Is 2525fps fast enough to start a 143 ELD-X?

[Glory]

Only one way to find out. What will you have, 10 minutes invested in a phone call? Creedmoor is slow enough as it is for that kind of drop.

 

[mcseal2]

I guess I can talk to them, see if they have a recommendation of an ammo to try or any ideas. I don't expect them to replace the barrel but calling them can't hurt. If they want to offer I'd let them.

 

[sandhillhunter]

I have a Browning Hell’s Canyon Speed rifle 6.5 Creed as well. Bought it in 2016. I’ll see if I can chrono some factory Hornady 143s this weekend.

I have some reloads with 143 grain ELD-x and 41.5 gr 4350 that I’m getting around 2680 FPS out of.


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[PONYBOY]

I recently traded for a Browning Hells Canyon Speed rifle with a 22" barrel in 6.5 Creedmoor. I hooked up my Magnetospeed chronograph after sighting the rifle in and it was only showing 2525fps on average with factory Precision Hunter ammo using the 143gr ELD-X. The box shows 2700fps. I figured that was probably not happening in my barrel, but I figured it would be closer than it was. It shot between 1/2" and 3/4" consistently on 5 shot groups letting the barrel cool between shots.

I have pretty much always ran faster rounds in the past. Even after I started dialing elevation it was on a 264 win mag or 300 win mag mostly. Other rifles I use a lot are the 243, 25-06, and 270 win. The high BC bullets started slow are new to me. I plan to use this rifle mainly for deer hunting. Most shots will be 200-350 yards but I'd reach to 600 with it if my practice and conditions show I should. I have the magnums mentioned earlier for elk and larger game.

Would you be comfortable with this starting velocity, or should I do some experimenting with reloading or 130gr bullets? Thanks for your help.

That seems slow. I'm running a 22' Xbolt. With the 143ELDX Precision Hunter I am getting mid 2600, probably closer to 2650-2660. I I reloaded on this particular bullet, I'm confident I could get 2,700 out of the 22 inch barrel. I'm using a magneto speed as well. Weird...

 

[Lawnboi]

I guess I can talk to them, see if they have a recommendation of an ammo to try or any ideas. I don't expect them to replace the barrel but calling them can't hurt. If they want to offer I'd let them.

Try some of the Berger factory ammo.

 

[Mike 338]

I don't know... is a car doing 75 in an 80 speed limit fast enough to get you to work?

 

[mcseal2]

I have not shot the rifle much since deer season ended, I got switched over to my predator guns and have been shooting them.

I liked the results I got from the 130gr Sirocco 2 the best from what I have shot on game. I know that the ELD-X and Berger bullets do a good job of killing game. I've taken a lot of game with the 140gr Berger from my 264 win mag and shot my muley this year with a 185gr Berger from my 300 win. The ELD-X has dropped everything I have hit well with it also, and the wounded buck I mentioned earlier I did not hit well only went 50 yards. That said so far from this 6.5 Creed I plan on using a tougher bullet. I really expected the ELD-X to hold together better on bone starting this slow than what it did. It's a really small sample size, but both deer I have seen shot with the ELD-X that were hit in the shoulder the bullet fragmented. Both died in their tracks, it was NOT a bullet failure and I'm not claiming that it was. It's just not the performance I want to see. The performance was not much different between the buck I shot at 150 yards with the 143gr ELD-X starting at 3240fps, and the 143gr ELD-X my buddy used on his buck at 200 yards with the bullet starting at 2525fps. They both came apart in the near side shoulder, and sent fragments to the far side but nothing exited.

There is nothing wrong with this performance it's just not what I personally want. I like having a tough enough bullet that I can take some shot angles I wouldn't feel comfortable taking with a fragmenting bullet of this weight/speed. I'm going to stick with the 130gr Sirocco for now. It shoots great, has a decent BC, and performed more like I prefer. The doe I shot with it also dropped in her tracks but with a nice exit wound. I don't plan on shooting anything past 600 yards with this rifle, and I should have enough speed for it to expand to there.

Thanks everyone for the replies. I initially planned to use the ELD-X, and may in the future, but for now I'm happy with the Sirocco for my needs. If I end up finding it to be to tough for longer shots, I can always switch then. I shoot the majority of my game inside 350 yards, but I like to practice further.

 

[TxxAgg]

Just for a data point:


Tikka T3x 6.5 CM
Hornady eld-x 143 gr
2380-2400 fps with 18" barrel

Federal non typical 140
2450 - 2500 fps with 18" barrel

 

[TxxAgg]

Bump

 

[wtx]

Another data point for you guys:

Tikka T3x CTR 6.5CM - 20"
Factory Hornady PH 143 ELD-X
2571 avg. ft/s w/ approximately 50 rounds though it.

Was hoping for more speed, but its a 0.5 -0.6 MOA rifle tested out to 600 yards. I can't complain about those results with factory ammunition. Having trouble loading for my go to 7mm-08 at this time so the 6.5 is getting the starting job this year.

 

[Lawnboi]

Crazy Iv had lots of hornady creedmoor ammo that went 2600+ and some that went 2500 in the same barrel at 20”.

Id take any data points on hornady creed ammo with a grain of salt.

 

[TxxAgg]

More data:

21.25" Barrel
9/11/20

143 eldx
2573
2568
2551
2553
2586
2587
2581
2612

American whitetail 129r
2629
2659
2630

EldMatch 147
2517
2468
2478

Federal 140 non typical
2604
2588
2621
2594
2612
2602
2622
2600
2620
2644

 

[wtx]

Also chrono’d some 150 ELDX Precision Hunter in 7mm08. Two different box’s were 174 ft/s different. I’m not worried about 20-30 ft/s inside 500 but 174 is just silly. Anyone else seen this crazy of velocity swing between lots of the same ammunition?

 

[EastMT]

Thats def the problem with factory ammo. They can’t run up to max, have it plan for deviations in powder lots. This is why I finally have threw in the towel on even quality ammo. 9mm/300BO factory Plinking ammo is about it for me anymore.

You can hand load a 308 to beat most 30-06 ammo as well. Heck there’s a few 6.5 CM loads getting 2900 FPS with the right powder and 140’s.

 

[rayporter]

35years ago factory ammo was an even bigger crap shoot.

ammo companies really came to attention when the chronograph went mainstream.

 

[Kimber7man]

The Berger 135 classic ammo is doing 2750 fps in my daughters 22" barreled 6.5 creedmoor. Super accurate as well. Just another option but find minimum expansion velocity for either the 143 or 135 and that is your max distance if accuracy is there.

Regarding velocity and killing. Son's lapua pushes a 140 berger at 2670 or so. Broke a bull elk's shoulder at 400 yards and penetrated to other side. Dead bull.

Same Berger 135 classic hunter load is at 2,720 in my GAP 6.5 creed with 20” barrel. I only have about 100 rounds down it so I expect it to pick up some speed in another 50-100 rounds.
Other Berger ammo:
120 scenar-L = 2,900
156 EOL = 2,550

Here in Indiana I’m under 900 feet elevation so the 156 doesn’t carry the velocity as well as it would at 6,000 feet or higher. But I still might shoot a few white tails just for T&E and to donate meat to a few hungry families.