Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting 6.5 Creed LR Hunting Bullet

So as not to hijack the other 6.5 threads........

Here's the deal: Tikka T3X 6.5 CM, 4.5-18x LRHS. It's really hard to find a load/bullet that this rifle hates. I have many verified .5 MOA or better loads, but I bought this rifle to see what all the 6.5CM fuss is about, bang steel, and POSSIBLY whack game at longer distances out to 750yds. It will take much more wind doping practice for me to attempt shots like that, but I'm learning. Most often I can get much closer, so the ability for the bullet of choice should be able to withstand impacts at 100 yds as well. Please pick one of these options and tell me why you pick it if you don't mind.

Nosler 129gr LRAB, 2783 fps,
Scenar 139gr, 2785 fps
Nosler 130gr Accubond, 2789 fps
Hornady 143 ELDX factory, 2657 fps

While not on your menu, 130 Bergers are my bullet of choice, 2820 in a 6.5x47 and 3150 in a 6.5-284.

My choices, in order:
129 LRAB
130 AB
139 Scena
143 ELDX

I have personal experience with the 142 LRAB from a 264 WM taking game at under 150. Held together quite well. Using a 90 gr in my 243 I took a 'long' shot of 30 yards and no massive tissue destruction, just a 243 hole going in and one about .5 going out. Deer DRT.

My 260 launches 139 gr Scenars at that same speed and have several kills less than 100 yards, and all have exited whether shooting ribs or shoulders. I believe they are one of the tougher LR bullets out there.

143 ELD-X hand loaded.

My bullet I'd pick is not on the list but if I had to pick one it'd be the139 Scenar JG...

GW, I know you like the VLDH, but I haven't found any yet. I'll keep looking though.

My vote is also for the 139 Scenar.... I’ve seen them kill at 30 yards and at 400 yards.... results are the same.

I’ve also seen them shoot very well in everything I’ve ever shot them in.

Berger has almost completed their move back to Az, and supplies should reflect that shortly.....so the rumor goes.....

aalf,

My 6.5 Creed loves 123 Scenars with Varget.

But, as a Loony, I'm gonna try 130 VLDH, 135 Classic Hunter and 140 VLDH.

The 140 VLDH is a killer in my 6.5-284, 3K fps with RL-17. They say that round is a barrel eater and RL-17 makes it worse, but I don't shoot it that much.

What would be your load suggestions for these three bullets in the Creed?

DF

In the past, I always shot the 140's in my 6.5-284's too, but in the latest I went with 130's, as I had a bunch. Per usual, H-4831-SC was used.

I'm probably the only guy on the planet that doesn't shoot a CM.......too involved with the 47 case instead.

However, I've felt that the 47 (or CM for that matter) was better suited for the mid-weights, so I had my reamer throated for the 130 VLD's. I generally start and end with Varget. I've played with the 140's a bit, but tend to go back to the 130's. The wind advantage is minor at sane hunting ranges. The latest on the Bat action lets me hit the next node at 3000 with 130's. Brass is on it's 4th firing and still neck sizing.

I have zero experience with the 135 version.

Thanks, aalf.

Always enjoy your posts. Looks like I'm about there already with Varget.

Of course, I'll have to try more than one powder...

If it ever quits raining and dries up some, will shoot and report.

DF

Also, a couple years ago I had a brief fling with 123 Amaxes, and the accuracy charge was identical to the 130 Berger load, albeit 50 fps faster.

Might carry over for you with your Scenar load......

Johnny, have you tried the 130 JLK's yet. I used them on 5 critters last year. Not much of a sample but they worked very well, out to 400 but nothing further yet. I might have showed you entrance and exit pics of a mule deer Jeff shot with them.

I have not tried them yet Mike. I'm planning on doing that shortly though. It actually slipped my mind I had them.

Berger/JLK.....tomato/tomato......

JG you might look at the 135 JLK's splittin the 130 140 gr bullets is not a bad place to be, they shoot great out of my Saum!

Seems I remember JB writing that he considered 130 about optimal bullet wt for the Creed.

I’m gonna try the 147 ELD-M in my Swede with it’s longer throat. Trying RL-26.

My Creed was throated for the 140 VLD, probably similar to the130 VLD, as they have about the same ogive. Other bullets get pushed back in the case, so I don’t use them.

DF

I agree with Aalf, I sure cant tell the difference in on game performance in the Berger and JLK other that in one single instance, one rifle the JLK might be a bit less seating depth sensitive. Might just be a rifle preference as I have a 6.5-284 that prefers the Berger and a SAUM that prefers the JLK.

They are both very effective deer killers

JG,


I’ve used 3 of the 4 you listed, and while you didn’t list it I prefer the 147gr ELD-M above all for terminal effects. It’s a “match” bullet, but they way they are built and the way they behave at Creedmoor velocities is almost ideal. Very consistent in both expansion and penetration from what I’ve/we’ve seen.