The Tikka 6.5 Creedmoor Reloading Thread

[MT257]

Got the 6.5 to the range today to test some 135 Berger Hunters over rl-26. I found a starting point. 2.266” cbto and OAL is 2.883”. This was with 47 grains. I will try a few different charges to see if it likes any more of a charge or not.

 

[KChunter71]

I need to roll some for my tikka 6.5 and test it’s legs out.

 

[Mulyhuntr]

What do you like about the brass? Does it last longer?

Comes packaged much nicer than Starline and is pretty much ready to shoot out of the box, much less weight variance than Starline, tighter primer pockets.

 

[MHWASH]

I’m currently using the RL 16 load.

 

[Chad Fenton]

Great info here. Just picked up a tikka T3x lite form locked & loaded. I haven't reloaded before, been saying I'm gonna start for years. I'm in now, gonna do alittle work on this rifle and see how good I can get it to shoot.

 

[Motown]

Tag for later

 

[Brendan]

Figured I'd bump this up to the top....

I have a new Tikka T3X lite, 6.5 CM with the 24" barrel that i've been starting load development on. Running the Berger 140 Hybrid at the max length for CTR Mags (am using a Bravo Chassis), COAL is approximately 2.945" and I'm still ~.08" off. H4350 for powder. CCI BR2 Primers, 2X Hornady brass I had from factory loads. Here's the interesting thing, I haven't been able to find pressure signs so far.

Started at 41 grains H4350 and going up in .3 grain increments, shooting 3 shot groups. I'm now at 44.9 grains, 2860 FPS, 18 ES and ran out of loaded rounds to go higher. Group size needs a little work, but wasn't focusing on it and haven't played with seating depth. New scope coming soon too.

Definitely not looking like this is typical, but I've seen some other references to it with the Berger 140 Hybrid.

Running 140 Hybrids LONG and H4350 HEAVY

Running 140 Hybrids LONG and H4350 HEAVY

65creedmoor.com

 

[Lawnboi]

I’m hoping to hit the easy button with my ctr 6.5. Berger factory 140 hybrids, shoot half minute with acceptable speed and deviation.

Hoping to size the Lapua brass they came in, run same as factory CBTO and work up with h4350 till I hit the same velocity. Hopefully it gives me the same results.

 

[woods89]

If Tikka mags are well over 2.9'', that is calling for that Berger 156 EOL!

 

[Brendan]

Still haven't found pressure. Might test a little higher, and do some re-testing around these, but have to be getting close.

Have a real scope going on later this week instead of the Swaro Z5

Tikka T3X lite stainless, 6.5 CM with the 24" barrel, Berger 140 Hybrid, COAL is approximately 2.945" and I'm still ~.08" off. H4350 for powder. CCI BR2 Primers, 2X Hornady brass I had from factory loads. 106 rounds through the barrel.

44.9 grains, 9ES, 2859 fps, .61 MOA
45.1 grains, 5ES, 2866 fps, .76 MOA
45.3 grains, 22 ES, 2880 fps, .43 MOA

Only shooting 3 shot groups, because this was primarily pressure testing.

 

[menhaden_man]

I started fiddling with my two 6.5 CM rifles, one is a pretty new T3X stainless lite and other is a Ruger Hawkeye FTW about 6 years old.

I’m measuring a base to lands at 2.291” in the T3X, 0.031” longer than the FTW.

Also did some math on two rounds they both shoot well (Precision Hunter 143g and American Gunner 140g)... didn’t realize how much jump there is in those factory rounds. I’m measuring 0.133” and 0.090” jump respectively for the T3X (the American Gunner shoots half MOA). Less jump for the FTW of course - it also shoots these well.

From what I’m seeing here, it sounds like I need to give closer to the lands a try, rather than try to replicate specs on factory loads. I’ve got about 10 lbs of 4350 and plenty of BR2 and brass.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I ended up moving on from the hammer bullets for my 6.5, I still use them for other guns but my creedmoore has been shooting those barnes 127g lrx with some H4350 so well I just stopped messing around with anything else.

 

[renagde]

I ended up moving on from the hammer bullets for my 6.5, I still use them for other guns but my creedmoore has been shooting those barnes 127g lrx with some H4350 so well I just stopped messing around with anything else.

What's your load data for 127 LRX and H4350? I'm loading some with IMR4350, then I'm going to try some H4350 and Varget as well.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

What's your load data for 127 LRX and H4350? I'm loading some with IMR4350, then I'm going to try some H4350 and Varget as well.

I'm right around 40 grains, I made the load several weeks back and sort of left it after seing how it shot. I pressed out a hundred rounds and moved onto other projects after I got the rifle zeroed for the round.

 

[menhaden_man]

I'm right around 40 grains, I made the load several weeks back and sort of left it after seing how it shot. I pressed out a hundred rounds and moved onto other projects after I got the rifle zeroed for the round.

I've got some of those bullets and plenty of 4350... what length (CBTO or COAL) are you loading to?

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I've got some of those bullets and plenty of 4350... what length (CBTO or COAL) are you loading to?

I'll check when I get home, honestly it was a very easy load for me, I didnt adjust the dies or anything and just pressed them to the same settings id been using for my accubonds and they worked very well, I am pretty easily able to make .5" groups with that rifle/load. Anyways, I'll measure them when I get home.

 

[Lawnboi]

I ended up reloading some copy cat Berger ammo using my once fired brass.

Same CBTO, kept it at 2600 FPS as that’s where my velocity node was, for reference factory ran me 2680 and was on the verge of being too hot when the temps got high.

Once fired same factory cbto yielded single digit SD and same .75moa groups.

Going to do the same thing with some 135 classic hunters coming up here as Berger ammo has become expensive really fast. Just need enough for some <250yd WI gun deer.

 

[Olythom]

Lots of good info already.. Here is my hunting load for my Tikka T3x lite. 41.3g IMR 4350 / 143g EldX / Hornady brass / CCI 200 primers / 2.85” COAL / very light taper crimp. 0.5 moa (or better) from bipod. It’s not a hot load but it shoots well, does not kick, and the brass is holding up well.

fwiw.. the same load with 41.4g of powder is the load that my Bergara HMR likes.
>T

 

[grappling_hook]

In. Got my hands on some powder again and hope to read more if anyone else has reports to share. Great to see a thread specifically on reloading for Tikka 6.5cms.

 

[menhaden_man]

Here’s where I landed on my T3X lite last fall before hunting. Shot a 4 pt in WY then it sat in a trailer for cross country move. Did a 4 shot zero check before letting my 14 year old niece shoot a huge pig a few weeks ago. This is with Hornady brass that’s been fired a few times and BR2s. Used an old powder dropper so can’t imagine it’s crazy accurate. Going to try the fancy stuff and digital scale to see if it gets any better.