What’s the optimal bullet weight for the 6.5 Creedmoor?

Great stuff everyone!!! Zen asked a good clarifying question: paper, steel or critters? And it's actually critters - I'm principally planning on using the rifle for whitetails and pronghorns. Thanks please keep this helpful conversation going!!
The 140 eld-m is your huckleberry. That's a very devastating bullet. I have a thread that I started detailing the performance of that bullet on whitetails and bears.
 
I can tell you the easy button for the 6.5 creedmoor is the 140 eld-m. If it don't shoot a 140 eld-m the guns broken 😅. I've loaded for quite a few creedmoors now. Haven't seen one yet that didn't like that bullet.
I mean look at this guys handle. He knows of what he speaks. The original Hornady loading was for a 140 eldm. If your rifle wont shoot that sell it lol.
 
I mean look at this guys handle. He knows of what he speaks. The original Hornady loading was for a 140 eldm. If your rifle wont shoot that sell it lol.
It was actually the 140 amax, later replaced by an improved version of it the 140 eld-m. The old recipe on that box was 41.5 grains of h4350.
 
Mine has done well with 110 and 124 monos to 140 and 156 Bergers. Haven't shot Hornady...


Still waiting to shoot these. Just haven't killed the brass from the Berger factory stuff yet...


 

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I've shot a lot of different ones.
I tend to lean more towards the 123-125 Cci lsd mono.
After testing I found the hammer 123 to be the best for hunting. But for paper or steel hard to beat the 147gr.
But the 123gr hits a min FPS to work slightly farther than the 147.
 
I think it depends on your range. If you're shooting critters inside of 400yd, go with a lighter weight bullet and higher velocity. 120-130gr. If your trying to stretch the CM legs 300-600 yards I'd look at those ELD-M's... and switch to a PRC 😄

Every barrel is different. While one bullet may be "the easy button" with good reloading practices you should be able to tailor your load to your preferences no matter the weight. I like high velocity, so I go to lighter weight bullets.
 
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