best deer hunting bullet for whitetail in 6.5mm Creedmoor?

[Al Lu]

There is a thread on .243 for deer and did not want to ask over there. Can you share what has work for you? Thank you.

 

[stacy]

NOBODY SHOOTS A 6.5 CREEDMOOR FOR HUTING

 

[Prairiedogger]

The same one that kills my elk.
The answer is.... The most accurate bullet YOUR rifle shoots.
Accuracy trumps size.

 

[effendude]

I might get shamed on this forum for admitting it, but my wife and I took a 6.5 Creedmoor to South Africa in late August as our second rifle. (original plan was to just shoot tiny stuff with a 22 Hornet but the PH asked for something bigger due to a baboon problem) Due to time constraints, I used factory Federal ammo with the 130 grain Bergert OTM bullet. We ended up shooting about 18 animals including 2 kudu, a wildebeest and a hartebeest with that cartridge. None of the animals took more than one step and fell over, most just dropped right there. Most of the shots were 200-400 yards away. Admittedly, the rifle is amazingly accurate with this factory ammo. We wished for nothing more from the rifle or the ammo. The PH was so impressed, I left him the remaining 70 rounds and he was going to get a 6.5 Creedmoor for clients to use.
Scott

 

[stacy]

I SHOOT 130GR SIERRA GAMECHANGER IN 3 6.5 CREEDMOOR WITH RL-16
AND 130GR VLD'S WITH H-4350 IN ONE AND THEY DO WELL ON WHITETAIL FOR SURE

 

[FryeGuy]

I loaded 129accubond long range for my son’s rifle in 6.5cm. It was one of the few bullets that would open below 1800fps, they claim it will open up down to 1300fps. I loaded it light for him, a minimum charge and it’s running 2450fps at muzzle. Of the 7 deer he shot I did have to track one deer. I ended up using the same bullet in my 6.5cm but much faster. Heck of a bullet. Did recover any bullets and great blood trails when you needs one, but usually it was not required

 

[wwbrown]

I have used 130 grain Accubond to great effect on quite a few whitetails the only one I retrieved had a weight retention of about 75%. I never had to track the deer beyond 20 yards, yes the 130 Accubond worked well, but let's face it whitetails are not that hard to drop with good shot placement so make sure whatever bullet you choose has an accuracy matches up with your range and shooting ability.

 

[std7mag]

What bullet to use for hunting is akin to asking what color band to use for your Manbun.

My preference on proven hunting is both the Nosler Ballistic Tip and the Berger VLD-H.
Both perform very differently.
Both kill just the same.

 

[johnfred1965]

+1 for the 129ABLR, it shoots dime size groups out of my rifle. But just like the answer for the 243 win, whatever bullet that shoots best for you, just pick one. 6.5 caliber is a killer!

 

[grovey]

The 139gr Lapua scenar works great! From match to field.

 

[shoot4fun]

Hornady 140 SST turns the insides to mush. I've used that bullet in my 6.5 Creedmoor on several whitetails, javalina, Axis Deer and (especially deadly) coyotes. Within its limits the 6.5 Creedmoor is a killing machine and accuracy is more the norm than exception.

 

[Mr. Ten-X]

My go-to rifle the past 20 years has been a custom 6.5x06 which is only slightly faster than a 6.5 Gheymoor. It is pretty lethal on mid-weight animals using the Hornady SST, either 129 or 140 grain versions. All animals shot solidly in the chest cavity were recovered quickly. 50 cent piece to golf ball sized exit holes are normal.

 

[500yards]

I hunt a lot of wooded area here in PA. and most of my shots are 300 yards and under. That said, I've always used ( for the most part) Sierra Game King or Pro Hunter bullets in all my rifles and haven't lost an animal yet. This year the first year I hunted with the 6.5 Creedmoor I used 120gr Sierra Pro Hunter bullets and I'm 3 shots for 3 deer.

 

[2506]

I have killed deer with these .264 bullets from various caliber rifles. 120 gr. Sierra Pro hunter, Nosler BT, Speer Gold Dot, 130 gr Nosler Accubond, 140 gr Sierra GK and Hornady Interlock. I can't remember ever having to shoot one twice. Basically any bullet designed for hunting that you can put into the vitals will work just fine.

 

[dolek]

What bullet to use for hunting is akin to asking what color band to use for your Manbun.

My preference on proven hunting is both the Nosler Ballistic Tip and the Berger VLD-H.
Both perform very differently.
Both kill just the same.

What color do you like ?

 

[dolek]

Another vote for the Sierra 120.

 

[Rdlningcltchdmpr]

There is a thread on .243 for deer and did not want to ask over there. Can you share what has work for you? Thank you.

There is actually a ( best ) if you look at all the possible scenario's that could happen while hunting. Imho. That one best bullet is the 100ttsx barnes. I won't list all the reasons but it outshines in every way possible.

 

[std7mag]

What color do you like ?

No Manbun for me!
High & tight! 7mm.

 

[msalm]

For whitetails at any normal range, I say use the good ol 139gr Hornady SP. worked GREAT out of my 6.5x55 Win 70 fwt 25 years ago, and I bet it would work great out of a creedmoor today. I still have 4 boxes of those with orange price stickers for $9.95 on them.

I loaded those 130 Sierra TGK’s in my 6.5 RSAUM though as I figured the heavier jacket would be a plus.

 

[2506]

"For whitetails at any normal range, I say use the good ol 139gr Hornady SP. worked GREAT out of my 6.5x55 Win 70 fwt 25 years ago, and I bet it would work great out of a creedmoor today. I still have 4 boxes of those with orange price stickers for $9.95 on them."

I think you mean 129 gr Hornady bullet. Hornady never made a .264 bullet in 139 gr. They do in .284.