Results From First Time Reloading - 6.5 PRC

Roor

Lil-Rokslider
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Aug 7, 2020
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First time reloader... I have been hoarding components for 4-5 years now and finally got to put it all together over the weekend.

Rifle is a Tikka with 18" PBB 7.5Twist Barrel
Federal 210 Primer
140 ELDM
2.90" OAL
H1000 Powder
I worked up 3 shots from 56.5, 57, and 57.5

(Center 56.5, Bottom Left 57, Bottom Right 57.5)
57.5 - (2712, 2706, 2719)
1749482092531.png

Overall I am more than happy with the group size, but was a little disappointed in velocity as I was hoping for closer to 2800 FPS.

Hornady says book max is around 59 grains of H1000 with 140s, so I think I will load up 58 and 58.5 and see how it shakes out... and also hope the barrel speeds up some in the process.
 
In the Hornady Load Data the example is with a 24" barrel, with a 18" barrel you are going to lose at least 300 fps. Plus, using H1000 ( too slow burning ) in that load combination and barrel length you are not close to burning all the powder.
 
In the Hornady Load Data the example is with a 24" barrel, with a 18" barrel you are going to lose at least 300 fps. Plus, using H1000 ( too slow burning ) in that load combination and barrel length you are not close to burning all the powder.
Yea thats why I was hoping to be closer to 2800.

As it is, 2700 gets me to 1800 FPS at 700 yards in Texas and 1000 at elevation, which is further than I will ever realistically need.
 
In the Hornady Load Data the example is with a 24" barrel, with a 18" barrel you are going to lose at least 300 fps. Plus, using H1000 ( too slow burning ) in that load combination and barrel length you are not close to burning all the powder.

I doubt he's losing 300 FPS from 6" less barrel. Do you think that much just because of h1000?

@Roor - how many rounds on the barrel? If fresh, you might get quite a bit more from it. I've heard those PBBs can speed up a fair bit.
 
He's not losing 300 FPS from 6" less barrel.

@Roor - how many rounds on the barrel? If fresh, you might get quite a bit more from it. I've heard those PBBs can speed up a fair bit.
35 Rounds, so thinking it may just need to break in a bit more.
 
^^ Something to consider. You'll find a load that you think is great and then 75rds in you start going crazy because velocity and pressure increases. Find a medium load that shoots good for your new brass and put 100rds through it.

Resize and then you'll have to tweak your powder charge lower to match that same velocity if that's where you want to keep it.

Not to mention your 3 round groups aren't showing you the full picture. When you find the "one", load up 30 and see what that group looks like.
 
^^ Something to consider. You'll find a load that you think is great and then 75rds in you start going crazy because velocity and pressure increases. Find a medium load that shoots good for your new brass and put 100rds through it.

Resize and then you'll have to tweak your powder charge lower to match that same velocity if that's where you want to keep it.

Not to mention your 3 round groups aren't showing you the full picture. When you find the "one", load up 30 and see what that group looks like.
Ya this sounds like a good plan.

I have some factory Norma to help break in a bit.
 
I've always found it nice to get a firing on your brass while breaking in the barrel to get a better baseline for load data on the 2nd firing once a barrel is broken in and your brass is mostly formed.
 
Barrel break in is a complete waste of time. When I chopped my 7-08 and 6.5CM I lost about 25FPS per inch. I do much prefer fireformed, rifle specific brass though.
 
I’ve never seen much difference in barrel “break in” or from fireformed brass. I’ve never had to tweak a load after a firing or two on a piece of brass from virgin brass loads.
 
This is why I buy bulk brass and load it all up with mild charges of combos I want to try to.
Pump some rounds down that thing as long as you have enough powder, primers and track velocity.
I bet that thing speeds up, how much I have no clue.

Mine have averaged 50-60fps factory tikka barrels after 100-150 rounds roughly

It’s not going to hurt you to get more practice reloading and shooting, then you can prove to yourself if barrel speed or break in is BS or not
 
Every new barrel I've shot has sped up between 50 and 100rds in. I normally work up to find pressure and back off a bit. Im not good at backing off enough and usually have to change my load when the velocity increases because of pressure signs.

In my experience, I think its misleading to say that break in is a waste of time. I agree you can make it more meaningful than just burning 100rds down the tube but there will be changes.
 
I have found N560 to be far superior to H1000 for speed in that bullet weight range in the 6.5PRC my advice buy a 1 lb local if possible and give it a try. Granted I’ve got a 24in barrel factory Tikka. With H1000 and a 140g I got 3000fps with hard bolt lift and ejector stamps on the brass. With N560 I’m at 3070fps zero pressure signs.
 
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