No more H4350 and a change of bullet?

Leica Fortis 6 - Bright and powerful.
Toller

Toller

Well-Known Member
I've been using 143gr ELD-X and H4350 since 2017. Found a load that shot well in my 6.5x55 and have been using that ever since (for red/roe/foxes).

I've now loaded the very last of my h4350 and that happened to coincide with the last ELD-X bullets i had. So... an opportunity to try something new. I was thinking of trying the yew tree fieldsports bullets (114gr i think?), mainly because of the positive comments about them on this forum.

The big question is.... what powder? Five minutes of googling has got me thinking N555 perhaps? What else should i be looking at?

I realise that shooting a 143gr lead projectile vs a 114gr copper one may have different implications with respect to powder selection, so i'm maybe not necessarily looking for a like for like replacement for h4350.
 
For what its worth, ive found copper to be relatively easy to load for in 308. Pretty much the first load (130gn projectile) matched what I would use for a 150gn leadbased bullet, minus one grain of powder. I do think they like to be driven fast, but I was lucky with small group and no requirement to do a lot of development.
@Yew Tree Fieldsports and @Virtus Precision UK are UK made bullets with very good supply chain reliability (and good blokes in charge).

Id order something around the 120gn mark and seat to magazine depth-then do a ladder test.
 
Viht N555, N160, N165, N565 all suit 6.5X55 and c.140gn bullets. N550 will work, but is on the fast burning side, and may see rapid pressure spikes at its maximum.

I had a look at H4350 replacements in a series of features in Targetshooter here:

HANDLOADING BENCH BY LAURIE HOLLAND

HANDLOADING BENCH BY LAURIE HOLLAND – REACH OUT! – EU COMPLIANT POWDERS PT3

REACH OUT – EU COMPLIANT POWDERS PT4 BY LAURIE HOLLAND


If you can find any, Reload Swiss RS62 is the ideal H4350 replacement, but is now reported to be hard to find.

If you go to lighter copper bullets, Viht gives data for the 120 and 130gn Barnes TSXs which can be used for other all copper designs. Note that the only powders tested are N160, N165, and N560.
 
6.5x55 and 114 TLR from Yew Tree. Says in post #1.

I just happened to be working a load for my 6.5x47 Lapua using that bullet and switched GRT to the 6.5x55 case. My favourite powder, RL16, works at 49 kpsi and about 2930 fps on OBT #5. 100% burn and 95% case fill with a 24" barrel. I've presumed a lot but there's plenty of wriggle room.

N160 at a similar pressure gives you 2875 fps and 98% case fill but only 91% powder burn if that's important to you.

I have found the 224, 6mm and 7mm versions of the TLR to be very easy to load for in terms of accuracy but don't have any direct experience of the 6.5mm yet. Can't believe it's going to be very different.
 
Toller said:
I've been using 143gr ELD-X and H4350 since 2017. Found a load that shot well in my 6.5x55 and have been using that ever since (for red/roe/foxes).

I've now loaded the very last of my h4350 and that happened to coincide with the last ELD-X bullets i had. So... an opportunity to try something new. I was thinking of trying the yew tree fieldsports bullets (114gr i think?), mainly because of the positive comments about them on this forum.

The big question is.... what powder? Five minutes of googling has got me thinking N555 perhaps? What else should i be looking at?

I realise that shooting a 143gr lead projectile vs a 114gr copper one may have different implications with respect to powder selection, so i'm maybe not necessarily looking for a like for like replacement for h4350.
Click to expand...
RS60/RL17 would be my recommendation for
my 114 TLR in the swede.
Cheers
Rich
 
Well, there's plenty to try, and some really good info there.

I think the point that it's completely dependent on what powders I can actually get is unfortunately a major factor. I know the vhit powders are available fairly locally, but given the recommendation of RS60/RL17 specifically from yew tree for these bullets, that might be worthwhile looking into sourcing those.

Luckily I've got enough loaded ammunition for now, but I'll need to get cracking with this.
 
I have been told that Reload Swiss powders will be pretty much unobtainable. All of the Swiss production is now destined for the Ukrain so they can continue fighting.
 
I too have a great load with H4350 and 120/140-grain bullets, I have a couple of tubs left but I've developed loads with N160 for when it runs out. RL22 works well in the 140g too.

cjs
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Propellants for 6.5 CM: N160 or N555
2
Replies
28
Views
2K
Sniper308
S
H4350 - N150 comparisons
Replies
15
Views
756
Hunter 6.5
H
Load advice
Replies
11
Views
439
MTheaded but happy
MTheaded but happy
What is the deepest you have seated a bullet?
Replies
8
Views
514
Cottis
C
Newbie.... am I on the right track?
Replies
14
Views
833
kenbro
kenbro
R. Macleod & Son - The Best Hunting Companion
Back
Top