The Tikka 6.5 Creedmoor Reloading Thread

Gorp2007

WKR
Joined
Dec 4, 2016
Messages
1,004
Location
Southern Nevada
On that point, would it be possible to swap to the LA bolt catch and use the LA mags to allow for longer COAL? Just a thought, I’ve honestly not researched it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Should work just fine. I put a 6.5 barrel on my 30-06 and use the long action mags. The only issue I ever see is with 5 round mags, sometimes the last round or two doesn’t want to feed.
 

Gorp2007

WKR
Joined
Dec 4, 2016
Messages
1,004
Location
Southern Nevada
Yea but your mag well was already sized for the 30-06 round.

Sorry, didn’t see the part about the TAC A1, that certainly changes things.

If the original question was for a Tikka running standard mags, all the actions and mag wells are built for a long action, so swapping is as simple as a new bolt stop and a LA magazine.
 

bober90

FNG
Joined
Sep 11, 2022
Messages
64
Location
Indiana
Yea, I was assuming the bottom metal was the same on the tac a1 as a standard t3x.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

bober90

FNG
Joined
Sep 11, 2022
Messages
64
Location
Indiana
To clarify, “same” meaning the mag are the same length and the bolt stop determines LA or SA, making the bottom universal. But since the a1 is in a chassis that doesn’t seem to be the case.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Dec 7, 2014
Messages
851
Old thread, but I'm going to bump it again. new to reloading, new to 6.5cm. Got a 6.5cm tikka on the way and plan to cut it to 18-20" (any suggestions?) and then get to work developing loads. I have done some (a lot) of looking on the forum but would love to see more load data for shorter barrel tikkas.
 

amassi

WKR
Joined
May 26, 2018
Messages
3,929
Old thread, but I'm going to bump it again. new to reloading, new to 6.5cm. Got a 6.5cm tikka on the way and plan to cut it to 18-20" and then get to work developing loads. I have done some (a lot) of looking on the forum but would love to see more load data for shorter barrel tikkas.

What bullet/ powder do you want to use?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Dec 7, 2014
Messages
851
What bullet/ powder do you want to use?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
147 eldms are the plan if they shoot. I have a decent amount of IMR4350 to play around with (dad does some reloading) but sounds like H4350 is a crowd favorite so I plan to pick some up and may settle on that, but I am open to about anything.

I also have 400 rounds of hornady factory (129grn interlock) ammo that I plan to do some practice, barrel break in, and whitetail hunting with and use those casings to reload.
 
Last edited:

amassi

WKR
Joined
May 26, 2018
Messages
3,929
147 eldms are the plan if they shoot. I have a decent amount of IMR4350 to play around with (dad does some reloading) but sounds like H4350 is a crowd favorite so I plan to pick some up and may settle on that, but I am open to about anything.

I also have 400 rounds of hornady factory (129grn interlock) ammo that I plan to do some practice, barrel break in, and whitetail hunting with and then use those casings to reload.

Imr4350 works great, H4350 might be a touch more temp stable.
Factory 22.4” sporter barrel
Hornady brass
147 eld-m
Fed 210
41.5 g IMR 4350
2.790 coal
2685 fps
Shot great


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Joined
Dec 7, 2014
Messages
851
Imr4350 works great, H4350 might be a touch more temp stable.
Factory 22.4” sporter barrel
Hornady brass
147 eld-m
Fed 210
41.5 g IMR 4350
2.790 coal
2685 fps
Shot great


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
doesn't get any more applicable than that! thanks for the info! I'm hoping to get 2600+ out of an 18" barrel so sounds like that may be pretty close.
 
Last edited:

amassi

WKR
Joined
May 26, 2018
Messages
3,929
doesn't get any more applicable than that! thanks for the info! I'm hoping to get 2600+ out of an 18" barrel so sounds like that may be pretty close.

Should not be an issue at all.
The load I posted had zero pressure signs and would probably be around 2570 from an 18” tikka barrel.
Other or more powder would get you over 2600.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

ztc92

WKR
Joined
May 8, 2022
Messages
352
doesn't get any more applicable than that! thanks for the info! I'm hoping to get 2600+ out of an 18" barrel so sounds like that may be pretty close.

I first had a 20” Tikka CTR that I loaded for but it was rather heavy in a bravo chassis so just built a T3X lite cut to 18” this past year for a lighter weight hunting rifle. I haven’t tried the 147’s yet but I’ve loaded for 130 TMK, 130 ELDM and 143 ELDX. I think for a lighter rifle the 130 grain bullets are a nice compromise of velocity, BC and felt recoil. I do hope to try the 140 and 147 ELDM in the future though, so I’ll keep you posted!
 
Joined
Dec 7, 2014
Messages
851
I first had a 20” Tikka CTR that I loaded for but it was rather heavy in a bravo chassis so just built a T3X lite cut to 18” this past year for a lighter weight hunting rifle. I haven’t tried the 147’s yet but I’ve loaded for 130 TMK, 130 ELDM and 143 ELDX. I think for a lighter rifle the 130 grain bullets are a nice compromise of velocity, BC and felt recoil. I do hope to try the 140 and 147 ELDM in the future though, so I’ll keep you posted!

I plan to play with some lighter bullets at some point, but the numbers on that 147 are just so tempting. When I run the recoil calculator on the 130s vs 147s I really don’t see a huge difference, but I could see it being more noticeable in real life.

IMG_9184.jpegIMG_9187.jpeg
 
Joined
May 12, 2018
Messages
383
Location
Idaho
Hornady brass.
42.5 grain of H4350.
140 grain ELD-M seated to coal.
Pushes right around 2700 fps.
20” Tikka with a Thunder Beast Ultra 7. IMG_2155.jpeg
 
Last edited:

BKM

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 5, 2024
Messages
110
My tikka is uncut, 24”.

I run 41.8gr of H4350 with a 147eldm(thats max charge by the book) I can’t remember the exact number but it’s shooting right around 2650fps. 1/2-3/4” 10 shot groups are the normal.

The 130tmk shoots nearly as well out of my gun and for a short barrel set up would give some extra velocity
 
Joined
Dec 15, 2019
Messages
507
Location
Alaska
I use what is probably THE most basic load for 140gr ELD-M for 6.5 creedmoor: 41.5 grains of H4350.

This is from a T3X Lite cut/threaded to 20" and suppressed. Original stock, just shaved to free-float. Nice thing is it's between .7 and .9 MOA every time with 10-shot groups in stable wind. The Lapua brass has been shot 6-7 times, with nothing special done to it.

1727636947324.png
 
Joined
Dec 7, 2014
Messages
851
I use what is probably THE most basic load for 140gr ELD-M for 6.5 creedmoor: 41.5 grains of H4350.

This is from a T3X Lite cut/threaded to 20" and suppressed. Original stock, just shaved to free-float. Nice thing is it's between .7 and .9 MOA every time with 10-shot groups in stable wind. The Lapua brass has been shot 6-7 times, with nothing special done to it.

View attachment 770590
What muzzle velocity are you getting from that load?
 

swavescatter

Pain in the butt!
Joined
Apr 3, 2021
Messages
1,259
Go 18"

I'm getting 2650 fps with 43g H4350 147's loaded at 2.9 in COAL. Works great with factory M+ mags. 18" Ember with Banish Backcountry suppressor.

Got 2650 fps with 42.8g 143 ELDX loaded a bit shorter for MDT AICS mags. 18" Tikka Superlite with Banish 30.

2650 fps with 18" Bergara HMR 143's and 42.5 g IMR4350. Muzzle brake only lasted to mag length.

Always work up your loads. The top load is a little warm but only had one heavy bolt lift in 90* heat in a hundred rounds so far.
 
Top