6.5CM loads for deer

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Aabradsh

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Guys loading 6.5CM

What are you loading for bullets/powder combinations?

I’ve done some research that suggests I should stick to 120-130gr bonded or partitioned projectiles, to keep velocity on the higher end and help with penetration. But wanted to see what guys are loading.

Some experience friends of mine have had with 140gr loads have typically not gotten pass-throughs, leading to minimal blood trails.

I’m leaning towards a 130gr accubond. Despite then costing a fortune these days, I loved them in my .308.
 
Near endless options to be tried. Bullet construction / design is more important than the bullet weight for a desired terminal effect. A 147 ELDm will do much different things than a 100gr TTSX. Dead deer will be the common denominator for all
 
Aabradsh said:
Guys loading 6.5CM

What are you loading for bullets/powder combinations?

I’ve done some research that suggests I should stick to 120-130gr bonded or partitioned projectiles, to keep velocity on the higher end and help with penetration. But wanted to see what guys are loading.

Some experience friends of mine have had with 140gr loads have typically not gotten pass-throughs, leading to minimal blood trails.

I’m leaning towards a 130gr accubond. Despite then costing a fortune these days, I loved them in my .308.
Click to expand...

If complete pass through is the goal, hard to go wrong with a TSX.

It should be noted higher velocity and lighter bullet weight both tend to reduce penetration. A 130 accubond will most likely penetrate less than the 140AB. I see no reason to think either wouldn't kill a deer if the shooter does his job though.
 
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I took 3 deer one season with a 6.5x55 loaded with 129gr SST bullets - all were forward shoulder shots through bone. All three deer dropped. Two bullets exited, one core separated and exited, the jacket was caught in the offside hide. I would highly recommend this bullet at 6.5 CM velocities.
Edit to add: velocity was 2820 fps, all three were shot within 75 yards, one at 10 yards or less.
 
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littlehughey said:
I took 3 deer one season with a 6.5x55 loaded with 129gr SST bullets - all were forward shoulder shots through bone. All three deer dropped. Two bullets exited, one core separated and exited, the jacket was caught in the offside hide. I would highly recommend this bullet at 6.5 CM velocities.
Edit to add: velocity was 2820 fps, all three were shot within 75 yards, one at 10 yards or less.
Click to expand...
Yes, this is an ideal deer bullet for 6.5 caliber, starting at around 2800-2850 fps. It still has a lot of energy at 400 yards, therefore more optimal than the TSX for distances over 250 yards.
 
140gr Interlocks with Staball 6.5 did the trick on a whitetail and a mule this past season. Thinking of dropping to 129gr interlocks for deer and moving to 143gr ELDX for elk
 
Killed a pile of animals with a 6.5 creed in the last 16 years. Bonded or premium bullets are not necessary for deer, but I also usually pick them for hunting.

The three best performing projectiles for me on deer through the years has been Nolser 140 grain ballistic tip, 142 grain accubond long range. And the old hornady 160 grain round nose interlock for close work.

You stated the 120-130 grain range. That works as well, but all the 140+ bullets just plain shoot in any creedmoor I own, or have owned. H4350 for the 140 and 142 grain bullets. 40.5 - 42.0 grain of powder, depending on your rifle and brass manufacturer. For the heavier bullets I had wicked velocity with 6.5 staball and reloder 26, but best accuracy and slightly less velocity with reloder 23.

Pick whichever bullet you want for deer basically, other than the specific light varmint rounds, unless you are doing close range neck shots...

Even the super cheap Speer hot-cor bullets are great deer killers, and they are about $40/100.
 
142 LRAB with 36.5 Varget, shot big game animals from 10 yards to 550 with good terminal performance. Absolute accurate hammer in my gun, that combo has been responsible for many many dead big game animals, lots by first time hunters too.
If I take it out to the long range ranch I can hit steel very consistently way past your typical hunting ranges.
Cost wise though I will be moving to the 147 ELDM once these Noslers are gone.
 
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