My new to me Howa HCR/6.5 creedmoor

[6.5 CRDMR]

That's a beauty of a Howa!  Mine is all black and I'm considering a paint job.  As of today I have 153 rounds fired mostly looking for nodes.  My best so far is...
143ELDX IMR4350 42grs 2723fps .839" 100 yards 10 shots.

143ELDX Superformance 44.4grs 2804 fps .846" 100 yards 10 shots.

I sure hope I can do better.  I like the trigger but maybe just a wee bit lighter would be nice but I'm not going there.  I really want to stay with a hunting bullet.  Maybe a 140gr SST...or some sort of Nosler. 

I`m kind of looking for the same thing,a 140`ish gr bullet for hunting as well.
I did pick up some Hornady 143gr eldx `s , and put together some loads last night. If I can get my "honey doo`s" done I will get out this afternoon or in the morning sunday. Thanks guys for your comments ! Gary

[Longhair]

That's a beauty of a Howa!  Mine is all black and I'm considering a paint job.  As of today I have 153 rounds fired mostly looking for nodes.  My best so far is...
143ELDX IMR4350 42grs 2723fps .839" 100 yards 10 shots.

143ELDX Superformance 44.4grs 2804 fps .846" 100 yards 10 shots.

I sure hope I can do better.  I like the trigger but maybe just a wee bit lighter would be nice but I'm not going there.  I really want to stay with a hunting bullet.  Maybe a 140gr SST...or some sort of Nosler. 

Better should be do-able.
I haven't loaded any yet, but with factory 147gr ELD-M ammo my 24" APC does pretty well. I'm a shaky old man and don't claim to be any great shooter, but after 2 confirming sighters I put the next 18 into 1.1" @ 100yds.
Now that I've got my multi-cal can out of jail I'll get serious about home brewing and chronographing to see what I can do.

[ManOWar]

Looking around midwayusa and reading bullet reviews I discovered more than one person has been disappointed with the 143ELD-X at less than 300 yards as far as sub .250 groups.  I know my .223 prefers flat base bullets vs  boat tail at 100 yards.

Anyway I've got to work on cheek weld and trigger control and all the usual positioning and breathing behind this rifle.  The trigger is a little heavier than 2 1/2lbs and is close to my other rifles so I'm leaving it.  On to 300 yards to see where they land. 

[6.5 CRDMR]

Had a chance to get some range time with my H.C.R Made up 21 rounds starting 41.0 g -42.0 g of h4350.Using H143gr eldx , 1x h brass and fed205m primers at 2.800". Three rounds each , and 3 foulers/clean barrel . Tried my hand with the Dan Newbery OCW test . My last 3 loads , 41.6 , 41.8 , and 42.0 all had very close POI . Will work on that a bit more, using 41.8 as a starting point ?? I`ve seen some threads guys say between 41.8 to 42.4 a good node is to be had ?? My brass looks good so far,will put a micrometer to them and measure the web on the brass and make sure im under 3 thou increase . Going up a few more tenths of a grain , may show a better poi for the next three ,if not I will work with 41.8...

[Downeast]

I understand that Timney now has a replacement trigger for the Howa HACT trigger. Why they changed triggers is beyond me? The old Howa/Vanguard triggers were excellent and with a little polishing were very smooth. All of mine are crisp at 2 pounds.  I'll be tossing the HACT triggers in both of my Howa's next payday.

[6.5 CRDMR]

Got back out this morning to shoot my H.C.R 6.5 Creedmoor.                                                   
shots were @ 100yards from a bench using bi-pod and rear squeeze bag.
41.6 = 2646  2656 2666 , 1 1/4" 3 shot group
***41.8 = 2704 2704 2714 , 5/8" 3 shot group ***
42.0 = 2715 2721 2737 , 1 5/8" 3 shot group ,
Will get that 41.8 load out 200 300 400 yrs next chance.
Like those 143eldx so far...
H-4350 H-new brass cci br2 primers 
 

[ManOWar]

Got back out this morning to shoot my H.C.R 6.5 Creedmoor.                                                   
shots were @ 100yards from a bench using bi-pod and rear squeeze bag.
41.6 = 2646  2656 2666 , 1 1/4" 3 shot group
***41.8 = 2704 2704 2714 , 5/8" 3 shot group ***
42.0 = 2715 2721 2737 , 1 5/8" 3 shot group ,
Will get that 41.8 load out 200 300 400 yrs next chance.
Like those 143eldx so far...
H-4350 H-new brass cci br2 primers 
 

I stuck with 42grs IMR 4350, 143ELDX and shot three different OAL's. 
-.20 off the lands got me 5 shot .338 at 100 yards.  I shot another series  and confirmed -.20 thru -.25 is where my Howa likes them.
I'm happy with this and might even consider that Timney trigger. 
I shoot a Caldwell Rock off the bench.  Bipod when down in the dirt. 

[6.5 CRDMR]

I stuck with 42grs IMR 4350, 143ELDX and shot three different OAL's. 
-.20 off the lands got me 5 shot .338 at 100 yards.  I shot another series  and confirmed -.20 thru -.25 is where my Howa likes them.
I'm happy with this and might even consider that Timney trigger. 
I shoot a Caldwell Rock off the bench.  Bipod when down in the dirt. 

Thanks for the result`s of your range /load work pal.
I load mine to mag length ,,, 2.800" . That puts me @ 20 thou off lands.
Will confirm load at 200 and 300 while trying a few shorter COAL `s as I go as well. 

[gman47564]

6.5 crdmr even though you shot a 5/8 group at 41.8 I don't think that's where you want to be... I don't think your in a node... the numbers doesn't suggest it and the groups on both sides of it doesn't suggest it... have you tried doing a ocw test ? or a 10 shot velocity ladder test ?  not trying to be negative just telling ya what I see...

[6.5 CRDMR]

Had a chance to get some range time with my H.C.R Made up 21 rounds starting 41.0 g -42.0 g of h4350.Using H143gr eldx , 1x h brass and fed205m primers at 2.800". Three rounds each , and 3 foulers/clean barrel . Tried my hand with the Dan Newbery OCW test . My last 3 loads , 41.6 , 41.8 , and 42.0 all had very close POI . Will work on that a bit more, using 41.8 as a starting point ?? I`ve seen some threads guys say between 41.8 to 42.4 a good node is to be had ?? My brass looks good so far,will put a micrometer to them and measure the web on the brass and make sure im under 3 thou increase . Going up a few more tenths of a grain , may show a better poi for the next three ,if not I will work with 41.8...

Got back out this morning to shoot my H.C.R 6.5 Creedmoor.                                                   
shots were @ 100yards from a bench using bi-pod and rear squeeze bag.
41.6 = 2646  2656 2666 , 1 1/4" 3 shot group
***41.8 = 2704 2704 2714 , 5/8" 3 shot group ***
42.0 = 2715 2721 2737 , 1 5/8" 3 shot group ,
Will get that 41.8 load out 200 300 400 yrs next chance.
Like those 143eldx so far...
H-4350 H-new brass cci br2 primers 
 

6.5 crdmr even though you shot a 5/8 group at 41.8 I don't think that's where you want to be... I don't think your in a node... the numbers doesn't suggest it and the groups on both sides of it doesn't suggest it... have you tried doing a ocw test ? or a 10 shot velocity ladder test ?  not trying to be negative just telling ya what I see...

Grant,  with what I did (or) attempted to do  , I assumed I was at a node with those results ? Hence me trying to get a better look at the loads 41.6 , 41.8 , and 42.0 ? My other 12 loads were not hitting near same poi ,should I have just shot the 41.8 as it was in the middle of my ocw test results , please help away sir .
Thanks in advance... Gary

[gman47564]

just a suggestion gary... load five at 42 five at 42.2 and five at 42.4.   your 42 grain load is trying to shoot 2730's which is a knowen node... I think its just a little shy on powder still.. I think 42.2 and 42.4 will shoot better for ya ...when doing the ten shot ladder test I like to see 3 charges with .2 gr. increases in powder all shoot within 10 fps of each other... the 3 charges your showing here has 65 fps difference or more between them... go up a little higher on powder as long as your not seeing any pressure signs...

[cwmoss]

I gave been following this thread as I have the exact rifle. It does shoot great, still shooting factory stuff to get me some brass. Is there a different bottom metal for this chassis so you can run an aics type magazine? I didn't do enough research when I bought it to know it uses only Howa brand mags.

[Longhair]

Is there a different bottom metal for this chassis so you can run an aics type magazine?

Yes there is. The best one available is from Atlasworxs. It is made of aluminium.
The only other one out there is a polymer.

https://www.atlasworxs.com/products/atlasworxs-dbm-howa-1500-vanguard-weatherby-sa

[cwmoss]

Yes there is. The best one available is from Atlasworxs. It is made of aluminium.
The only other one out there is a polymer.

https://www.atlasworxs.com/products/atlasworxs-dbm-howa-1500-vanguard-weatherby-sa

Thank you so much for the link.

[milprileb]

Cant believe its been over 2 weeks since I`ve been on here for another range report.
Well did put together some loads using 140g Nosler rdf over imr 4451 and 4350 too .41.4 and 41.5 was used. Shot ok but not MOA .Similar to the factory ammo I ran last outing.
Was scratching my head on that one. Also loaded up som Sierra 140g mk , with same two powders and charges. A little closer to MOA but not quite, yet
Got the gun home and thought I would clean the barrel real good, `cause I only ran a bore-snake down it when I first got it home. MY BAD ... That thing was so filthy, I could not believe how much  carbon/powder and a bit of copper as well. Using Hoppe`s #9 along with their copper solvent last...
Went back out today and shot MOA and sub with same loads ,,,SMK 140`s over 4350 the best @ 1 1/4" - 1 1/2" at 200 yards. Very pleased. I will be making some slight tweaks with those loads and get back out as soon as I get another chance .
Question , has anyone used the foam product called wipe-out ? Thanks/quote]

Sir, I used it but since I shoot a large volume ,I have gone to the liquid version of this product: Patch Out.  I use it full strength on my rifles (I also have a Howa 6.5) every 300 rds fired and it will effectively take out copper deposits with harm to bore.  I get my Patch Out from Midway.