolithic projectiles

 

[bazzturd]

FWIW, I used the 145 LRX exclusively last season out of my 7 SAUM. Very accurate load.

Hammer HHTs have shot well also - they are pretty easy to load. I bought some 118s for my 6.5 CM that I’ll eventually try.

You don't think the 118 are a little light?

 

[waspocrew]

You don't think the 118 are a little light?

With an 18” barrel, I wanted to keep the velocity up a bit more. I’ve had good luck with loading Hammers in the past, so figured I’d give these a go.

The 127 LRX ammo was ~ 2650 out of my 18” barrel. Maybe I could load them a little faster.

 

[6.5Express]

I have 3 boys that all started with the same 260 ackley. In 3 hunting seasons, a 127 lrx has filled 20 tags with that bullet for our family. From treed lions to mature bull elk past 500, for us that bullet just flat works. There was one mature mule deer buck in there a bit further but I don't recall the exact distance. Muzzle velocity is about 2980 and after 5 firings in lapua brass, I've got loose primer pockets.

I also use a 145 lrx in my 280 ackley. Same results. From lion in a tree distance to a wolf at 747, its worked well for me.

 

[6.5Express]

I got carried away with my response on game performance and realized the original post was more asking about accuracy....

I've been able to consistently load to moa or less with the following:

90 gmx, 25-06 (factory loaded)
100 ttsx, 25-06 (factory loaded)
101 lrx, 25-06
124 hammer, 260 ackley
127 lrx, 260 ackley and 264 winmag
139 lrx, 7 saw and 7 wsm
145 lrx, 280 ackley
150 ttsx, 300 wsm
168 ttsx, 300 wsm

Barnes recommends a 0.050 jump and that's where I start them and never messed with seating depth.

 

[112Savage]

I’ve shot quite a few copper bullets in 6.5 creedmoor. You need to balance velocity with intended range.

110 hammer hunter Varget 3100fps
124 hammer hunter Varget 2900fps
140 Hornady ECX superformance 2600fps

As far as reloading. I would scrub the bore clean. Load about 0.050” off the lands and just see what it likes. I’ve killed the most whitetail deer and coyotes with the 110hh and it is deadly.

 

[bazzturd]

I got carried away with my response on game performance and realized the original post was more asking about accuracy....

I've been able to consistently load to moa or less with the following:

90 gmx, 25-06 (factory loaded)
100 ttsx, 25-06 (factory loaded)
101 lrx, 25-06
124 hammer, 260 ackley
127 lrx, 260 ackley and 264 winmag
139 lrx, 7 saw and 7 wsm
145 lrx, 280 ackley
150 ttsx, 300 wsm
168 ttsx, 300 wsm

Barnes recommends a 0.050 jump and that's where I start them and never messed with seating depth.

Thats okay. I really appreciate your responses. Thanks! From what I have gathered, performance has been pretty good with CX, LRX, and Hammers. I got a little scared because the factory Hornady Outfitter was definitely not as accurate as I would like and they really didn't group at all. They would just spray around in 1.5"-2" areas. But when I shoot ELDM or Berger Hybrid targets it damn near bug holes. I'm just hoping I will be able to hand load that same performance with monolithics.