Started getting into reloading just over a year ago, but basically bought all the stuff and it fell off after last hunting season.

I got that new Christensen arms ridgeline I am trying to work a load for now, but I’m running across a variation in max charge for the load.

I’m using Barnes 127 grain LRX’s and I found a Barnes recommendation of 45.0 for max charge with super performance powder.

In my hornady manual, I’m looking at the 129-130 grain class of bullets and it lists max charge for super performance as 46.7
Am I safe to go up to the 46.7 or does the bullet composition make that big of a difference? I’m trying to make just a hunting load so I want to work up a load as hot as possible.

For what it’s worth, I’m not getting the advertised speeds (or anywhere I’d expect accounting for a 20” barrel) with the Barnes recommendation.

The hornady bullets on that weight class hornady provides the load data for are the SST, InterlocK, inter bond, and ELDM

I prefer to go with the Barnes information over all others when using their bullets. Barnes bullets are usually longer than copper jacketed lead bullets. The greater bearing surface between the bullet and barrel apparently makes a big difference.

Barnes publishes velocity based on a 24-inch test barrel. As a rule of thumb, I generally subtract 25 fps for every inch shorter on barrel length. So, you should be running at least 100 fps slower than what's shown in their chart.

It's understandable to want the highest velocity available out of a hunting firearm to help mitigate drop and wind drift. However, it's shot placement and bullet construction that takes down the animal. So, I suggest working toward a load that's most accurate in your rifle and staying away from the max charge. I saw a post on another forum indicating the powder's performance is temperature sensitive. That would be a major reason to stay away from the max load. On a hot day you could exceed max pressures and damage the firearm (and you).

I'm assuming you have the 6.5 Creedmoor model Ridgeline. The Barnes chart shows that 45.0 grains of Superformance to be a compressed load already. Mabe Hornady is getting away with more because their copper jacketed bullets are shorter.

https://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/6.5%20Creedmoor.pdf

The 127 gr Barnes is a good bit longer than a 130 gr copper jacketed bullet. The increased bearing surface requires less powder to achieve similar pressures. That's why as you increase bullet weight the powder charge decreases. I would not assume the 46.7 is safe but there's only one way to find out. Work up until you notice pressure signs, this is the max for your recipe in your rifle.

As for speeds, not uncommon to not get book speeds when working up a load.

Thanks man, and Correct, it’s the creedmoor.

I’m just going to stick to the 45.0 as max. I loaded some at 44.1 that got me at to about an inch at 100yds (center group). I loaded some at 44.0 to see if it improves, but will also try working up til I get some pressure signs or the group increases.

I have 2lbs of h4350 I’m going to use to work up a load with next. I just didn’t want to blow it on learning when I had 4lbs of super performance sitting in the safe.

It’s sighted in with eld-x’s at the moment (Bottom left) and is gonna stay that way til I can match performance with a hand load.

Looks good. I use the 143gr ELD-X in my 6.5 CM and it gets excellent accuracy. Good bullet on game too.


0.1 increments haven't produced significant velocity changes for me with that much powder. That would work with handgun loads. I usually go by 0.5 to find a new hunting rifle load.