New to me 6.5 Creedmoor

[Hondo64d]

So my wife just bought me a slightly used Nosler M48 Liberty (I think, my research tells me that's what it is) in 6.5 Creedmoor, so I'm part of that crowd now. My questions are what bullet should I shoot out of this thing? I bought brass already(200 pieces),I have primers, pretty sure I have a powder that will work. I just can't decide what bullet to use or where the hell to find them at. I haven't picked up a scope for it yet but I'll be ordering a Leupold VX-5 3-15x44 as soon as Leupold makes one, so I have time to decide and scour the internet looking for bullets to shoot. Thanks for your replies.

Don't get caught up chasing the highest BC out there. I've found the 130gr bullets to be the best performers for me. I base my max range for critters on 1) my confidence in putting the first round in the boiler room and 2) minimum acceptable impact velocity. With the CM, for me that's about 600 yards under ideal conditions. At that range, 130s and 123s launched at their attainable velocities can provide the same or better wind performance and a significant trajectory advantage.

In my match gun, the load I've recently been shooting is a Hornady 140gr BTHP at 2685 fps. I could push it harder, but that's where the best accuracy is. I recently developed a load with the 123gr Lapua Scenar that found its best accuracy at 2940 fps. At 1000 yards with a full value 10 mph wind, the 123 has a 1.5 mil trajectory advantage and a .1 mil wind advantage to boot.

If I were you, I'd be looking at 130gr AR Hybrids or 130gr HVLDs.

Edited to add I think you'll like the 6.5 Creedmoor. It's not magic but they are generally very easy to find an accurate load for. Recoil is light enough to enjoy shooting it and as a result shoot it enough to be very good with it. It is a good case design for short actions. Like anything it's on game performance is a matter of a good bullet in the right place at a sufficient impact velocity but with the CM, it's easy to put it there.

John

 

[Stammster]

You target shooting or hunting?
Expected ranges?
If hunting, what?

Without this info, there is no way to answer your question.

 

[mxjoe35]

So my wife just bought me a slightly used Nosler M48 Liberty (I think, my research tells me that's what it is) in 6.5 Creedmoor, so I'm part of that crowd now. My questions are what bullet should I shoot out of this thing? I bought brass already(200 pieces),I have primers, pretty sure I have a powder that will work. I just can't decide what bullet to use or where the hell to find them at. I haven't picked up a scope for it yet but I'll be ordering a Leupold VX-5 3-15x44 as soon as Leupold makes one, so I have time to decide and scour the internet looking for bullets to shoot. Thanks for your replies.

Well bullets depend on what you are wanting to do with them. For target shooting Hornady 140ELDMs are very good, and for hunting Hornady 143ELDX are great. BUT there are a bunch of others out there that will work, but the 140gr range is very good for the 6.5CM. Powder I would use H4350 or similar burning powder. To find bullets, powder or anything go to ammoseek.com and keep an eye out. They show up from time to time, but you have to be quick.

 

[cabelasken]

Barnes 127 long range bullets work well in my 6.5 at 2800 FPS I also have been shooting 124 hammer hunters. IMR 4350 seems to be doing the job and I have a few pounds of it so that is what I've been using. My antelope hunt starts this weekend, so I'll find out how they do on game soon.

 

[TRG65]

I have used 147 ELD-M bullets at 2790 in my son's 6.5 Creedmoor. All of his deer have been 1 shot. Prior to the 147s we used 123 ELD-Ms and likewise those were 1 shot. Last year we tried to get 130 swift s2s to shoot and regardless of powder charge or seating depth they would not group. We ended up resorting to the 147s again for deer season. This year I worked up a load with 130 accubonds at 2857 with vv555. I don't think any of the deer he has shot with ELD-Ms have had an exit. The internal damage is impressive and the results can't be questioned, they work. We are looking for a bullet that might give a bit more flexibility and also have a better chance of providing 2 holes for a blood trail for the inevitable time when the shot isn't as well placed.

 

[Puddle]

Wadda you want to do with it? Shoot LR paper/steel? Antelope/Deer? How about Elk?

 

[Alberta Wexit]

140gr Amax 41.5 IMR 4350 Magnum primer works great. Only shot target at this point.

 

[KMLampson]

Shooting Hammer bullets in mine, super accurate and available, the last being important these days….

 

[HunterMann]

I wish my wife would buy me things like that M48...

 

[koonazz]

Shooting Hammer bullets in mine, super accurate and available, the last being important these days….

X2 on hammers. They don't need to be heavy to kill extremely well. Check out some of the convos on hammer bullets here on the site.

 

[Muledeerhuntingfreak]

I use hornaji E LDX 143 41.5 g of page 4350 in mind and have great success with ithat's where they that shoots really well

 

[73driver]

I had your same issue. I have Defiance action with a #4 BRUX barrel that I want to shoot silhouette and hunt whitetails with. I had powder, cases (1 fired Hornady and Lapua), primers and lots of H4350. The smith cut the chamber specifically with the Hornady 140 ELD-M ammo in mind. I found NOS 140 BT "hunting" and Sierra 142 match bullets. I found that the Sierras liked the B-O measurement .01 closer to the lands than the Hornady loaded 140 ELD-M with 40.7 gr H4350 & the NOS BT hunting 41.5 gr H4350 with same B-O seating. About loaded up all 250 of the NOS bullets I bought and will try and by a bunch of any NOS, Hornady or Sierra Game King/SST/Ballistic Tip/Accubond in 140-129 grain I find.

 

[Panhandle Pete]

So my

So my wife just bought me a slightly used Nosler M48 Liberty (I think, my research tells me that's what it is) in 6.5 Creedmoor, so I'm part of that crowd now. My questions are what bullet should I shoot out of this thing? I bought brass already(200 pieces),I have primers, pretty sure I have a powder that will work. I just can't decide what bullet to use or where the hell to find them at. I haven't picked up a scope for it yet but I'll be ordering a Leupold VX-5 3-15x44 as soon as Leupold makes one, so I have time to decide and scour the internet looking for bullets to shoot. Thanks for your replies.

wife just bought me a slightly used Nosler M48 Liberty (I think, my research tells me that's what it is) in 6.5 Creedmoor, so I'm part of that crowd now. My questions are what bullet should I shoot out of this thing? I bought brass already(200 pieces),I have primers, pretty sure I have a powder that will work. I just can't decide what bullet to use or where the hell to find them at. I haven't picked up a scope for it yet but I'll be ordering a Leupold VX-5 3-15x44 as soon as Leupold makes one, so I have time to decide and scour the internet looking for bullets to shoot. Thanks for your replies.

My grandson and I have taken a lot of game ( antelope-WT deer- feral hogs ) with the 129 grain Nosler Accubond, I personally would not hesitate to pull the trigger on an elk with this bullet under normal ranges for the caliber. My grandson shot one antelope at 550 yards with immediate results.

 

[chav0_12]

Wadda you want to do with it? Shoot LR paper/steel? Antelope/Deer? How about Elk?

Yeah I'll practice on paper and steel but at the end of the day all of my rifles are hunting rifles of some sort. My main idea was deer and antelope, maybe a javelina when I go down to AZ. Elk, that's a big question mark for me as I have bigger better rifles for the application but it's not out of the realm of possibilities. I'd probably say 500-600 is what I'd consider the max range for the cartridge on big game for, just based on velocity for expansion.