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Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 113
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 113 |
Looking for recommendations on factory 6.5CM ammo. Just picked up a 6.5 on a whim from a buddy of mine and need ammo. Primary purpose will be whitetail hunting out to about 350yds.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17,246
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 17,246 |
I'd go with "whatever you can actually find in 2021". I've not seen one box of 6.5CM on a shelf in months.
But seriously, most of the 120-143gr big game ammo should be fine for your intended purposes.
Now with even more aplomb
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,575
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,575 |
Hornady Precision Hunter all day long.
Good luck!
I do not entertain hypotheticals. The world itself is vexing enough. -- Col. Stonehill
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,207
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,207 |
The 125 grain Winchester/Olin Deer Season XP is my current favorite 6.5 CM factory load for shooting medium game.
My current favorite 6.5mm medium game component bullet is the 130 grain Noslber AB and my favorite practice bullet is the 129 grain Hornady SST.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,783 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 10,783 Likes: 1 |
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,285 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,285 Likes: 1 |
I found 2 boxes on the shelf at wallyworld yesterday............. bought them.
Winchester $35/box
"...A man's rights rest in three boxes: the ballot box, the jury box and the cartridge box..." Frederick Douglass, 1867
( . Y . )
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 77
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 77 |
Hornady American Whitetail works good for a (used to be) less expensive option. Just paid $50 a box for ELDX at Bass Pro. Painful…I am sure the Wins will be good.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,352
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,352 |
For a while a guy could buy Berger 135 Hunter ammunition for around $29 a box. That included Lapua brass. It shot great for us out to 500 yards. This year, whatever you can find on shelf probably.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9,031
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9,031 |
federal non typical 140 grain soft point
FJB
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,083
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,083 |
HSM 6.5CM 130gr Berger Hunting VLD.
"There are no dangerous weapons. There are only dangerous men." - Robert Heinlein
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,009
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,009 |
Barnes 127gr lrx.
Back before the China flu crazy you could find em~$40 box.
Dave
�The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it.� Lou Holtz
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,003
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,003 |
Whatever you can find under 130gr to keep the impact velocity higher. Lower impact velocity is the cause of user disillusionment.
Living in a world of G17s and 700s, wishing for P7s and 202s
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,621 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,621 Likes: 1 |
The right bullet works at the right velocity, weight is sort of irrelevant. 140 ELD-Ms perform far better for me on deer, at all ranges, than any of the cup and core, <130s I’ve tried.
I’d say they might be too soft at faster than CM speeds, but they are very effective at lower velocities….from my take, anyway.
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Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 671
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 671 |
Hornady superformance 120 GMX.
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,273
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,273 |
Hornady Precision Hunter 143 gr ELDX
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,691
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,691 |
Wow, lots of options offered.
I’ve had really good luck with the Hornady Whitetail 129gr loads on deer - 5 to date. On elk, I’ve used and been very pleased with the Federal Fusion 140’s - also 5 to date.
Whatever you can get your hands on will most likely work just fine on deer..... good luck.
BT53 "Where do they find young men like this?" Reporter Savidge, Iraq Elk, it's what's for dinner....
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,721 Likes: 2
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,721 Likes: 2 |
Conduct is the best proof of character.
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,621 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,621 Likes: 1 |
I was actually not impressed with the Hornady 129 whitetail loads….at least with nothing but ribs and lungs hit. They were accurate, but didn’t seem to expand as much or as fast as other loads I used…..ELD-M and ELD-X, and ABLR. Sample was small, and all smaller deer at 200-300. The ELD-Ms have given two holes and good expansion from 30 yards to over 300. Still all anecdotal. In 12-15 with the creedmoor, I only lost one deer. That was the 129 Hornady, at over 300, and it just ran the wrong way after the shot: straight into a river about 50 yards behind it. I hadn’t anticipated that, and pretty sure it was running blind by then, after taking that bullet right in the pocket. Stuff happens. Anecdotal.
Last edited by hh4whiskey; 09/11/21.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,856 Likes: 3
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 44,856 Likes: 3 |
How many were hit with the 129 Interlock?
Years ago my father popped one perfect broadside with a stoutly loaded 270 Win., 26" barrel and a case full of H4831 under an early generation (hundred count box) 130 grain Ballistic Tip, an easy expanding bullet for sure. The contents of the rib cage were totally wrecked, and a good portion had exited the far side of the deer through a large exit hole. Nevertheless that deer ran over 100 yards. Sometimes there's no telling what they'll do until they do it.
Last edited by mathman; 09/11/21. Reason: added text
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Campfire Tracker
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