X-bolt eclipse hunter 25-06 or 6.5 Creedmoor

[brinky]

Barrelnut,

I don't want to distract from the OP's question, but let me assure you the bullets are real. I've got about $80,000 real dollars invested in the project from a-z. We aren't releasing HP version of the ACE to keep it very clear which bullet is designated as our hunting bullet which will be the HTR released at the end of 2018 or early 2019. I'll be hunting with the 131 ACE - I've never had a single issue hunting up to Elk with target bullets but I am not going to label the ACE that way until much more terminal testing is done. We went back and forth about releasing an ACE HP but due to the great response of a lot of guys we knew we could go ahead and release the HTR.

Now to the OP, 25-06 or 6.5 Creedmoor.

6.5 Creedmoor - and there's 72 good options to choose from.

#1 Cheap match grade ammunition
#2 You'll begin stockpiling brass for when you want to reload
#3 If you never do you have a huge market of guys you can barter with to trade brass for hunting gear or binos or whatever. You can even sell it outright.
#4 When you get the itch to switch cartridges you can flatter out your trajectory going to 6 Creedmoor or 25 Creedmoor. : )
#5 Yes the 6.5 Creedmoor will have more drop than 25-06 at short ranges but barrel life and recoil will be lower and you will likely shoot a hunting or medium weight rifle much more confidently, accurately, and enjoy practice sessions more.
#6 If you want to shoot long range the 6.5 Creedmoor will do you better service unless you chambered a 25-06 with a fast twist barrel and run 131 ACEs out of it lol. There's a lot of times I don't want to reload and for the myriad of Match Grade options and Great Pricing, the 6.5 Creedmoor is entirely hard to beat.

I would like to say thanks for taking on such an endeavor. I have for years said that the 25-06 and 257 Weatherby just needed a good bullet in the 125-130 grain range. Of course everyone said "just use a 270" I'm happy to see someone giving the 25 some serious legs. Granted I may not ever own a 25 again as I'm quite happy with what I have but it's still good to see a fine caliber get it's just due.

 

[257Tony]

Let's run a side by side with similar factory ammo and see how they stack up at 500 yards.

.25-06/ Hornady 117 sst.
35" drop, 17" wind drift.
2150 fps and 1200 ft lbs at impact.

6.5 creedmoor Hornady 129 sst.
37" drop, 14" wind drift.
2200 fps and 1400 ft lbs at impact.


I don't think any deer or antelope could tell the difference.

 

[brinky]

Funny thing. I just checked a different forum and ran a search on 257 Creedmoor. Back in 2011 I was talking about how someone should make a 130-ish gr 25 cal bullet. Guess my wish came true. If only I still had my 25-06. I wonder how the 25-06 running the 131 gr ACE compares to the Creedmoor with a 143 or 147?

 

[MudRunner2005]

Funny thing. I just checked a different forum and ran a search on 257 Creedmoor. Back in 2011 I was talking about how someone should make a 130-ish gr 25 cal bullet. Guess my wish came true. If only I still had my 25-06. I wonder how the 25-06 running the 131 gr ACE compares to the Creedmoor with a 143 or 147?

The .25-06 AI with the 131 will stomp the CM with a 143 or 147... Probably by a good 300+ FPS.

 

[imartin]

I may not have read every post on this thread but there has been a lot of talk about BC and not much talk about SD (sectional density). If both are running the same bullet weight, the 25 will have an advantage as far as SD is concerned. Considering the OP already has a 7mm RM and a 243 Win, either cartridge fits nicely in between, with the 6.5 probably covering the spread the best as far as bullet weight is concerned. Never shopped for 6.5 CM ammo, but every Walmart I have been into has had 25-06. I roll my own so can't comment on factory ammo availability other than that, but you can buy what u want online. As far a factory rifles are concerned, if you want to run 100 - 120 class bullets, 25-06. If you want to go heavier, 6.5.

 

[brinky]

The .25-06 AI with the 131 will stomp the CM with a 143 or 147... Probably by a good 300+ FPS.

A quick look at the G7 BC's show the .257 131 ACE at .331 and 6.5 147 ELDX at .352 and the 6.5 140 gr in the.320 neighborhood. Seems like the ACE 131 gr has leveled the playing field. With a 257 Creedmoor wildcat given all its design attributes and the ACE bullet one would have a nice package. A 25-06 properly loaded with an ACE would answer a lot of questions too. I'm curious what a fully stoked 25-06 with RL26 and the ACE would do.

 

[The Oregonian]

My understanding is that EOL and Berger are developing a 6.5 heavy along the lines of the 7mm 195. Don't recall the weight, but maybe 155?

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

My understanding is that EOL and Berger are developing a 6.5 heavy along the lines of the 7mm 195. Don't recall the weight, but maybe 155?

Its the 156 eol. I know Broz was doing some testing with that bullet and getting 2750 fps with it out of a 6.5 CM with h4350. Loaded with rl 26 he would've easily gotten over 2800. It will be interesting to see what the BC on this bullet is. I know their new 184 7mm wasnt was I was thinking it was going to be.