I am going to use my 6.5 CM to drop a few big whitetails this year, and I want to hear about your experiences with certain bullets/loads. Most of my shots will be in the 100-300 yard range. If you have wrecked a few deer with a certain projectile and have complete faith in it, please let me know, I don't care what it is. I just want a few options so I can have my own little damage experiment. Otherwise I'm just going to headshot all of them with A-maxes...just kidding...but not really.
Hunting & Fishing HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
- Thread starter DPontius
- Start date
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
I use 140 Berger vld hunting with no issues on whitetail, mule deer, and elk.
I use 140 Berger vld hunting with no issues on whitetail, mule deer, and elk.
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
Whats wrong with the Amax?
Whats wrong with the Amax?
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
130gr Berger Hunting VLD is what I use for just about everything anymore.
130gr Berger Hunting VLD is what I use for just about everything anymore.
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
I have shot a couple of deer with a 6.5x55 which is pretty similar. I really haven't found anything that I am sold on. 120gr ballistic tips are most accurate out of mine, but I have had a short track on everyone I have shot. I personally would try 125gr partitions or a solid copper barnes of some variety. That is the direction I am going this year... I know there are a lot of people that have had great success with the 6.5's for hunting... I just can't seem to get an exit wound
I have shot a couple of deer with a 6.5x55 which is pretty similar. I really haven't found anything that I am sold on. 120gr ballistic tips are most accurate out of mine, but I have had a short track on everyone I have shot. I personally would try 125gr partitions or a solid copper barnes of some variety. That is the direction I am going this year... I know there are a lot of people that have had great success with the 6.5's for hunting... I just can't seem to get an exit wound
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
I've clobbered dozens of critters at the Man Camp with the 6.5CM, all 140 AMAX. No lost animals.
My personal " toughness test" for bullets is auodad sheep. I've seen them take a perfect 300 WM shot and trot 300 yards, before tipping over. The 140 AMAX does a fine job on these critters, probably shot ten or more at ranges out to 350/400 yards.
I'd just shoot the factory 140 AMAX if it were me. The 120 GMX, I haven't been able to get those to shoot as accurately, so they haven't been shot as much at game yet.
I've clobbered dozens of critters at the Man Camp with the 6.5CM, all 140 AMAX. No lost animals.
My personal " toughness test" for bullets is auodad sheep. I've seen them take a perfect 300 WM shot and trot 300 yards, before tipping over. The 140 AMAX does a fine job on these critters, probably shot ten or more at ranges out to 350/400 yards.
I'd just shoot the factory 140 AMAX if it were me. The 120 GMX, I haven't been able to get those to shoot as accurately, so they haven't been shot as much at game yet.
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
129 GMX and 129SST are the hunting loads offered by Hornady but I just shot the 140Amax and had no issues killing whitetails. The Amax did a fine job, I'm planning to use it again this year in rifle season too.
Makes things convenient when I can use the identical load that I've been shooting competitvely too. None of the "crap, I brought the wrong dope card"
129 GMX and 129SST are the hunting loads offered by Hornady but I just shot the 140Amax and had no issues killing whitetails. The Amax did a fine job, I'm planning to use it again this year in rifle season too.
Makes things convenient when I can use the identical load that I've been shooting competitvely too. None of the "crap, I brought the wrong dope card"
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> The Amax did a fine job, I'm planning to use it again this year in rifle season too.
Makes things convenient when I can use the identical load that I've been shooting competitvely too. None of the "crap, I brought the wrong dope card"
</div></div>
This is my theory, why change up everything for the two or three shots you fire during hunting season. I always shoot the same bullet at everything, I just killed a cow elk with a 162 amax.
Excellent performance, even at 435 yards.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: bohem</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> The Amax did a fine job, I'm planning to use it again this year in rifle season too.
Makes things convenient when I can use the identical load that I've been shooting competitvely too. None of the "crap, I brought the wrong dope card"
</div></div>
This is my theory, why change up everything for the two or three shots you fire during hunting season. I always shoot the same bullet at everything, I just killed a cow elk with a 162 amax.
Excellent performance, even at 435 yards.
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
140gr Berger VLD hunting bullets, it will be difficult for you to fine another bullet with a higher BC or ballistics performance for hunting.
140gr Berger VLD hunting bullets, it will be difficult for you to fine another bullet with a higher BC or ballistics performance for hunting.
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DVMPontius</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am going to use my 6.5 CM to drop a few big whitetails this year, and I want to hear about your experiences with certain bullets/loads. Most of my shots will be in the 100-300 yard range. If you have wrecked a few deer with a certain projectile and have complete faith in it, please let me know, I don't care what it is. I just want a few options so I can have my own little damage experiment. Otherwise I'm just going to headshot all of them with A-maxes...just kidding...but not really. </div></div>
I assume this hunting will be outside of Ohio since we cant hunt deer with a rifle here.
Its sad that we have to travel to another state just to rifle hunt deer.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DVMPontius</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am going to use my 6.5 CM to drop a few big whitetails this year, and I want to hear about your experiences with certain bullets/loads. Most of my shots will be in the 100-300 yard range. If you have wrecked a few deer with a certain projectile and have complete faith in it, please let me know, I don't care what it is. I just want a few options so I can have my own little damage experiment. Otherwise I'm just going to headshot all of them with A-maxes...just kidding...but not really. </div></div>
I assume this hunting will be outside of Ohio since we cant hunt deer with a rifle here.
Its sad that we have to travel to another state just to rifle hunt deer.
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flounderv2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: flounderv2</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
DVMPontius said:I am going to use my 6.5 CM to drop a few big whitetails this year, and I want to hear about your experiences with certain bullets/loads. Most of my shots will be in the 100-300 yard range. If you have wrecked a few deer with a certain projectile and have complete faith in it, please let me know, I don't care what it is. I just want a few options so I can have my own little damage experiment. Otherwise I'm just going to headshot all of them with A-maxes...just kidding...but not really. </div></div>
I assume this hunting will be outside of Ohio since we cant hunt deer with a rifle here.
Its sad that we have to travel to another state just to rifle hunt deer.[/
quote]
Could be he is an outlaw badass and feels stupid laws are for stupid people and therefore do not apply. Or maybe he has depredation permits. Who cares..
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
130 or 140 grain Berger VLD. They've both worked great for me and show no difference in effect on game. Largest I've shot was a 250 lb hog and also a 200 lb ram, both floppedd within 10 yards of the shot. Despite their explosive fragmentation everything I've shot with them has had an exit wound, not that I think that's good or bad, just saying.
130 or 140 grain Berger VLD. They've both worked great for me and show no difference in effect on game. Largest I've shot was a 250 lb hog and also a 200 lb ram, both floppedd within 10 yards of the shot. Despite their explosive fragmentation everything I've shot with them has had an exit wound, not that I think that's good or bad, just saying.
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
I will be running 140 grain AMAX for deer here in Nevada, if I have an opportunity to put them to use, I will post up the results.
I will be running 140 grain AMAX for deer here in Nevada, if I have an opportunity to put them to use, I will post up the results.
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Killswitch engage</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Could be he is an outlaw badass and feels stupid laws are for stupid people and therefore do not apply. Or maybe he has depredation permits. Who cares.. </div></div>
Hah I will go with the outlaw badass part...but I happen to hunt in Michigan with a rifle. Here I follow (most of) the rules like everyone should, no matter how dumb they are.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Killswitch engage</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
Could be he is an outlaw badass and feels stupid laws are for stupid people and therefore do not apply. Or maybe he has depredation permits. Who cares.. </div></div>
Hah I will go with the outlaw badass part...but I happen to hunt in Michigan with a rifle. Here I follow (most of) the rules like everyone should, no matter how dumb they are.
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
TTSX 120 gr has done a great job for me in .260 rem. I'm going mulie/elk hunting next week with the new Barnes 127 gr LRX though
TTSX 120 gr has done a great job for me in .260 rem. I'm going mulie/elk hunting next week with the new Barnes 127 gr LRX though
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
I just shot a 4x4 mulie a week ago with my new 6.5 creedmoor and a 140 vld hunting. One shot at 218 yards and it was down and dead. I found a good sized fragment in the ribs on the opposite side. The lungs and heart were shredded.
Bb
I just shot a 4x4 mulie a week ago with my new 6.5 creedmoor and a 140 vld hunting. One shot at 218 yards and it was down and dead. I found a good sized fragment in the ribs on the opposite side. The lungs and heart were shredded.
Bb
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
130 gr. Berger vld hunting bullet is very accurate in both my 6.5x47 and 260
130 gr. Berger vld hunting bullet is very accurate in both my 6.5x47 and 260
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
I really like the 130 Accubond in 260 and 6.5x55, no flies on 140s, but would be looking at these in a CM for deer.
120 TSX/TTSX (can use from Any angle, etc.)
129 SP
125 PT, very similar performance to the 129 SP, but more $$$
130 AB
130 Berger, have a great reputation
The 120 BTs have done well for many, mixed for others, the 123s....mixed, I think one, perhaps the Scenar is harder, the amax (120/123s) would be perhaps the softest, the 123 MKHP ok.
On the 140s, most all will work if SP or HP, though for deer I am not sure if they kill any faster.
My plans are to try the 130 Bergers this year since I have some, the 127 Barnes is intriguing....decisions
Pick one, there are more bullets that work from 120 and Up than not.
Good hunting.
I really like the 130 Accubond in 260 and 6.5x55, no flies on 140s, but would be looking at these in a CM for deer.
120 TSX/TTSX (can use from Any angle, etc.)
129 SP
125 PT, very similar performance to the 129 SP, but more $$$
130 AB
130 Berger, have a great reputation
The 120 BTs have done well for many, mixed for others, the 123s....mixed, I think one, perhaps the Scenar is harder, the amax (120/123s) would be perhaps the softest, the 123 MKHP ok.
On the 140s, most all will work if SP or HP, though for deer I am not sure if they kill any faster.
My plans are to try the 130 Bergers this year since I have some, the 127 Barnes is intriguing....decisions
Pick one, there are more bullets that work from 120 and Up than not.
Good hunting.
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
130 berger in my 260 = DRT
130 berger in my 260 = DRT
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
The 6.5 was a "bone collector" this year, shot two bucks in Nevada and a spike bull elk in Montana. My cousins used the 6.5 on their bucks in Nevada, one at 525, on right at 500 yards. (Mine was taken at 200 yards with an open sight 30/30 marlin...my brush gun)
The elk was taken at 650 yards, all of them were taken with 140 grain AMAX. The bucks dropped in their tracks. The elk was dead on its feet, but turned to quarter towards me and I put another in the front quarter, I did not get good penetration on the round that hit in the front quarter, I found the bullet just under the hide barely into the flesh of the muscle, so although I do think it is and adequate round for the job, shot placement is critical. The kill shot on the elk entered the rib cage behind the shoulder and jellied his liver and exited out the other side of rib cage. The follow up hit him in the front end and did not penetrate...Here are a few pics from the trips.
The 6.5 was a "bone collector" this year, shot two bucks in Nevada and a spike bull elk in Montana. My cousins used the 6.5 on their bucks in Nevada, one at 525, on right at 500 yards. (Mine was taken at 200 yards with an open sight 30/30 marlin...my brush gun)
The elk was taken at 650 yards, all of them were taken with 140 grain AMAX. The bucks dropped in their tracks. The elk was dead on its feet, but turned to quarter towards me and I put another in the front quarter, I did not get good penetration on the round that hit in the front quarter, I found the bullet just under the hide barely into the flesh of the muscle, so although I do think it is and adequate round for the job, shot placement is critical. The kill shot on the elk entered the rib cage behind the shoulder and jellied his liver and exited out the other side of rib cage. The follow up hit him in the front end and did not penetrate...Here are a few pics from the trips.
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
Thank you sir.
Thank you sir.
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
Used the Barnes 127 gr LRX in my 6.5x47 Lapua this Fall. Final sight in with 36.3 gr of Varget/CCI BR running 2830 fps at 200 yds.
Moved up 1/4 moa and called it good.
Buddies both shot their 4x5 bulls at 280 yds using 140 VLD from 6.5x284's. I took a 3x4 buck @ 500 yds on the last day of our hunt as he was sky lined.
High ribs, through and through, 1" in and 1" out.
Used the Barnes 127 gr LRX in my 6.5x47 Lapua this Fall. Final sight in with 36.3 gr of Varget/CCI BR running 2830 fps at 200 yds.
Moved up 1/4 moa and called it good.
Buddies both shot their 4x5 bulls at 280 yds using 140 VLD from 6.5x284's. I took a 3x4 buck @ 500 yds on the last day of our hunt as he was sky lined.
High ribs, through and through, 1" in and 1" out.
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
On Saturday, two brothers, Cameron and Cody, whom I work with, went up behind my house on Saturday for Cameron's cow elk. Cameron had a bit of trouble with Cody's 300 Win Mag. He missed 6 times at two different cows. I offered to loan them my light 6.5x47, same one as above, and they took me up on the offer. Yesterday, I instructed them how to dial up my NF 2.5-10x32 with NP-R2 reticle and printed up a drop chart. I wasn't worried about the wind as weather.com forecast calm to 2 mph.
Got a call about 3 pm. The cows stay up on the steep Western facing mountain behind my house. Cody coached Cameron into a 450 yd killing shot. The Barnes 127 gr LRX, running 2830 fps, zipped through both lungs of a very large cow. She ran about 30 yds before piling up and sliding down steep face in 3' of snow, stopping in some Gambel Oak brush.
On Saturday, two brothers, Cameron and Cody, whom I work with, went up behind my house on Saturday for Cameron's cow elk. Cameron had a bit of trouble with Cody's 300 Win Mag. He missed 6 times at two different cows. I offered to loan them my light 6.5x47, same one as above, and they took me up on the offer. Yesterday, I instructed them how to dial up my NF 2.5-10x32 with NP-R2 reticle and printed up a drop chart. I wasn't worried about the wind as weather.com forecast calm to 2 mph.
Got a call about 3 pm. The cows stay up on the steep Western facing mountain behind my house. Cody coached Cameron into a 450 yd killing shot. The Barnes 127 gr LRX, running 2830 fps, zipped through both lungs of a very large cow. She ran about 30 yds before piling up and sliding down steep face in 3' of snow, stopping in some Gambel Oak brush.
Re: HELP! 6.5 Creedmoor hunting bullet selection?
I have 2 buddies who just got 6.5CM's who shot around 10 deer combined with factory 140 amax's and they were very pleased. MOst dropped right there but a few did make it 30 or 40 yds. Ranges out to about 500yds
I have 2 buddies who just got 6.5CM's who shot around 10 deer combined with factory 140 amax's and they were very pleased. MOst dropped right there but a few did make it 30 or 40 yds. Ranges out to about 500yds
I've used the following 6.5 bullets: 120gr Speer, 120gr TSX, 129gr SST, 130gr Berger, 130gr Accubonds, 140gr SST, 140gr Hornady SP and 140gr TBBC. They all worked very well. If your maximum shot distance will be 300 and close range shots are possible the 130gr Accubond would be my pick for deer. Lots of energy transfer and will hold together just fine, even if you have to pound it through a shoulder at close range.
I may have to give the 140 amax another shot. I was not that impressed with the two I killed last year with them. Both were hit in the heart with a clan small exit hole. The deer died pretty quick, but looking at the damage inside and at the exit wound did not make me very confident in there performance. Are you guys getting much expansion with them?
I've used the 140 VLD, 140 Amax, and 127 LRX out of my 6.5-284. They all killed deer/hogs just fine, but the 127 LRX was nasty. It is all I use for hunting now.
If I had a 6.5 creedmoor, I would probably use the 127 LRX, 120 TTSX, or 120 GMX for anything 500 and in. Past that, I would probably go with the 140 VLD.
If I had a 6.5 creedmoor, I would probably use the 127 LRX, 120 TTSX, or 120 GMX for anything 500 and in. Past that, I would probably go with the 140 VLD.
130gr or 140gr VLD.
I have to agree with the Barnes 127gr LRX. I dumped a 300+ lb. cow elk with my .260 using that bullet at 150 yds. The bullet completely penetrated and she went down where I shot her. They shoot super accurate out of my gun and I would not hesitate to use them on bull elk as well.
New to me is the 129gr AccuBond LR with a .561 BC. Midway shows it won't be available till August, should be a good option!
I am working on a 6.5 SAUM and will be looking to run the Berger 140 grain match hunting VLD's this year for elk. I will get back to you on results, its more of a pet project than anything else, possibly re-barreling to 7 SAUM after a "test drive" of the laser beam 6.5 to see what the results are.
I was pleased with the AMAX in the Creedmoor though, we took one mule deer at 500, and one about 525, and the elk was at 650 yards. None of them made it more than about 20 yards from where they were shot at. Just looking to get something that will not come apart prematurely at the higher velocities I am expecting to see with the 6.5 SAUM. Good luck this fall!!!
I was pleased with the AMAX in the Creedmoor though, we took one mule deer at 500, and one about 525, and the elk was at 650 yards. None of them made it more than about 20 yards from where they were shot at. Just looking to get something that will not come apart prematurely at the higher velocities I am expecting to see with the 6.5 SAUM. Good luck this fall!!!
I guess I am going to have to develope a decent hunting load for my 6.5 beasts. My bolt gun currently loves the 142gr SMKs but I havent heard any thumbs up for them guess I will have to mess with the bergers or amaxs.
This humble little line says a lot from a professional, take note.
I've had wonderful results with the 140 AMAX on antelope...haven't had the chance to send one through a deer yet. Complete penetration on through the shoulder shots with the chest cavity contents turned into unset cherry jello. I use the same rifle and loads as I use for our Precision practical matches here in Cody. No confusion about what load, what scope dope etc between the field and the match.
