6.5 Creed-moor 120 ELD-M

I might as well kick the can and start the first post in the reloading section.

The Rifle I am loading for is a Savage Model 12 Long Range Precision chambered in 6.5 CM. This version has an H&S Precision Stock and the Target Accu-Trigger. It has a 20 MOA Scope Base. For Glass it has a Leupold MK3-HD 8-24X50 TMR-P5 Scope. The Scope has the Tactical Milling Reticle, and adjusts in .1 Mil Clicks. This is my first Mil Dialing Tactical Scope.

The Handgun I am loading for is a Nosler M48 NCH also in 6.5 CM. For Glass it has a Weaver Classic Extreme 2.5-10X50 Rifle Scope. This is a very serious deer harvesting piece of machinery. Also a great range toy.

THE LOAD
Brass: Hornady
Bullets: Hornady 120 Grain ELD-M
Powder: RL17
Primers: Federal Large Rifle Match
Powder Charge: 43.0 grains
NOTE: This is below a maximum load in the Hornady 11th Edition.
As always start your load development using a Reloading Manual, start well below a maximum load and work up using caution.

Velocity 26" Barrel Model 12 Long Range Precision: 2,994.47 FPS
Velocity 15" Barrel Nosler M48 NCH Handgun: 2,630.75 FPS

I took the Model 12 LRP Rifle to the Range today to check my Log Book Come-Up Chart. I shot steel plates painted White with a Red Aiming Dot. I shot at 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 yards. All loads were on or extremely close to the Aiming Dot. My Drop Chart was Dead On at all Ranges. I am impressed with the Ballistic Program I was using (Shooters Calculator.com). The Rifle and Ammunition shot under MOA all the way to 600 yards. This was the first time that I had shot it past 100 yards getting a Zero on the scope. I just purchased the Model 12 on Friday, so I am very happy with it's performance. It's a Keeper.

Bob R

I have a Savage 110 varmint .223. I found a great load for it. Rocky mountain reloading 69 grain bullets. With H335. Pic is at 100 yards.

CoalCrackerAl said:

I have a Savage 110 varmint .223. I found a great load for it. Rocky mountain reloading 69 grain bullets. With H335. Pic is at 100 yards.
View attachment 30

Click to expand...

Nice.

My model 12 liked 140gr. Eld's. I know its boring because everyone uses it, but it just worked. Cant remember the exact load at the moment.
Never tried anything else, as I switched to a 6BR barrel for this year. Happy Loading!

I prefer heavy bullets... for paper poking, not hunting. I get good results out of the 142grn SMK and H4350 in a friend's model 10 in an Oryx stock.

I find that every barrel is slightly different and it is almost impossible to predict what bullet weight and shape and seating depth will produce the best performance as far as accuracy is concerned.

Two of my 3 6.5mm CMs like bullets from 140 to 147 but the third likes bullets from 120 to 140. They all shoot accurately, but there is a slight preference with each barrel.

If you are intending to shoot at longer distances, you might find that heavier bullets perform better, just because they maintain velocity over distance better and are slightly less effected by wind. Heavier bullets generally have higher BCs and that also helps accuracy at distance.

I find that Berger 140 Hybrids, most ELD-Ms, and the 142 SMK perform very well and the 130 TMKs perform well in the rifle with lighter bullet preferences. The old design 140 SMKs didn't perform as well as any of the others.
I have had the best results using H4350 or IMR4451 powder.
RL-17 seemed to favor lighter bullets in my barrel so you are in its performance range with 120 gr bullets.

I have been shooting 120's for a while. My first 6.5 is a 6.5X30 JDJ Super 14 Contender. I have been loading for it for probably close to 30 years. My second 6.5, a 6.5 Creed moor is a Nosler M48 NCH Handgun with a 15 Inch Barrel. My preference for 120 was due to their performance in Handguns, keeping the velocity up. I may try some heavier bullets in the Model 12 LRP as time goes by.

Bob R