6.5 Creedmoor whitetail bullets

[swampcrawler]

Any experience on the matter? If I don't get around to loading for it before season I'll be using 140 GR Fusion factory ammo.

But for handloads, I don't have much faith in the Hornady ELDX. It's a very "pretty" bullet but I've seen reports of jacket separation and bullet blow up and such.

But on the other hand, I'm not really sure if premium monolithic or bonded bullets would open reliably at such mild velocity on our 100 lb southern whitetail.

I suppose something like a good ole Gameking would be a good choice?

 

[GooseGestapo]

I've had good results from the Speer 120 and 140gr HotCor from my .260 Rem.
Also, the Remington version of the Hornady 120gr SST (Gold tipped SST, Called by Remington the "AccuTip).
SPEER sells the HotCor bullets in loaded ammo under the "Nitrex" label.
Very good inexpensive hunting bullets. Perhaps the best value now that Remington has left the components business.
My gun really likes Sierra's, but they were "unobtainium" circa 2011. Moved on to other ventures. Not especially keen on the 6.5's. Prefer the 7's and .30's (or larger) for big game, .22's for lesser species.

 

[horsemen61]

Swamp I'm sure you know you don't need a premium bullet for whitetail look at hornady's American Whitetail 129 grain 6.5 creedmoor ammo I've had friends use it to much success in MO

 

[Captcurt]

I am kinda like Goose. I shot the 120gr Speer HotCor in my 260 and it did a good job, but my Bergara doesn't like them and Speer discontinued the 120 HotCor. They still make a 120gr cup and core and the 140gr. HC. I went to the 130gr Accubond and shot several whitetails on a predation permit Took several from 200 to 350 yards and they worked swell. The closest was maybe 25 yards. Worked on that one too. I'll have a report on the ELD-X next year.

 

[horsemen61]

Well swamp did you pick a bullet also what are you shooting this out of?

 

[LoonWulf]

Ive shot a good deal of 100-150lb deer (axis) with cup and core and target bullets from multiple calibers and muzzle velocities from 2500-3200fps. My shot selection is shoulder or behind, facing on ill shoot them under the chin and facing away if i HAVE to take a shot ill break the pelvis.
Ive never had an issue with recovery, usually they end up DRT. Only semi hiccup I had was the 123Amax from my Grendel which performed textbook perfect in terms of expansion and penetration but did not drop the animals on the spot.
Ive got some of the Eldxs right now, havent gotten a chance to use them yet, but im expecting to take my creedmoor and my .250AI to home with me in July and should get a chance to try them then.

Honestly with the moderate velocity the creedmoor operates at it i would be comfortable using anything besides a varmint bullet, and even those i would be ok with if only shooting for lungs.

 

[someguy2800]

But on the other hand, I'm not really sure if premium monolithic or bonded bullets would open reliably at such mild velocity on our 100 lb southern whitetail.

Most bonded bullets actually expand at very low velocity. The bonding process anneals the jacket. Barnes bullets will also open over a very very wide range of velocity. I would use a 140 grain soft point of your brand of choice

 

[farmerboy78]

Just shoot the hornady ELD or amax, work great on whitetails. I'm using the 123gr amax in my grendel for whitetail

 

[RugerOldArmy]

I'd look at the 140 Gr Sierra Gameking.

 

[Kaldor]

One thing you might try is just buying a couple boxes of factory ammo that use the bullets youd like to load. See how they shoot on paper for accuracy, and then attempt to duplicate that round.

ELD-X should work fine, same with the Interbonds, Interlocks and SST's. Pick your weight, tweak the charge so it works in your gun, and go shoot something. Same goes with Sierra's. Speer's, Noser's. Pick a quality hunting bullet and see what you like.

I do not recommend using target style bullets like regular ELDs, AMAX, BTHP, SMK, TMK, etc. Even though these bullets will expand, they are not designed to expand consistently. Use the right tool for the job because that bullet might be fine 90% of the time, but that one time in ten when you need the bullet to perform as designed, it wont. I for one would be angry if a nice buck was standing in front of me at a 100 yards, and Mr Murphy decided to strike...

 

[RPRNY]

Hornady 140 gr Interlocks work just fine. Sierra Game King 140 is a little stronger construction but it's really six of one, half dozen of the other. Any good cup and core will do. Happy Hunting.

 

[farmerboy78]

One thing you might try is just buying a couple boxes of factory ammo that use the bullets youd like to load. See how they shoot on paper for accuracy, and then attempt to duplicate that round.

ELD-X should work fine, same with the Interbonds, Interlocks and SST's. Pick your weight, tweak the charge so it works in your gun, and go shoot something. Same goes with Sierra's. Speer's, Noser's. Pick a quality hunting bullet and see what you like.

I do not recommend using target style bullets like regular ELDs, AMAX, BTHP, SMK, TMK, etc. Even though these bullets will expand, they are not designed to expand consistently. Use the right tool for the job because that bullet might be fine 90% of the time, but that one time in ten when you need the bullet to perform as designed, it wont. I for one would be angry if a nice buck was standing in front of me at a 100 yards, and Mr Murphy decided to strike...

I disagree strongly, the amax will expand if you stay above 1800fps. Have taken several deer with them with exit holes 2-3 times the size of entry in a 6.5 grendel.

 

[Captcurt]

Ive got some of the Eldxs right now, havent gotten a chance to use them yet, but im expecting to take my creedmoor and my .250AI to home with me in July and should get a chance to try them then.
.

Let me know how they work with the 250. I just bought a KImber Hunter in 257 Roberts and haven't started working with it yet.

 

[Snyper]

Shoot some different loads and hunt with the one that's most accurate.
Deer aren't hard to kill with any bullets.

 

[LoonWulf]

Let me know how they work with the 250. I just bought a KImber Hunter in 257 Roberts and haven't started working with it yet.

Ill be shooting 115 bergers from my .250AI.
Sorry to be confusing, ment to talk about the bergers vlds as an option for hunting as well as the ELDxs in that last paragraph, but totally forgot.