Which 6.5mm bullet?

[ShowMe]

I've already worked up loads using hunting bullets in my custom 6.5 Swede which will run about 1/2" @ 100 yds if I do my part. Just for fun, I'd like to see just how good I can get it to shoot using bullets with no regard to their hunting performance, just pure target bullets. 100 yards is all I'm interested in, no long range. Which bullets would you suggest?
Thanks
Phil

 

[FeMan]

Lapua 123 Scenars shoot extremely well and are easy to tune. You might give those a try.

 

[6.5 forever]

144 Berger or 142 SMK.
Oh wait no one has seen either of these for a couple of years......

 

[284winner]

I haven't found a bullet yet that outshoots the 140 Berger or ELD in my 6.5 caliber. It's the perfect balance for an 8 twist barrel. I shoot the 6.5-284 so it's also the perfect balance in performance as well. These for me are my all range bullets. Several others shoot well at only 100 yards but I stock with one or two that punch the same holes.

 

[Bill Norris]

It's a toss-up for me in both my 260AIs 123 gr. Lapua Scenar vs. 140 gr. Berger VLD Long Range.

 

[ShowMe]

Thanks guys!

 

[6MMWASP]

It's a toss-up for me in both my 260AIs 123 gr. Lapua Scenar vs. 140 gr. Berger VLD Long Range.

I also have a pair of 260 AI's that shoot 123 Scenars very well. Positive to these bullets they also work very well on game.

 

[White Eagle]

140 gr A Max

 

[rijndael]

I also have a pair of 260 AI's that shoot 123 Scenars very well.

My 6.5 CMs agree. And, they're generally not hard to find.

 

[Clancy]

I shot the 123s for practice when EuroOptic sold 1,000 count boxes dirt cheap. They’re great.

I will say though, I’m a big fan of Berger hybrids for hunting should you want to just pick a bullet and stick with it. Lots of folks use them with zero issues that I know of.

 

[Evan]

Honestly, given your qualifications of what you're doing, I'd go with readily available and affordable Hornady ELD-M in any weight, but favoring the 140gn if it's available. They're forgiving and easy to tune and all you give up over the Scenars and Bergers is a little consistency that you're not likely to notice shooting individual groups for your own enjoyment at 100yards.

 

[quadracer]

I tend to agree with ^^^ ELD-M perform very well in most everything I've loaded. Save a few pennies, too

 

[Kurz]

Is this a hunting style barrel (contour)?

What's your barrel length?

What's your twist rate?

 

[David Milisock]

I've already worked up loads using hunting bullets in my custom 6.5 Swede which will run about 1/2" @ 100 yds if I do my part. Just for fun, I'd like to see just how good I can get it to shoot using bullets with no regard to their hunting performance, just pure target bullets. 100 yards is all I'm interested in, no long range. Which bullets would you suggest?
Thanks
Phil

What weight hunting bullet shoots well? The 6MM, 6.5MM cartridges can use projectiles with extreme variation in sectional density and ballistic coefficients. I would look first at any quality manufacturers match grade projectile in a weight near but not below the weight of your best shooting hunting bullet. Enjoy!

 

[barefooter56]

144 Berger or 142 SMK.
Oh wait no one has seen either of these for a couple of years......

Production of the 6.5 144 BERGER LRHT bullet will start in SEPT 2022. Get on those NOTIFY lists now!

 

[ronsatspokane]

Production of the 6.5 144 BERGER LRHT bullet will start in SEPT 2022. Get on those NOTIFY lists now!

Yawn...

Wandered into a Sportmans Warehouse a while back. Finally found Berger 140 Hybrid target bullets. Trouble is that they were loaded in Federal ammunition. Berger is supplying their competitors (now that they are just another ammo manfacturer) but not the people who made Berger what it was. Emphasis on the "was".

 

[FourT6and2]

Yeah, I haven't seen Berger bullets or ammo anywhere in years. Are they out of business or something?

I've only ever shot 140 ELD. But they perform great in my rifle. But I've always wanted to try Berger. Just can't find any

 

[Bill Norris]

Yeah, I haven't seen Berger bullets or ammo anywhere in years. Are they out of business or something?

I've only ever shot 140 ELD. But they perform great in my rifle. But I've always wanted to try Berger. Just can't find any

If you can get your hands on the 139 gr. Lapua Scenars grab them and start your load by the V V web-site. The bullets will shoot no doubt.

 

[DiRTY DOG]

Yeah, I haven't seen Berger bullets or ammo anywhere in years. Are they out of business or something?

I've only ever shot 140 ELD. But they perform great in my rifle. But I've always wanted to try Berger. Just can't find any

Berger 130 OTMs have been available for the past month+.

 

[6MMsteve]

Berger 130 OTMs have been available for the past month+.

what's up with that.... they are in 500 count boxes everywhere are they just no good or something, I'm shooting them in my 260rem some but the 123 and 136 scenars shoot better. Make sure your scope's ele and windage have the full amount of turns chk zero stops you can do this by simply watching the numbers on the tower below the knobs