6.5 bullet choices

[Timberline Shooter]

I currently have a 6.5 creedmor being built. I am currently split on what bullet weight to run with. I have seen guys post loads discussing each independently, but not necessarily comparing the two head to head. The 140g bullets BCs are definitely better than the 130s, however I have read of guys pushing 130s almost 200fps faster. (140s around 2800fps, 130s around 3000fps) Running the numbers in my calculator the 130s would shoot much flatter and buck more wind out to abut 1000 yards resulting in more room for error, however, most people seem to be running 140g bullets. What have guys who have actually tested both and have real world experience with both in a creedmor/Lapua/.260 come up with? I ran the numbers using Berger's 130 Hybrid Bullet and Hornady's 143g ELD-X bullet.

 

[Codiekfx400]

123 Lapua Scenar if you want to shoot flat for bc the 147 and 140 eld work great

 

[47guy]

Try the 123g lapuas...you should be able to run them right around 3100 in the creed...I’m at 3025 in a 47 and have no plans to shoot anything else

 

[Kadams1563]

Best bang for the buck and work well for me out to 1100? 140 ELD.

 

[chavezz556]

Barrel length,twist action? I run the 140 bthp's from hornady and the ELD's with great success...

 

[kdmcd]

Best bang for the buck and work well for me out to 1100? 140 ELD.

Agreed. Bergers have worked well, also. But, I shoot ELDs almost exclusively.

 

[JimLee]

140 ELD's seem to be most 6.5's preferred diet. Buy 100 count boxes of the others to try out if you are interested. I swear i'm going to wear out my first barrel doing load developments and playing with different stuff. Also, that 143 ELDX shoots amazing in my 6.5 but I don't really want to shoot a hunting bullet as i'm trying to get dialed in for PRS style shooting. This is the 1st 3rd group I shot with the 143 ELDX bullets while dialing in my scope, but I have replicated this many times with the 140's now (shot at 200 yards).

 

[XLR308]

I planned and built my rifle around the 147eldm with a 1-7.5" twist barrel finished at 23".
Does that mean my barrel will prefer that bullet ? Hell no, its just an idea and if it doesn't the faster twist won't hinder me if I decide to drop down to the 130 class or even tinker with the 121 flatlines.
The point is no one can tell you what your barrel will prefer, most available data you read will point to a certain bullet weight but that's mainly due to the shear number of people using that weight.
I prefer heavy for caliber bullets mainly because energy on target is more important to me than speed or .1 click of wind at x distance.
I like to target shoot but my main purpose for all of my rifles is hunting/killing if it were competition based I would run faster and lighter bullets with the best BC available.

 

[JimLee]

I planned and built my rifle around the 147eldm with a 1-7.5" twist barrel finished at 23".
Does that mean my barrel will prefer that bullet ? Hell no, its just an idea and if it doesn't the faster twist won't hinder me if I decide to drop down to the 130 class or even tinker with the 121 flatlines.
The point is no one can tell you what your barrel will prefer, most available data you read will point to a certain bullet weight but that's mainly due to the shear number of people using that weight.
I prefer heavy for caliber bullets mainly because energy on target is more important to me than speed or .1 click of wind at x distance.
I like to target shoot but my main purpose for all of my rifles is hunting/killing if it were competition based I would run faster and lighter bullets with the best BC available.

I read of some guys actually getting really good performance out of that bullet with 1:8 barrels, which just further proves your point.

 

[XLR308]

I read of some guys actually getting really good performance out of that bullet with 1:8 barrels, which just further proves your point.

I was torn initially with should I get a 1-8 twist barrel but had no interest in going any longer than 23" for overall balance and portability of the rifle. I know 23" is by no means a shorty but Its alot more maneuverable than a 26" or longer in my opinion and sacrifices very little performance.
Then companies started pushing out heavier 6.5 bullets (147eldm, 150smk ) and the little bit of extra stability afforded by the 7.5" twist seamed like a great compromise with little or no draw back.

Here is the rifle just mocked up so I could feel how it balanced out, still need to torque the barrel down and bed the stock. It balances out almost perfect but just a touch heavy up front, I'm sure after I have the KMW hardware and adjustable cheek piece work done it will be spot on balance wise.

 

[JimLee]

I was torn initially with should I get a 1-8 twist barrel but had no interest in going any longer than 23" for overall balance and portability of the rifle. I know 23" is by no means a shorty but Its alot more maneuverable than a 26" or longer in my opinion and sacrifices very little performance.
Then companies started pushing out heavier 6.5 bullets (147eldm, 150smk ) and the little bit of extra stability afforded by the 7.5" twist seamed like a great compromise with little or no draw back.

Here is the rifle just mocked up so I could feel how it balanced out, still need to torque the barrel down and bed the stock. It balances out almost perfect but just a touch heavy up front, I'm sure after I have the KMW hardware and adjustable cheek piece work done it will be spot on balance wise.

Nice rifle, let us know how she shoots! I'm betting it'll be excellent.

 

[XLR308]

Nice rifle, let us know how she shoots! I'm betting it'll be excellent.

Just need enough time at home to getter did ?

 

[DrainTheSwamp]

I’ve been considering the Norma 130 gr golden target for a 1-8 remage from PVA. Anyone got much experience with these?
130 eldm would be ideal if I could find them in bulk at a decent price. I’m wanting to go flatter and stay closer to the 130 class.

 

[260284]

I’ve been considering the Norma 130 gr golden target for a 1-8 remage from PVA. Anyone got much experience with these?
130 eldm would be ideal if I could find them in bulk at a decent price. I’m wanting to go flatter and stay closer to the 130 class.

My son shot the 130 golden target in his factory RPR. I shot them for awhile in a 20" Tikka CTR 260 and they handled going trans sonic very well. We both made hits on steel out to 1400 yards. He was getting 2835-2850 fps with Prime brass and H4350.

 

[chavezz556]

Agreed. Bergers have worked well, also. But, I shoot ELDs almost exclusively.

Honestly for the performance I'm getting out of the elms I dont ever see myself buying a yellow box.. unless I get some stupid deal on a lot..

even the 140 bthp from Hornady arent too far off on BC compared to the VLD's

 

[DrainTheSwamp]

even the 140 bthp from Hornady arent too far off on BC compared to the VLD's

And the price is right on them.

 

[beretta_man11]

I really wanted the 130rdf to do well in my MPA creedmoor. I'd have three in one hole and two flyers, almost every time. I was able to get them over the 3,000 mark with reloder, just the accuracy was never there for me.

 

[260284]

I shot the 130 Norma (Golden Target), 140 Hornady BTHP, 140 A-Max, 140 ELDM, 143 ELDX, and the 140 RDF in my 260 CTR. The 140 BTHP was very accurate until it went trans sonic and then it was unpredictable. I couldn't find a good node with the Amax so I sold them all. The ELDM and the ELDX both shot great and still do in my 6.5 Creed Bartlien that replaced the 260 barrel.
The 140 RDF was very stable when it went trans sonic, but the groups were not always consistent. They worked when the throat in my 260 was toast and they liked a lot of jump. Made 1st round hits past 1000 yards with it in comps, but I like the consistancy of the 140 ELDM.
I have not tried the 130 ELDM, but I might run the numbers and see if the velocity would beat the BC of the 140.

 

[chavezz556]

I think I might pick up some of the 130 gen Norma's.. they are the same price as the 140 bthp Hornady
If prime uses them I would assume they put some RnD into it

 

[.30kal]

I've had good luck with the 140 ELD-Ms across several 6.5 Barrels. The 140 Hybrids didn't shoot any better and cost more, so I stuck with the 140 ELDs.

 

[DrainTheSwamp]

I think I might pick up some of the 130 gen Norma's.. they are the same price as the 140 bthp Hornady
If prime uses them I would assume they put some RnD into it

It says on midway that the 130 norma’s are discontinued, I couldn’t find a contact to confirm this. That kind of had me worried. I guess if I buy enough now to burn a barrel then it won’t matter. Mid south had them for $116 per 500, 130 something now

 

[fvalmostthere]

I tested 123 scenars, 130 ar bergers and 140 hybrid bergers in my 6.5 creed. Every barrel is different but I ended up with loads in each at 3045, 2915 and 2830 respectively. In my ballistic calculator it wasn't until about 800 yards that the 140's started bucking the wind any better. I settled on the 123's due to this as well as pricing and availability.

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

I'm shooting the 142 Matchkings and I'm guessing a lot of other people are too because they are backordered nearly everywhere.

 

[DrainTheSwamp]

The Barnes 140 gr match burner may be worth mentioning as well.

 

[RNWRKNP]

140 ELDM’s in my 6.5 CM gas gun @ 2757 and spinning up a 6.5x284, 7.5 twist with the intent to throw the 147 ELDM’s as well. Looked at getting the Sierra 150’s and they seem to be unobtanium which is not the end of the world as Hornady does well at a better price point.

 

[260284]

It says on midway that the 130 norma’s are discontinued, I couldn’t find a contact to confirm this. That kind of had me worried. I guess if I buy enough now to burn a barrel then it won’t matter. Mid south had them for $116 per 500, 130 something now

Buy enough to last a year, they are imported and not always in stock. Mid-South usually has the best price on them.

 

[LucasJ1990]

I am running with the 147 gr ELD-m projectile. I haven't tried anything else yet, but If I can get the groups I want, I will stick with the heavier bullet.

 

[Ripdog28]

Mine shoots the Berger 140hybrids so damn well but I like the lower price and equal BC of the ELD-M. Not sure if I should switch though.