Updated 6.5 Creedmoor! (On STEROIDS!)

ONE-TEN

ONE-TEN

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Has everyone this?
https://gundigest.com/gear-ammo/ammunition/federal-6-5-creedmoor-peak

Federal ammunition has released its “+Peak” cartridges in a new Alloy reloadable case. These new Alloy cases can withstand loaded to 80,000PSI safely. (So they say.) They are claiming 3100fps with 130rd bullets, and 2900fps with 155gr pills. Which, to me, sounds impressive. And by impressive, I mean WILD! 80,000psi is scary!
 
I have one. It's a Thompson center.
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Unless I was load for Elk at 500+ yards, I don't see any need for pushing the chamber pressure that high.

I've never had factory ammo loaded close to Pmax, ever come close to the accuracy of my hand loads that are loaded well down in the pressure range but matched to the Optimum Bullet Time for my barrels.
 
Federal wants to compete with Hornady by standardizing a new case alloy such that 80k PSI is a more common option?

Cool! :cool:

I wonder what the load data looks like, especially since they're claiming less recoil than 6.5 PRC, which is already the mildest of the PRC cartridges.
Federal says that 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak is “only the start” of this new era of ammunition technology, and that means the company will probably be using its Peak Alloy cases to revolutionize other calibers down the road as well.
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Can't wait to see them do it with something in the 30 caliber family, like a 30-06 or 308 WIN. Doubt they'd want to do any belted magnums, but the 300 WIN MAG is still very common, and all the PRCs are Hornady's babies.

From Federal's page:
The Peak Alloy case is also reloadable when following Federal’s lab-tested processes and data.

Federal’s 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak is reloadable, and we’re offering unprimed cases for handloaders after launch.
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That's probably what's going to help this be a "winner", because their 7mm BC wasn't reloadable, but if what they learned there permits the 7mm BC to become reloadable, as well as other cartridges? That would be pretty cool.

Cases hitting higher pressures also opens up a lot of opportunities for "small" or "intermediate" cartridges to start punching well above their current performance. And if the chambers aren't brand new or exotic, then barrel life will be shorter, but folks also won't be spending more than they already are when pursuing maximum velocity rather than being maximally efficient.

I also wonder if this might give then a chance to "solve" their velocity problem with the 338 Federal, and bring that cartridge back again, especially with the continued growth in the .338/8.6mm projectile family.
 
A number of years ago Catalyst Game Labs came up with a new ruleset for Battletech which streamlined the overall game. Instead of a session being "Monopoly" levels of time commitment, ~3-4 hours and lots of dice rolling and bubble filling on tracking sheets, the changes would remove a lot of complications and make it more user friendly.

In theory.

Battletech.webp


What actually ended up happening is that folks took the opportunity to increase the number of units in a game session so that instead of the games being shortened, the time commitment remained the same, if not more, once accounting for the new units that needed to be painted and assembled before a session.

If getting "full power" cartridges into "Magnum" territory is the only way the tech goes, I'd wager it won't be as successful overall unless they also look at getting "intermediate" cartridges up into "full power" territory as well. If we can get a 6.5CM to act like a 6.5PRC, why can't a 6.5G to act like a 6.5CM? Or a 300 AAC BLK or 30 BR act like 308 WIN?

What we've got today is usually fine, but with higher pressures we could get to the same place with less powder, and we'd still have the "standard" pressure loadings for higher volume lower recoil for when we're not trying to snipe a gnat of an elk's butt at 1000yds.
 

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Shooters have been reloading the 7mm BC Peak cases when Lee started selling die sets and the velocity results are lower than the factory rounds because
Federal is using a special powder blend that mere mortals can't be trusted with.
( https://www.americanhunter.org/content/reloading-7mm-backcountry-with-lee-precision-dies/ )
Awhile ago a small circle of 50 Bmg shooters experimented with powder blending and had some very good results.
But is was a very tedious process, as a single case was loaded with a measured and mixed charge, not just different powders mixed up in a large container and dumped into a case.
The brass case was always the limiting factor.
I like the fact that some manufacturers are pushing the envelope and maybe this newer tech will improve over the years to include smaller cartridges.
Smaller cartridges with special blended projos that won't blow up when pushed to extreme velocity and rotational forces that these new cases can push them to.
SJC
 
So, I’m sure by now you’re wondering how many times can 7mm BC cased be reloaded. The short answer I was given was: “A lot.” Although there wasn’t enough time to test the lifespan of reloadable 7mm BC cases firsthand, I trust the engineers have examined this thoroughly.
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One of the struggles in aerospace engineering is that using aluminum means there is a finite failure point at some future work cycle, because it doesn't have an "endurance limit". You can fatigue it, even gently, and eventually it'll yield, and probably not in an entirely predictable manner. Steel doesn't have that problem, which is why we make springs and bridges and buildings out of steel, because they can be cycled to within a certain load range without permanent deformation or failure. They might sag a bit but they don't break catastrophically under "normal use".

Airplanes with aluminum frames and skin have a finite lifecycle (think about cabin pressure changes every takeoff and landing), and they're finding the same with carbon fibers currently being used, and so material science has always been a cutting edge of almost any engineering field. What we make things out of makes a huge difference, can change a lot of what's important in a design.

The Boeing 787, for example, has a metal skeleton specifically to disperse the energy from lightning strikes, which was a brand new thing because every other airplane prior to that point had conductive skin and structure.

Copper and its alloys (like brass) behave more like aluminum than steel, which is why annealing is relevant to reloading, because we're trying to use heat to restore certain physical properties. If even with 80k PSI the "+Peak alloy" cases aren't being fatigued beyond the "endurance limit" (maybe due to chamber support?), that would explain why they can't identify a finite limit to how many times the cases could be reloaded, and it wouldn't even be voodoo "engineering" magic. 😁
 
chronoblip said:
One of the struggles in aerospace engineering is that using aluminum means there is a finite failure point at some future work cycle, because it doesn't have an "endurance limit". You can fatigue it, even gently, and eventually it'll yield, and probably not in an entirely predictable manner. Steel doesn't have that problem, which is why we make springs and bridges and buildings out of steel, because they can be cycled to within a certain load range without permanent deformation or failure. They might sag a bit but they don't break catastrophically under "normal use".

Airplanes with aluminum frames and skin have a finite lifecycle (think about cabin pressure changes every takeoff and landing), and they're finding the same with carbon fibers currently being used, and so material science has always been a cutting edge of almost any engineering field. What we make things out of makes a huge difference, can change a lot of what's important in a design.

The Boeing 787, for example, has a metal skeleton specifically to disperse the energy from lightning strikes, which was a brand new thing because every other airplane prior to that point had conductive skin and structure.

Copper and its alloys (like brass) behave more like aluminum than steel, which is why annealing is relevant to reloading, because we're trying to use heat to restore certain physical properties. If even with 80k PSI the "+Peak alloy" cases aren't being fatigued beyond the "endurance limit" (maybe due to chamber support?), that would explain why they can't identify a finite limit to how many times the cases could be reloaded, and it wouldn't even be voodoo "engineering" magic. 😁
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That’s a reason I love Titanium so much. Has the strength and endurance limit like Steel, but the weight much closer to that of Aluminum. Titanium cases would be the best answer. However, the cost would be unreal! Not to mention, it would decrease the life of reloading equipment. Dies would not last. It has been used in the past. But I can’t really see it being a viable option. Simply because of cost.
 
Another problem in reloading these is SAAMI. SAAMI isn’t going to change simply because Federal thinks this is the new way. And manuals like Lyman & Speer have been notoriously been printing DOWNLOADED recipes for the last 6+ decades! I’m sure they have their Lawyers all over that! Reloaders have been loading to 65K PSI for many years. But 80k is on a whole new level.

Also, Federal is making a point about the Nickel Finish not being damaged. So no cutting. They maintain the cases will not stretch. Much like Ackley Improved cases. But it’s stressed, NO cutting whatsoever. And I think I know why. The Nickel is the only barrier to elements reaching the Steel surface. So any crack or chip of the Nickel and rest assured, corrosion will find its way to the Steel. And if any corrosion compromises the case, to allow
80,000PSI have its way, well… that’s an eye opening, and quite sobering thought.
 
ONE-TEN said:
Has everyone this?
https://gundigest.com/gear-ammo/ammunition/federal-6-5-creedmoor-peak

Federal ammunition has released its “+Peak” cartridges in a new Alloy reloadable case. These new Alloy cases can withstand loaded to 80,000PSI safely. (So they say.) They are claiming 3100fps with 130rd bullets, and 2900fps with 155gr pills. Which, to me, sounds impressive. And by impressive, I mean WILD! 80,000psi is scary!
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I just read this. Yeah, sounds impressive but I have to agree, I'll stick with hand loads.
 

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