Bullets for the 6.5 CM

[Remmy700]

I have tried all the 140 class bullets and I always come back to 140 eldm or 139 scenars in the creed. Here is some ideas on charges with both and this is with 4350. I also shoot 140 bergers and they do very well.

 

[30BR]

I shoot a 6.5-284, but the Sierra 142's and H4350 gave me a 0.968" 5 round group at 600...And they are not that expensive...

 

[freddogs]

I mostly hunt with my 6.5 CM. The first 2 years I had it the 130 Hornady whitetail loads shot plenty good so I used them to shoot a couple animals. Last year I started reloading the CM and took it and 142 eldx bullets out west and it worked fine. This year I may try it with Barnes 120 TSX bullets that seem to shoot one hole at 100.

 

[Eric H]

Has anyone had success with the 140gr Nosler RDF?

 

[Clem Bronkoski]

I'm not surprised at the number of choices. Especially even for the less costly Sierra bullets. These are often overlooked. I used 180 gr Game Kings in my Tikka 30-06 a couple years ago on a nice Newfoundland moose.

 

[KurtB]

Daughter shot this group at 800 yards. 4 shots, RL26, 147 eld. Rem 700 with a #2 Hawk Hill barrel. Short throat on her rig so only using 45 grains and getting about 2700 fps. Shoots pretty good though.

At 100 yards is almost never over .5" for 5 shots with 135 Bergers, 140 Berger vld, or 147 eld. It was hard to pick one.

 

[boylejr47]

Has anyone had success with the 140gr Nosler RDF?

 

[boylejr47]

I've been using 140gr nosler RDF's for about 300 rounds through my Ruger M77 Varmint/Target with good success. I think they're a High quality bullet at a price slightly cheaper than ELD's and shoot the same for me. I only kill paper so I shoot them at around 2550fps and sub .5 MOA consistently. 38.3 gr H4350 ,.030" off the lands. I only shoot 200yds as thats all that's close to home. I use Lapua and Hornady brass and CCI and Winchester primers. I've gone out to 450yds at a friend's farm with similar results. I once shot 1000yds in Florida and hit the target, 3'x3' steel, 4 out of 5 times, with my 1943 Mauser 98k using Nosler 200gr Custom Competion bullets. Just Sayin.

 

[TRG65]

If a 6.5 doesn't shoot with 140 Berger Hybrids and H4350, there is something wrong with the gun. When H4350 was hard to get, and about the same time Berger raised the price again, I went to 147 ELDMs and RL16. That combo was a bit harder to tune, but gave good results in the end. The benefit to the ELDMs is that my experience on deer has been better than with Bergers, so the ELDMs can be dual use.

 

[Eric H]

How much of a jump?

Daughter shot this group at 800 yards. 4 shots, RL26, 147 eld. Rem 700 with a #2 Hawk Hill barrel. Short throat on her rig so only using 45 grains and getting about 2700 fps. Shoots pretty good though.

At 100 yards is almost never over .5" for 5 shots with 135 Bergers, 140 Berger vld, or 147 eld. It was hard to pick one.

If a 6.5 doesn't shoot with 140 Berger Hybrids and H4350, there is something wrong with the gun. When H4350 was hard to get, and about the same time Berger raised the price again, I went to 147 ELDMs and RL16. That combo was a bit harder to tune, but gave good results in the end. The benefit to the ELDMs is that my experience on deer has been better than with Bergers, so the ELDMs can be dual use.

How's your speed on that 147 with the RL16? Thought I had a good load with H4350 but it didn't pan out. You at .03 or .02 at how much powder? Trying to get ready for deer season and don't have a good load as yet.

 

[KurtB]

Short throat and kissing lands at 2.81 with 147 eld in her rig.

 

[TRG65]

With a 24" barrel it is right around 2790 fps with the 147. I load at 50 thou off the lands. powder charge is going to be very dependent on the brass you are using. I've tried Lapua, Hornady, and Federal. Federal has less case capacity and produces dangerous loads with the same powder charge.

 

[Eric H]

With a 24" barrel it is right around 2790 fps with the 147. I load at 50 thou off the lands. powder charge is going to be very dependent on the brass you are using. I've tried Lapua, Hornady, and Federal. Federal has less case capacity and produces dangerous loads with the same powder charge.

Thanks. Will try various loads until finding that sweet spot.

 

[Bassin_Rob]

Being stuck in California ive got to be lead free. So choices are much more limited but I have found good success with Barnes 120grain TTSX. 1/4" groups at 100 yards