140 or 147 ELD-M in 6.5 Creedmoor?

[thinhorn_AK]

Formidulosis recommends the 140s over the 147s. Based on his advice, I ordered a few hundred of them to try out.

 

[aftriathlete]

This is not my personal experience, I’m just referencing something I’ve read either on here or another forum, I can’t remember where. But I read about the 147 ELDM being very splashy at close ranges/high velocities with unnecessary meat damage as the major complaint. I don’t recall the impact velocity threshold now, but I remember that individual’s opinion was that the 147 should be reserved for further out shots with more modest impact velocities. The argument was that the 147’s jacket was very thin compared to the 140. I’m sure someone smarter than me will correct me or school me on that though, and I’m sure 147s can still kill animals. But if it came down to choosing a box of 140s or a box of 147s it might be worth considering. I shoot 140s, but I wouldn’t turn my nose up at 147s either.

 

[Dark timber]

My neighbor kills a bull and a buck every year with 135gr bergers at 2740 from his 6.5CM. He loves them.

 

[CjMelendrez]

@Dark timber is that a custom hand load? or factory bergers? any specific by chance?

 

[Juan_ID]

I voted 147 only because that’s all I’ve shot out of my creedmoors with great results, we’ve shot a few deer and bull elk from 55-600 yards and it’s just worked. Muzzle velocities have been between 2550-2650. And I can usually find the 147 for a little cheaper then the 140 so that’s another bonus to me.

 

[General RE LEE]

I voted 147 only because that’s all I’ve shot out of my creedmoors with great results, we’ve shot a few deer and bull elk from 55-600 yards and it’s just worked. Muzzle velocities have been between 2550-2650. And I can usually find the 147 for a little cheaper then the 140 so that’s another bonus to me.

2550 is my velocity for my 20” Tikka CTR 6.5 Creedmoor

 

[Juan_ID]

2550 is my velocity for my 20” Tikka CTR 6.5 Creedmoor

That was a lower charge I was using to fireform the brass in a 20” t3x, after that I bumped up to 41.1gr and was getting around 2625 if I remember right.

 

[Mtnmilsurp]

Has anyone been able to shoot either of these from a 9 twist barrel?

 

[sram9102]

I think the 130 eld/tmk is the best compromise for short to mid range <600 yards out of the creedmoor case. I just didn't like the 143s starting in the 2500 range out of a 20". Sure the BC is sweet but I'll take the 200 fps speed bump. The 130s have been violent in a handful of deer I have taken since switching.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Not interested in the 143 eldx?

 

[General RE LEE]

Not interested in the 143 eldx?

Great bullet no doubt.

 

[Outcast]

I get 2750 or 2860 pending on which powder I use out of my Tikka Superlite 24" barrel.

 

[BradArnett]

That was a lower charge I was using to fireform the brass in a 20” t3x, after that I bumped up to 41.1gr and was getting around 2625 if I remember right.

My speeds are about the same. I haven't put them through a chrono but with 147elds I'm using lapua srp, cci450s, 41.5gr of 4350. 21" barrel and with the hornady 4dof app using a velocity of 2650 is tracking dead on out to 750yds for me.

 

[BjornF16]

Couple of bears didn’t like the 140 ELD-M from 200 yards.

Guide was skeptical but changed his tune…lol

Complete pass through on the brown nose (looked like a bomb went off); the black nose bear had bullet just inside offside hide after punching through both shoulders.

 

[SouthPaw]

@Dark timber is that a custom hand load? or factory bergers? any specific by chance?

Handloads for me with the 135 were 2720ish from a 20" Tikka using Varget. 140ELD does ~2660 loaded long with H4350.

 

[Dark timber]

@Dark timber is that a custom hand load? or factory bergers? any specific by chance?

It’s just a standard H4350 load. I think 42gr. Very accurate from his Ruger American predator. I bought my daughter the same rifle recently

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I get 2750 or 2860 pending on which powder I use out of my Tikka Superlite 24" barrel.

What are you using to get 2800+ fps with that bullet from your tikka?

 

[Outcast]

What are you using to get 2800+ fps with that bullet from your tikka?

Rl26

 

[Wrongside]

No experience with the 140, but the 147 has performed great for us, out of multiple 6.5CMs. Including 4 Tikkas, a couple RAR-Ps, and a couple customs.

I’ve taken several deer and a few elk with them, with excellent terminal performance.

 

[ATL]

Great performance observed on game out to 460 yards, and very accurate well past that. 147 gr. ELD-M at 2745 fps., 24” 1/8” Bartlein chambered in 6.5 CM, 41.9 gr. RL16, 2.915” OAL.