First testing with RS62

gixer1

Well-Known Member
Firstly, thanks to @Malxwal for saving me for a semi-illegal drive for powder! And @25 Sharps and @JockStalk for the info.

so I tested the first 6.5CM loads with RS62, seems a lot cleaner that the N160.

120gr Sierra SP’s loaded from 39gr up incrementally to 43gr and all with MSRP’s new Lapua brass and at a COAL of 2.73”,

Also loaded some 140gr SPBT sierras, same charge starting point, primer and brass and a COAL of 2.75”.

I was simply loading for chrono figures and pressure signs so loaded a couple of each increment.

no pressure signs at all but a little slow velocity wise, with the 120gr with 43gr going at 2,564f/s average and the 140’s with 43gr going at 2,588f/s average.

i shot all 120 rounds into the same point of aim and the 140’s at a separate, no problem with accuracy on them (although that wasn’t the intention here)

so the next plan is step on the throttle a little as there was no issues with flat primers, neck or case problems, but it’s a little slow from a 24” barrel.

My next rounds will be 43.5 up to 45gr with the same OAL, hopefully if I can have them sitting at 2700-2800f/s and grouping I’ll be happy and move onto smaller increment changes, but so far the powder seems good.

mine minor point - around the 45gr mark I can feel the bullet hitting the powder in the case and it’s pretty much up to the top of the shoulder.

Any input welcome.

regards,
Gixer
 

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My 140 ELD-M in my 47 are doing between 2735 and 2690 depending on the external and powder temps, so I'd be expecting you to push your 140s a wee bit faster.
As I recall, there was some bleating on UKV about muzzle velocity from Creeds running 143/147 ELD bullets, but I dont recall whether it was related to running SRP brass in cold weather.
 
Good work - the slow velocity thing tallies with my experience using RS62 in my 7x57 BSA. For 139 grain Hornady SSTs I am only getting about 2,600 fps with 49 grains of powder. But that doesn't bother me as the mild shooting, accurate qualities of the powder more than compensate for having to dial slightly more elevation than with hotter loads.
 
Not wanting to jump in and change the thread. Can I ask if anyone has used RS62 in 6.5x55.
I have seen R60 seems to be more common for the Swede and perhaps RS62 is more suited to the smaller capacity 6.5 cases?? . As I’m totally disappointed with N160 and have sort of stuttered and not progressed with home loads for Swede and have been wondering about RS62 for a while.
Thanks.
 
Not wanting to jump in and change the thread. Can I ask if anyone has used RS62 in 6.5x55.
I have seen R60 seems to be more common for the Swede and perhaps RS62 is more suited to the smaller capacity 6.5 cases?? . As I’m totally disappointed with N160 and have sort of stuttered and not progressed with home loads for Swede and have been wondering about RS62 for a while.
Thanks.
I used RS 50 on lighter 100/120, Sweede prefers slow so definately RS62. Think Ed Edinburgh Rifles on here has RS data books which may only cost literally a couple of quid or send me your email for a pic of the page
 
Firstly, thanks to @Malxwal for saving me for a semi-illegal drive for powder! And @25 Sharps and @JockStalk for the info.

so I tested the first 6.5CM loads with RS62, seems a lot cleaner that the N160.

120gr Sierra SP’s loaded from 39gr up incrementally to 43gr and all with MSRP’s new Lapua brass and at a COAL of 2.73”,

Also loaded some 140gr SPBT sierras, same charge starting point, primer and brass and a COAL of 2.75”.

I was simply loading for chrono figures and pressure signs so loaded a couple of each increment.

no pressure signs at all but a little slow velocity wise, with the 120gr with 43gr going at 2,564f/s average and the 140’s with 43gr going at 2,588f/s average.

i shot all 120 rounds into the same point of aim and the 140’s at a separate, no problem with accuracy on them (although that wasn’t the intention here)

so the next plan is step on the throttle a little as there was no issues with flat primers, neck or case problems, but it’s a little slow from a 24” barrel.

My next rounds will be 43.5 up to 45gr with the same OAL, hopefully if I can have them sitting at 2700-2800f/s and grouping I’ll be happy and move onto smaller increment changes, but so far the powder seems good.

mine minor point - around the 45gr mark I can feel the bullet hitting the powder in the case and it’s pretty much up to the top of the shoulder.

Any input welcome.

regards,
Gixer
I had 45.5 as a max. Two nodes 43.5 & 45 with Nosler 130 RDF's.
Can look a load up & email if you pm your details
 
Not wanting to jump in and change the thread. Can I ask if anyone has used RS62 in 6.5x55.
I have seen R60 seems to be more common for the Swede and perhaps RS62 is more suited to the smaller capacity 6.5 cases?? . As I’m totally disappointed with N160 and have sort of stuttered and not progressed with home loads for Swede and have been wondering about RS62 for a while.
Thanks.
RS60 is double base and will give you higher velocities by 100-150 FPS at expense of barrel wear.

Why are you disappointed with the N160? It’s my go to powder in the swede
 
Firstly, thanks to @Malxwal for saving me for a semi-illegal drive for powder! And @25 Sharps and @JockStalk for the info.

so I tested the first 6.5CM loads with RS62, seems a lot cleaner that the N160.

120gr Sierra SP’s loaded from 39gr up incrementally to 43gr and all with MSRP’s new Lapua brass and at a COAL of 2.73”,

Also loaded some 140gr SPBT sierras, same charge starting point, primer and brass and a COAL of 2.75”.

I was simply loading for chrono figures and pressure signs so loaded a couple of each increment.

no pressure signs at all but a little slow velocity wise, with the 120gr with 43gr going at 2,564f/s average and the 140’s with 43gr going at 2,588f/s average.

i shot all 120 rounds into the same point of aim and the 140’s at a separate, no problem with accuracy on them (although that wasn’t the intention here)

so the next plan is step on the throttle a little as there was no issues with flat primers, neck or case problems, but it’s a little slow from a 24” barrel.

My next rounds will be 43.5 up to 45gr with the same OAL, hopefully if I can have them sitting at 2700-2800f/s and grouping I’ll be happy and move onto smaller increment changes, but so far the powder seems good.

mine minor point - around the 45gr mark I can feel the bullet hitting the powder in the case and it’s pretty much up to the top of the shoulder.

Any input welcome.

regards,
Gixer
Glad you’re getting some progress, they’ll kill deer!

If you’re running out of space but know safe to go further then consider a drop tube. Easily made with a standard funnel and an empty biro tube built up with electrical tape so it sits snug in the funnel.
 
Not wanting to jump in and change the thread. Can I ask if anyone has used RS62 in 6.5x55.
I have seen R60 seems to be more common for the Swede and perhaps RS62 is more suited to the smaller capacity 6.5 cases?? . As I’m totally disappointed with N160 and have sort of stuttered and not progressed with home loads for Swede and have been wondering about RS62 for a while.
Thanks.
Not sure why N160 disappoints. I have used it for 120 Sierra Prohunters for many years and it is a great round. More recently 130 Sierra Gamechangers have been exceptionally accurate too. These have both been for deerstalking.
🦊🦊
 
@gixer1 glad you are making progress and agree you should be able to safely work up a bit more speed. I have full cases, not compressed, just full.
For the lighter bullets N150 worth a go. Same @HandB for 7x57, N150 and 140gr bullets is a winning combination. I’m not loading hot at all but 2800fps and very accurate.
 
For the Swede, 130grn GK, 43.8grn RS62 at 2650fps, 75mmCOL less than 0.5moa, Muntjac to Red Hinds no problems. Fox 123, 74mm COL, 44.1grn RS62 at 2670fps -accuracy node but is a bit slow for expansion- 40.4grn N150 better gives speed 2850fps -that's the next node-.
 
Not wanting to jump in and change the thread. Can I ask if anyone has used RS62 in 6.5x55.
I have seen R60 seems to be more common for the Swede and perhaps RS62 is more suited to the smaller capacity 6.5 cases?? . As I’m totally disappointed with N160 and have sort of stuttered and not progressed with home loads for Swede and have been wondering about RS62 for a while.
Thanks.
By coincidence I was out with a chap's 6.5x55 today using RS62 and seeing how the lead free Hornady GMX would potentially do. They seems to give a reasonable speed and I plumbed for the middle weight as on the very small example ES and SD were single digits
Alex S GMX 120 gr.webp
 
Firstly, thanks to @Malxwal for saving me for a semi-illegal drive for powder! And @25 Sharps and @JockStalk for the info.

so I tested the first 6.5CM loads with RS62, seems a lot cleaner that the N160.

120gr Sierra SP’s loaded from 39gr up incrementally to 43gr and all with MSRP’s new Lapua brass and at a COAL of 2.73”,

Also loaded some 140gr SPBT sierras, same charge starting point, primer and brass and a COAL of 2.75”.

I was simply loading for chrono figures and pressure signs so loaded a couple of each increment.

no pressure signs at all but a little slow velocity wise, with the 120gr with 43gr going at 2,564f/s average and the 140’s with 43gr going at 2,588f/s average.

i shot all 120 rounds into the same point of aim and the 140’s at a separate, no problem with accuracy on them (although that wasn’t the intention here)

so the next plan is step on the throttle a little as there was no issues with flat primers, neck or case problems, but it’s a little slow from a 24” barrel.

My next rounds will be 43.5 up to 45gr with the same OAL, hopefully if I can have them sitting at 2700-2800f/s and grouping I’ll be happy and move onto smaller increment changes, but so far the powder seems good.

mine minor point - around the 45gr mark I can feel the bullet hitting the powder in the case and it’s pretty much up to the top of the shoulder.

Any input welcome.

regards,
Gixer60
I am getting good velocities with RS62 and 136 grain Scenar Ls with my Creed. I find 62 to be a clean burning consistent powder and cooler burning than 60. My only negative is on metering. On my charge master I have to set the dispenser .2 of a grain light and tap in the last sprinkle.
 
I am getting good velocities with RS62 and 136 grain Scenar Ls with my Creed. I find 62 to be a clean burning consistent powder and cooler burning than 60. My only negative is on metering. On my charge master I have to set the dispenser .2 of a grain light and tap in the last sprinkle.
Definitely benefit from the McDonald's straw modification. We might have machined tube adaptors still, will ask for you. My Chargemaster has this fitted and meters RS62 perfectly.
 
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