I got a 22" heavy Lothar Walther 6.5 Creed barrel for my M14 and I need to work up some loads. I have 130 grain ELD's and 140 grain Nos CC's.

I have about 50 cases of once-fired Hornady cases and I have IMR-4350, Varget, IMR-4064, 6.5 StaBall, Rl-15, IMR-4895 and 8208 XBR.

Which powder should I focus on?

Tony.

IIRC the original Hornady loads were Varget for lighter bullets and H-4350 for heavier. They helped establish the 6.5C reputation for accuracy in bolt actions.

Given what you have, I think I would start with the IMR-4350 and see what your results are in your semi-automatic as to over-under gassing with the different bullet weights and accuracy. IMR-4350 seems to be kinda in the middle of the different burn rates of what you have available.

Hope this helps a little as my small experience with semi-auto is only with reloading 30-06 for M-1.

I've never run the 6.5 Creedmoor in a gas gun, but I have had good luck with H4350, AA4350 and SW Long Rifle. I've found H4350 and SW Long Rifle very close in loading, but AA4350 is noticeably different in burn rate.

My pet loads in a bolt gun are Lapua 136 Scenar L in front of 44.1gr of AA4350 in Starline Small Primer brass with F205M primer at ~2720 fps. Lapua 139 OTM, in front of 40.5 H4350 and Lapua Small Primer brass with F205M primer at 2727 fps. The Hornady 140 ELD-M, Match Burner, Matchking and LRT Hybrids are a touch slower (likely jump related).
For 130 grain ELD-M I have run 42.8 in RL16 with decent results around 2800fps.

After doing some research, I found out that StaBall 6.5 is a good powder. I ordered an 8 pound jug and it should be here next week.

I do have a can of H4350 and IMR-4350 and I can try those too.

Tony.

Tony;I don't shoot or reload any more but I love the sport and follow great folk in the sport.
I found about a year ago this guy in south Africa that has a great hunting channel.
One hell of a shot.He is a long range competor.
He has reloading equipment from hell I never knew existed.
saw his reloading bench and the powder on it was one of my favorites Hodsgdon shortcut 4895.he loads the caliber you spoke of.impact shooting for some tips