124 gr Hammer Hunters in 6.5 PRC

archp625

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I just got 100 of these in and will load some up tonight and pressure test tomorrow. My thought is this

Pressure Test

Rifle: Christensen Arms Ridgeline 6.5 PRC

Brass: ADG

Primers: CCI BR-2

Powder: RL-26

Bullets: 124 Hammer Hunters

CBTO: 2.307” (0.020” off the lands)

Powder Charge​
Velocity​
Notes​
51.5​
52.0​
52.5​
53.0​
53.5​
54.0​
54.5​
55.0​
55.5​
56.0​

Do you thinking I am starting too low? My rifle seems to pressure out faster than most rifles. I was shooting 53.8 gr of RL-26 and was close to pressure signs.
 
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archp625

archp625

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Loaded these up for tomorrow. Either the speed will be lower than expected or I will will not have hit pressure signs. Either way I am trying to get 3000-3100 FPS. I will let you guys know tomorrow.
 

Elkangle

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I was in the mid 3200s and touching 3300 with the 124s...still haven't finished that project but I'm expecting 3250 pretty easily

Was using rl16
 

SDHNTR

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They must cut those chambers super tight. I know a guy, Same rifle, same chambering. Serious pressure signs with factory ammo.
 
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archp625

archp625

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Made it out to the range today to do some pressure testing and chronographing. Here are my results.

51.5-2949 fps
52.0-2978 fps
52.5-2998 fps
53.0-3022 fps
53.5-3030 fps
54.0-3069 fps
54.5-3121 fps
55.0-3105 fps
55.5-3135 fps slight hard bolt lift
56.0-3159 fps

Here is a pic of the target. The highest hole is my first shot with 51.5. I assume its a little high due to it being the first shot after cleaning all the copper out with Eliminator.

Hammer Hunter 124 grain.jpg

The group is 0.66 MOA wide so more than likely my seating depth is pretty good. After speaking with Steve on the phone is told me to load 55.0 and check for ES. I'm going to load some up. Ill let you know tomorrow. I'm sure I could squeeze a little more out of this bullet but for my hunting range I do not see that much benefit of trying to get 3200 fps out of it. Going form 3100 to 3200 would gain me 50 more yards. The speed of 3100 is about 1800 at 700 yards and 3200 fps is 1800 fps at 750 yards.
 
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archp625

archp625

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Well, I am back on the chopping block. I shot two 3 round grounds and got 0.71 and 0.91 MOA with a lot of vertical. I also ran a 5 string ES and SD check. My ED was 35 and SD was 13. This is not good enough for me. So not I am back scratching my head. Steve said don't worry about node and shoot for speed. I've always looked for nodes. I think I'm going to load some up at 53.3 grains.
 

MThuntr

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I wonder if picking a faster powder would be an option like slower than H4350 but faster than RL26?

I see the other post of RL16 but RL22, RL23, Staball6.5 or Hybrid 100V might be options. Just spitballing since I don't have a 6.5 PRC.
 
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archp625

archp625

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I wonder if picking a faster powder would be an option like slower than H4350 but faster than RL26?

I see the other post of RL16 but RL22, RL23, Staball6.5 or Hybrid 100V might be options. Just spitballing since I don't have a 6.5 PRC.
I like where you are going. Problem now is where do I find that stuff. Haha. I have two powders on hand and H-1000 is my other option.
 

MThuntr

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I like where you are going. Problem now is where do I find that stuff. Haha. I have two powders on hand and H-1000 is my other option.
I haven't seen much for Alliant powders but sometimes I see Hybrid 100V and Staball6.5 on that discord alert but you have to be dang fast at the purchase.
 

JakeSCH

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I run the 124 HH (57.0 gr) & 127 LRX (56.9 gr) of RL26 with fired ADG brass and 210M out of a CA Mesa 6.5 PRC. I also seat my bullet .110 off the lands (100y 5 shot groups sub .4 MOA).

This combo is 3198 with STD of 6.2 and ES of 16 over 10 shot strings, which was good enough for me.

Note: I did not hit pressure signs until over 58.2 gr of powder at 3330 FPS.
 
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archp625

archp625

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I run the 124 HH (57.0 gr) & 127 LRX (56.9 gr) of RL26 with fired ADG brass and 210M out of a CA Mesa 6.5 PRC. I also seat my bullet .110 off the lands (100y 5 shot groups sub .4 MOA).

This combo is 3198 with STD of 6.2 and ES of 16 over 10 shot strings, which was good enough for me.

Note: I did not hit pressure signs until over 58.2 gr of powder at 3330 FPS.
This is what I wanted to see. So did you get your load by looking for nodes or find a speed and go with it?

Also are you .110 off the lands due to mag length or that is what you found worked the best?
 

JakeSCH

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This is what I wanted to see. So did you get your load by looking for nodes or find a speed and go with it?

Also are you .110 off the lands due to mag length or that is what you found worked the best?

I ran up to pressure out of curiosity, but finding the node at a speed I am happy with was a win-win. Main reason I don't push it faster is to extend the life of the unobtanium called ADG brass in 6.5 PRC.

.110 off the lands provided best accuracy at 100 yards, but i could get down to 20 though if I wanted

As a side note, for my 300 WM...I run it for speed and don't go after a node so my ES is closer to 30 FPS which is fine for a sub 750 yard hunting rifle.
 
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archp625

archp625

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I think I am calling it good. I redid my ladder test and notice some trends that 54.7 grains of RL-26 got me about 3120 fps. That was also a good node in the middle. I could go in the low 3200's but I have some pressure signs.

I loaded some up today and went and shot on my lunch break. Shot three groups from 0.58 MOA to 0.68 MOA. I also shot 5 for speed average, ES, and SD. Average speed was 3102 fps, ES 18, and SD 8. I'm hoping to get out and confirm some drops this weekend. Ill let you know how accurate the BC numbers are from Hammer.
 

choovhntr

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I’m running the 131 HH in my PRC with RL 23 and mag primers. ADG brass .020 off the lands. I hit very faint pressure signs(slight primer cratering) at 56.5 grains and 3245 FPS. I didn’t go any higher, and probably could run them there but am backing off to 55.5 at 3175 and see how they shoot. I picked this due to same vertical over a 1 gr charge increase. I think I could get more speed from RL 26, but am a little worried about temp stability. My barrel is 24” which seems to be pretty impressive speeds. One thing to remember is that your barrel may speed up after a 100 rounds or more down the tube as well. My point being that if you only have a few rounds through it, the lower charge may turn out to be better speed wise once broken in. I’m still playing around with mine, and going to shoot some groups on Monday. If I find any more helpful data I’ll pass it along.
 
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archp625

archp625

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I’m running the 131 HH in my PRC with RL 23 and mag primers. ADG brass .020 off the lands. I hit very faint pressure signs(slight primer cratering) at 56.5 grains and 3245 FPS. I didn’t go any higher, and probably could run them there but am backing off to 55.5 at 3175 and see how they shoot. I picked this due to same vertical over a 1 gr charge increase. I think I could get more speed from RL 26, but am a little worried about temp stability. My barrel is 24” which seems to be pretty impressive speeds. One thing to remember is that your barrel may speed up after a 100 rounds or more down the tube as well. My point being that if you only have a few rounds through it, the lower charge may turn out to be better speed wise once broken in. I’m still playing around with mine, and going to shoot some groups on Monday. If I find any more helpful data I’ll pass it along.
What twist is your barrel? He recommended the 124's out of a 1:8. I have 700 rounds down the barrel so I am plenty broken in and speeds and plateaued for me. I am plenty happy with 3100. I don't see much of an advantage going to 3200.
 
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