6.5 CM Long Range 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 on deer, 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. Thanks.

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

Top choice of just those 4, 143 ELD-X. It's a controlled expansion bullet, and will open up and hold together really well. Good BC and heavy for a 6.5 CM.

Close second (or maybe the last choice)- 129 LRAB. All of the LR AB bullets have a much softer lead inside them for easier expansion at lower speeds. I don't know if the lead is deforming some during firing, but some of the LR AB bullets have had very poor accuracy. Often times the bullet seating stem will deform the neck of the bullet during seating the lead is so soft. But the exception is the 129 LR AB. It has done well in the 6.5 CM for me, has a high BC, and would work well for longer ranges, if you can get it to shoot good. When I said maybe the last choice, is the issue with accuracy. Also, this bullet is a little more expensive, and may cause you not to shoot it as much. And the Nosler published BC is not the true BC. Use a G1 of .553 and a G7 of .283.

139 Scenar- good match bullet with high BC and will work well as a hunting bullet. These have held together very well for hunting applications. It's a tough jacket, so expansion at longer range (i.e., reduced velocities) will have minimal expansion.

130 AB- great bullet over all. A little expensive, lower BC than the others, but would make an excellent hunting bullet.

One not on the list is the 140 grain Berger VLD-H. High BC and a dedicated hunting bullet. I have personally used a lot of these for hunting, with very dramatic wound channels. Would make a great long range hunting bullet.

Also, factory ammo will generally not have the consistency to shoot well at extended distances. The powder charges inside factory ammo have a large variance, causing a high extreme spread from round to round. Vertical stringing of the shots will be seen on the target at longer ranges.

Great info Chad. Thank you very much.

I went with the 143ELDX for this year.

I had a couple pass through on whitetail lung shots with the superbly accurate Berger Elite Hunter 140gr last year.

143 ELD X for sure.

Killed several with the 135 Berger this past year out to 702 yards

I shoot the 129 SST in my 16" Creed. They're accurate in my rifle and they perform great on animals at the speed I'm shooting them. I'm getting 2730 from the 16 incher.

Chad, what are your thoughts on the 129 SST's? I really like that bullet in my 300 BO.

The 129 SST is a great bullet for hunting. I also like the SST's. I've used them in 270 Win (130 grain) and 308 Win (150 grain). It has a decent BC and if it shoots good, would make a decent long range bullet.

Seen the cannelure cause spin drift in 6.5 Grendels.

If I decide to just use regular hunting bullets I'll choose the 130 Accubond.

Raider, have you considered the 129 LRAB? Seems to me it would be ideal considering that it will still expand when velocity falls off way out there.

Spin causes spin drift.

But maybe the cannelure accentuates it.

Yes, see the OP. I have a very accurate load for it. I have zero experience with actually killing something with them though.

6.5 Grendel with 123 SST drifted right.

5 seconds later, two more 6.5 Grendels shooting 123 A-Max, no drift to the right.

Cannelure did accentuate it from zero on the A-max to .3 Mil on the SST.