Second guessing shooting a 6.5cm tikka

[HighUintas]

I bought a new factory takeoff 24" Tikka 6.5cm barrel. The plan is for a cheaper rifle for practice that can also take quality factory ammo and be a backup for hunting, also one that has SRP brass available since they're easier to find than LRP I use.

I've got some Lapua SRP brass on the way and some cci400. I was thinking I'd shoot 140 match burners and h4350, since I found a deal on the bullets and h4350 is my main powder. I know that this powder and 140s are great accuracy in a 6.5 cm.

However, after searching load information, it seems that Tikka 6.5cm suck for velocity with this weight class bullet and h4350. Like.... Maybe 2600 or less max in some cases.

Well, I also have a 308win barrel and could just use that if I want to shoot a relatively anemic cartridge. Im considering ditching the 6.5cm and just shooting the 308 I have.

thoughts ?

 

[sndmn11]

If the plan is for cost effective practice and backup, does 200-300fps really matter?

 

[nobody]

I picked a random loading for my factory tikka with a 22 inch barrel. 41.5 grains H4350, Remington large magnum primer, hornady brass, 140 ELDM, and I’m getting 2665 trued muzzle velocity. If I were to be running the same load from a 24” barrel, using the “rule of thumb” of 25 FPS per inch, my same load would run roughly 2715 FPS. I get zero pressure signs, have shot from triple digits down to single digit temperatures, and it shoots well to boot. It also shot well in my 20” Tikka CTR, and shot just a hair under 2600 FPS (if memory serves correct).

Personally, I wouldn’t worry about what “might” be and just shoot the darn thing. And if you’re worried about that barrel, you can ship it to me and I’ll throw it away for you

 

[HighUintas]

If the plan is for cost effective practice and backup, does 200-300fps really matter?

In the sense of a backup hunting rifle, kind of. I'd been deciding between a 6cm and this. I figured 6.5 since factory barrels seem abundant, there more options for factory ammo as well as more bullets options, longer barrel life, and more likely to find factory 2nd bullets super cheap.

Primary driver is cheap bullets, while utilizing SRP and a low charge weight of my coveted h4350, but having the option to crank the speed up for hunting.

But if it's a backup... That speed probably doesn't really matter.

I was just very surprised at the velocities of this cartridge. I always thought it a bit flatter shooting than what I'm seeing.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

My tikka 6.5 creed shots 143 elds over 41 grains of h4350 at 2520, with an 18" barrel. At 24" is would be close to 2700. There's room on that load to go up, but for muzzle velocity the 6.5 will never match the 6 creed.

 

[Jason Snyder]

How low is the velocity you are seeing? I shoot a pretty benign load of 37 grains of Varget behind a 123 hollow point boat tail match bullet for my practice loads. These clock at right about 2700 FPS. 22 inch barrel on a Kimber.

 

[Formidilosus]

However, after searching load information, it seems that Tikka 6.5cm suck for velocity with this weight class bullet and h4350. Like.... Maybe 2600 or less max in some cases.

No. Factory ammo can be slower than others in 6.5cm Tikkas. Reloading you can take it to primer popping if you want. 2,700-2,750fps is normal for T3’s. A friends load is the 143gr ELD-X at 2,860fps MV from factory T3 barrels. Yes, it over pressure, but it shoots very well and he has shoot 1,500-2,000 rounds of it.

 

[Mulyhuntr]

Tikkas don't suck for velocity. That's an internet farse. You should be able to comfortably hit 2700fps with a 140, h4350, and 24" tube.

 

[HighUintas]

Tikkas don't suck for velocity. That's an internet farse. You should be able to comfortably hit 2700fps with a 140, h4350, and 24" tube.

My 30-06 Tikka barrel would take 180 flat bases up to 2850 with zero pressure signs and room for more powder. So, I know it's at least somewhat dependent on the loader.

 

[HighUintas]

No. Factory ammo can be slower than others in 6.5cm Tikkas. Reloading you can take it to primer popping if you want. 2,700-2,750fps is normal for T3’s. A friends load is the 143gr ELD-X at 2,860fps MV from factory T3 barrels. Yes, it over pressure, but it shoots very well and he has shoot 1,500-2,000 rounds of it.

That sounds better. The reports I was reading sounded like guys were hitting pressure with 140eldms with lower charges and they weren't hitting velocities others were with the 143 and 147 eld.

However, as long as there's an option for a good bullet and being able to get the speed up with it, that alleviates concerns

 

[nobody]

That sounds better. The reports I was reading sounded like guys were hitting pressure with 140eldms with lower charges and they weren't hitting velocities others were with the 143 and 147 eld.

However, as long as there's an option for a good bullet and being able to get the speed up with it, that alleviates concerns

No you’ll hate it, I’m 1000% sure. Let me protect and help you, I’ll PM you my address so you can properly dispose of that 6.5 barrel.

JK, sorry for the mental detour… I think you’ll be happy with the barrel’s performance, I wouldn’t read too much into those rumors.

 

[Bluumoon]

I'm around 2600 fps w a 18" barrel, 140 eldms hit 1800fps right around 600 yards at my elevation (6800ft). H4350 and CCI LRP.

Before I chopped the factory Tikka barrel I was hitting 1800 fps at 750 yards.

 

[Dmoua]

2750-2800 is pretty easy to obtain with 140’s and a 24” barrel. The factory Hornady 143 eldx was showing 2754 out of my brothers RAP 22” 6.5 Creed.

 

[HighUintas]

I'm around 2600 fps w a 18" barrel, 140 eldms hit 1800fps right around 600 yards at my elevation (6800ft). H4350 and CCI LRP.

Before I chopped the factory Tikka barrel I was hitting 1800 fps at 750 yards.

Awesome. I'm not good enough for 750 yards at game in the mountains anyway haha.

 

[chindits]

Yea I was amazed at how quick I hit pressure in a new 6.5cm T3 with 147eldm/H4350. At 40.6 I got one case with faint ejector swipe and at 40.9 I got all cases with stiff bolt openings and ejector swipe and one gouge.

I was feeling sorry for myself because I was looking at 2575 velocity with a mellow 40.3 load. But that was totally unwarranted when I looked at the velocity out at distance for my local environmental conditions. I’m above 1800fps out to 750 meters so in all reality it is well within my imaginary needs in a powder conserving load. Win win but if you’re at sea level instead of 8000’ your life and needs might be different.

 

[HighUintas]

Yea I was amazed at how quick I hit pressure in a new 6.5cm T3 with 147eldm/H4350. At 40.6 I got one case with faint ejector swipe and at 40.9 I got all cases with stiff bolt openings and ejector swipe and one gouge.

I was feeling sorry for myself because I was looking at 2575 velocity with a mellow 40.3 load. But that was totally unwarranted when I looked at the velocity out at distance for my local environmental conditions. I’m above 1800fps out to 750 meters so in all reality it is well within my imaginary needs in a powder conserving load. Win win but if you’re at sea level instead of 8000’ your life and needs might be different.

What brand brass and what COL was that?

 

[chindits]

Peterson LP

I’m at work so I don’t have notes.

 

[chindits]

 

[HighUintas]

View attachment 681642

I can't speak for the 6.5 cm cases, but in most other cartridges Peterson's volume is significantly lower than all other brands. In my 284 case, I get about the same velocities with one grain difference between Peterson and Lapua

 

[Lawnboi]

BC is king

I don’t see 2700 being an issue with your components.

If the match burners don’t shoot with 41-41.5 grains I’d try Hornady 140,143 or 147 till you find the one it likes.