Best 6.5 CM Hunting Bullet for Moderate Long Range Distances

[Subzero]

The most important thing for you will be finding the most accurate ammo for your rifle. I can't imagine factory ammo shooting well enough in any rifle to be trusted on game out to 600yds...

I would buy a box of most of the ammo people have listed here and choose the most accurate one in your rifle. I need to have groups under 0.5moa in order to trust it on a long range shot on game. My favorite bullet to do exactly what you describe is the ELDM.
Good luck finding ammo.

 

[JTH]

Hammers come in factory ammo? Stated requirement by the OP!

I'd take a hard look at Pendleton Ammo. They're loading the 124 hammer hunter, should easily get you out to 500 yards and still be above the threshold for expansion at 1800 fps. I've got a 22" barreled 6.5cm with hand loaded hammers that bangs steel consistently at 600 and is running just a hair under 1800 fps at that range. Admittedly not as good at bucking the wind as a 143 eld-x, but you're far more likely to get two holes if that's important to you.

 

[snox801]

Does your .02c include shooting a lot of game beyond 400yds with a 6.5CM shooting mono's?

Mine does. But for some that wouldn't matter anyway. Because the bc is to low or something.

 

[blackbrush1]

Lapua 139 Scenar. Zero questions.

Read "deceased via Scenar"

 

[cornshank]

The 131 shoots well in my 6.5 prc pre 64 mod 70 win with a Bartlien 7.5 twist at 3200 fps with N165 , it would be as good as any bullet or better in the 6.5 cal for even bigger game.

Like how those pre 64' s shoot.

 

[Stonyman88]

Mine shoots the Hornady 143 ELD-X Like a nail driver .20 groups at 100 yds, and sub .50 at 200yds

 

[RckyMtnRutt]

143 eldx by a long shot followed by 147 match 140 match 120 match. Half inch groups at 200 yards for factory ammo is hard to beat. When i bought my 6.5 i bought like 10 different boxes of ammo. My gun loved the eldx and match ammo from 0-700. Probably even further if i had pushed it

 

[Stk]

ELD-X would work well at those distances but isn't great if close shots might present themselves.

 

[RckyMtnRutt]

ELD-X would work well at those distances but isn't great if close shots might present themselves.

Maybe true i shot a pretty big mule buck in november shot him at 50 yards and it didnt go further than 10 yards. Internals were disintegrated nice golf ball sized hole out the back. Same with a buck antelope this year at 300. Internals vaporized.

 

[Damage Inc.]

127 LRX has worked well for us from 40 yards to 550 yards, on everything from coyotes to elk. Haven't stopped one in an animal yet.

 

[Stk]

Maybe true i shot a pretty big mule buck in november shot him at 50 yards and it didnt go further than 10 yards. Internals were disintegrated nice golf ball sized hole out the back. Same with a buck antelope this year at 300. Internals vaporized.

They'll definitely kill at short range but they will come apart. I killed an elk with one with a broadside through the ribs at maybe 75 yards and recovered the jacket under the offside hide. I also lost a really large black bear after hitting him with what I thought was a well placed shot, but who knows. Here's the recovered bullet from the elk. Certainly killed him well enough but I'd have more faith in a bonded bullet.

 

[Stk]

I wouldn't hesitate to use them on antelope or deer, though.

 

[WildRose]

Mine does. But for some that wouldn't matter anyway. Because the bc is to low or something.

Call me crazy but if someone is going to lecture me on a given caliber, bullet, etc I like to know they have some actual experience with them.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion but not everyone can offer an educated opinion based on practical experience.

 

[WildRose]

They'll definitely kill at short range but they will come apart. I killed an elk with one with a broadside through the ribs at maybe 75 yards and recovered the jacket under the offside hide. I also lost a really large black bear after hitting him with what I thought was a well placed shot, but who knows. Here's the recovered bullet from the elk. Certainly killed him well enough but I'd have more faith in a bonded bullet.

View attachment 342933

I've been saying since the ELD-X hit the market Hornady would have the best cup and core bullet on the market.

In discussing it with their engineers and design guys I keep getting the same answers, one it's too expensive and two, they are not designed for high velocity impacts.

Up close just be sure you avoid any heavy bone and hope you can put it between the ribs on the entry at close range and you'll probably be ok as long as you get a solid hit on the vitals.

That many caveats had me turning to the Nosler ABLR instead of the ELD-X.