Howa 1500 6.5 creedmoor factory ammo recommendations?

[C.Jones]

Purchased a Howa 6.5 creedmoor 20” barrel cerakote model recently. Non heavy barrel. Have shot around 40 rounds through it. Shoots Hornady 143 Eld x pretty good but was looking to shoot something a little lighter and faster. Don’t necessarily have the budget to purchase multiple boxes of different ammo. Have shot Hornady SST and American Whitetail 129 grainers during the break in process. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[flinginairos]

In for info as well. I’ve shot several boxes of the Precision Hunter out of my Bergara B14 in 6.5cm and its very accurate. Wouldn’t mind a bit more velocity but I think I’ll probably stick with the Hornady rounds. Wouldn’t Mind trying something else on the range tho


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[freediver111]

Factory ammo limits you a bit. I’d try Hornady superformance in 129 grains.


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[huntsman22]

hornady 147eld's......

 

[C.Jones]

Anybody out there with a Howa or Weatherby Vanguard in this caliber shooting factory ammo in lighter weight bullets?

 

[SEtoNWHunter]

I have a howa 6.5 creedmoor. 20" light contour barrel and cerakote. It is a shooter. For premium hunting ammo it shoots factory loaded Barnes 127 lrx and Winchester factory ammo with nosler 142 accubond lr sub moa. For cheap factory ammo, it does equally as well with 129gr hornady American whitetail and 140 federal non-typical. For some reason it doesn't shoot as well with 140 federal fusions or the 140 standard accubonds. Haven't tried any lighter bullets but I'm going to get some 120gr solid options (TTSX, GMX, Etip) to try soon.

 

[rgroves79]

Hornady has 120's in the GMX and ELD's. Both around $32 a box on cheaper than dirt. Also saw Remington HTP's that were 120's on there but not in stock. I just picked up a 6.5 recently myself (Kimber Hunter) and also shot the American Whitetail and Precision Hunter. Mine seems to prefer the 129gr but my initial testing was limited.

 

[C.Jones]

Thanks for the info SEtoNWHunter and others. Followed a modified break-in routine (didn’t have the time or possibly the patience to adhere to the Howa recommended procedure) and groups weren’t that impressive initially. Tightened up after 40 or so rounds (or just liked Hornady Eld x better) tried Eld x as my 3rd ammo purchase. Hopeful that it will group Gmx or Barnes 120-130+ loads. Keep you posted.

 

[C.Jones]

Recently shot some factory Barnes LRX 127 gainers out of the Howa and was impressed with the grouping. This will likely be my go to round for hunting with this rifle.