6.5 Creedmoor Ammo for Ruger American

[Tylerm713]

I'm a life-long bolt gun shooter, but until about a month ago, it was only for hunting purposes. I decided to get my first entry-level rifle specifically for precision shooting, and went with the Ruger American Predator. I've only been able to take it to the range twice, so I haven't figured out exactly what ammo it likes, so I figured I would see what others were using.

So far I've used Hornady Black 140 gr BTHP and Herter's 120 gr soft points (which didn't shoot half bad for getting my scope close). I'm aware of the limitations of the Ruger AP, and am not under any delusions that it's going to be a .5 MOA tack driver at 1500 yards. So to that extent, I'm currently not looking at hand loading (though that may change), and I'm also not interested in paying $40/box for ammo. Just looking for something solid.

 

[bigdaddydmd]

The Hornady American gunner 140 gr (I suspect it is the same round as the Hornady Black since they are both 140 gr BTHP) works well for practice ammo, but has a higher SD than the Hornady Match so velocity spread (vertical stringing) at distances over 600 yards is noticeable. The 140 and 147 Hornady ELD-X match is very good in this rifle. Mine really loves the 147gr ELD-x Match and it is just a little better than the 140's. It's cost than the American gunner is greater though. Not in the $40 a box category. More like the $30 a box category.

 

[_Raining]

There is no guarantee that two RAPs with sequential serial numbers will like the same ammo. You just need to try different match ammo until you find one it likes.

 

[Tylerm713]

The Hornady American gunner 140 gr (I suspect it is the same round as the Hornady Black since they are both 140 gr BTHP) works well for practice ammo, but has a higher SD than the Hornady Match so velocity spread (vertical stringing) at distances over 600 yards is noticeable. The 140 and 147 Hornady ELD-X match is very good in this rifle. Mine really loves the 147gr ELD-x Match and it is just a little better than the 140's. It's cost than the American gunner is greater though. Not in the $40 a box category. More like the $30 a box category.

Thanks. ELD-X is definitely on my list to try. I'll also check out the American Gunner for practice ammo (I definitely need trigger time, so those would be great when I'm more worried about what I'm doing, and less worried about what the bullet is doing).

There is no guarantee that two RAPs with sequential serial numbers will like the same ammo. You just need to try different match ammo until you find one it likes.

100% agree. Just looking for some recommendations from people that shoot APs as a starting point.

 

[Tylerm713]

Any love for the Federal Premium Berger Hybrid Hunter 130 gr?

 

[acudaowner]

good luck to you , if you do decide to compete . I have been shooting these https://www.outdoorlimited.com/rifl...n-boat-tail-hollow-point-ammo-can-200-rounds/ but have not had a range to shoot that far yet . also would recommend the 130 prime its more money but they shoot really nice .

 

[Tylerm713]

good luck to you , if you do decide to compete . I have been shooting these https://www.outdoorlimited.com/rifl...n-boat-tail-hollow-point-ammo-can-200-rounds/ but have not had a range to shoot that far yet . also would recommend the 130 prime its more money but they shoot really nice .

Thanks. That’s a hell of a deal.

 

[stello1001]

I had one and sold it to a cousin, it was a nice rifle for what it was. I bought a boat load of ammo to try. I would suggest you do the same.

140ELDM
140BTHP
130FGMM
140FGMM
140BERGER

 

[IronmanDaremo]

My suggestion (and others have already mentioned), just buy a box of each variety, take your time shooting with each (prone or bench, just do it the exact same for all rounds), and see what the gun "likes."

I have a Ruger Precision in 6.5, and tried that with all the various match grade ammo I could get my hands on. For me, the Hornady 140gr. ELD-M has been spot on every time. When I went out this past weekend, I shot 60 rounds (twelve 5-shot groups) and every one was sub-MOA, with two .3X groups, and I've only been doing this since last Fall, so very new to the sport. The ammo is super consistent and I have high confidence in it at this point. I'm usually paying in the $22-24/box (20 rounds) for it. And I save all my brass for potential future reloading, or even possibly selling.

 

[Tylerm713]

My suggestion (and others have already mentioned), just buy a box of each variety, take your time shooting with each (prone or bench, just do it the exact same for all rounds), and see what the gun "likes."

Yep, totally understand/agree with this concept. Again, just getting a feel for what others like in a Ruger AP. If certain ammo is just garbage, then I doubt my particular rifle will like it.

 

[Bear9350]

I have seen good results with the Hornady American Gunner ammo in several different rifles. I've read that it is the same ammo as the Hornady Black, but in bulk volumes. (50 or 200 instead of a box of 20)

You will still want ammo that shoots well for practice. If you see a bad result on the target you will need to know if it was the ammo or the gun or you. If the ammo isn't consistent then you will never know who is to fault.

 

[rcmigpilot]

My RAP shoots American Gunner and Sellier & Bellot 140s at or just below 1" @100 and shoots 140 ELD Match 5/8"- 3/4". I generally shoot the AG as it's good enough for steel at the 600 yard max range I shoot at. I can hit a 12" gong with such regularity it's almost boring, almost. Just got finished building the stand for a 6" plate so I can have something a bit more challenging.

 

[wade2big]

The Hornady American gunner 140 gr (I suspect it is the same round as the Hornady Black since they are both 140 gr BTHP) works well for practice ammo, but has a higher SD than the Hornady Match so velocity spread (vertical stringing) at distances over 600 yards is noticeable. The 140 and 147 Hornady ELD-X match is very good in this rifle. Mine really loves the 147gr ELD-x Match and it is just a little better than the 140's. It's cost than the American gunner is greater though. Not in the $40 a box category. More like the $30 a box category.

I haven’t had the same experience with American gunner. I have no problem keeping them in the center of a 12” plate at 900 yards. I make the same hits at that range as I do with my rifle that is sighted in with prime 130gr. I haven’t shot past this distance.

 

[Tylerm713]

Quick update. Hit the range yesterday with a box of Hornady ELD-M 140's and ELD-M 147's. Gun seemed to shoot both very well at both 100 and 300 yards. On a relatively windy day, I put 7/10 rounds in a 3" circle at 300 yards, which is not bad for me. Friend of mine found a good deal online for 147's today, so picked up several boxes, but I'll continue to experiment with some other loads as well. Thanks for all the feedback guys.

 

[Bear9350]

Quick update. Hit the range yesterday with a box of Hornady ELD-M 140's and ELD-M 147's. Gun seemed to shoot both very well at both 100 and 300 yards. On a relatively windy day, I put 7/10 rounds in a 3" circle at 300 yards, which is not bad for me. Friend of mine found a good deal online for 147's today, so picked up several boxes, but I'll continue to experiment with some other loads as well. Thanks for all the feedback guys.

If you are switching between ammo I would put atleast 10 rounds of the new ammo through the barrel before you put to much stock in results down range.

 

[Tylerm713]

If you are switching between ammo I would put atleast 10 rounds of the new ammo through the barrel before you put to much stock in results down range.

First time I've heard that, but I'm still new to the hobby. Curious if switching between 140 and 147 makes that big of a difference at 300 yards. My ballistic calculator shows the same elevation adjustment for both rounds at that range.

(And FWIW, the 10 rounds I mentioned were the last 10 of the 20 consecutive I shot of the 147, so I had actually shot 10 rounds of the 147 after switching.)

 

[_Raining]

First time I've heard that, but I'm still new to the hobby. Curious if switching between 140 and 147 makes that big of a difference at 300 yards. My ballistic calculator shows the same elevation adjustment for both rounds at that range.

(And FWIW, the 10 rounds I mentioned were the last 10 of the 20 consecutive I shot of the 147, so I had actually shot 10 rounds of the 147 after switching.)

I have only ever hear of this with regards to rimfire

 

[bigdaddydmd]

I do find that local supply of the 140gr Hornady match is always easier to find than the 147gr. Kind of a moot point if you order ammo online. I have also found that most of the big box stores will carry the 140gr ELD-M bullets for reloading but finding the 147s is rarer locally. Again have to order them online which is usually cheaper than local anyway.

 

[Tylerm713]

I do find that local supply of the 140gr Hornady match is always easier to find than the 147gr. Kind of a moot point if you order ammo online. I have also found that most of the big box stores will carry the 140gr ELD-M bullets for reloading but finding the 147s is rarer locally. Again have to order them online which is usually cheaper than local anyway.

I can find 147's locally at about $31/box, but using my friend's membership to Target Sports, they were 23.50/box shipped. They've been out of stock on the website for a bit, but came back in stock yesterday, so we each got several.

 

[IronmanDaremo]

Try Ammoseek.com as well. Lately, cheapest I've found ELD-M has been at Grab A Gun, and they have flat rate for ammo regardless of quantity.

 

[Tylerm713]

Try Ammoseek.com as well. Lately, cheapest I've found ELD-M has been at Grab A Gun, and they have flat rate for ammo regardless of quantity.

Thanks, will check there as well. So far, no one has been able to touch the price at Target Sports (if you have the membership). Grab a gun is showing $26/box with tax and shipping for 12 boxes, which is what we bought for $23.50/box.

 

[dzander]

Hornady 130 ELD-M match bullets are $.37 each in 100 piece qty.
With H4350 and Lapua brass loads are costing me $.63 each (figuring 10 reloads per brass).
$12.60 a box of 20.
In high cross winds I shot these the other day out of a Ruger American Preditor with a Magpul stock and a Kahles 624I
Its worth reloading for me, almost retired

 

[Tylerm713]

Hornady 130 ELD-M match bullets are $.37 each in 100 piece qty.
With H4350 and Lapua brass loads are costing me $.63 each (figuring 10 reloads per brass).
$12.60 a box of 20.
In high cross winds I shot these the other day out of a Ruger American Preditor with a Magpul stock and a Kahles 624I
Its worth reloading for me, almost retired

Yeah, I may ultimately get into reloading, but when factoring in the start up cost of buying equipment and the time it takes, I'm not sure it makes financial sense at this point given how much I shoot.

 

[dzander]

I get it.
At least save you're Brass when you can, maybe someday you will use it.
Not sure what brass Prime uses for the Creedmoor.
Might want to check them out.
Mr Lowlight has high praise for it.
I observed my prs match a couple weeks ago, a fella there was shooting Horndy 147's factory ammo and was doing pretty good with it.
Said he was shooting a couple years. Pretty windy was doing better than most at one station where targets were 673 yards out.
Reloading is like therapy for me. but i'm not shooting hundreds of rounds a week. I could see were it get to be more of a Job if that was the case.

 

[Tylerm713]

At least save you're Brass when you can, maybe someday you will use it.

Yep, definitely doing that, especially with the Hornady brass.

 

[dzander]

PRIME 6.5mm CREEDMOOR OTM 130GR MATCH+ [BOX]

PROUDLY MADE IN USA The price shown is for a single box of 20 ROUNDS. NOTE: All orders will ship 2 TO 3 WEEKS from the time the order is placed

www.primeammo.com

Looks Like Prime is using Peterson brass.

 

[bigdaddydmd]

Yeah, I may ultimately get into reloading, but when factoring in the start up cost of buying equipment and the time it takes, I'm not sure it makes financial sense at this point given how much I shoot.

This is exactly where I was 2 years ago. Time and initial start up cost. Found a good deal on a RCBS kit at an estate sale, started, and have been very happy. Usually going from $1.50 a round store bought to .68 reloading my Hornady brass is worthwhile to me. Spend a couple evening producing 500 round lots. Lasts me for a while since I can't get out more than 1-2 times a month. I was able to duplicate the load my rifle likes and slightly tweak it for just a little bit better accuracy. Now my limiting factors is finding H4350. Prior to all this I was just going to save all my brass and sell on here to try and recoup some of the cost of ammo. I am glad I saved all that brass. I know I won't get as many firings out of it as the Lapua brass, but its what I have on hand and it works well.

 

[Tylerm713]

This is exactly where I was 2 years ago. Time and initial start up cost. Found a good deal on a RCBS kit at an estate sale, started, and have been very happy. Usually going from $1.50 a round store bought to .68 reloading my Hornady brass is worthwhile to me. Spend a couple evening producing 500 round lots. Lasts me for a while since I can't get out more than 1-2 times a month. I was able to duplicate the load my rifle likes and slightly tweak it for just a little bit better accuracy. Now my limiting factors is finding H4350. Prior to all this I was just going to save all my brass and sell on here to try and recoup some of the cost of ammo. I am glad I saved all that brass. I know I won't get as many firings out of it as the Lapua brass, but its what I have on hand and it works well.

Yeah, when the time is right, or if I find a great deal, I don't think I'll hesitate to get into hand loading. Sounds like I need to hit up some estate sales...

 

[bigdaddydmd]

That and pawn shops. Just so happened to find a RCBS rockchucker supreme reloading kit new in the box for a price I'd be kicking my self if I passed on it. After that it was finding things that increased speed and efficiency like a chargemaster. God, I hate trimming and deburring cases by hand but its where I am at right now. Worth it though cause now I can shoot twice as much for same cost with only a moderate investment in time. I just stick to one caliber and don't bother with reloading pistol or 5.56. May have to start looking at reloading 300blk because those subsonic rounds add up and I tend to go thru them a lot faster than a bolt 6.5CM.

The weakest link in the RAP is the stock in my opinion. quite a few good aftermarket options for stocks with bottom mags.

 

[dzander]

I load mine on a rock chucker, bought a kit with a a rcbs beam scale, powder measure and a Redding Seater die, a Wilson sizer die, that uses bushings to size the necks. The Lapua brass has the small primer pockets, shot them at least 5-6 times, primers still fit tight and so far I've seen no significant growth so I haven't had to trim the OAL of the cases. Lapua is worth it to me on that aspect alone.
Over time you will accumulate more stuff, annealers, trickles , tumblers, etc. I just never got into the electronic scales / chargemasters. I hear good and bad about them.

 

[Tylerm713]

The weakest link in the RAP is the stock in my opinion. quite a few good aftermarket options for stocks with bottom mags.

Completely agree, although it's alright for now. I'd like to find a factory stock for it that accepts AI mags since they're making those now. If I can do that, I'll do a little tweaking to it and call it a day. Other option is to drop it into something like an Oryx, but not sure I can bring myself to buy a chassis that's as much as I paid for the gun.