Thread: First Reloads - Evening Session

Yesterday afternoon, I was lucky enough to be invited out to a Forum members farm to do a bit of sighting in over a chrono.
Thank you to that forum member, you know who you are!

This was an exciting evening; it was the first time firing my Brand-New Hells Canyon, first time that I have ever tried my own reloads and first time using a muzzle brake.

6.5 Grendel
First up, I needed to re-sight in my 6.5 Grendel Howa Mini (20in Standard Barrel, DPT Suppressed).
The VX5HD that was mounted on this, has since moved to the Hells Canyon, and it was now wearing a 3.5-10 VX3.

I have always used the Factory Hornady Black 123gr ELD-M with this rifle, and in its early days had some mixed results.

Previous Chrono data;
Fouling = 2429
2 = 2444
3 = 2405
4 = 2471
5 = 2435
6 = 2443
7 = 2418
Average (excluding Fouling / Cold Bore) = 2436
ES (excluding Fouling / Cold Bore) = 66

Last night’s Chrono data;
Cold Bore = 2430
2 = 2473
3 = 2469
4 = 2470
5 = 2460
6 = 2471
7 = 2474
Average (excluding Cold Bore) = 2469.5
ES (excluding Cold Bore) = 14

After the above, I am glad I stuck to this round, goes to show after a couple boxes of Ammo, things can settle down!
Convinced for the time being that I don't need to look at reloading for this cartridge.

6.5 PRC
Next up, I needed to ensure the 6.5 PRC Hells Canyon now wearing the VX5HD, was on paper (26in Barrel, Factory Radial Brake).
I will admit, I was a little nervous about recoil on this! Previously owned a Suppressed Sauer 100 7mm08, and would kick the crap out of me, more recently owned a Suppressed X-Bolt 7mm08 and it doesn't bother me.
However, 90% of my shooting lately has been done with the unnoticeable recoil of the Suppressed Grendel. So, yes, jumping from the Grendel to the PRC had me apprehensive.

Box of Factory Nosler 140gr BT's opened!
Well, after the first shot, the nerves were gone! I cannot believe how much the Radial Brake works! Recoil was less than the X-Bolt 7mm08, and muzzle lift was almost non-existent! - Absolutely stoked!
Fouling / Cold Bore = 2646
2 = 2590
3 = 2576
4 = 2607
5 = 2650
6 = 2657
7 = 2474
Average (excluding Cold Bore) = 2616
ES (excluding Cold Bore) = 81

Soo... Not so flash. *Bad joke alert*, need to make sure I didn't just use Creedmoor ammunition, as those velocities are not where I would have expected them!
Now, granted, this is a brand spanking new barrel, so some sort of break in needs to occur.
That being said, the above data was taken with a grain of salt.

Now, first reloads to test.
Once fired (not in this rifle) Hornady Brass, FL resized, Federal 210M, 143gr ELD-X Projectile and 2217 Powder. All loaded to SAAMI length.
Disclaimer, I have been told that both being a new rifle, and someone else’s once fired brass, or even using virgin brass in not going to necessarily provide usable data. So, if anything at least this whole exercise provided 26 rounds towards barrel break in.

ADI Min = 51.1 grain with expected 2708 fps
ADI Max = 58.1 grain (C) with expected 2917 fps

1. 51.1 2430
2. 51.1 2473
3. 51.1 2469
4. 51.1 2470
5. 51.1 2460
6. 51.4 2532
7. 51.7 2548
I believe when I loaded these, I had decided working from min to max in .3 increments would use a lot of precious components. I am unsure why I instead of moving in 0.5+ increments, I just decided to start higher up the charge scale.
8. 55.4 2797
9. 55.7 2822
10. 56.0 2877
11. 56.3 2864
12. 56.9 2886
13. 57.2 2844
14. 57.5 2856
15. 57.8 2903
16. 58.1 2921

Primers looked great all the way through, at no point did I experience a heavy bolt lift.
The only items of note were some slight ejector marks on 57.8 and 58.1.

Things to take away from this session.
- I need to refine my Brass Trimming and Case Resizing (Some rounds were slightly more difficult to chamber than others.
- I need to find a system that allows me to be as consistent as possible whilst reloading.

All in all, I had a great night, and I am very appreciative of the invite.

Now to dive right, head first and blindfolded down the rabbit hole of reloading!