I am trying to reload for my Christensen Arms Mesa 6.5 PRC. Barrel length with brake 23.5 inches. Bullets are 140 gr Berger VLD and Hornady 143 gr ELD X. Norma brass.
The rifle groups Norma Match 143 grain very well but poor SD and ES.
I have tried US869, H1000 and H4831 SC. Poor ES, SD and groups.
Any advice is greatly appreciated.
I use VV N565 exclusively in my 6.5 PRC. I shoot the Lapua 139 Scenar and Lapua brass. My load gives me consistent 20 ES or better and SD under 5. This combination is the most consistent I’ve ever loaded.
Thank you. I recently purchased VV 568 and Ramshot Hunter to try. If VV 568 doesn’t shoot, I will buy a container of VV 565.
Stick with H1000 or N565/568 use a mandrel die with a .262 mandrel to set your neck tension and use standard large rifle primer’s fed 210 or cci 200 and finally adjust powder charges in 0.2 gr above and below your chosen charge weight hopefully this helps
Thank you Chapa. I appreciate good input. 6.5 PRC has been never ending rabbit trails so far.
I am loading for my CA Ridgeline. I use N565 with 143 ELDx, Berger 140 VLD, and Berger 156. I didn’t have great results with ELDx. I have a .5 moa load for the Bergers. I tried Magpro and Staball HB with mediocre results. I was using Hornady brass, but am now using Lapua brass. ES is within 20 fps and SD is below 10. H1000 should work great, with similar charge weight and velocity as N565. I believe H1000 is more temp stable.
Thank you Viper. I will retry H1000 and make a new attempt with VV565. I know the rifle will shoot, I just keep chasing rabbit trails with reloading.
Some of the things I have found to cause poor ES/SD . This is assuming your case prep is good . 1- Neck tension , so to much / not enough or inconsistent . 2- Primers , try different ones and make sure they are seated correctly and consistent for one to another . 3- Powder , some barrels don’t like certain powders as well as make sure the charge is the same and make sure you powder is around 50% humidity or slightly less . Keep it in a good place and don’t load months or years ahead of your shooting . Neck tension and powder problems arise unless kept in a conditioned area and necks were coated with moly to stop reaction between 2 different metals , copper and Brass . Check Barrel for carbon and copper buildup especially around throat and chamber neck where Carbon ring can form . Good Luck !
Thank you for the input rc65cw. I appreciate the additional advice. I am always open to trying different things to improve my reload results.