25 creedmoor or 6.5 creedmoor

[TEWONG]

FWIW - I just went through the same debate (25 vs 6.5) and finally decided to build a dedicated 24" 6.5 Creed for NRL/range plinking and 20" 25 Creed for hunting.

 

[V35B]

My NRL rifle has a quick change barrel, I have both 25 CM and 6.5 CM barrels for it. The 25 is a 26” barrel, the 6.5 is a 24”. I use one for a few matches and then the other. I shoot 135’s in the 25 at 2830, and 144’s in the 6.5 at 2750. The difference in missed targets at a match is not noticeable between the two. The 25 is more forgiving on elevation, but the wind call difference between the two is negligible.

My 25 CM will pressure out with a supressor on it if it is wet and nasty out, use the brake and it goes away. Like said above, im stepping on it to make PF. When this barrel is done, probably this year, Im going to go with a 25 SAW, it offers just enough more space to operate at the same velocity range with no pressure problems.

 

[schmidty3]

My NRL rifle has a quick change barrel, I have both 25 CM and 6.5 CM barrels for it. The 25 is a 26” barrel, the 6.5 is a 24”. I use one for a few matches and then the other. I shoot 135’s in the 25 at 2830, and 144’s in the 6.5 at 2750. The difference in missed targets at a match is not noticeable between the two. The 25 is more forgiving on elevation, but the wind call difference between the two is negligible.

My 25 CM will pressure out with a supressor on it if it is wet and nasty out, use the brake and it goes away. Like said above, im stepping on it to make PF. When this barrel is done, probably this year, Im going to go with a 25 SAW, it offers just enough more space to operate at the same velocity range with no pressure problems.

You only get 2830 on a 26". Last shoot i was at the guy who won OH was zipping em at 2960.

 

[V35B]

You only get 2830 on a 26". Last shoot i was at the guy who won OH was zipping em at 2960.

Different powder maybe? I use H 4350, I can see some of the Alliant powders getting a little more velo.

 

[marktoleoutdoors]

FWIW - I just went through the same debate (25 vs 6.5) and finally decided to build a dedicated 24" 6.5 Creed for NRL/range plinking and 20" 25 Creed for hunting.

Hilarious. I arrived at the same conclusion months ago. Been shooting NRL hunter this year with the 24" 6.5 creed and the 20" 25 Creed is almost done!

 

[schmidty3]

Different powder maybe? I use H 4350, I can see some of the Alliant powders getting a little more velo.

Unsure, but probably. Probably just a slow barrel then.

 

[ruger35]

I have a 25CM barrel that I shoot factory out of, 24" CRB, 2850 on a normal day here in LA. At our first match in Raton this year a buddy shot his 25CM with factory and didn't make power factor. For the rest of the season I have been shooting my 6.5CM out of a 24" barrel with 144's at 2750.

I decided there wasn't enough difference in the 25CM to reload for it and sold my brass. The 6.5 is easier to load for and don't have to push hard for power factor, and easier to find factory offerings if needed. I did decide I want to try a 25 for NRLH next year, but decided to go 25SS. 24" barrel should push the 135's at 3k without stepping on it too hard.

 

[Gunaddict]

I had a 25 Creed built recently built. Rem 700 SA with extended Wyatt's box, 24 inch Brux #3. N555 powder 133gr Bergers, 2830 fps, Peterson brass. Shoots great. Going to try Apex Gen 3 116gr bullets next.

 

[codym]

You only get 2830 on a 26". Last shoot i was at the guy who won OH was zipping em at 2960.

I’ve shot out 3 25 creed barrels, he must of had a long barrel and was most likely trashing brass. I have seen 2920 out of a 26’ barrel and lost primer pockets on the 3rd reload on 6.5 creed Lapua brass necked down. Case head separation on the 6th reload on alpha at 2880 with 135’s. If your wanting 2900 plus out of a 25 go 25 saw or 25 prc. For nrl hunter power factor can really come into play. I got bumped from 2nd to 3rd in my last match running 138 Atips at 2820. If I would have been running my 260 with 156’s it wouldn’t have been close. 25 has velocity which may buy you an impact on a poorly ranged target, 6.5 has power factor and higher bc bullets which could potentially buy you a bunch of placements in a tight match. Hunting only I would take the velocity of the 25 saw/creed. Recoil is negligible in my opinion between the two.

 

[doc holiday13]

.......................

If you hand load, or like the 128 ELDX, 25 is clearly the choice. If you want variety, it’s not.

One thing I will say is the 134 ELDM scares me for use on game. Too narrow and lead filled up front. Hopefully the heavy TMK coming out is a winner.

So i've plugged theoretical numbers on the 25 creed 110 eldx vs 128 eldx. Based on assumed speed differences, the 110 eldx is a better choice to waay out further than most will shoot any animal.

110 eldx at 3100 fps
128 eldx at 2850 fps

Both might be able to get more speed than that but barrel length, etc effects that . These numbers are assumed 24" barrel

the 110 drops to 1800 fps about 700 yards
the 128 drops to 1800 fps about 800 yards

 

[schmidty3]

I’ve shot out 3 25 creed barrels, he must of had a long barrel and was most likely trashing brass. I have seen 2920 out of a 26’ barrel and lost primer pockets on the 3rd reload on 6.5 creed Lapua brass necked down. Case head separation on the 6th reload on alpha at 2880 with 135’s. If your wanting 2900 plus out of a 25 go 25 saw or 25 prc. For nrl hunter power factor can really come into play. I got bumped from 2nd to 3rd in my last match running 138 Atips at 2820. If I would have been running my 260 with 156’s it wouldn’t have been close. 25 has velocity which may buy you an impact on a poorly ranged target, 6.5 has power factor and higher bc bullets which could potentially buy you a bunch of placements in a tight match. Hunting only I would take the velocity of the 25 saw/creed. Recoil is negligible in my opinion between the two.

What powder are you running? H4350 I assume?

Im trying n555, allegedly gives 50 fps. Not sure what John was shooting.

 

[schmidty3]

So i've plugged theoretical numbers on the 25 creed 110 eldx vs 128 eldx. Based on assumed speed differences, the 110 eldx is a better choice to waay out further than most will shoot any animal.

110 eldx at 3100 fps
128 eldx at 2850 fps

Both might be able to get more speed than that but barrel length, etc effects that . These numbers are assumed 24" barrel

the 110 drops to 1800 fps about 700 yards
the 128 drops to 1800 fps about 800 yards

Id bet money that a 134 eldm has better terminal effect then either, with the 128 being better then the 110.

 

[glock233]

I like the 128 more than the 134. There’s so much less crowding the tip in the 134 and it comes to a very fine point.

 

[codym]

What powder are you running? H4350 I assume?

Im trying n555, allegedly gives 50 fps. Not sure what John was shooting.

I’ve ran RL16, h4350, and n555. My latest barrel was all n555, 135’s@2880 and 138’s @ 2850.

For speed 4350 and RL16 were neck and neck. Maybe RL26 would get more speed but I don’t have any

 

[doc holiday13]

Id bet money that a 134 eldm has better terminal effect then either, with the 128 being better then the 110.

Not by much. with MV of 2850 the 134 still drops to 1800 fps at ~810 yards, but not many folks are gonna take a plug at an animal beyond 600 yards so its kind of a moot point(for most). For targets the ELDM will outperform the eldx. Beyond 700, I'd rather have a bigger caliber simply for bucking the wind. Of all the people I know in real life, only 2 or 3 are capable and have taken a beyond 600 yard successful animal kill.

 

[T_Widdy]

I’ve ran RL16, h4350, and n555. My latest barrel was all n555, 135’s@2880 and 138’s @ 2850.

For speed 4350 and RL16 were neck and neck. Maybe RL26 would get more speed but I don’t have any

How many round did you get out of you barrel that was all n555?

 

[wind gypsy]

Not by much. with MV of 2850 the 134 still drops to 1800 fps at ~810 yards, but not many folks are gonna take a plug at an animal beyond 600 yards so its kind of a moot point(for most). For targets the ELDM will outperform the eldx. Beyond 700, I'd rather have a bigger caliber simply for bucking the wind. Of all the people I know in real life, only 2 or 3 are capable and have taken a beyond 600 yard successful animal kill.

128 or 134 will beat the 110 in wind deflection at any distance and the additional sectional density should be a nice benefit terminally.

 

[codym]

How many round did you get out of you barrel that was all n555?

It’s starting to lose speed now. I need to deep clean it but I’m pretty sure she’s toast. They have all went tits up 16-1800 rounds. 2 bartliens a crb and a benchmark carbon.

 

[doc holiday13]

128 or 134 will beat the 110 in wind deflection at any distance and the additional sectional density should be a nice benefit terminally.

Yeah for 25 cal its choking on knats... with 10mph 90* wind, the 110 has 1 mil drift at 600 and the 134 is a 1 mil drift at 700...

More mass on target is always better. I mostly pointed at the 110 because its a touch more MV and a little less elevation dialing to get you to 600. Its mostly a wash for hunting, but if you're plugging steel... Just roll with the ELDM or berger

 

[wind gypsy]

Yeah for 25 cal its choking on knats... with 10mph 90* wind, the 110 has 1 mil drift at 600 and the 134 is a 1 mil drift at 700...

More mass on target is always better. I mostly pointed at the 110 because its a touch more MV and a little less elevation dialing to get you to 600. Its mostly a wash for hunting, but if you're plugging steel... Just roll with the ELDM or berger

The wind forgiveness upside seems to exceed the range forgiveness upside in this case. But yeah, shooter is obviously the main variable.