Hornady 6.5 ELD Match bullets

[Mainer]

Hornady offers these in both 140 and 147 gn. I load for 6.5 Creedmoor in a Savage 12fv with 1:8 twist 26" barrel. Is it worth trying both of these bullets? It seems that 7 grains is not a significant difference in weight.

I am a budget restrained shooter (as you may be able to tell by my choice of rifle) and can buy the 147 gr bullets for $2 per hundred less, but 140 seems to be the go to weight for many 6.5 Creedmoor shooters.

Is the heavier bullet pushing the limit for 1:8 twist?

 

[Lunchbox27]

The twist rate will be fine. The difference for you might be your freebore. Savages are notorious for having a short throat, so you might have to load shorter limiting how much powder you can put in.

As for the difference between them, yes, it is there in B.C.

140 : .646
147 : .697

Now, do you need that extra BC? How far are you shooting? I run the 140’s and have no issues connecting out to 1125.

 

[Kadams1563]

Stay with the 140's.

 

[Steel head]

If 1000 and inside all the time the 140.
If past 1000 is common the 147’s might be your friend.
If you like to shoot little bullets out of medium sized cartridges to a mile 147’s are definitely a nice friend to have.

 

[Mainer]

At this point the longest range available is 300 yds.

Is the consensus that I am better off paying the extra few $ and getting the 140 weight bullets?

 

[Kadams1563]

for 300 yards buy a .22

I would buy the cheapest bullets you can get if you only shooting that far. The 140's are usually cheaper from what I have seen or at least the same price.

 

[Mainer]

I will be picking up a couple of boxes of bullets next week, I think that I will get 2 of the 147 gn. rather than one of each based on higher b/c and lower cost. Thanks for input.

 

[Codiekfx400]

Here is some 140 eld for 26 cents. https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....int264-diameter-140-grain-eld-match-250-count

 

[Mainer]

Here is some 140 eld for 26 cents. https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....int264-diameter-140-grain-eld-match-250-count

Thanks! I will definitely check that out. Need to see what shipping adds. RMR has them for 0.34 each w/free shipping, but I am reluctant to buy bulk w/o knowing if I will be happy with the bullet.

 

[Mainer]

Have both of these bullets been available for some time? It just occurred to me that they may have plans to discontinue one (the 140?).

 

[Kopfjager1]

No, Hornady is not going to discontinue the 140 ELD-M in the foreseeable future. The BC for the 147 is higher as mentioned earlier, but at the speeds you can get the 140 without having to switch to RL26, the higher MV will relatively bridge the gap of the 147 at a slower MV.

 

[Steel head]

Seriously doubt the 140’s will be discontinued.
Usually the 140 and 147 are the same price.

 

[Kadams1563]

6.5 Creedmoor = 140

6.5 SAUM = 147

getting the speed required from the CM to take advantage of the 147 isn’t worth it. Also your savage will have a short throat so that will only complicate things.

I wouldn’t even buy the ELD-M’s. I would buy the regular 140 HPBT.

https://www.powdervalleyinc.com/product/hornady-264-6-5mm-140-gr-bthp-100/

 

[DownhillFromHere]

For 300 yards in a 6.5CM, buy the cheapest bullet you can find. At that range there is simply no practical difference whatsoever between the 140 and the 147, other than whether your barrel itself prefers one over the other.

 

[Steel head]

At this point the longest range available is 300 yds.

Is the consensus that I am better off paying the extra few $ and getting the 140 weight bullets?

At that range I’d be shooting the Hornandy 140 BTHP’s then.
It’s an excellent bullet with a good price.