Why no 123gr 6.5CM factory offerings ?

[RWT]

Curious I added a 6.5 Grendel to the collection as I already shoot 6.5 CM and when and "if" I make the time to reload I assumed I could leverage a single box of bullets for both. Purchase a larger quantity to save and increase consistency. I do not see a 123 gr factory loaded for the 6.5 CM. However, the 123 SST & 123 ELDM are standards for the Grendel? Am I missing this? Has anyone handloaded 123 SST's or ELDM's to see how they shoot in a CM? If so why aren't the major manufacture's loading the 123's in the CM?

 

[2five7]

We've always shot 123 Amax out of our 6.5 CM, they are super deadly on Muley Bucks. Probably a dozen or 15 killed, 1 shot each. From small yearlings to 9 year old tanks, all dead with basically no running. I'm sure the ELDM would perform the same.

 

[Castle Rock]

123s and lighter work very well in the CM /260 /260AI.
I like and use the 123 Scenar and 100 and 120 ballistic tips a lot

 

[HandgunHTR]

If so why aren't the major manufacture's loading the 123's in the CM?

I would bet it is because the whole point of the 6.5 Creedmoor was to be able to shoot heavy bullets in a factory rifle with factory ammo.

 

[Castle Rock]

I would bet it is because the whole point of the 6.5 Creedmoor was to be able to shoot heavy bullets in a factory rifle with factory ammo.

I don’t think that at all, they used to but it probably didn’t sell, and they dropped it
Heavy bullets have a rainbow trajectory and suck for normal hunting out to 300 yards, who wants to have to dial every shot
It is the range shooters who have driven the heavy bullet mentality

 

[jzeblaz]

We've always shot 123 Amax out of our 6.5 CM, they are super deadly on Muley Bucks. Probably a dozen or 15 killed, 1 shot each. From small yearlings to 9 year old tanks, all dead with basically no running. I'm sure the ELDM would perform the same.

Sweet! I have a pile of those. I gotta try them in the 6.5 CM.

 

[RWT]

Why no factory offerings? I am certain they will shoot as I have shot a 500+ 120’s out on my CM. But that is a factory load.

 

[KenLee]

The factory 120 gr NBT are wicked. I shoot them out of my x-bolt hood rat medallion x-bolt 6.5 creed.

 

[FB Trout]

At one point, Hornady did load a 120 Amax 6.5 Factory load, they even printed the load data on the back. I’ve replicated that load with 123 Amax/ELDm and it is fast. Shoots 2885 fps out of a 20” barrel.

 

[ChrisAU]

Here ya go. Shoot these guys 75 ELDM load in my 22CM, it shoots great.

6.5 Creedmoor 123gr Hornady ELD-M – Copper Creek Cartridge Co.

coppercreekcartridgeco.com

 

[BigAl!]

Another option - https://www.milehighshooting.com/lapua-scenar-6-5-creedmoor-123gr-otm-50-box/

 

[HandgunHTR]

I don’t think that at all, they used to but it probably didn’t sell, and they dropped it
Heavy bullets have a rainbow trajectory and suck for normal hunting out to 300 yards, who wants to have to dial every shot
It is the range shooters who have driven the heavy bullet mentality

The question was why doesn't anyone have factory ammo offerings with lighter bullets. Yes, range shooters have driven the heavy bullet mentality and also range shooter shoot more than your average hunter, so who are you going to tailor your supply to?

Also, "heavy" in this case means 140+ grain bullets. Prior to the 6.5 Creed hitting the market, the standard twist for .264 caliber rifles was 1:9" and the majority of the offerings were 120-130 class bullets, unless it was the 6.5X55, whose following has always been rather niche here in the States.

As to your comment about heavy bullets in the 6.5 Creed "sucking" for normal hunting out to 300 yards, I have quite a bit of personal experience, and if even half of the stories and pictures shown on this and other forums are to be believed, the 140+ class of 6.5 bullets driven from 2600-2800 fps don't suck at all, even out to 600.