6.5 Creedmoor

pazzo

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is anybody here shooting the 6.5 Creedmoor for long ranges (~1000 yds)? i'm looking for a new caliber for a custom rifle which i'll be building (well, somebody else will be building it for me) :redface:

any info on this will help.
 
There is lots of info on 6mmBR.com.

I shoot a 6.5 Mystic which is my version of the 260improved, in F class. The case allows you to load up to 50gr of powder. That is a significant increase over the Creedmore.

For LR, the advantage of pushing a 139/142gr bullet at 2900-3000fps outdoes the smaller case pushing lighter bullets at similar speeds. Wind is your main enemy.

you get the speed of a 6.5-284 without the wear and tear. The 6.5 Swede reg and improved are also AWESOME choices. if you don't want to play with a wildcat, get the Swede and live happily ever after, unless you need to feed from a mag. Then just build on the new Center feed Savage and all is well again.

I have yet to see any report where a 6.5 Creedmore has reached the expected velocities as published by Hornady. At least, not with accuracy added to the mix.

The case is just too small in my eyes. At most, you have a case that will equal a 260R run at standard pressures. However, run a 260R at the same pressures and it will exceed the Creedmore.

There is no replacement for displacement.

But you also need to tell us what the intention and style of this rifle is. The shorter case might work out in very specific applications.

Jerry
 
mystic - thx for the reply, and other options. i'll be researching them alllll day ;)

the intention is to basically hit targets out to 1000 yds.
'targets' meaning anything from paper to steel plates to coyotes if i see one. i will not be competing w/ this rifle/ caliber. it's purely for fun... keep in mind tho, just cause it's for fun doesn't mean i want to halfAss it.
 
pazzo....as little as I know, I do know that mysticplayer is right about the 6.5 Swede, and the 260R. I am in need of a decent mid + coyote gun. Am sure it will be a 6.5, but not sure what case I will use.
mystic....
I think that Hornady was counting on selling mainly factory loads. I can't see any way, sans "The Magic Powder", that you will ever reach their 'predicted' velocities.

LeRoys 0.02 cents
 
If all you want is a plinking rifle, consider the 223 and 75/80gr Amax. This is a superb and fun LR plinker. Can be sub MOA at 1000yds easily.

It will get bounced in the winds more then the 6.5 but also costs 1/2 as much to shoot. Barrel will last 2.5 times as long too.

Wouldn't poke a pooch that far away. In fact, if you really do want to shoot varmints at that range, you need a whole lot more horsepower to get the job done.

I love my 6.5 and it is a great LR cartridge. Others are also have great fun with 6mm like the 6BR, 6XC/Lapua.

For cost and simplicity, the 260R and Swede might just be what you are looking for in a 6.5.

LeRoy, the recent reviews I have seen of factory rifles shooting the ammo, the velocities are 200fps slower. That is exactly where I would expect this case capacity to be - 123/120gr bullets around 2800fps and 2600/2700fps for the 139/140gr out of 24" to 28" pipes.

This would also yield very accurate ammo. We can all load out ammo to hero pressures to get some 'magical' velocity but missing the target doesn't excite me much. Neither does using a mallet to open my action.

Their primary market is service rifles type matches. Now the AR10/variants are using this case. You simply are not going to be able to run hero pressures is a semi.

In time, I expect this cartridge to fall neatly between the 6.5X47L and 260R. The variations in performance is equal to the variations between rifles based on the same chamber. None are going to outpace a 6.5-284 anytime soon.

I think the 120gr Amax might just be the best pooch popper in this cal and case size.

Jerry
 
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funny, i almost added the .260 as another possible option when i started this post.

while we're at it, what about the .243? (just to clarify, this is for long range target/ coyote shooting).
 
The 243 is a wonderful LR plinker too. Sub MOA at 1000m has been done in factory rifles. The big problem is twist. Most come with slow twist limiting the option to use high BC heavies. It is very hard on barrels and wouldn't be my choice if shooting lots. Here the 6BR really shines!!!!!

Giggle factor is right up there. Not as good in the wind compared to the 6.5 but quite a bit better then the 223. Stick a 87gr Vmax in this and pooches are going down. Not something I would shoot beyond 500yds even though accuracy goes so much further.

Downside is that it is not that mag friendly but can be made to work. Savage center feed mags will run this case with simple mods.

GH, the Creedmore is a high pressure 260R, no more no less. The big deal is a supposed improvement in feeding in semi's. This I don't believe as 308's, 243's, and 7-08's have been happily fed through AR10's for decades. Plus I don't like high pressure rds in semis so the design direction is curious.

My guess that this is a 'me too' cartridge riding the coattails of the 6.5X47L and 6XC success. Gives Hornady a chance to sell factory ammo to match shooters who don't reload (is this a oxymoron????)

Can it work, sure. It is something revolutionary....NOPE. Similar wildcats have been around since the HG silhoutte days of the 80's.

However, they prefered the 7mm for smacking down rams....

Jerry
 
Zak Smith has done some initial work in 6.5 Credemore and has done some cppomparisons between the .260 Rem. and 6.5x47 Lapua. There are others out there as Jerry has indicated. I think the major benefit to Hornady's offering is that you can run modest pressures and buy above average quality cases.

In the end, I chose the 6.5x47 Lapua. I just got the rifle built and have done nothing with it yet due to broken arm.

I went with a Gaillard barrel partly due to the results obtained by Jerry and Peter Dobson in the 6.5mm caliber.
 
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I looked at the Creedmore when it came out and I scratched my head to wonder what its appeal would be and all I can come up with is it suitability as a cross-course round. I totally agree with MP, it lacks the horsepower to drive the best 6.5 bullets.

If 6.5 is your caliber of choice, I would throw my vote behind the 260 and the 6.5X55. Both of which have Lapua brass available , or can be very easily adapted. Both are proven 1000 yard cartridges.

the 6.5X47 Lapua is a cartridge in roughly the same league as the Creedmore but its brass is Lapua. It is best for intermediate weight 6.5 bullets. When shooting 1000, it only makes sense to utilize the highest BC bullets that can be driven at speeds that make the most out of the bullet's potential. This makes the '47 less appealing than the 260 or the Swede.

Don't discount the excellent 6mm cartridges available such as the 6BR, 6XC, Dasher etc. These are still serious contenders at 1000.
 
Hornady is now 'slowing' down their loads due to pressure problems in real world shooting.

They dropped the list velocity of the 120gr Amax load from slightly over 3000fps to 2900ish fps.

Of course, this is done in pressure barrels which typically produce more velocity then the average gas rifle. Plus the barrel used is 28". A BR type match pipe/action combo should be able to replicate the results though.

A shooting times article showed a 24" DPMS match service rifle only getting 2841 fps from the 'fast' ammo. Not sure what the downloaded stuff will do. It did shoot sub MOA which is very impressive.

Varget is the new listed powder. ALOT of H4350 was used originally.

This case volume is near ideal for the 6mm heavies as the XC and Lapua are showing. You need to burn more fuel if you want to run the 6.5mm heavies at decent speeds for max ballistics at LR.

If recoil is your concern, shoot a 6mm. If long barrel life is the main goal, enjoy the match.

If the rules or equipment limit you to the smaller case, the Creedmore is the biggest of the mid sized 6.5. But then you are splitting hairs at that point.

Jerry
 
Well, I put my money where my mouth is...sorta...I won a Tikka T3 Lite from the Peace Country Fish & Game(thanks FOLKS), and had Greg (Albertacoyotecaller), order it in 260 Rem. I was in P & D's the other day and got some brass and some Sierra 120 gr. HPBT to play with. For powder, I got Varget, 4064, and 4831(H type).
Any thoughts on more loads? Mostly will be used on 'yotes, and maybe my daughter will use on wt deer.
 
Nice choice for the Tikka in .260 Rem. I'm sure you'll love it. I was considering one of those before I built my 6.5x47L. I don't think you could go wrong with Tikka's .223 Rem 1:8" twist either.
 
Are you keeping the pelts? Otherwise, the 140gr Amax will splat the pooch very well. For deer hunting, I love the SST's and the 140gr would work superbly.

For a lighter bullet, many are having great results with the 123gr Lapua and 130gr Berger. The 120gr Amax is not something I have seen but would make a nice varminting bullet too.

Try the 139gr Lapua. Has been great for all my 6.5's.

I use H4831SC lit by a CCI BR2 primer in necked down 308 cases to push the 139gr Lapuas out of my F class rifle.

I think H4831SC is the ideal powder for this case volume. H4350 should also be good with the lighter bullets.

Enjoy a great rifle...
Jerry
 
Myself and Tango Kilo have had no issues getting the 6.5x47 Lapua to 2900-3000 with 130gr Bergers accurately. This combo has proven very effective out to 900m. If you want to shoot those speeds with the 140ish bullets, you need more capacity. I love my Lapua though...
 
Lapua supposedly has 260 Rem. brass being manufactured right now that will be available next year. If this is the case, my prediction is that the Creedmore will not make it. Bench rest shooter will be more attracted to the 6.5x47 Lapua, while long range shooter (who prefer 139-142gr. bullets) will stick with the 260 since most are already using it.
 
Perhaps they felt the case design could be improved on. Perhaps they felt the 260 was unnecessarily large.
I see nothing wrong with the concept of either the 6.5 Creedmoor or the 6.5x47. Either will be capable of achieving around 2750 with 140's. This is adequate, in my view, for 1000 yd use.
Personally, I am a fan of the 6.5x55 but either the Creedmoor or the 6.5x47 are a possibilty.
I disagree with Jerry and Ian on the need for greater velocity. Mid 2700's are just fine with 139-142 grain bullets. The ability of the shooter to judge wind will outweigh any ballistic advantage. Accuracy and consistent velocity are the primary requirements.
Having said that, the 260 and the 6.5x55 allow more options to achieve a given velocity and they are certainly accurate enough. Regards, Bill.
 
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