Best 6.5 CM Hunting Bullet for Moderate Long Range Distances

[WildRose]

The 125 gr Nosler partition in my 6.5 Swede and the 140 partition in my 7x57 was my go too whitetail bullet for many years never had a problem. I always got a good exit and a lot of damage in between. Back many years ago I loaded the 160 gr partition if my memory is correct on the weight ,160 or 165 ,for Glenn w Slade for Polar bears. The Nosler Partitions used too be the standard too measure up too . If I wasn't shooting Hammers now , the Partitions and Barnes would be my choices.

I don't doubt it but I suspect you also understood how to use it.

Bar none the best and most successful hunter I have ever known started shooting a 7mmRM running partitions back in the eighties over H870. He'd still be running the exact same load if they hadn't ceased producing H870.

He's now running the same bullet but using H1000.

7mm Remington Magnum Load Data

Explore the world of Nosler, renowned for crafting the finest bullets, ammunition, rifles, and brass. Discover our extensive lineup, including Partition, AccuBond, E-Tip, Ballistic Tip, Custom Competition, and more. Experience superior quality and performance with Nosler products.

www.nosler.com

 

[Panhandle Pete]

For my 6.5 creedmoor, I plan to use some monolithic bullet loads as my go-to for medium big game (deer, antelope, hogs). My one concern is that it looks like below 2,000 fps, you start to run into expansion problems, and with my 24'' barrel, I'm guessing most loads will hit that threshold before 400 yards. So, I'm thinking about trying to decide on a (lead) option for longer ranges when I'm not in a lead-free-only area. I'd like it to be something with good weight retention, and definitely not anything prone to fragmentation (I like my meat without lead [CLARIFICATION: I know this is possible with any lead bullet, but I'm saying that it would be good to have a bullet that is less likely to do a lot of spreading of lead throughout the meat]).
High BC would also be preferable since this is longer ranges. [CLARIFICATION - BC might not really be a factor at the ranges I'm talking about ... if so, a small factor. So maybe this shouldn't even be a consideration.]

I have been able to get a few boxes of Barnes Vor-Tx LR, so maybe that drops the threshold down a few hundred fps. But from what I've seen, I'd still be reluctant to trust those bullets out much farther than 400 yards.

I won't be taking any super long shots, so this question is really about the 300-something to 500-something yard range. At that point, the bullet is running out of energy anyway.

I'm not currently handloading, so I want the bullet in a factory load.

I know that there are a lot of bullets that will do the job (ELDX, partitions to name a few), but not sure what the best options are for what I describe as of 2022.

I can tell you from shooting pigs, deer and antelope in his 260 AI that my 20 yo grandson has had excellent results with Nosler 129 grain AccuBonds, 2800 FPS, not stoked up as fast as we could, he has taken game a little over 600 yards (pronghorn antelope) with this round and we have shot pigs and deer with his sister's 6.5 CM with Hornady 120 gr GMX factory ammo but limit the diastance with the mono due to expansion concerns. I would not be afraid in skilled hands to shoot an elk with the 129 grain AccuBond LR at a reasonable range.

 

[WildRose]

I can tell you from shooting pigs, deer and antelope in his 260 AI that my 20 yo grandson has had excellent results with Nosler 129 grain AccuBonds, 2800 FPS, not stoked up as fast as we could, he has taken game a little over 600 yards (pronghorn antelope) with this round and we have shot pigs and deer with his sister's 6.5 CM with Hornady 120 gr GMX factory ammo but limit the diastance with the mono due to expansion concerns. I would not be afraid in skilled hands to shoot an elk with the 129 grain AccuBond LR at a reasonable range.

At 400-750yds I think you'd be impressed with the Accubond LR. They don't react well to high velocity impacts at short range but I've had some very good results with them in the 260, 300wm, and 7mm STW at those ranges. The 300 Rum loaded with the same bullet was even impressive on big hogs further out.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I know you said you don't want a Berger, but in MY opinion, a 6.5CM sized case shines with a 130gr projectile.

My daughter shoots a 22" 6.5SLR, and has done very well with the 6.5mm 130 OTM.

Mule deer buck @ 532 DRT
Mule deer buck @ 637 DRT
Mule deer buck @ 454 DRT hard quartering away, only bullet we have recovered
Pronghorn buck @ 391 DRT
Pronghorn buck @ 260 ran 20 yds
Pronghorn buck @ 381 ran 20 yds

I have photos if needed. Some exits too.

 

[snox801]

I know you said you don't want a Berger, but in MY opinion, a 6.5CM sized case shines with a 130gr projectile.

My daughter shoots a 22" 6.5SLR, and has done very well with the 6.5mm 130 OTM.

Mule deer buck @ 532 DRT
Mule deer buck @ 637 DRT
Mule deer buck @ 454 DRT hard quartering away, only bullet we have recovered
Pronghorn buck @ 391 DRT
Pronghorn buck @ 260 ran 20 yds
Pronghorn buck @ 381 ran 20 yds

I have photos if needed. Some exits too.

I agree with the weight range.
That being said, I she. To ask what does the Berger do at those ranges the hammer would not? Both run out of min fps according to the manufacturer at close to the max distance.
I've asked this out of many guys and they have no real reason other than yelling Berger louder.
Now I think both bullets have a up side.
My fear with the Berger is that most of my shots end up being closer which would favor the hammer. Will the Berger work sure. I think the hammer works better.
Now reverse that. At max range I'd have to think the Berger would be better as it's softer. So the point that makes them great on game at distance also hurts then. If your usual distance is over 500 then I see leaning towards the Berger. Or if you manly shoot pronghorns.
This is just to get a real conversation going not to say lance is wrong or right. I'm always curious as to why people choose certain bullets and how they use them.

 

[snox801]

Lance what speed are you pushing those at.
I wanna run some number against my 123 hammer load and see what the max distance based on min speed would be for both according to applied.

 

[MoreSalsa]

Looks like I'll get a chance to try the Winchester 142 gr. Accubond LR. I know some recommended the lighter ABLR bullet, but the 142 gr. is what is available so I'm going to try that.

 

[Kimber7man]

I know you said you don't want a Berger, but in MY opinion, a 6.5CM sized case shines with a 130gr projectile.

My daughter shoots a 22" 6.5SLR, and has done very well with the 6.5mm 130 OTM.

Mule deer buck @ 532 DRT
Mule deer buck @ 637 DRT
Mule deer buck @ 454 DRT hard quartering away, only bullet we have recovered
Pronghorn buck @ 391 DRT
Pronghorn buck @ 260 ran 20 yds
Pronghorn buck @ 381 ran 20 yds

I have photos if needed. Some exits too.

Based on your advice…

 

[Kimber7man]

I know you said you don't want a Berger, but in MY opinion, a 6.5CM sized case shines with a 130gr projectile.

My daughter shoots a 22" 6.5SLR, and has done very well with the 6.5mm 130 OTM.

Mule deer buck @ 532 DRT
Mule deer buck @ 637 DRT
Mule deer buck @ 454 DRT hard quartering away, only bullet we have recovered
Pronghorn buck @ 391 DRT
Pronghorn buck @ 260 ran 20 yds
Pronghorn buck @ 381 ran 20 yds

I have photos if needed. Some exits too.

One of those results is your profile pic, if I recall correctly

 

[FEENIX]

Based on your advice…

View attachment 341164

WHOA!

 

[lancetkenyon]

130 OTM @ 2925fps from a 22" 1:8".

Since our shots can range quite a bit further than 500, I like the much higher BC of the 130 OTM. Also, the OTM has a slightly thicker jacket than the HVLDs, so they theoretically stay together a bit better.

And they are insanely accurate. Like "shoot a squirrel at 741 yards" accurate.

I have a great load for the 124 HH in the same rifle, at 2945fps. But the BC is not there. I will also say that the BC stated does not correspond with actual drops we found during testing.

I love the way they perform on game. You know the old saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". So we stay with what has worked tremendously for us. Some people refuse to shoot "match" bullets on game. But not all "Match" bullets are created equal. Just like all Monos are not equal. I have never been impressed with Barnes XFB, XBT, TSX, TTSX, or LRX. But the Hammer sure seem to work extremely well.

 

[snox801]

That's the answer I was looking for. I'm pushing the absolute to 3100 in my creed and crunching numbers to see what the max distance on those would be compared to the Berger 130. With the Hornady' sim not able to get enough speed to extend my max range over my hammer loads. I'd have to look again but I believe my hammers actually hit the min FPS about 40-60 yards farther out.
That may not be try with the Berger's. I've not run them to see what speeds I can get.
But I'm like most here and if I can get an advantage well of course I will.

 

[snox801]

Let me just state that this is how these threads should go. Lance and I both shoot different bullets. And see things a bit differently in that department but it stays respectful.
Let's all use this as a proper way to talk about bullets. He actually won me over and I'm gonna try some 130 Berger's.
If I can get the speed up enough that they give me a benefit over my hammers. Say extend my effective range by 100 yards that just adds one more tool to my box.
Thank you sir.

 

[Kimber7man]

WHOA!

That was back in early 2020 IIRC, when Berger ammo was less than $30/box and the Lapua brass was about $1 per piece. #nobrainer….