Hunting & Fishing 6.5 Creedmoor non-lead factory hunting ammo test

[skr]

I decided to spend way too much time and money doing a thorough test of non-lead hunting ammunition. Check it out below and let me know what you think.

6.5 Creedmoor non-lead factory ammo test

In 2019, California banned the use of lead bullets for hunting. Since then, I’ve been trying to find a good non-lead factory load in 6.5 Creedmoor. My early rudimentary testing unfortunately did not inspire confidence. That was a handful of years ago and the market has seen a lot of new...

open.substack.com

Short summary:

• 6.5 Creedmoor tested in a light hunting rifle with Proof carbon wrapped barrel
• 5x5 shots per ammunition brand.
• 11 different products (10 non-lead, 1 lead control)
• Mean radius MOA group sizes at 100 yards
• Muzzle velocity SD via Labradar
• Calculated hit percentages at 500m/800m (using WEZ)

 

[tsavo303]

Wow, great article! Perfect testing and documentation!

 

[skr]

Thanks! Hopefully it'll save someone a bit of time in preparation for the next hunting season.

 

[huntlife7]

I appreciate you sharing, it was really insightful!

 

[lastshot12]

Great thanks for sharing

 

[Modoc]

I liked your write up and testing. Unfortunately I’ve had had to go in the direction of hand loading because of the cartridges in my hunting rifles.

I do like the fact that most of the monolithic bullets are more precise than CNC bullets.

I developed a <1/2” load for the wife’s Rem700 using Barnes TTSX bullets. This was before 7-08 was available as a loaded cartridge.