Going to start loading 6.5 creedmoor, what brass?

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As some of you know I picked up a bergara hmr a few weeks ago and I plan to start loading for it. I picked up 2 lbs of h4350 today and some large rifle primers. After I shoot up the factory ammo I've bought I'll have about 120 pieces of hornady brass to play with. Should I even mess with the Hornady or just go to lapua, alpha, ect? I see that they use small rifle primers and most people run the 450's in them. Just wondering if it's worth the time to do load development with large primers only to potentially change brass down the road and have to do load development again. Also what kind of SD/ES are y'all getting from Hornady brass? Lapua, alpha, Peterson?
 
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I have not shot Peterson, but I intend to. The price looks right, it is USA made, and it is gaining popularity with PRS shooters.

I shoot Lapua and am beginning to question its "superiority" over other premium case manufacturers. I do turn the necks on Lapua because of variance, and trim to length initially, then only as needed, so I believe that Hornady and Peterson, can probably match that at better prices.

Peterson makes a big deal about their internal case volume and they are the only ones that I am aware of doing it. I have not measured to compare, but I am sure someone on the internet has to verify it, or label it marketing only.
 
Lapua.......but however I consider Hornady to be very good also.

I don't know who all makes 6.5 creed brass, but........Norma, Nosler comes to mind and Starline just started getting into Rifle brass. Starlines Straight wall brass is excellent, maybe the same will be for rifle?
Most everything else will be OK too, it may take some more sorting and turning. Ive got some Remington brass that turned out good.....but out of 100 pcs they were sorted into groups based on weight after turning and trimming. Juat gotta document the differences and keep them in their separate cases.
 
There's nothing wrong with the Hornady. Unless you want to spend more money. My Hornady LP brass, will group .5" at 300yards with 5 shots. Why spend more? Use the Hornady until it's not any good, probably between 6-12 firings and then get a dif. Brand if you want.

Or, I'll buy your Hornady brass, to help you fund the different brand
 
There's nothing wrong with the Hornady. Unless you want to spend more money. My Hornady LP brass, will group .5" at 300yards with 5 shots. Why spend more? Use the Hornady until it's not any good, probably between 6-12 firings and then get a dif. Brand if you want.

Or, I'll buy your Hornady brass, to help you fund the different brand

Whats your load and what speed? One of the big reasons I see people going to small primer is more material around the primer pocket and the ability to use 450's which are said to have a harder cup and withstand higher pressure better. My manual states 39.5 gr of h4350 as the max load running just under 2600 fps but from what I've been reading people are finding that the book numbers are very conservative and that you can actually push upwards of 41-42 grs running 2700-2800 before seeing pressure signs.
 
Whats your load and what speed? One of the big reasons I see people going to small primer is more material around the primer pocket and the ability to use 450's which are said to have a harder cup and withstand higher pressure better. My manual states 39.5 gr of h4350 as the max load running just under 2600 fps but from what I've been reading people are finding that the book numbers are very conservative and that you can actually push upwards of 41-42 grs running 2700-2800 before seeing pressure signs.
I loaded from 40-42.8, best group was with 140gr eld, 40.3gr of 4350. But 40.2 and 40.4 shot the same so I load in the middle. On the CM forum, some guys are pushing 43+!! I'm running mine right at 2700fps, the Chrono was acting up that day and didn't get good readings.
 
I loaded from 40-42.8, best group was with 140gr eld, 40.3gr of 4350. But 40.2 and 40.4 shot the same so I load in the middle. On the CM forum, some guys are pushing 43+!! I'm running mine right at 2700fps, the Chrono was acting up that day and didn't get good readings.

My understanding is the Lapua small rifle primered brass hole is smaller than standard. So, you have to turn down a decapping pin to fit it or buy a different die. I can’t remember which die set but I have talked with others that just turned down their decapping pin.
 
My understanding is the Lapua small rifle primered brass hole is smaller than standard. So, you have to turn down a decapping pin to fit it or buy a different die. I can’t remember which die set but I have talked with others that just turned down their decapping pin.
I don't know it they're the same size, I don't have any issues with Forster die pins fitting 6.5 Grendel Lapua brass.
 
I have loaded and shot Hornady LRP Brass with no issue. I also picked up a few hundred SRP cases from Peterson from Euro Optic and it looks really nice.

Someday I will have a place to shoot this thing and actually be able to make comparisons.
 
Hornady new production ( over the last 6 months) for some reason have been garabge...even at mild loads some are getting 2-3 (at most) firings. Don't know if they changed their brass make up or what. Alpha if on a budget....Lapua is trying to split hairs for the performance of the small rifle primer.

My understanding is the Lapua small rifle primered brass hole is smaller than standard. So, you have to turn down a decapping pin to fit it or buy a different die. I can’t remember which die set but I have talked with others that just turned down their decapping pin.
I don't know it they're the same size, I don't have any issues with Forster die pins fitting 6.5 Grendel Lapua brass.

They can be. Benchrest brass tends to be on the tighter side. I use Mighty Armory for my Dasher brass. Or chuck up your decapping pin in a drill chuck, some water and sand paper.
 
Whats your load and what speed? One of the big reasons I see people going to small primer is more material around the primer pocket and the ability to use 450's which are said to have a harder cup and withstand higher pressure better. My manual states 39.5 gr of h4350 as the max load running just under 2600 fps but from what I've been reading people are finding that the book numbers are very conservative and that you can actually push upwards of 41-42 grs running 2700-2800 before seeing pressure signs.
It's also the flame of the SR primer is more consistent for ignition.
 
Shot yesterday and honestly thinking about not loading for this gun... American Gunner is shooting a consistent .5-.75" out of my rifle and I can get it for 70 cents each shipped. Hornady brass sells for 30-35 cents each so I'd be shooting for about 35-40 cent a round. Did the math on components and I'd be around 66 cents each for handloads plus the time put into load development and spent at the bench.

What would you do?
 
Factory ammo is fine but if you want to control the components and assembly you need to load. Factory ammo batches can change from production to production even with great QC. The next batch you get may not shoot the same as this lot number. YMMV..................
 
Factory ammo is fine but if you want to control the components and assembly you need to load. Factory ammo batches can change from production to production even with great QC. The next batch you get may not shoot the same as this lot number. YMMV..................

That was something that crossed my mind. Guess I need to snag another box to test that.
 
Shot yesterday and honestly thinking about not loading for this gun... American Gunner is shooting a consistent .5-.75" out of my rifle and I can get it for 70 cents each shipped. Hornady brass sells for 30-35 cents each so I'd be shooting for about 35-40 cent a round. Did the math on components and I'd be around 66 cents each for handloads plus the time put into load development and spent at the bench.

What would you do?

The American Gunner ammo is fantastic for factory ammo. But, having said that, I am going to reload my own. It gives me something to do and keeps me outta trouble...which my wife will attest too:eek:
 
Shot yesterday and honestly thinking about not loading for this gun... American Gunner is shooting a consistent .5-.75" out of my rifle and I can get it for 70 cents each shipped. Hornady brass sells for 30-35 cents each so I'd be shooting for about 35-40 cent a round. Did the math on components and I'd be around 66 cents each for handloads plus the time put into load development and spent at the bench.

What would you do?

I did the same math and then bought a bunch of Am Gunner for barrel break in and "for the brass". That was some fine shooting ammo, as you said right therE at .5MOA.
 
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