6.5 Creedmoor recipes for 123gr Hornady SST?

[Bimmersixx]

Hey guys,

Newbie here to the forum and hunting with the 6.5CM, but I've been long-range shooting/handloading the cartridge for some time, almost exclusively with Hornady 140gr ELD-M for the Threat Response in my sig.

I've recently gotten the Vanguard Weatherguard Bronze in 6.5CM for deer hunting and some Hornady SST 123gr bullets.  Anyone have any luck with that bullet and H4350/H414/Varget?  What's your load?

I have some Speer Gold Dot 140Gr bullets too if anyone had good data for that.

I appreciate it!  Y'all stay safe.

[Grouchy]

Welcome to the nation! I haven't loaded the 123 SST but there are 11 different powders listed in Hornady's load manual for that bullet.   

[Buckleman]

A lot of Creedmoor shooters swear by H-4350

[eford]

I never tried the 123 grain SSTs. The 129 grain version has been sub MOA at 600 at yards and the same load will repeatedly hit a 20” gong at 1,000 yards. RL-17, StaBall and H-4350 have been the best powders for me.

[kmoore]

My tests are limited and in a Ruger FTW 26 inch barrel. I installed a timmey  trigger and have a 4.5x14 50mm with 30mm tube Leopold VX3I scope on it.  Handloading 120s showed OK groups, I moved the bullet out longer and they improved. Still not what I expected the gun could do, I brought a box of Hornady factory ammo and had same results. Think I fired 100 rounds before attempting any precision. I am thinking the groups sizes was in the 1.5 range, not sure.  I also got a box of Hornady ammo in 140 gr bullets and that's when I got tiny groups. Been loading different 140s and 143 gr. So far all do much better at 100yds. I did also try 4451 powder along side h4350 and each shot 3 rounds in about 1/2 inch groups. The 4451 was 1 inch high and 1/2 inch left of the h4350 load. That was about 5 years ago. Also tested it with the brake on/off.  I have been involved working on several other Elk hunting rifles and shelfed the 6.5 for awhile. I got that rifle and scope combo just to use at a range to shoot tiny groups.       

[Grouchy]

I agree on the H4350 powder! I found the 130gr. TSX is my best option for accuracy. My rifle is currently set up as a target shooter.

[kmoore]

I by passed the 130 gr bullets after shooting a few in 140gr. But that's what handloading is all about get the best. I will try some 130s TSX since they worked well. I have not seen any Barnes bullets on shelfs for a long time. I beleive they are being made again.