6.5 creedmoor bullets

FoxAlpha

FoxAlpha

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Oh god, yet another thread about the damn 6.5 creedmoor.

But seriously, I’m curious to see what most guys are using bullet wise in their target rifles. Joined the 6.5 family this fall and have loaded some 140gr ELDM’s with decent results but I’d like to try a few different loads over the winter.

So what works for you guys? What do you recommend? What didn’t work for you?
 
FoxAlpha said:
Oh god, yet another thread about the damn 6.5 creedmoor.

But seriously, I’m curious to see what most guys are using bullet wise in their target rifles. Joined the 6.5 family this fall and have loaded some 140gr ELDM’s with decent results but I’d like to try a few different loads over the winter.

So what works for you guys? What do you recommend? What didn’t work for you?
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I am not sure yet what I plan to use as my go to target load. As soon as I test some 120's, and their ilk I will know for certain. Almost have the 147's nailed down.... so close and yet so far. H4350 is the powder of choice so far, mainly for temperature stability, CCI Primers are igniting reliably, Lapua brass is going strong.
 
ALL 6.5 match bullets can work very well. Obviously, quirks tied to any one barrel may lean you to one or another bullet. 139 to 142gr are your most popular weights.

For target shooting, Berger, Sierra and Lapua are your best bets. Matrix bullets also has some nice options if you have faster then standard twists.

I shoot a bunch of Hrns but their QC tends to be lower then the above... but are way cheaper so....

If I can help with components and dies, please let me know

Jerry
 
I have only used 4 different bullets so far in,y 6.5 Creedmoor. The most successful has been the Nosler 140 RDF ... by far the best groups for me have come from this bullet and H4350 (.010 from the lands). I have also shot the Hornady ELD -M and X with good success for groups. I used the 130g Sierra Game Changer for white tail this fall, worked out well for penetration and damage
 
139 Lapua scenar are a good choice, both my 6.5 and 260 shoot these well. I also like the 147eld-m in my 6.5. The factory loaded 147 shot well in my rifle.

Both bullets work on deer aswell
 
Bought 1000 bulk ELD-M. Kinda put all my eggs in that basket. The price was right. Tons of brass options out there. I've had H4350 on back order at Cabelas for a few months. I've been buying it a couple of pounds at a time on sale until it comes in, if ever.
 
Yeah I’ve managed to snag a couple pounds of h4350 as I’ve found it. Lots of variables for the creedmoor but the one constant I found was just shut up and use H4350.

Chances are good I’ll end up trying something through Sierra next. I’ve used their 77gr and 175gr SMK’s in my 223 and 308 respectively with good results. Just not sure where to start. 140’s, 142’s, 150’s?
Once I get a load developed I plan on stretching it out as far as my skill set can take it.
 
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I only have a factory T-3 CTR, but it is averaging well under 1/2moa for five shots, with the 130gr Sierra Gamechanger. If this wasn't also a back up big game rifle, I would give the 130gr TMK a try.

My last 130gr Gamechanger group using R-17.

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Try a 130 hybrid - they outshot every other bullet i tried up to 142gr. Flies flat and fast, and real easy to load for. Varget 37-38.5.
 
From Sierra, 142's would be the most popular. As much as I like the 150's, they will not shoot well in an 8 twist.

The 130gr TMKs have shot well for some... as have the Berger 130gr Hybrids.

It boils down to what the barrel likes and there is really only one way to find out.

Jerry
 
Mystic Precision said:
From Sierra, 142's would be the most popular. As much as I like the 150's, they will not shoot well in an 8 twist.

The 130gr TMKs have shot well for some... as have the Berger 130gr Hybrids.

It boils down to what the barrel likes and there is really only one way to find out.

Jerry
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Thanks Jerry,

For someone whose ballisticaly challenged such as myself, I just don’t have the experience to look at the data and say “I’ll try this one” with confidence, and go from there so I always appreciate when the greats weigh in on what’s worked for them.

I’ll likely give the 142’s a shot next. I did some testing with Hornady factory ammo and found my gun did seem to shoot better with the 140’s and 147’s over the 120’s and the FGMM 130gr Berger’s.
 
I’m running 146gr matrix in my rifle with fantastic results. 1 in 8 twist.
Steve is great to deal with and they are Canadian made.
Can’t go wrong.
Joe
 
MY rifle was pretty happy with Nosler brass, Varget powder and Nosler 140 grain Nosler Custom Competitions.
 
I tried all of the Hornady choices in my Ruger Predator. The 123 A-Max over 40 gr of Varget is the best for my rifle. The 130gr ELD-X was a close second. My son shoots a custom Ruger Hawkeye with a 26" stainless barrel and uses 140 A-max over 44.3gr of Superformance. We tried H and IMR 4350, H-1000, IMR 4831, Hybrid 100V, Reloader 17 etc. Varget is best for my 22" barrel and Superformance works best for his 26" barrel at the distances/elevation/temperatures we shoot. I also experimented with the 95gr A-Max but I could not get a consistent group no matter what speed I pushed them.
 
FoxAlpha said:
Thanks Jerry,

For someone whose ballisticaly challenged such as myself, I just don’t have the experience to look at the data and say “I’ll try this one” with confidence, and go from there so I always appreciate when the greats weigh in on what’s worked for them.

I’ll likely give the 142’s a shot next. I did some testing with Hornady factory ammo and found my gun did seem to shoot better with the 140’s and 147’s over the 120’s and the FGMM 130gr Berger’s.
Click to expand...

Simply put, all the current manf 6.5 bullets are very well made. The market demands it. The biggest variance in factory rifles (assume you are shooting a factory rifle) is the chamber spec.

Most have a longer throat to fit all possible ammo options. This then tends to favor longer/heavier bullets. Of course, there are exceptions and these could favor lighter bullets.

if you get into handloading, just pick from the options I have listed before and you will find an option that will work well with your barrel. In most barrels, tuning the powder charge properly will have a larger impact on groups then the bullet... cause there are precious few 'bad' shooting bullets in this cal.

Since you have already seen the barrel favor heavier/longer bullets, just stay in the 139 to 147gr family and you will have positive results. Stay within published load data for H4350 and your speeds will be in the 26/2700fps. If you can't get acceptable results, you have a barrel issue.

Jerry
 
Pretty much every bullet out there can be tuned to shoot well in a mechanically sound rifle. For targets it is hard to beat the Hornady ELD line, they're common to find and relatively inexpensive. Lapua Scenars are another good option
 
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