Range Report 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

[RobertB]

Hey guys, going to be getting a 20" bartlien 6.5 cm. Ive already got 400 120 grns and 200 140 grns on the way. Hornady factory rounds. My only short bbl caliber to deal with is 308. On this caliber would anyone here see a benefit/problem with one weight or the other. Any one here with experience with a cartridge like this out of a 20" tube. My usual rule for myself are always the heavies but figured it was worth a question. If i was home to test i wouldn't ask but I hope to be buying ammo before I arrive and would rather stock up on the right one. Does the greater velocity of the 120 trump the bc of the 140 out to say 1000 yds. Thanks. Shooting the amaxs btw

 

[jonaddis84]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

I chose the 140's for my Bartlein 21", they just grouped better out of the gun, and I feel I can push them fast enough to maintain the BC advantage over the 120s velocity advantage.

If youre going to shoot factory ammo though, I wouldnt base your decision solely on what should work better. Shoot them first, it may like one better.

 

[RobertB]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

Normally I would but I'm not going to be with the gun and I'm trying to stock up. Kindof a gamble but I don't want to be stuck with a rifle with no ammo. What kind of speed you getting from the 21"?

 

[JCH]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

I have an 18" Creedmoor with an 8.5 twist Bartlein barrel.

If it were my primary long range rifle I would shoot the 130 vld's. I tested them out of my rifle (suppressed) and I was getting 2810fps with 44.5gr H4350.

I instead will be shooting the 100gr AMAX's because I think I can get them close to 2900-3000fps and it is primarily my hunting rifle. I like to shoot coyotes more than anything.

Hope this helps.

 

[jbailey]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

Yeah, what speed are you getting with your 21" and what 6.5mm cartridge is it? I have a 21" 6.5mm tube at the gunsmith right now getting a 6.5x47L chamber...

 

[RobertB]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JamesBailey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah, what speed are you getting with your 21" and what 6.5mm cartridge is it? I have a 21" 6.5mm tube at the gunsmith right now getting a 6.5x47L chamber...

</div></div> That should be a sweet rig once finished. Let us know how it does. I have a 6.5x47L with a 23"bbl and I love it. I only shoot the 123's it it though.

 

[Jedi]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

Waiting to spin a new barrel on my lil 20" x47 ... Frank is holding me up

From a short barrel you can not run 140 fast enuff to take advantage of BC

123 however i can get to 3000fps + with zero ill effects

 

[JCH]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jedi</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
123 however i can get to 3000fps + with zero ill effects</div></div>

What powder is getting you 3k with a 123 out of a 20"?

 

[RobertB]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jedi</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Waiting to spin a new barrel on my lil 20" x47 ... Frank is holding me up

From a short barrel you can not run 140 fast enuff to take advantage of BC

123 however i can get to 3000fps + with zero ill effects </div></div> Thanks man, stuff like this is exactly what I was looking for. I've had better luck finding 120 ammo and somewhat glad of it because I sort of had this feeling. But I was not going to put the 140 out. They would always be my first choice, but, the short bbl had me questioning. Thanks, keep 'em coming.

 

[Pusher591]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

I run a 21" Rock Creek and it seems to be faster then most. I've been getting 2830 average through the chrono, and backed it up with confirmed dope out to 735 yards. Range dope is putting me more at 2800 even.

It flat out shoots though, I run factory ammo and I checked the lot I have, it averaged 42.4 grains of H4350.

IMHO the weight/BC will out weigh the speed.

 

[Jedi]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

RE17

easy to pick up 100fps plus on any other powder

Opinions are just that, run QuickLoad sim, data vs conjecture

 

[JCH]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jedi</div><div class="ubbcode-body">RE17

easy to pick up 100fps plus on any other powder

Opinions are just that, run QuickLoad sim, data vs conjecture
</div></div>

I've seen a bigger boost than 100fps with R17 and a 243AI running 105's. I believe you.

 

[jonaddis84]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JamesBailey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah, what speed are you getting with your 21" and what 6.5mm cartridge is it? I have a 21" 6.5mm tube at the gunsmith right now getting a 6.5x47L chamber...

</div></div>

Its a creedmoor, been shooting up factory ammo for the brass, off the top of my head I think I was getting 2750ish with the 140's. I could be wrong though, been awhile since Ive shot it.

 

[ddavis]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

My 21" Creedmoor gets 2730 with the factory 140's, but they are sorta hot because my throat was cut short and it jams them into the lands.

The 120's are... yuck. Relatively low BC for a 6.5 bullet, you might as well be shooting .308. You want the 123's at a minimum, but ideally 130's or 140's. If you are stuck with factory ammo, the 140's are great. Very accurate and will serve you well out to 1000 with a 20" barrel.

 

[Jedi]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

Wonder why Hornady never did a 130grn high BC Amax type 6.5cal
bullet?

I agree in most apps the 130 is about ideal weight, but running 130 bergers for steel makes lil sense

luv to see a high BC 130 Amax

 

[ddavis]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jedi</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wonder why Hornady never did a 130grn high BC Amax type 6.5cal
bullet?

I agree in most apps the 130 is about ideal weight, but running 130 bergers for steel makes lil sense

luv to see a high BC 130 Amax

</div></div>

I agree and I've asked them the same. They say the market isn't big enough, but I say they haven't done adequate research on the market! FYI, Norma Golden Target 130's have a BC almost as high as the 140 Amax and cost about the same.

 

[VKC]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

140grs for less wind drift and better velocity retention.

Would also suggest consider the Sierra 142grs, as they are very consistent and relatively reasonably priced.

 

[FALex]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

hey guys, I am considering purchasing a 6.5CM barrel at 22" long. Do you guys running the shorter barrels believe this is an adequate length? It appears the consensus is to not go below a 24" tube. What's the hide's opinion?

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jedi</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wonder why Hornady never did a 130grn high BC Amax type 6.5cal
bullet?

luv to see a high BC 130 Amax

</div></div>

Agree, maybe Rob01 can pull some teeth... But why stop there I would also like a .224 68g A-max and a 90-95g .243 Amax

 

[bohem]

Re: 6.5 creedmore 20" 120grn vs. 140grn.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: FALex</div><div class="ubbcode-body">hey guys, I am considering purchasing a 6.5CM barrel at 22" long. Do you guys running the shorter barrels believe this is an adequate length? It appears the consensus is to not go below a 24" tube. What's the hide's opinion? </div></div>

My 21.9" barrel shot the 140's @ 2775
My current 22.5" barrel shoots the 140's @ 2820

I'm still using the same 350 pieces of brass that I started with, I don't know how many reloads are on them but I've fired about 6900rds of 65CM across those cases.

I find no reason to go longer on the barrel. It makes a very nicely balanced rifle at that length and it's not terribly unwieldy with the suppressor on the end.