6.5 Creedmoor - 140gr Barnes Match Burner with AA4350 and N550

Published on January 8, 2018
Duration: 31:46

This video details a reloading process for the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge using 140gr Barnes Match Burner bullets. It explores two new powders for the channel: Accurate 4350 and Vihtavuori N550, with a focus on load development and accuracy testing in a Thompson Center Compass. The presenter, an experienced firearms instructor, highlights the importance of careful load work-up, consistent seating depth, and notes potential issues like hangfires encountered with Vihtavuori N550, promising a follow-up investigation.

Quick Summary

When reloading 6.5 Creedmoor with 140gr Barnes Match Burner bullets, Accurate 4350 showed potential for accuracy with some groups under 0.6 inches, but also exhibited vertical stringing. Vihtavuori N550, however, presented significant hangfire issues and low velocities, with investigation revealing reddish, clumped powder granules.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: 6.5 Creedmoor Reloading Test
  2. 00:11Bullet: 140gr Barnes Match Burner
  3. 00:52Powder 1: Accurate 4350 Introduction
  4. 01:19Powder 2: Vihtavuori N550 Introduction
  5. 02:33Primers & Brass: CCI 450 & Starline Small Primer
  6. 03:32Load Data Challenges & Work-up Strategy
  7. 04:49Accurate 4350 Load Range (40.5-42.5 grains)
  8. 05:04Vihtavuori N550 Load Range (36.0-38.0 grains)
  9. 06:01Bullet Seating & Overall Length (2.875 inches)
  10. 07:06Priming Cases
  11. 07:35Weighing Accurate 4350 Charges
  12. 08:00Seating Bullets to Target OAL
  13. 09:22Seating Vihtavuori N550 Bullets
  14. 09:57Range Setup: Thompson Center Compass
  15. 11:27Accurate 4350: 40.5 Grains Test
  16. 12:15Accurate 4350: 41.0 Grains Test
  17. 13:10Accurate 4350: 41.5 Grains Test
  18. 13:48Accurate 4350: 42.0 Grains Test
  19. 14:11Accurate 4350: 42.5 Grains Test
  20. 14:50Vihtavuori N550: 36.0 Grains Test
  21. 15:41Misfire & Hangfire Issues with N550
  22. 16:48Vihtavuori N550: 36.5 Grains Test
  23. 17:28Vihtavuori N550: 37.0 Grains Test
  24. 17:37Vihtavuori N550: 37.5 Grains Test
  25. 18:23Calling End of Range Session Due to N550 Issues
  26. 18:49Post-Range Analysis: Misfire Investigation
  27. 19:44Discovery of Reddish Powder Granules
  28. 20:35Recap of Hangfire/Misfire Chain of Events
  29. 22:12Accurate 4350: No Issues Encountered
  30. 22:21Vihtavuori N550: Immediate Hangfires
  31. 22:51Plan for Follow-up Hangfire Investigation Video
  32. 24:20Brass Inspection: Accurate 4350 & N550
  33. 26:04Accurate 4350 Group Analysis
  34. 28:00Vihtavuori N550 Analysis: Velocities & Groups
  35. 30:26Learning Opportunity: N550 as a Test Platform
  36. 31:27Support Channel & Affiliate Links

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the recommended load ranges for 6.5 Creedmoor with 140gr Barnes Match Burner bullets using Accurate 4350 and Vihtavuori N550?

For Accurate 4350, the test started at 40.5 grains and worked up to 42.5 grains in 0.5-grain increments. For Vihtavuori N550, the range was 36.0 to 38.0 grains in 0.5-grain increments, though significant hangfire issues were encountered with N550.

What issues were encountered when reloading 6.5 Creedmoor with Vihtavuori N550 powder?

The primary issues with Vihtavuori N550 were frequent hangfires, one misfire, and extremely low velocities. Investigation revealed reddish, clumped powder granules, suggesting a potential powder degradation problem that requires further study.

What is the recommended overall cartridge length for the 140gr Barnes Match Burner in 6.5 Creedmoor?

Barnes recommends an overall length of 2.7 inches. In this test, a longer length of 2.875 inches was used, which was approximately 0.015 inches off the lands in the Thompson Center Compass rifle and still fit in the magazine.

How did Accurate 4350 perform with 140gr Barnes Match Burner bullets in 6.5 Creedmoor?

Accurate 4350 showed potential for accuracy, with some groups under 0.6 inches. However, it also exhibited significant vertical stringing at different charge weights, indicating that further load refinement is needed to find a consistently accurate charge.

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