It’s been a few years since I’ve done any load development, and was under-informed at best when I last did it. Looking for advice on how to proceed following a ladder test as per Form’s pain free reloading system.
Specs as follows:
6.5 PRC - 22” IBI barrel ~140 rounds fired
Once fired Hornady brass
Fed 215 magnum primer
H1000
130 TMK
2.935”
I Loaded up 8 rounds at 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 60.5, 61, 61.5 grains.
First pic of case heads with brass primers are factory 147 eldm loads. Easy chamber, easy extraction, primers are pretty flat.
Second pic is reloads labelled according to charge weight. They all chambered a little snug, I seem to have this no matter what I reload. Is this a function of brass being fire formed to the chamber?
56, 57, easy extraction but some shine and extractor marking on case heads.
58 - maybe a little lift to the bolt. Extractor mark
59 - snug bolt lift. Extractor mark.
60 - heavy bolt lift. Extractor mark.
Weather was sun/cloud 55 degrees. Barrel was never warm to touch. Unfortunately I don’t have a garmin, though a buddy has one I could shoot some rounds past and get a velocity reading. I’m not too hung up on speed, but 3000+ would be nice.
Target pic - shots in cardboard are all sight in from previous range session after scope remount with factory 147s.
Four shots in sticker just right of center are 56-59, 60 is just left of center. I think this combo shows promise, would like to shoot a 10 round group with a single charge.
My question is, how should I proceed? I’ve never seen pressure this much below book max, but I haven’t developed for a ton of rifles either. When hitting pressure, the velocity should be decent regardless of a lower charge weight, correct?
I was thinking of loading 15 or so at 57.5 and shooting a group (with a chrono). Verify at distance if they group good.
Thoughts???
Specs as follows:
6.5 PRC - 22” IBI barrel ~140 rounds fired
Once fired Hornady brass
Fed 215 magnum primer
H1000
130 TMK
2.935”
I Loaded up 8 rounds at 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 60.5, 61, 61.5 grains.
First pic of case heads with brass primers are factory 147 eldm loads. Easy chamber, easy extraction, primers are pretty flat.
Second pic is reloads labelled according to charge weight. They all chambered a little snug, I seem to have this no matter what I reload. Is this a function of brass being fire formed to the chamber?
56, 57, easy extraction but some shine and extractor marking on case heads.
58 - maybe a little lift to the bolt. Extractor mark
59 - snug bolt lift. Extractor mark.
60 - heavy bolt lift. Extractor mark.
Weather was sun/cloud 55 degrees. Barrel was never warm to touch. Unfortunately I don’t have a garmin, though a buddy has one I could shoot some rounds past and get a velocity reading. I’m not too hung up on speed, but 3000+ would be nice.
Target pic - shots in cardboard are all sight in from previous range session after scope remount with factory 147s.
Four shots in sticker just right of center are 56-59, 60 is just left of center. I think this combo shows promise, would like to shoot a 10 round group with a single charge.
My question is, how should I proceed? I’ve never seen pressure this much below book max, but I haven’t developed for a ton of rifles either. When hitting pressure, the velocity should be decent regardless of a lower charge weight, correct?
I was thinking of loading 15 or so at 57.5 and shooting a group (with a chrono). Verify at distance if they group good.
Thoughts???
