6.5 Creedmoor 130 grain ELD-M and 130 grain TGK load development

[Joe Texas]

My new 6.5 CM barrel arrived today from Northland Shooter’s supply. I paid just a hair over $400 (including new nut, recoil lug, and shipping)

Pipe Particulars:
• 26” Sheilen Select Match
• 1:8 twist
• Varmit contour
• Stainless finish
• Target crown

The gun:
• Savage 12FV originally chambered in .308.
• Boyd’s thumbhole varmit stock
• Harris bipod
• 8-32x50 scope

Components on hand:
• 300 130 grain ELD-M
• 200 130 grain TGK
• 500 Federal 210M large rifle primers
• 200 once-fired Hornady LRP brass trimmed to 1.91
• 2lbs each - Varget, H4350, VV N160

Tools:
• RCBS full-length die set
• Redding neck-sizing die set
• Hornady OAL tool
• Pro Chrono DLX chronograph

Goal: Break in barrel and find accuracy node with each bullet at ideal velocity of 2750-2900.

Plan of attack (all at 100 yards):
• Use Hornady tool to find seating depth to touch lands w/130 grain ELD-M (It is 2.860)
• Load break-in and fouling rounds .020 off with Varget. 10 @ 37.0 grains and 6 each of 5 different charges in .3 grain increments. (40 TTL)
• Shoot 40 break-in rounds (clean after each of 1st ten rounds and after each of ten 3-round groups)
• Use 3 round groups for preliminary load development w/Varget.
• If one of the Varget charges look promising, use that charge for seating depth test
• H4350 OCW test w/130 grain ELD-M (5 rounds each charge in .2 grain increments)
• VV N160 OCW test w/130 grain ELD-M (same number of rounds in same increments)
• Use 130 grain ELD-M results to narrow 130 grain TGK tests with each powder from .4 under to .4 over ELD-M charge in .2 grain increments.
• Use remaining components to load winning combination w/each bullet in fire-formed brass
• Test winning node at 200 yards.
• Try at further distances.

* I already had all but the seating depth rounds put together waiting on the barrel. I left ‘em long so all I would need to do is seat ‘em deeper after measuring w/Hornady tool. I used data from Hodgdon, VV, Hornady, and Sierra.

I will post velocity and accuracy results as I get opportunity to shoot my tests.

In the meantime, I would welcome hearing about others’ experiences with these bullets or powders.

 

[Joe Texas]

Shot 1st 5 rounds through new barrel today.

Cleaned with Hoppes #9 and copper remover after each round.
• Hoppes wet patch.
• 5 passes with brass bore brush.
• Hoppes wet patch
• Dry patch
• Copper cleaner wet patch
• 5 passes brush
• Copper cleaner wet til no more blue
• Dry patch
• Repeat with Hoppes #9 wet/brush/wet/dry

After 4th round there was zero copper fouling and the brush went through easier.

I took my scope off another Savage 12 that is set up just like this one except in .223. I was prepared to have to adjust the elevation at least. I didn’t have to touch the dials.

5 shots @ 30 yards from a small indoor range lane. Rifle’s only support was the bipod and my shoulder to keep it steady. It was moving around a lot. Low shot to the right was my bad. The other 4 felt okay if a little unsteady. The centered hole is the first and 4th shots through the same hole. They felt right. The dark line is .63” low, for 100 yard zero according to my chart.

130 ELD-M
Hornady full length resized brass trimmed to 1.91
37.0 grains Varget
Federal Large Rifle primers
2.84 COAL (.020 from lands)

Tomorrow I hope to shoot two 3-round groups each of 5 different charges of Varget at 100 yards: 37.0, 37.3, 37.6, 37.9, 38.2. After that, I won’t be able to shoot outdoors until Friday or Saturday.

 

[horsemen61]

Nice work


My Creedmoor likes H4831SC you may look up the secret Carolina 6.5 Creedmoor load it may work for you as always I’m not liable for what you do with your property


I’m just a Creedmoor Fan on the internet

 

[Joe Texas]

Nice work


My Creedmoor likes H4831SC you may look up the secret Carolina 6.5 Creedmoor load it may work for you as always I’m not liable for what you do with your property


I’m just a Creedmoor Fan on the internet

Thanks for the feedback. Varget is really just for break in. H4350 and N160 are what I’m hoping do well with.

 

[Joe Texas]

Shot Varget test today at 100 yards off of bipod and rear bag.
• Sighted in scope, shot 3 rounds of 37.0.
• Cleaned barrel.
• 1 fouling shot, 3 x 37.3, 3 x 37.6 then cleaned.
• FS, 3 x 37.9, 3 x 38.2, cleaned.
• The remaining 3 of each charge were shot round-robin style with cleaning after shooting FS + 1 of each charge.

* FWIW, I shot poorly overall. I was inconsistent about loading bipod, keeping pad tight to shoulder, and/or allowing differing amounts of free recoil. Still, most shots were indicative of today’s average applied technique and got better in the round robin phase. Wind was minimal. Barrel never got too hot nor did it completely cool unless it got close during cleaning. No copper fouling to speak of today.

Results:
• No pressure signs.
• 37.0 - Velocity 2663 fps SD 8 Group size .6875”
• 37.3 - 2706, 20, 1.1875”
• 37.6 - 2724, 17, 1.1875”
• 37.9 - 2727, 9, 1.1875”
• 38.2 - 2742, 13, 1.25”

Velocity, SD, and group measurements are also noted on target pic

Next steps:
• Load seating depth test with 37.0 grains Varget.
• Seat H4350 and N160 tests to the length of the winner.
• Possibly explore higher Varget node just for giggles after testing with H4350 and N160 is complete.

 

[Joe Texas]

Loaded 50 round seating depth test with 37.0 Varget.

Hornady OAL tool gives me 2.860 to lands with 130 grain ELD-M.

So, I tried to start at 2.855 and go down in .005 increments. Using an RCBS seating die, the COALs varied up to .005 with the same setting.

(Maybe I need to level up to a CBTO tool.)

Anyway, I just started as close as I could to my target and then adjusted stem 1/4 turn down every 5 rounds.

I have 5 rounds each loaded at 10 different depths from about 2.855 (.005 off) to about 2.769.

* Gonna see if my Redding seating die is a little more consistent before giving up.

Will shoot sometime this week.

 

[wbm]

Bought a Savage 110 Tactical this winter. Tried a lot of loads for the 130gr Sierra TGK. Some were good and some not so good. Found a YouTube video where a guy was testing that rifle with different bullets and one of them was the Sierra 130gr TGK. and several powders including Reloader 16.

I could post the YouTube link so you can watch the entire review but don't know if it is against the rules here. Really good review!

His best group was with 42gr. So! I loaded the 130 Sierra TGK with the same powder 42gr RL-16, Same brass, same OAL. Result? Darth Vader voice..."impressive. most impressive."

 

[Captcurt]

Last year I tested the 130gr TGK with my M18 Mauser. After load development I settled on 42gr of H4350 although R-17 shot almost as well. The H4350 load shot under 1/2" at 100 yards. I had the opportunity to take several does on nuisance permits. The bullet works well at the longer ranges, say 200+ yards, but open up like a BallisticTip at close range. Maximum upset with a lot of tissue damage. I'll go back to my Accubonds.

 

[Joe Texas]

Last year I tested the 130gr TGK with my M18 Mauser. After load development I settled on 42gr of H4350 although R-17 shot almost as well. The H4350 load shot under 1/2" at 100 yards. I had the opportunity to take several does on nuisance permits. The bullet works well at the longer ranges, say 200+ yards, but open up like a BallisticTip at close range. Maximum upset with a lot of tissue damage. I'll go back to my Accubonds.

Thanks for the feedback!

I keep reading that most people end up around 42 - 43 grains of H4350 with 130’s.

What velocity did that load give you?

How did that charge weight compare with what worked best in that rifle with other 130 grain bullets?

 

[Captcurt]

Thanks for the feedback!

I keep reading that most people end up around 42 - 43 grains of H4350 with 130’s.

What velocity did that load give you?

How did that charge weight compare with what worked best in that rifle with other 130 grain bullets?

I haven't chrono'd that load and have not shot other bullets in it yet. I have a Bergara B-14 that I have set up for long range. Well, long for me. I shoot a 129gr Accubond LR with 40gr of H4350. It averaged 2650fps. This load matches the BDC in my Vortex scope. It is good out to 500yards. I could kick it up a couple hundred FPS but when I can shoot 1/2 MOA at 500 yards I see no reason to change.

 

[wbm]

What velocity did that load give you?

Don't have a chronograph. Anyway after using Reloader-16 I will not go back to H4350 for 130-140gr bullets.

 

[Joe Texas]

Don't have a chronograph. Anyway after using Reloader-19 I will not go back to H4350 for 130-140gr bullets.

Hmm. Sounds like you have it all figured out. Load from Youtube w/no development or chronograph. That’s a bunch cheaper and quicker than my method!

You said Reloder 16 for the 130 TGK in your first comment then Reloder 19 on your second one. Was that a mistake or am I missing something?

 

[Blue68f100]

I've shot the Sierra 130gr TMK with Varget. My best load was 38.4gr at 2.800" OAL, and Rem 7.5 primers. This yielded 2750 fps (24" barrel) and sub MOA accuracy.

 

[LoonWulf]

Hmm. Sounds like you have it all figured out. Load from Youtube w/no development or chronograph. That’s a bunch cheaper and quicker than my method!

You said Reloder 16 for the 130 TGK in your first comment then Reloder 19 on your second one. Was that a mistake or am I missing something?

Interestingly 41-42gr seems to be about where i usually end up with 4350 class powders and creedmoor sized cases....least with heavier bullets.
RL-19 probably isnt building pressure sufficiently at 42gr and a 130tmk...
.

 

[Joe Texas]

I've shot the Sierra 130gr TMK with Varget. My best load was 38.4gr at 2.800" OAL, and Rem 7.5 primers. This yielded 2750 fps (24" barrel) and sub MOA accuracy.

Yeah, it looked like there was something there with the ELDM above the 38.2 I stopped at. I may explore it after wrapping up with the “proper” 6.5 powders.

 

[Blue68f100]

I mainly shoot the 140 ELD's with H4350, 42.3gr @2.800" OAL. This is near max so workup your load. My accuracy node is 2725-2750 fps with the heavier bullet.

 

[Joe Texas]

I mainly shoot the 140 ELD's with H4350, 42.3gr @2.800" OAL. This is near max so workup your load. My accuracy node is 2725-2750 fps with the heavier bullet.

Yeah, I went with the 130’s ‘cause of availability. Maybe I’ll go heavier later.

 

[wbm]

Reloder 19 on your second one

LOL! You can't spell and I can't think.

Corrected my post.

 

[horsey300]

Last year I tested the 130gr TGK with my M18 Mauser. After load development I settled on 42gr of H4350 although R-17 shot almost as well. The H4350 load shot under 1/2" at 100 yards. I had the opportunity to take several does on nuisance permits. The bullet works well at the longer ranges, say 200+ yards, but open up like a BallisticTip at close range. Maximum upset with a lot of tissue damage. I'll go back to my Accubonds.

Curiosity pries: how close was your closest shot? At what angles? And did you get decent penetration or did it grenade under the on side and just fragment in every direction but out?

 

[Joe Texas]

LOL! You can't spell and I can't think. We are a pair ain't we?

Corrected my post.

Take a look at your jug my friend. That is how it is spelled. I don’t know why. Here it is in a sentence. “I knew a reloader once who swore by Reloder 15 for his .308.”

 

[LoonWulf]

View attachment 1003358
Take a look at your jug my friend. That is how it is spelled. I don’t know why. Here it is in a sentence. “I knew a reloader once who swore by Reloder 15 for his .308.”

How funny! I must have gone through 20 pounds of the stuff by now and I never realized that they spelled it with just an "o"

 

[wbm]

Well they can't spell either and I still can't think.

 

[Captcurt]

Yeah, it looked like there was something there with the ELDM above the 38.2 I stopped at. I may explore it after wrapping up with the “proper” 6.5 powders.

I haven't tested Superformance yet, but have loaded a ladder using the 143gr ELDX and a 140gr Speer. All of my loads are hunting loads

Curiosity pries: how close was your closest shot? At what angles? And did you get decent penetration or did it grenade under the on side and just fragment in every direction but out?

Closest shots were around 30 yards with the farthest a measured 256. Most were broadside with a few quartering slightly. I recovered 2 bullets from a couple of longer shots that were angled on the point of the shoulder. One was pretty mangled while the other was a shedded jacket. Inside 100 yards I needed to stay off of the shoulder if I wanted a shoulder roast for the crock pot. If you like BallisticTips you should like the TGK. BTW, the 42gr load was consistently under 1/2" at 100 yards. They shoot real good.

 

[Joe Texas]

Update: I scored 2 pounds of VV N555 yesterday. I will be shooting in order:
• Seating depth test with 130 ELD over 37.0 Varget
• Looking for higher Varget node with 130 ELD @ 38.3, 38.5, 38.7
• H4350 OCW 130 ELD
* N160 OCW 130 ELD
• N555 OCW 130 ELD
• Powder tbd OCW 130 TGK
• 200 yard tests with winners

It may take a few weeks to get it done but I will post velocity, SD, and target pics as I get ‘em tested.

 

[JFrank]

Loaded 50 round seating depth test with 37.0 Varget.

Hornady OAL tool gives me 2.860 to lands with 130 grain ELD-M.

So, I tried to start at 2.855 and go down in .005 increments. Using an RCBS seating die, the COALs varied up to .005 with the same setting.

(Maybe I need to level up to a CBTO tool.)

Anyway, I just started as close as I could to my target and then adjusted stem 1/4 turn down every 5 rounds.

I have 5 rounds each loaded at 10 different depths from about 2.855 (.005 off) to about 2.769.

* Gonna see if my Redding seating die is a little more consistent before giving up.

Will shoot sometime this week.

Perhaps i missed this but nevertheless- Measuring coal is not really a great way except to stay inside the mag, to ensure your seating depth are consistent I suggest you use a base to ogive measurement.