6.5 creedmoor whitetail round

[Dildobaggins]

So last year, I built a 6.5 grendel. Due to the ammo shortage I was only able to find American eagle 120 grain OTM which was extremely accurate. I shot 1 whitetail at about 300 yards. It obliterated it's shoulder and the internal damage was minimal at best. I couldn't even find a hole in the lungs or heart. Not sure how it even died. Second one I shot was at 70 yards, lungs were jello and the exit wound was larger than a silver dollar. I know people hunt with OTM and I did take 2 deer with it, but I don't have alot of confidence in the round at all. For my creedmoor, I'd like to start reloading, but I will be buying factory ammo for it this year. Any suggestions on what I should use? I'll have opportunity to take whitetail from 10 yards all the way out to about 400. Also, any explanation as to why that happened with the 300 yard shot? Was there just not enough kinetic energy? Thanks

 

[huntnh]

Iv had good luck with the hornady precision hunter. Extremely accurate and the 143 eldx is a good bullet

 

[blackblue]

Anything out of the creedmoor will kill well. I also generally avoid shooting the shoulder no matter what, your experience with the OTM is more typical of the performance out of various calibers in my experience, which leaves quick kills and good blood trails and I also avoid shoulder shots.

 

[spife7980]

Use a hunting bullet.

 

[Dildobaggins]

Use a hunting bullet.

I never would have thought of that! Lol. I'm just curious what others are using that have had success.

 

[DJL2]

I like the 140 ELD-M, 129 SST Superformance for factory ammo. You could do the 143 ELD-X too.
If you're gonna roll your own, you can add the 130 TMK to that list.

If you hew a different direction, the 120 TTSX might be worth considering.

 

[spife7980]

You’ll get answers saying all of them work so just roll the dice and pick one.
I’ve shot noslers, hornady, Sierra, Speer, Berger etc. they all work.

Just don’t expect a target bullet to be a hunting bullet. They may blow up, they may pencil through, they aren’t designed to do anything consistently terminally, they are designed to fly well, not impact well.

 

[DJL2]

I wouldn't hesitate to use this, either, if I could find it in stock somewhere:
https://le.vistaoutdoor.com/ammunition/federal/rifle/details.aspx?id=1018

I haven't seen Sierra make that 140 TMK publicly available.
The TMK and ELD-M are both loaded in LE ammo and are both very consistent open air performers with violent/frangible like effects on target. That's my jam, but it's not everyone's.

 

[Dildobaggins]

I wouldn't hesitate to use this, either, if I could find it in stock somewhere:
https://le.vistaoutdoor.com/ammunition/federal/rifle/details.aspx?id=1018

I haven't seen Sierra make that 140 TMK publicly available.
The TMK and ELD-M are both loaded in LE ammo and are both very consistent open air performers with violent/frangible like effects on target. That's my jam, but it's not everyone's.

I use the elds on varmint and they are devastating. My father used Hornady for a decade and lost a few. I'm going to guarantee it wasn't the bullet, but rather his ability to not make a horrible shot. Lol

 

[davsco]

i've ordered but haven't used these yet, but reasonably priced in today's market and more importantly, it's available. and with 'whitetail' in the name, presumably they'll work on deer.

6.5 Creed hunting ammo available at normashooting.com

https://normashooting.com/shop/caliber/rifle/6-5mm-creedmor/new-for-2021-brass-6-5mm-creedmoor-140-gr-whitetail-norma-qty-20/ $30/box and currently free shipping code 1902 for 5% off thanks rokslide i ordered two boxes a few days ago that now show shipped and then ordered three more today

www.snipershide.com

 

[stello1001]

I actually really like the Hornady 140 BTHP and it's done me very very well with taking deer. However, like anything, you'll get others with contradicting experiences.

 

[smcfarland]

For deer and pigs, the Nosler 120 ballistic tips have worked very well for me. For Elk the 143 ELDX has worked very well. Now good luck finding either…

 

[jbuck88]

I can vouch for the 143ELDx. My son has 2 deer with it and I have a couple deer as well as various coyotes and grouse(head shot only). I almost switched to the Barnes LRX for my kids elk, but I plan on backing him up if needed.

All of our deer have been 200yds or less, and our closest was 20yds. It has performed perfectly and all but 1 was DRT. That one took a few steps, but it's lungs and heart were trashed.

 

[loveha]

I'll use any high quality hunting round. But my preference is Barnes with their all copper bullets. Also used Hornady Outfitter ammo which is also all copper to great success last year. The copper rounds simply retain almost all of their weight.
Varmints, sure, OTM or a dedicated varmint round that "grenades". Deer, elk, etc I want an actual hunting bullet designed for expansion.

 

[KnowNothing256]

+1 for the copper bullets. You have to keep the impact velocity up, which shouldn’t be an issue with a 120-130gr bullet out of a 6.5CM at 400 yds. 2000 FPS at impact bare minimum, 2200 FPS is better.

The 120 TTSX or 127 LRX are great hunting bullets within their limitations, and if they aren’t the most accurate (varies rifle to rifle), so what, 2 MOA at 400 yds is still ethical on deer-sized game if you can hold that steady.

 

[Hollywood_Jake_Speed]

i've ordered but haven't used these yet, but reasonably priced in today's market and more importantly, it's available. and with 'whitetail' in the name, presumably they'll work on deer.

6.5 Creed hunting ammo available at normashooting.com

https://normashooting.com/shop/caliber/rifle/6-5mm-creedmor/new-for-2021-brass-6-5mm-creedmoor-140-gr-whitetail-norma-qty-20/ $30/box and currently free shipping code 1902 for 5% off thanks rokslide i ordered two boxes a few days ago that now show shipped and then ordered three more today

www.snipershide.com

My Ruger Precision likes the Norma 140gr.

 

[Dildobaggins]

Thanks for all the responses. I think I'll try some Hornady or Barnes. whatever is available. Good luck to everyone hunting this year!

 

[gopherslayer]

I’d love to tell you my favorites but I’m a whore when it comes to bullets. I’m not a fan of match bullets at close range but any cup and core will work. I‘ve used at least 8 different bullets in 260Rems. I like Barnes in faster magnums.

 

[Hondo64d]

So last year, I built a 6.5 grendel. Due to the ammo shortage I was only able to find American eagle 120 grain OTM which was extremely accurate. I shot 1 whitetail at about 300 yards. It obliterated it's shoulder and the internal damage was minimal at best. I couldn't even find a hole in the lungs or heart. Not sure how it even died. Second one I shot was at 70 yards, lungs were jello and the exit wound was larger than a silver dollar. I know people hunt with OTM and I did take 2 deer with it, but I don't have alot of confidence in the round at all. For my creedmoor, I'd like to start reloading, but I will be buying factory ammo for it this year. Any suggestions on what I should use? I'll have opportunity to take whitetail from 10 yards all the way out to about 400. Also, any explanation as to why that happened with the 300 yard shot? Was there just not enough kinetic energy? Thanks

From your write up, it sounds like you would be more confident in more of a controlled expansion bullet than one that fragments. I have had great luck with the 129gr Hornady SPs loaded to 2870 or so. Doesn’t grenade but does leave a silver dollar sized exit on whitetails. BC is nothing great but you should be fine out to 400 yards or so. Hornady loads it in their American Whitetail ammo. Have also had great results from the 130gr Nosler Accubond. The only one I recovered was from a giant pig that was pushing 400 pounds. Recovered the bullet from under the hide on the off side. Perfect mushroom. A bit better BC than the Hornady. Shot a decent sized boar a couple of weeks ago with a 120gr Ballistic tip launched at 2950 or so. Spined him at 324 yards, which of course, put him down right there. Didn’t kill him though. Had to put one in his brain when I got to him. Didn’t do an autopsy, but no exit wound. I’ll try them some more before drawing conclusions.

John

 

[usmc45]

123gr Absolute Hammers. Have been loving these bullets on Deer and Elk last season. Started using hammers for all my game.

 

[GrumpyOleFart]

I've changed from 129gr SST, to 143gr ELDX.
really like the extra legs, and heavier thump at the feral end.
I don't like AR2209/4350 powder... fucken filthy.
So I have been playing with AR2206H/H4895.
Been getting nice single hole/slight clover groups at one hundred metres at the range, 32.4gr and a cleaner barrel.
Still tinkering with OAL.
Has anyone used non spec powders and found better results?

 

[Clark]

I shot a whitetail doe with a 6.5-06, 120 gr nos bal tip, at 629 yards.

Those whitetail does are a small target.

 

[ColbyLang]

Shooting Berger Bullet 135’s Hunting Ammo out of my Daniels AR-10 for whitetail (tremendous hog population on our club, love a 10 round mag).

5 deer shot with said Ammo, all were within 20 yards of where they were shot, bullet did what it was supposed to do. Can’t seem to find any anywhere tho, glad I grabbed a case

 

[Shoots 700's]

Use a hunting bullet and shoot behind the shoulder

 

[XTREM HTR16]

Factory ammo?
Try the Hornady American Whitetail with 129 SP. It’s not call the “poor man‘s partition” for nothing.
or try the Berger 130 hybrid ammo.

 

[stello1001]

The deer season XP is what a cousin of mine uses. And he kills lots of pigs and deer with it that I've been curious about it myself too. For just cheap factory hunting ammo, it works good for him.

 

[S3th]

If looking for factory ammo, I would recommend the above. I took my first whitetail with a 64gr Deer Season XP from a 16" .223. Buck ran roughly 20 yards, the bullet stuck in the hide - 99% pass-through; the insides were jello.

 

[S3th]

 

[Dildobaggins]

View attachment 7701903

Wow, that's impressive!

 

[b6graham]

Id pick any of the berger hybrid options. 140 144 156

Just took a bear with a 6XC with 105 hybrids. Insides mush. No exit wound. Barely any meat damage.

 

[Superjet]

I may try the 130 hybrid this year after a less than ideal performance last year with 130 gamechangers. The gamechanger just pencil’d thru and I didn’t have a drop of blood for 100 yards. Velocity was around 2700 from an 18” 6.5x47.

 

[DJL2]

The TGK is a designed with a "thick, tough" jacket for "outstanding penetration and controlled expansion." I'm not surprised it struggled some with a launch velocity of 2700 on a relatively light weight/skinned animal.

Source for the quotes:

6.5 Creedmoor ~ 130 Grain ~ GameChanger - Sierra Bullets

Our GameChanger ammunition is the result of more than 70 years of designing world-class bullets. Each GameChanger round utilizes a Sierra Tipped GameKing bullet with an extremely accurate boat tail profile and a polymer tip seated in a hollow point design for fast expansion upon impact. A lead...

www.sierrabullets.com

 

[Defender32]

Nosler 129 ABLR is a golden bullet if you can find enough to work up a load with.
Hornady 143 ELDX is another great one.
Berger 135 Classic Hunter & 140 Elite hunter shot great as well.

I shot the Nosler out of the Grendel and the rest out of the Creed. I killed KY White tail and Coyotes with both. Bothe performed well and did their job. The 143 ELDX 2-10 yards after hit behind the shoulder. Coyotes jut roll. The 129 ABLR was about the same. I planned to work a load of the ABLR into the creed for this season, but I found 5 boxes tucked away of the 143 ELDXs so that won't be needed. The will still stay on the shed for a later date.

 

[Dildobaggins]

Nosler 129 ABLR is a golden bullet if you can find enough to work up a load with.
Hornady 143 ELDX is another great one.
Berger 135 Classic Hunter & 140 Elite hunter shot great as well.

I shot the Nosler out of the Grendel and the rest out of the Creed. I killed KY White tail and Coyotes with both. Bothe performed well and did their job. The 143 ELDX 2-10 yards after hit behind the shoulder. Coyotes jut roll. The 129 ABLR was about the same. I planned to work a load of the ABLR into the creed for this season, but I found 5 boxes tucked away of the 143 ELDXs so that won't be needed. The will still stay on the shed for a later date.

Finding ammo you didn't know you had is one of the best feelings haha.

 

[Superjet]

The TGK is a designed with a "thick, tough" jacket for "outstanding penetration and controlled expansion." I'm not surprised it struggled some with a launch velocity of 2700 on a relatively light weight/skinned animal.

Source for the quotes:

6.5 Creedmoor ~ 130 Grain ~ GameChanger - Sierra Bullets

Our GameChanger ammunition is the result of more than 70 years of designing world-class bullets. Each GameChanger round utilizes a Sierra Tipped GameKing bullet with an extremely accurate boat tail profile and a polymer tip seated in a hollow point design for fast expansion upon impact. A lead...

www.sierrabullets.com

Agreed. It does have a pronghorn on the box and states “handles deer with ease.”

I shot my buck at 100 yards last year. While my mv is a little slow due to the short barrel, impact velocity is basically the same as a hotter caliber making a 600 yd shot. I wish the mfg’s would give an ideal impact velocity for performance.

 

[DJL2]

Agreed. It does have a pronghorn on the box and states “handles deer with ease.”

I shot my buck at 100 yards last year. While my mv is a little slow due to the short barrel, impact velocity is basically the same as a hotter caliber making a 600 yd shot. I wish the mfg’s would give an ideal impact velocity for performance.

We've (royal we) got a really strong bias towards penetration and pretty mushrooms. Bonded, tough jacket, monolithic - all of it briefs well, looks good (if you recover the bullet). Not really ideal performance in many situations, though, if you consider factors beyond just penetration. I've never aligned to the "use a tough bullets and break both shoulders" school of thought, but I've seen it "out there" quite a bit.

I read an observational study done years ago that concluded 2400-2700 fps was a sweet spot for emphatic terminal performance without excessive meat damage using a variety of bullet types. Obviously, some bullets are effective to much lower velocities, some produce desirable performance at higher velocities... that was just an area where a lot of different designs performed well IF the bullet weight (sectional density) was matched to game weight. I would love to find that again as a reference.