Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 6.5CM...which projectile? And what powder has given best results with each?

Finally got my hands on a Creedmoor. Running factory stuff at the moment but will be reloading after season closes. Whitetails and an occasional hog are on the menu. The 2 bullets I'm most interested in trying are the 130Accubond and the 127LRX. Which one do you guys prefer? What powder(s) have given best accuracy/velocity for each?

My 6.5 CM is a Fieldcraft and it didn't like the 127 LRX and I haven't shot the 130 AB. I mostly shoot the 139 Scenar, 142 AB long range, and 147 ELD-X. The ELD-X is a bit more accurate in my rifle but all three shoot more than good enough. H4350 has been the most accurate powder but RE16 is a close second with a bit more velocity.

123 Scenar over Varget is very accurate.

DF

130 gr AB over Re17 is what I'm running with great results

So far, I'm still using the Hornady Precision Hunter ammo with the 143 ELDX bullet. When I begin loading for mine, that bullet is where I will begin.

I am currently working up a RL17 load for the 130 game changer. Hit pressure before I was even close to Sierras published max. 41.7gr gave me close to 2900. Sierra lists 43.3 as max with a mv or 2900. 43 was 3080 with some nice swipe marks. Out of a Kimber Montana.

I shot the 130NAB over H4350 in several 260 rifles with roughly the same case capacity. Velocities were generally around 2,850 in 22" barrels, accuracy was typically not hard to find, and terminal results were always very favorable with very good penetration. I've always considered that load to be a "winner" when it comes to hunting loads in the short action 6.5 rounds. I cannot comment on the LRX, as I've not shot it, but I see no reason to suspect anything atypical there. The Barnes tipped series has also treated me right.

Try some 120 Barnes TTSX, hammers game!

With the 130-grain bullets, Re 17 will give good velocity and several powders give OK velocity, with great accuracy. I prefer the Re17 in my .260, under the 129 Interlock. I load mostly 140+ grain bullets in my Creed, but the 130s are great and you can get the higher velocity with them.

Personally, unless you are going to hunt tough stuff with them, I would not go with the coppers. At Creed velocity, you do not need premiums on deer etc. Of the two that you mentioned, I would have to say the Accubond would be my choice.

I don’t do extreme ranges, so my favorite is the 120 gr. Ballistic Tip over 39.5 gr of Varget. Dime sized groups.

I see very little talk of the Sierra tipped gameking - green tip bullet - in 6.5, 130gr. But I’ve used it exclusively for the past 2 years. Killed 20+ deer with it. Deadly bullet.

You don't need a bonded or mono bullet at Creed velocities but they would work well. If I was working up new loads I would forego R17 and try R16 first. They are similar but R16 is bulkier so you could run out of room before equaling R17 but if close the stability of 16 over 17 is worth it.

Both my daughter and my M70's like the LRX 127's in front of RL17.

Notice no one has mentioned rl 26. Also the whole reason for lighter bullets is of course speed. I'm shooting a Savage 110tactical. It shoots great with the 140eldm. But I want something I can drive hard and shoot shoulders without blowing them up and also get an exit wound. Never needed to track a deer shot this way with any of my other rifles. Why should the CM be different?

RL16. Just sighted in a rifle and shot 127 LRX, 140 Partition, 139 Scenar and 140 VLD. Largest 3-shot group was the LRX at just under an inch. The other three were .5-.6” all with RL16. The partition and Scenar are running about 2800 FPS.

I have killed two nice bucks and several other medium bucks with the 140 interlock. Often wonder why I keep switching to other projectiles as the interlocks have been spectacular at creed speeds.

Reloader 16 and the 143 eldx has been a great performer in my Creed, but I’ve recently been working with Reloader 26 and the 156 eol with great results!

I cheat.....shoot a T3X that shoots anything I do workup with:

139 Scenars and Rl16, RL17 Varget
130 AB's RL16, H4350 IMR 4451
147 ELDM RL 26 is runaway winner, but RL16 is excellent too
129 ABLR RL 16, RL17, Varget, H4350
120 BT's Varget, RL16, H4350 IMR 4451

The brother in laws M1A likes IMR-4064 and 143 grain Hornady.

We tried the 129 and they shoot good as well same powder.

For Whitetails I use 120 gr TTSX... but I’m shooting under 300 yds

I find my Creed to be about the easiest round to work up load for. It'll shoot most any combo pretty well, some combos are exceptional.

DF

An update to post above. While certainly not the best groups from any one load, it does give an idea of how consistently good the 6.5s seem to shoot. Each of these four is using RL16 and the rifle is a Barrett Fieldcraft with a 1.5-8 scope. I’ll take .4” to .8” groups from a lightweight hunting rifle everyday!

140 Berger VLD and 42 gr H4350 does very nicely.

I've had great results with 130 ELDM, 143 ELDX, and 147 ELDM. Just started playing with the 135 A TIP (at only .48 cents per bullet it was worth trying them out rather than their MSRP)

For powders both RL-16 and RL-26 have been great.

I just ordered a 70 FTW in 6.5 Creedmoor.

I hope it shoots like my Tikka T3X using the Hornady 143 ELDX!

As for powder, RL-16.

130gr Sierra Gamechangers with 41.3 H4350 has been the most consistently accurate load I have found in my Bergara Woodsman.

I'm loading the Sierra 130gn Game Changers with H4350. I've only shot one pig so far but it exited on a side on shot.