Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles hunting bullet for a 'slow' 6.5 Creed

I've got a Tikka 6.5 Creed that was chopped to 18.5 for a suppressor. It shoots everything well that I have tried in it except for for a Horn 129 SP. Chopping from 24.5 to 18.5 lost about 150 fps with existing loads including 129 SST and 127 LRX. I am concerned about expansion with the LRX with a muzzle velocity of 2650.

I'm looking for thoughts on a good bullet for cow elk/deer. At lower velocity, I'm betting all the lead bullets will behave well, even the 'soft' SST. I'm not shooting at game beyond 400 yds and velocity for the 127 LRX should get me there with 2000 fps remaining velocity. A 120 TTSX will start about 100 fps faster buty gets caught up by the LRX at ~400 AND it's a harder bullet too. I'm thinking a 130 Accubond may be perfect but cannot find any to try.

Any 1st hand experience with a slower 6.5? Thanks

18.5" barrel. Hmmm... How 'bout a cup-n-core bullet?

Last season I dropped a full sized cow at around 170 yds with a 143 gr. ELD-X at a MV around 2600. No fuss, no drama.

140 Nosler Ballistic Tip!

Yessir 👍

Hard to find, but I like a Hornady 129 Interbond. Shoot mine at 2700 fps, so far excellent results.

Thanks Guys.

The ELD-X shot well but was slow in my 24.5 inch barrel, it would really be poking along now .

I use SST's for my 'target' bullets and can hunt with them if needed. There is a lot of disagreement on their toughness though, like the BT's. I do like the comfort of a premium for hunting bigger stuff.

All components are tough to get current, especially 6.5 stuff. I just traded into some Accubonds. The 130 6.5 bullets seem to be a good compromise of speed, weight, BC, etc.

I’d go with that or a GameKing.

A 129 is only going 2650 and you guys suggest he go heavier? A 140 will be maybe 2500...

I'd drop to a 120-123 class bullet.

125 gr Nosler Partition next time don't listen to the short barrel cheerleaders. Mb

120 BT is a good bullet or maybe the 129 LR accubond.

The 100 grain ballistic tip is a great killer

You should be able to safely work up to 2700fps in that Tikka with those 130 AB's, using H4350, RL156, IMR 4451, RL17, or Hunter. Not sure what powders you have available though. Another good one with that bullet is Varget.

130 grain Berger VLD...

Just FYI when I talked to Barnes about the 127 LRX, they said it will expand down to 1500 FPS.

I've been rather impressed by expansion of the LRX out of a 18" barrel. Furthest shot was 275 on an antelope and it appeared to expand well. Closer shots have been more of the same.

I’m hoping so. I have H4350, RL17, and just got some Hunter (good powder!).

Good to hear those reports about the 127 LRX. I have a good 3/4 inch load with that bullet. All the TTSX bullets I like started at 3000.

I knew I’d have to reassess bullets when threading but I wanted no more than a 24 inch barrel with the can. Overall weight will be about 8 lbs with a SWFA 3-9. Should be a pretty handy package for everything but really big critters

Yep and to the sob that cut his barrel that much, he's probably wearing a marvelous man bun.

Don't be silly....

Paper punchers usually get hung up on MV, not impact velocity on game....

That anemic 140 won't catch a 123's velocity until beyond 1200 yards...

I've run the numbers, as I've tried it all in several 6.5's. That little creed case struggles with heavy bullets. A 140 is better in a case with more ass behind it like a 6.5-284 and larger.

Of course people love to exaggerate creed speeds with a 140 on the internet. 🙄