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

[Creedmoor shooter]

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.

 

[lancetkenyon]

Optimum bullet weight for the 6.5CM is 129-143 in my opinion. And I lean towards a 130s personally.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Optimum bullet weight for the 6.5CM is 129-143 in my opinion. And I lean towards a 130s personally.

For a good blend of velocity and bullet weight with bc, I agree for normal hunting distances. I'm thinking about switching to the 130 eld-m next season.

 

[lancetkenyon]

For a good blend of velocity and bullet weight with bc, I agree for normal hunting distances. I'm thinking about switching to the 130 eld-m next season.

We shoot the 130 OTMs in our 6.5CM and 6.5SLR.
Mule deer bucks from 145, 199, 454, 532, 637.
Pronghorn bucks from 260, 331, 381, 391, 771.

 

[cajun]

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.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

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.

 

[cajun]

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.

See I told you haha. Yes the old Amax with the melting tips.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

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...

6.5 Creedmoor 140gr Berger Elite Hunter Precision Match Ammunition

Eagle Eye 6.5 Creedmoor Precision Match Hunting Ammunition Berger 140gr Elite Hunter sets the standard as the most accurate, consistent and reliable long range and trophy hunting ammunition

www.eagleeyeammo.com

 

[Justice1327]

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.

 

[snox801]

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.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

Been awhile since I've seen that box!

 

[cajun]

If you reload and your rifle wont shoot that....sell it. Buuut R26 is faster.

 

[The Oregonian]

I think 130 to 140ish, and let the rifle tell you which bullet it likes in that range. Mine shoots the 140 HVLD really well and I use it for steel, hunting, and anything else.

 

[davidheart]

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.