6.5 Creedmoor Bullet Advise

[biggin69]

Im in the final stages of completing an AR-10 build constructed specifically for the 6.5 Creedmoor. Along with the new rifle, I will be handloading the ammunition for this gun. From my research (alot here on SH), I have narrowed my bullet selection down to the following:

Hornady 123 gr SST
Hornady 129 gr SST
Berger 130 VLD (assuming they become available)

Does anyone have any other suggestion? Is there a particular bullet that you like the most for a gas gun? A majority of the posts I have read seem to discourage the 140 gr bullets in gas guns.

Thank you for your input!

 

[pkt1199]

Tag - sorry no input but in the same boat as you for information.

 

[arnie19]

Im no expert but have been using 140 a max . I leave the lighter bullets for the Grendel .

 

[George Mac]

You need to let folks know what twist rate you are using. The LMT barrels 260/6.5CM only come in 1/9 so that is why you see a lot of posts with the 120/123gr bullets. Also, semiauto Pmags have a shorter OAL for your loaded rounds than the AI mags for the bolt guns. This will push the longer 140's down past the shoulder and eat up your case capacity.

I just picked up an LMT 6.5 Creedmoor barrel and plan to use 123 Lapua Scenars with Varget. I put a ladder test of 50 together last night and found that a COAL of 2.747ish keeps them above the shoulder and happily inside the Pmag.

 

[George Mac]

By the way, the 120 A-Max is even a bit shorter than the 123 Scenar so you can seat it to the same length and have room for a bit more powder as well.

 

[leadbullet]

120's to 600 and 140's past that, as long as you have an 1/8 twist barrel. No need to worry so much about the bullet weight, if they are of good quality, they will shoot, it is a 6.5 after all
Cheers

 

[Boltfluter]

I have recently had good luck with the Hornady 123 A-max. Good price and great BC. Have fun.

Paul

 

[lsm62]

Im running a bolt gun with a 20in 1:8twist barrel using the 130 vld and am happy with the results.