Just bought 2 of them. Anybody have a good starting load?

Work up to 41-42g Varget with 140 Accubonds. That'll handle 95% of anything in N America.

140 gr

42.0 to 43.0 H-4350

And the sun rises in the east.

Those were the 2 powders I was thinking of.

I did this with sierra matchkings setting it to factory COAL with cci 200 (whatever the regular large rifle primer is), new hornady brass and I got wonderful results. FYI, it was in an AR.

Goodness, Ricky Bobby! Where are you getting this data. That amount of powder charge with Varget and a 140 grain bullet would be super HOT! I'm showing 41 grains as hot, and I didn't even run the 42 grain data. It certainly would not be a load to start with.

First of all, I wrote WORK UP. Secondly, 41g Varget gets me 2820 fps in my custom Mcwhorter, and 41.5 gets me much the same in a couple of T3's. I watch the chrono religiously when working up loads, and as you know you cannot have high velocities without high pressures. I don't consider a 140 AB going 2800'ish excessive velocity.

You are North of 70K psi with those loads with a 140 AB, which almost makes those loads a proof load. To get those speeds with Varget, that's a hot load, 100%. Just be careful, especially out of a Tikka.

With all due respect, whatever data you're looking at, including QuickLoad, is and educated guess. Without lap testing with pressure gauges, etc all one can do is guess, which is why I watch the chrono so closely. My "guess" is no way it's close to 70k, but I do agree to be careful.


Kind of baffled what data you're looking at. I found the following "guesstimates" rather easily:
Nosler data has a 42gr load at 2850fps.
Hodgdon data has 42.2g at 2819 and 49,5K CUP

I don't see anywhere in any reloading manual that I own that gets even close to the 40 grain or more powder charge, including Nosler (see link below). And I don't guess, I calculate. I also have many rounds down range, especially in the 6.5 CM. I have my Speedmoor load that runs a 140 grain 2850 fps in a 24" barrel. Without going into the details of my proprietary load, I can tell you 100% that Varget and those speeds is 100% well over normal pressure. You should see this in your primer pockets also. The brass will be worn out in no time.

https://load-data.nosler.com/load-data/65-creedmoor/

Where? Please post up this info you have.

OH HELLS BELLS.........I AM GIVING OUT MY 7MM08 DATA........PLEASE DISREGARD MY DUMBASSS COMMENTS.

Thanks for pointing this out Chad. Sorry to the OP for the data presented.

6.5 Creed Load Article

Above is an article on 6.5 Creed loads many are using in competition. H4350 seems to be the gold standard with 42.0 to 43.0 and range as JG and Chad have indicated. Both my loads fall into this range for accuracy. I would heed their advice and watch for pressure signs.

40.0 gr is Hodgdon's published maximum of H-4350 under a 140 gr. And I can tell you that is lawyer

Even suppressed (which adds chamber pressure) they live around 42.0 gr.

I love it. Kinda reminds me of my military days(1964-1968) listening to Armorers and Gunny Sgts arguing the same damn things. Regardless, this is a couple of new Thompson Contenders that I bought new from Cabelas for $225 plus tax. No idea what kind of pressures they will handle. I'll start low and see how things work out. I'll be using IMR 4350 because I have a lot of it. If I don't like the results, I'll go to the safe for another gun. I have plenty.

work up to

41.5 RL-16
143 ELDX
2.85 OAL
20" barrel
2723 FPS

Randy Selby has a YouTube Channel called The Real Gunsmith.
He has a video or two that some may find interesting.

44gr of superformance 2830fps (fastest)
39.8gr H4350 (2720fps) is the most accurate out of my gun

I have read that IMR 4350 typically shoots better the more of it you put in the case. My experiences mirrored what I had read when loading it for a couple 243's.

Jason is right - the vast majority of 6.5 CM rifles will have a node between 42 and 43 grains of H-4350 with a 140 bullet.