What’s the optimal bullet weight for the 6.5 Creedmoor?

[rlshrumva]

I'm trying to find the most accurate loaded ammunition for my 6.5. I've read that generally the 6.5 Creedmoor was meant to shoot bullets in the 130-140 grain range, but I'm interested to hear everyone's thoughts and experience. I especially would like to hear from anyone shooting a Franchi Momentum in the 6.5 as that's the gun I'm using. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Justice1327]

After about 7000 rounds through several 6.5 Creedmoor, I keep coming back to either the 140 gr ELD or the 142 grain SMK.

H4831sc - 44.3 and 45.6gr (SRP) at 2.830
H4350 - 41.6 at 2.83

 

[Northkill]

Factory Loads: Most Tikka's like the Berger 135 Classic Hunter factory loads. Not sure about the Franchi, but it might be worth a try.

Available now:

BERGER AMMO 6.5 CREEDMOOR 135g(LRP) CLASS-H 20b 10c - Graf & Sons

The 6.5 Creedmoor 135gr Classic Hunter round is designed for hunters that want to take full advantage of the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge for hunting in a magazine fed factory rifle. Berger Classic Hunter Bullets utilize their industry-leading hybrid ogive, which blends tangent and secant designs to...

www.grafs.com

 

[Quintus]

Unfortunately, only the particular gun can tell you what factory loaded ammo will shoot most accurately.

 

[wasskeet]

The most accurate "factory" 6.5 Creedmoor ammo I have shot is Unknown Munitions 140 Hornady ELDM. Produced multiple 5-shot groups at 1000 yds. less than 8".
As for big factory - Hornady Precision Hunter 143 has done very well for me.

 

[rlshrumva]

Thanks for the advice guys! Does anyone else have any insights on factory loaded ammunition for the 6.5 Creedmoor? And anything on factory loads that your Franchi Momentum (in 6.5 Creedmoor) would be amazing!!

 

[Rick Richard]

Whichever of the 130 - 140 class YOUR rifle likes. Don't get stuck on a specific brand…the barrel will tell you what it likes. Oh, and don't forget the copper stuff in 110 and 124 grain either.

 

[KurtB]

That Berger ammo uses Lapua brass. If you don't reload, you can sell 1x fired lapua brass for a nice price usually. No way to know till you start shooting.

 

[Capt RB]

My current one shoots 10 shot groups in the 5/8 range at 200 with the 120 amax hornady match ammo. Runs 2930-45 I'm down to the last 5 boxes out of a case I picked up a few years ago. I shoot the 147's almost exclusively but if I didn't buy 5k if them I'd be shooting a 120-130.

 

[Capt RB]

 

[ARlife4me]

It's not the load, but the barrel itself! Each has its own characteristics of what's the best for. 5 out of 8 6.5creed barrels (ar10) I've shot hornady 120a-max match factory loads. 3 barrels are aero precision (ap), 1 criterion (cbi) and 1 bsf. In 260rem (ar10) have been hornady 130eld-m.

 

[Zen Archery]

Originally released they were using 120-125 Hornadys running blitzing speed for long range competitions.

But you didn't state if shooting paper, steel, or critters.

 

[Creedmoor shooter]

I can tell you the easy button for the 6.5 creedmoor is the 140 eld-m. If it don't shoot a 140 eld-m the guns broken . I've loaded for quite a few creedmoors now. Haven't seen one yet that didn't like that bullet.

 

[rlshrumva]

Great stuff everyone!!! Zen asked a good clarifying question: paper, steel or critters? And it's actually critters - I'm principally planning on using the rifle for whitetails and pronghorns. Thanks please keep this helpful conversation going!!