6.5 Creedmoor - Berger Bullet Selection

[james]

I am going to be using a Savage 110 Tactical rifle in 6.5 Creedmore with 1x8 twist for some matches where we shoot from 100 to 500 yards. I'm looking at using the Berger 120 BT or 140 BT bullet - it seems logical to use the 140 with a higher BC however thought I would seek some advice on this. Also what would be a good powder choice? I've shot 6BR's for a long time however no experience with the 6.5 CM.

Thanks!

 

[Straightshooter1]

H4350 pushing Berger 140 Hybrids! I've seen a lot of different shooters at the ranges where I shoot have very good success with this combination.

 

[6ShotsOr5?]

You may have to shoot whatever bullets you already have. 6.5 140 Berger’s are really hard to find now. If you can get the bullets, I agree Hodgdon H4350 is a good choice. If you can’t find the Berger’s, Sierra 142 MK’s are somewhat available lately.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

For the 140 powder in burn rate of H4350,Alliant Reloder16, and IMR4350.
120’s you could probably go to a faster burn rate powder.
Sierra and Hornady newest load manual both have good 6.5 Creedmoor data.

 

[Retired Grunt]

I use the 140 VLD Target Hybrids at 500 with either Varget or 4350.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I use the 140 VLD Target Hybrids at 500 with either Varget or 4350.

I was looking at Sierra’s accuracy load for the 140’s, and to my surprise it was a medium-fast load of Varget behind it.

 

[338 dude]

140 burger VLD and reloader 23

 

[lb-ft]

Creedmore

Creedmoor

RL19 & H4831 work well with 140 class and above, though top velocity will likely be with 4350 & RL16.

Lots of good options for 120 class bullets in the medium range from RL15, Varget, ARComp, etc, etc.

Best of luck.

 

[Laurie]

I was looking at Sierra’s accuracy load for the 140’s, and to my surprise it was a medium-fast load of Varget behind it.

That's the norm for most 308 size case designs - 260 Rem, 7mm-08, 6.5 Creedmoor, even the over bore-capacity 243 in some cases. The 'most accurate' designation doesn't guarantee the smallest groups unfortunately - it actually means 'most ballistically consistent', ie smallest ES/SD values, in most companies' data-sets.

Small ES values are always easier to achieve with powders a step or two faster burning than optimal for the cartridge / bullet. The downside is MV reduction, 100-200 fps depending on cartridge / bullet weight. They often do produce excellent groups too, so as is often the case, it's what you use the cartridge for and what performance needs you have. Most people prioritise highest possible MV consistent with good precision these days, but if you go back a generation or two when 300 yard matches and the 30-06 were the norm (or early days 308 Win use) for many competitors, a favoured match load was a heavy bullet over a modest charge of IMR-3031 or H322.

 

[effendude]

I believe the 130 gr Berger OTM is the perfect bullet for the Creedmoor. It will shoot the 140 class bullets well but I believe it is a little under powered to take full advantage of the 140's
Scott

 

[Kurz]

I believe the 130 gr Berger OTM is the perfect bullet for the Creedmoor. It will shoot the 140 class bullets well but I believe it is a little under powered to take full advantage of the 140's
Scott

I agree after several years of shooting the 130's. The difficulty now, of course, is the complete lack of support from the manufacturing supply chains. I found a good supply a couple of years ago and bought what I could justify but now wish I had bought more...

 

[Laurie]

I found a good supply a couple of years ago and bought what I could justify but now wish I had bought more...

They're as common hens' teeth this (Eastern) side of the Atlantic too. I managed to get a few hundred when they were new on the market and intend to try them in 6.5 Grendel and 260 Rem in due course. I reckon their utility will be much more than the original purpose of a tactical design for magazine operation and seeing a big jump to the lands.

 

[B23]

As has already been mentioned multiple times the Berger Hybrid Target 140's (part # 26414) is, The, go to bullet for the 140's and RL16 or H4350 are both top powder choices.

 

[effendude]

As a side note for the 130's, I used them in a Creedmoor during a 2019 safari. Everything from Steenbok and Duikers to Kudu and Blue Wildebeest all dropped at the shot with this bullet. 21 animals over 10 days, shots from 75 to 400 yards away, and performance was incredible. PH was so impressed, I willed him my remaining ammo.
Scott

 

[muleystalker]

if I was shooting a Tactical match at those ranges and had materials and experience with the 6 BR, that's what I would be shooting for sure over the 6.5 Creed. don't get me wrong I am very fond or the Creed and own several but at those ranges you are givng nothing up with the 6 BR and are gaining lower recoil, cheaper components, less powder and you probably already have most of the components along with dies. You could get a prefit barrel easier and cheaper than finding 6.5 bullets, sad but true. I think Urbanrifleman has them for mid $200'shttps://theurbanriflemanstore.com/prefit-barrels/

 

[Sebrock]

Had great success with Hornday 140 ELD-M and Staball 6.5. 2890 FPS, SD 5, ES16, .065 jump - out of a 28 inch barrel. A little less than .25 MOA. My rifle came throated for this bullet but like everyone here, have had great success with the 140 Berger Hybrids - just not as good as the ELDs in my particular rifle.

 

[newbieshooter]

6.5x47 questions finding max load

Seems like you've been trying H4350 & slower burn rates. Have you tried Varget or RE-15? Or, since speed isn't your concern, maybe H4895. Likewise, the bullets. You're trying the heavies, but maybe the 123-130gr would shoot better. I also seem to have better luck with very little neck...

forum.accurateshooter.com

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Had great success with Hornday 140 ELD-M and Staball 6.5. 2890 FPS, SD 5, ES16, .065 jump - out of a 28 inch barrel. A little less than .25 MOA. My rifle came throated for this bullet but like everyone here, have had great success with the 140 Berger Hybrids - just not as good as the ELDs in my particular rifle.

That’s good to know about the eld match jump. I have a friend that is fixing to start loading them for a factory 700 rifle and was wondering what jump those bullets like.

 

[james]

I’m going to use the Savage 6.5 in a big balloon shoot in Kansas next year. The have a “tactical class” where the rifle must have a magazine and you must shoot off a bipod from a concrete bench. The rifle is really my son in laws who won it in a raffle last year. He’s not a shooter so I sighted it in for him, has exactly 5 rounds through it

 

[Sebrock]

That’s good to know about the eld match jump. I have a friend that is fixing to start loading them for a factory 700 rifle and was wondering what jump those bullets like.

There’s a great article here - https://precisionrifleblog.com/2020...GUiwwJIflcPZjCldX1VLRezZrXd1aU1InQZfA8kD-_eMc

Long jumps are great because they are a good combination of accuracy and low maintenance. If you are trying to eek every last bit of accuracy or speed then probably this isn’t optional.