The Tikka 6.5 Creedmoor Reloading Thread

Gorp2007

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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.


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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

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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

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Yea, I was assuming the bottom metal was the same on the tac a1 as a standard t3x.


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bober90

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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.


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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

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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?


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What bullet/ powder do you want to use?


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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.
 
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amassi

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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


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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


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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.
 
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amassi

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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.


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ztc92

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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!
 
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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
 
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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
 
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BKM

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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
 
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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
 
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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

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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.
 
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