Question for you 6.5 CM guys

[TO 8217]

In about 2 weeks I'm going to have a new GA Precision 6.5 CM and need some advice on Ammo. Since I'm not a reloader yet I was at my local dealer and they just got a shipment of the Hornady 120 gr amax BTHP and will be getting in the 140 gr soon. What should I buy? Do you recommend something else ?

 

[346ci]

You will need to try both and see what the rifle likes. The 140s would be better if you are going to sling some way out there.

 

[Hairball]

i use the 140's

 

[Pinto]

Mine really likes Copper Creek Cartridge Co. 139 gr. Lapua Scenar

 

[Rob01]

How far will you be shooting? The 120s will do well at shorter ranges of 600 and in as they were designed for the short course but for long range the 140s with their higher BC will work better in the wind. If you wanted to buy the 120s just to get shooting then they will get you pulling the trigger. Keep the brass for when you do reload.

 

[broke_again]

Go with the 140s. They should work better for you.

 

[JB02]

I have a 6.5 CM 26" Bartlein with a 1/8.5 twist. It LOVES the 140s. I tried the 120s but they never shot as accurate (but I really needed to pair the bullet with a different powder).

 

[dtibbals]

I have a GAP with 22" barrel and run the 140 AMAX. I load the same as factory and shoot factory as well for brass and they shoot great. I have shot out to 1287 with no problem.

 

[Sonic Crack]

Awhile back there was bad hornady CM ammo. Id imagine its all cleared up by now. Might be worth it to check into Copper Creek, Southwest or other custom ammo guys.

 

[TO 8217]

Thanks all. I think buy just a box or 2 of the 120's and 3or 4 of the 140. I'll also check into that Lapua ammo.

 

[dtibbals]

Thanks all. I think buy just a box or 2 of the 120's and 3or 4 of the 140. I'll also check into that Lapua ammo.

Just in case you don't realize it but Lapua doesn't make ammo in this caliber, it is a bullet you can purchase for reloading. If you knew that my bad, if not it will save you time searching for what doesn't exist

 

[MosesTheTank]

I have tried just about every load from Copper Creek and Hornady. Echoing what has already been said, the 139 Scenars and 140 A-Max have proved to be much better in the wind, even at 400 or 500 yards. My rifles haven't shown any preference for the 142 SMK. At longer ranges the advantage of the 139/140 is greatly magnified. There is a cost advantage to Hornady over Copper Creek, and loading your own is of course even more cost effective. But I think Copper Creek is still worth checking out.

 

[RobertB]

140s were hard to get here and there so I bout 4K 120s and since then I've been able to find a few thousand 140s. I shoot them both with great results. At distance you can tell that the 140 has a definite edge but the 120 will shoot very well and I have had good results past 1K several times with them. And this is from a 20" bbl. The 24" bbl slings em even better.

Good luck

 

[hollowoutadime]

Nothing wrong with buying a few boxes of ammo, but you should look at taking the NRA basic reloading class. You can get an inexpensive press and load and get exactly what you want performance wise and never be out of ammo. So you can settle on a couple rounds (target and hunting) and never deal with looking for the same loaded ammunition and rezeroing for "whats available", etc.

There are always used reloading setups available through this forum or CL, the NRA course is a good overview with enthusiasts. Save your brass from the 120g Amax, you'll reload it at some point. Those AMaxes shoot mighty fine in my .260, I'll bet they do well in your 6.5

 

[TO 8217]

Thanks again all, I am hopefuly some time soon going to look into reloading and take a class. kinda sounds like a fun anyway.