6.5cm ammo choice?

I know I’ll receive some heat for this suggestion, but my son and I have killed a boatload of big game animals with 6.5 CMs using Hornaday American Whitetail ammo.
It’s cheap, it’s accurate, it penetrates well, and gives a tremendous wound channel.
I wouldn’t hesitate to use it on any hoofed animal in NA.

You shouldn't. Classic cup and core bullet that typically is devastating. If it shoots well out of your rifle then go for it if you don't need the BC.
 
Hey all, new to the forums here. I was recently thinking about shopping for a 6mm rifle but I received a 6.5cm rifle for free. Thinking about putting a scope and break on it and using it for this up coming season. ( I’ve previously hunted with a 30-06) my question for the experts is what would be my best option for ammo???
Hornady 143gr Eld-X
Hornady 140/147gr Eld-M
Sierra Game changer 140gr TGK
Sig 130gr sierra TGK (cheapest option)
Also, I hunt muleys / elk
I preface this by saying I was not a 6.5 fan, essentially from inception in the hunting world. They are not my first choice for elk. Before anyone gets in a tizzy, yes it can be done cleanly. Accuracy is first. I will say 6.5 does a lot with what it has. One in our party took a whitetail at 248yds with a 130grn Swift Scirocco II. factory stuff from Fiocchi. The wound channel was impressive for what a 6.5 is and the animal was taken cleanly. Same rifle is running 140 accubonds this year. All of the top shelf bullets work great. Pick what groups tightest and run with it IMHO.
 
I use the 147 EldM currently and in my small sample size of whitetail deer it is devastating. Very accurate bullet in my gun. I intend to use this on Antelop, mule deer, elk, moose as well. Good luck
 
I tried the 143 eldx when I was shooting factory... results were ok at best. Now I'm handloading 140 eldms. We will see how they do on game.


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They'll do great.
 
It’s not hunting ammo, but if you should find yourself wanting to do some range shooting with a more “ budget friendly “ factory load try: 1. Hornady’s American Gunner 140 grain BTHP 2. AAC 140 grain SMK. Both shoot great through my Tikka.
 
I'll be the echo of pick what your rifle shoots best and buy a case of it. I've killed alot of deer and pigs with ELD's both X and M. I wouldn't be afraid to shoot an elk with one at all.

They should have named ELD-M the ELD-Murder, they work great.
 
The key factor many people ignore is the HUGE variation in factory ammo.

I would recommend the 143 ELDX for factory elk ammo, but I have personally seen 150fps variation lot to lot. Some shot 2 MOA and some near 1/2 MOA.

Most likely it will shoot well, but I would find a local place with stacks of it in stock, shoot one box to verify accuracy, then run back and buy as many of that specific lot number as you can afford.

If you reload I would run the 147’s.
 
Ay 6.5CM speeds, it's hard to pick a bad bullet for killing game, and you're not likely to need to shoot past 300 yds anyway. Pick the most accurate and run with it.
 
Ay 6.5CM speeds, it's hard to pick a bad bullet for killing game. Pick the most accurate and run with it.
^^^^ This. ^^^^

So true. Inside of 300 yards, I'm shooting something in the 120-130gr range for lead bullets and 100-127gr for copper. My top choice would be the 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip followed very closely by the Winchester Deer Season 125gr XP and 129gr Hornady SST. These three bullets knock the living shit out of deer and similar size game with impressive kills. If you want a mono for these ranges, the 100gr and 120gr Barnes TTSX is stellar, as is the Winchester Deer Season 125gr Copper Impact.

If you think you might be shooting farther than that, say ... out to 500 yards ... but you still want great performance in closer, then look at the Berger 135gr Classic Hunter, 140gr Hornady ELD-M, 140gr Browning Max Point, 140gr Nosler Ballistic Tip, 142gr Nosler ABLR, 143gr Hornady ELD-X and 147gr Hornady ELD-M. For a mono at these ranges, the 127gr Barnes LRX is the bee knees.

Out to 600 yards and beyond, I want one of five bullets: Hornady 140gr ELD-M, Berger 140gr VLD and Elite Hunter, Nosler 142gr ABLR , Hornady 143gr ELD-X or Hornady 147gr ELD-M. If I need this particular bullet to work well from 20 yards to over 600 yards, I would go with the Hornady bullets or the ABLR.

If I could pick only one bullet to use out of my 6.5 Creedmoor (and I do), it is the 140gr ELD-M. Kills from 0-800 yards with authority.

However, use what shoots best.
 
You shouldn't. Classic cup and core bullet that typically is devastating. If it shoots well out of your rifle then go for it if you don't need the BC.
If you’re taking shots at such distances with a Spitzer bullet that you’re needing to worry about BC, you’re no longer hunting, you’re shooting.
Anything 600 yards and closer, BC differences are purely academic.
 
I would use any bonded/mono bullet if hunting larger game with the 6.5. Better penetration
 
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