10-28-2023, 07:55 PM
Horde,
one thing I've discovered with having 2 different 6.5G uppers, for two totally different purposes, and a howa mini also in 6.5G is that the variety of loads and powders to "test out" multiplies at an exponential rate. And since work is kicking my butt as well, I haven't had the time I would like to wring out every possibility in load combinations. In fact I've still got a lot of test loads to fire for finding "the" target/match shooting round.
but I have come to a couple decisions about the use cases for my 6.5G rifles. 24" HB upper with 20x scope will be for mid range (600 yard) match shooting at the local club. at 10 3/4 lbs. it's way too heavy to hunt with in my opinion. but works nicely off the bags. I just haven't settled on a match load yet. Part of the issue there is finding components in the last 3 years. burn rate appropriate powders have been particularly hard to find. For example, I haven't seen H4895 on the shelves or online for 3 years now. Makes me wonder at times if ADI just quit making it?? Anyway my match load is not final yet. But using the HB upper with the high magnification scope is going to be what I will run at 600 since that makes the most sense.
for the 6.5G mini, using the Stocky's CF stock, Talley Ringmounts, JO hinged bottom metal, etc. I have a 6.5 lb. 6.5 Grendel with the std. 22" bbl. there are other lighter ones out there, but this one works well for me. Also the other upper I tried to build as light weight as possible given I wanted a 20" or longer tube. Settled for a Faxon 20" Gunner barrel as that seemed to be the lightest barrel out there that was at least 20" long. I like the little extra velocity with longer tubes, and particularly for hunting, a lower muzzle report with the longer tubes. My ears have been damaged enough from all the shooting I've done as a kid before we understood hearing loss. Anyway, for the hunting applications I've finally decided to use the 6.5G mostly for varmints. coyotes, chucks, PDs, etc. Not that it isn't capable for deer, I just have other choices there. So for these I've settled on the 85gr. Sierra HP as I have a bunch of them to go with. velocities are good and accuracy is around 1 MOA or less if I do my part. plenty good for coyotes and chucks, a bit challenging for PDs. when I can call the wind well, they do tend to shoot under 1 MOA, but I'm not great at figuring wind yet.
I haven't yet settled on a target round for 600 yards. I have yet to try the 130 gr match bullets (no range time, but have some loads ready to try), and have tried many but not all of the 123-125gr, match bullets. I think 130s is about as heavy as I will go for a match bullet. Powders are getting a bit difficult to come up with. My go to with the 123s - 125s has been H4895 but I'm using that up and no more is showing up at the LGS. I did snag a pound of the new staball match, which is a little faster burning rate than CFE223. I have some of those 130gr test loads with that to see how they run with staball match, but the burn rate seems a bit low for the 6.5G. I could be wrong however.
Given that H4895 will be no longer available in the near future it seems, what powders and loads for 600 yard match shooting (mid range F-Class targets is what the club is using, x ring is 1/2 MOA) would any of you all recommend? H4895 was really nice as it is very temp insensitive and the burn rate works well for the 123 - 130 gr. range in the 6.5G. Has anyone had any luck with any of the newer Alliant powders (Re12, Re15, etc) for the 6.5 G with those match bullets? Sometimes I see the Vihtavuori powders on the shelf but haven't tried any of them yet. Anyone have a good match load with the VV powders? Also if you're already shooting 600 yard F class with the 6.5G, if you'd care to share your load I'd appreciate it. There are easily over a dozen match bullets from the various manufacturers in the 123 to 130 gr. range, so testing them all out will take a long time at the rate that I can get to the range due to work demands. Just thought if any of you have a good working 600 yard match load already worked up it might save me a lot of time, and lately frustration (unavailable components), to get a jump start on honing in a good match load with some guidance from those already doing it.
thanks,
tdbru
one thing I've discovered with having 2 different 6.5G uppers, for two totally different purposes, and a howa mini also in 6.5G is that the variety of loads and powders to "test out" multiplies at an exponential rate. And since work is kicking my butt as well, I haven't had the time I would like to wring out every possibility in load combinations. In fact I've still got a lot of test loads to fire for finding "the" target/match shooting round.
but I have come to a couple decisions about the use cases for my 6.5G rifles. 24" HB upper with 20x scope will be for mid range (600 yard) match shooting at the local club. at 10 3/4 lbs. it's way too heavy to hunt with in my opinion. but works nicely off the bags. I just haven't settled on a match load yet. Part of the issue there is finding components in the last 3 years. burn rate appropriate powders have been particularly hard to find. For example, I haven't seen H4895 on the shelves or online for 3 years now. Makes me wonder at times if ADI just quit making it?? Anyway my match load is not final yet. But using the HB upper with the high magnification scope is going to be what I will run at 600 since that makes the most sense.
for the 6.5G mini, using the Stocky's CF stock, Talley Ringmounts, JO hinged bottom metal, etc. I have a 6.5 lb. 6.5 Grendel with the std. 22" bbl. there are other lighter ones out there, but this one works well for me. Also the other upper I tried to build as light weight as possible given I wanted a 20" or longer tube. Settled for a Faxon 20" Gunner barrel as that seemed to be the lightest barrel out there that was at least 20" long. I like the little extra velocity with longer tubes, and particularly for hunting, a lower muzzle report with the longer tubes. My ears have been damaged enough from all the shooting I've done as a kid before we understood hearing loss. Anyway, for the hunting applications I've finally decided to use the 6.5G mostly for varmints. coyotes, chucks, PDs, etc. Not that it isn't capable for deer, I just have other choices there. So for these I've settled on the 85gr. Sierra HP as I have a bunch of them to go with. velocities are good and accuracy is around 1 MOA or less if I do my part. plenty good for coyotes and chucks, a bit challenging for PDs. when I can call the wind well, they do tend to shoot under 1 MOA, but I'm not great at figuring wind yet.
I haven't yet settled on a target round for 600 yards. I have yet to try the 130 gr match bullets (no range time, but have some loads ready to try), and have tried many but not all of the 123-125gr, match bullets. I think 130s is about as heavy as I will go for a match bullet. Powders are getting a bit difficult to come up with. My go to with the 123s - 125s has been H4895 but I'm using that up and no more is showing up at the LGS. I did snag a pound of the new staball match, which is a little faster burning rate than CFE223. I have some of those 130gr test loads with that to see how they run with staball match, but the burn rate seems a bit low for the 6.5G. I could be wrong however.
Given that H4895 will be no longer available in the near future it seems, what powders and loads for 600 yard match shooting (mid range F-Class targets is what the club is using, x ring is 1/2 MOA) would any of you all recommend? H4895 was really nice as it is very temp insensitive and the burn rate works well for the 123 - 130 gr. range in the 6.5G. Has anyone had any luck with any of the newer Alliant powders (Re12, Re15, etc) for the 6.5 G with those match bullets? Sometimes I see the Vihtavuori powders on the shelf but haven't tried any of them yet. Anyone have a good match load with the VV powders? Also if you're already shooting 600 yard F class with the 6.5G, if you'd care to share your load I'd appreciate it. There are easily over a dozen match bullets from the various manufacturers in the 123 to 130 gr. range, so testing them all out will take a long time at the rate that I can get to the range due to work demands. Just thought if any of you have a good working 600 yard match load already worked up it might save me a lot of time, and lately frustration (unavailable components), to get a jump start on honing in a good match load with some guidance from those already doing it.
thanks,
tdbru