Thread: 6.5 Creedmoor load development

I’ve been doing some Quickload modelling of the AR2209 loads listed in post #53 with @Wingman’s dimensions and the speeds are pretty much as expected. The modelled chamber pressure however is the same as the RL-16 loads that give 250-300fps higher velocity and considerably less pressure signs.

I have had problems getting AR2209 to model correctly in Quickload for my validated (drop tested) velocities, except I have the opposite problem, I have to increase the burn rate to match higher actual velocity compared to modelled velocity.

At the end of the day, I don’t think Wingman’s AR2209 velocities are too low per se. They compare pretty closely to many others listed on the interweb. The pressure signs at 41.5gr however are significantly different to the normal experience. I tested the exact same powder charge in my rifle during load development and didnt get a hint of pressure.

I think this is a case of Wingman’s barrel doesn’t like that particular batch of AR2209 as much as it likes RL-16 for whatever complicated interior ballistics reasons that I’ll never understand. Whether it would behave itself with another batch is probably a moot point.

What’s great about this thread is that it proves something we read about reloading but sometimes (often?) fail to put into practice. And that is perseverance. I know I’ve stopped at a point where its a case of meh, well, could be better, but can’t be bothered. That’s for a near enough is good enough kind of load, like my .308 woods gun. But if you want to shoot goats in the head at 500m, this is the kind of effort you’ve got to put in. So thanks for sharing Wingman.