6.5 creedmoor norma bondstrike - feedback on performance

[pzbrook]

Hi everyone,

I’m writing to share feedback on the Norma Bondstrike in 6.5mm creedmoor (143gr), following roe / red deer hunts over the past months. I’m using a Blaser K95 with a 52 cm barrel. Here’s a quick description of each situation:

Roe:

-broadside at about 110, heart shot. The deer ran about 30m.

-deer slightly turned away at about 60m, lung shot, ran about 20m.

-broadside walking at about 130m, heart / lung area; ran about 10m.

-head on shot at about 135m, heart shot, ran about 25m.

-broadside at about 115m, but I made a bad shot, hitting too far back. The second shot just behind the shoulder killed it.

All shots were off sticks. The bullets exited each time, except perhaps the frontal shot - it was hard to tell, it was almost completely dark when we got down to the animal. There was no damage to the gut area, though.

Exit holes were typically about 4-5 cm.

Red:

Young stag - also shooting off sticks, slightly quartered towards me at about 125m, perfect lung hit, ran about 60m. I think the front part of the bullet fully expanded or perhaps partly fragmented in the heart / lung area (there was massive damage to the vitals), then the rear non-expanding part exited on the other side of the body via a small ~ 1cm sized hole.

Accuracy is excellent, typically sub moa on three shot groups (so are other creedmoor cartridges I’ve tried). The bondstrike is Norma’s most powerful cartridge in 6.5 creedmoor by quite a margin: higher MV than the others (except the non lead) and much better retained velocity and energy due to the high BC. I’m v happy with it.

Hope this is useful.

 

[Edelweiss]

143gr Bondstrike out of a 6,5 PRC (870m/s) shoots extremely accurate until 500 Meters (i dont have shot further)
Dead Right There. It slid a little further down the slope, leaving a very good trail of blood.

 

[maximus otter]

Hi everyone,

I’m writing to share feedback on the Norma Bondstrike in 6.5mm creedmoor (143gr), following roe / red deer hunts over the past months. I’m using a Blaser K95 with a 52 cm barrel. Here’s a quick description of each situation:

Roe:

-broadside at about 110, heart shot. The deer ran about 30m.

-deer slightly turned away at about 60m, lung shot, ran about 20m.

-broadside walking at about 130m, heart / lung area; ran about 10m.

-head on shot at about 135m, heart shot, ran about 25m.

-broadside at about 115m, but I made a bad shot, hitting too far back. The second shot just behind the shoulder killed it.

All shots were off sticks. The bullets exited each time, except perhaps the frontal shot - it was hard to tell, it was almost completely dark when we got down to the animal. There was no damage to the gut area, though.

Exit holes were typically about 4-5 cm.

Red:

Young stag - also shooting off sticks, slightly quartered towards me at about 125m, perfect lung hit, ran about 60m. I think the front part of the bullet fully expanded or perhaps partly fragmented in the heart / lung area (there was massive damage to the vitals), then the rear non-expanding part exited on the other side of the body via a small ~ 1cm sized hole.

Accuracy is excellent, typically sub moa on three shot groups (so are other creedmoor cartridges I’ve tried). The bondstrike is Norma’s most powerful cartridge in 6.5 creedmoor by quite a margin: higher MV than the others (except the non lead) and much better retained velocity and energy due to the high BC. I’m v happy with it.

Hope this is useful.

I've just had a look at my spreadsheet. I shoot a 6.5 x 55mm using Norma factory 120gr Ballistic Tips, so the calibre is slightly less powerful than yours but with the same bullet diameter.

75% of my deer (muntjac, CWD & roe; average range 119 yards) drop in their own hoofprints.

Only 6.25% run more than 10 yards.

maximus otter

 

[Dougal McGuire]

Thanks for the rundown. I use Bondstrike in 300 WM but am looking to test it when I get a 6.5 CM. The 6.5x55 version looks good on the website just haven't been able to find it.

 

[geoshot]

I don't know what Bondstrike is like in 6.5CM or PRC but a good friend of mine uses Bondstrike in his 6.5-284norma
I've seen him drop Sika in their own shadow at close to 300m, nothing he hits seems to move very far
I'd be tempted to try it if it was available in 6.5PRC factory ammo near me, or if I could be bothered loading it - but as I'm working up various non lead options right now it'll have to wait

 

[pzbrook]

I don't know what Bondstrike is like in 6.5CM or PRC but a good friend of mine uses Bondstrike in his 6.5-284norma
I've seen him drop Sika in their own shadow at close to 300m, nothing he hits seems to move very far
I'd be tempted to try it if it was available in 6.5PRC factory ammo near me, or if I could be bothered loading it - but as I'm working up various non lead options right now it'll have to wait

Going by the data from the handy Norma ballistic app, the 6.5-284 or the 6.5 PRC Bondstrike at 300m are basically identical to the 6.5CM & the 6.5x55 at 200m. It’s the same bullet with more or less powder behind it

 

[Dougal McGuire]

There is some debate on whether Norma's Bondstrike BC figures are correct. If they are, they're very good. I've gotten very good accuracy in 300 WM but have not used on game yet. The hogs seem to know I'm loaded with a likely very effective round.

 

[pzbrook]

Hi everyone, I already some shared feedback on the performance of the bondstrike in 6.5 creedmoor on roe and red deer (see message above). Here’s some more info, in case useful, from a recent stalking trip in France during which I shot 7 roe.

Rifle is a Blaser K95 with a 52cm barrel. Muzzle velocity averages 808 m/s with a Hausken over barrel moderator (and just over 800 without the moderator).

Deer 1, 2, 3 were shot in roughly 60 seconds at about 90m, 60m and 120m range. All shots were on the shoulder or just behind. The first roe stumbled along for maybe 15m before falling. The other two went pretty much straight down.

Deer 4: 180m shoulder half way up leg area, straight down.

Deer 5: sitting 140m shoulder area exiting rear lung, didn’t get up.

Deer 6: 145m forward shoulder, exited neck, straight down.

Deer 7: 145m rear lung, ran 60m across field before dropping in undergrowth. Tracked by finding impact point then following blood trail. Big blood patch on point of impact, then drops on the field, then large splashes in undergrowth entrance.

Exit wounds were all around 5cm - 7.5cm diameter, including with quartering shots.

I’m v pleased with the bondstrike - to me the standout feature compared to other 6.5 creedmoor cartridges is the combination of good muzzle velocity, a very high BC and a bonded bullet.

 

[Pepepotano]

Hi everyone, I already some shared feedback on the performance of the bondstrike in 6.5 creedmoor on roe and red deer (see message above). Here’s some more info, in case useful, from a recent stalking trip in France during which I shot 7 roe.

Rifle is a Blaser K95 with a 52cm barrel. Muzzle velocity averages 808 m/s with a Hausken over barrel moderator (and just over 800 without the moderator).

Deer 1, 2, 3 were shot in roughly 60 seconds at about 90m, 60m and 120m range. All shots were on the shoulder or just behind. The first roe stumbled along for maybe 15m before falling. The other two went pretty much straight down.

Deer 4: 180m shoulder half way up leg area, straight down.

Deer 5: sitting 140m shoulder area exiting rear lung, didn’t get up.

Deer 6: 145m forward shoulder, exited neck, straight down.

Deer 7: 145m rear lung, ran 60m across field before dropping in undergrowth. Tracked by finding impact point then following blood trail. Big blood patch on point of impact, then drops on the field, then large splashes in undergrowth entrance.

Exit wounds were all around 5cm - 7.5cm diameter, including with quartering shots.

I’m v pleased with the bondstrike - to me the standout feature compared to other 6.5 creedmoor cartridges is the combination of good muzzle velocity, a very high BC and a bonded bullet.

I'm very interested on quite the same rifle and caliber… Have you ever measured other ammo velocities? Like eld-x, sst, cx…Thanks!

 

[pzbrook]

I'm very interested on quite the same rifle and caliber… Have you ever measured other ammo velocities? Like eld-x, sst, cx…Thanks!

Hi,

Yes, I tried a box of eldx. Speed was very consistent. I got an average of 798 m/s on 5 shots with only 3m/s variation. That’s without a moderator.

I’ve also used a lot of Geco Express 140gr and Norma Golden Target 143 gr on the range.

The Gecos are a touch faster than the eldx (about 800) but have a little more variation.

The Norma target rounds are slower - 778 on average - but the consistency’s great, as you’d expect. Much cheaper too.

Just say if you’d like more thoughts about the rifle.

Brook

 

[Pepepotano]

Hi,

Yes, I tried a box of eldx. Speed was very consistent. I got an average of 798 m/s on 5 shots with only 3m/s variation. That’s without a moderator.

I’ve also used a lot of Geco Express 140gr and Norma Golden Target 143 gr on the range.

The Gecos are a touch faster than the eldx (about 800) but have a little more variation.

The Norma target rounds are slower - 778 on average - but the consistency’s great, as you’d expect. Much cheaper too.

Just say if you’d like more thoughts about the rifle.

Brook

Thanks!

I already have an R8 with a .270 Win barrel, but I mainly hunt by stalking and I’m starting to find the weight a bit too much.

I was thinking of buying a K95 and reserving the R8 solely for driven hunts, but I’m unsure about the calibres…

A while back I had a K95 in 6.5x57R and I found the cartridge a bit ‘anemic’ (factory ammunition). Now I’m torn between another .270 Win or a 6.5 CM. But then I start overthinking it… Generally speaking, I like the .270 Win, but perhaps a K95 is too light to fire this cartridge comfortably; then I think about the 6.5 CM (I also had one a while back) and see it as a cartridge with much less recoil, but when I enquire about a rifle, only 52 cm barrels are available… and I’m not sure that’s enough for hunting… so I go back to thinking about the .270 Win…

My aim is to stalk-hunt everything in Spain up to 400 m (my longest shot to date is 450 m, but I was pressured by a lazy guide), from roe deer to rutting red deer weighing 180 kg and everything in between (wild boar, fallow deer, Spanish ibex, chamois, mouflon and Atlas mouflon).

Would you feel comfortable with your rifle in these conditions?

 

[pzbrook]

Thanks!

I already have an R8 with a .270 Win barrel, but I mainly hunt by stalking and I’m starting to find the weight a bit too much.

I was thinking of buying a K95 and reserving the R8 solely for driven hunts, but I’m unsure about the calibres…

A while back I had a K95 in 6.5x57R and I found the cartridge a bit ‘anemic’ (factory ammunition). Now I’m torn between another .270 Win or a 6.5 CM. But then I start overthinking it… Generally speaking, I like the .270 Win, but perhaps a K95 is too light to fire this cartridge comfortably; then I think about the 6.5 CM (I also had one a while back) and see it as a cartridge with much less recoil, but when I enquire about a rifle, only 52 cm barrels are available… and I’m not sure that’s enough for hunting… so I go back to thinking about the .270 Win…

My aim is to stalk-hunt everything in Spain up to 400 m (my longest shot to date is 450 m, but I was pressured by a lazy guide), from roe deer to rutting red deer weighing 180 kg and everything in between (wild boar, fallow deer, Spanish ibex, chamois, mouflon and Atlas mouflon).

Would you feel comfortable with your rifle in these conditions?

Great questions.

I think it might depend which K95 you get. The ultimate models come with thicker padding on the buttstock as standard, and you can also get a special recoil absorber system (I haven’t tried it but it’s an option for a heavier calibre).

When it comes to calibre, I think there are two big considerations:

First, if you get 6.5 CM loads like the Bondstrike, you’re getting very high BC and lots of retained energy out to 300-400m.

I used to hunt with a 7x64. The RWS or Norma bullets available back then were a lot more powerful than the 6.5 Bondstrike at short ranges, but (if I go through the ballistic data) were less efficient at longer ranges. My point is that beyond 150-175m or so, modern bullets make a 6.5CM the equivalent of a .270 or a 7x64 using older bullet designs.

The second consideration is that the 6.5CM is very pleasant to shoot in the K95 ultimate without a moderator, and becomes almost .22 hornet like when you fit a moderator (I have a hornet barrel for training). So I’m guessing a .270 K95 with a moderator will do a lot to remove the recoil question.

I still think the creed is better because it has enough energy for stalking the game you mention, less recoil and a better choice of ammunition. But that’s me.

On the ranges you mention, I’ve never shot so far. I typically shoot off hunting sticks, and so far it’s always been within 200m. I train a lot in prone, kneeling, standing supported and so on positions, though. One point to bear in mind is that it’s not easy to fit a bipod. That’s a disadvantage compared to the R8 ultimate.

I see you can get custom options fitted. Personally, I use a mini tripod by viper sticks for the front on prone shots, with an mdt shooting bag on the rear. The mdt bag is then my main support for the kneeling, sitting, etc shots. My standard on these shots is to get into a 4cm square at 100m. That translates ok for 300m. I’d be comfortable up to that range. But it’s a bit tight for 400m - it sounds like you’re a better shot

A final thought on the weight. My k95 with a Swarovski z8 2-16x50 plus a moderator weighs the same as my old Steyr classic with a z6 in 42mm. So you get a bigger, more capable scope and a moderator for the same weight. I think it would compare about the same to an R8.

You’ll also love the safety / cocking system on the K95. It’s lighter and easier than on the R8.

Hope this is useful.

 

[pzbrook]

Sorry, forgot to comment on the barrel length, which was a key question for you. I got the 52cm then worried I should have got the 60cm, so I know what you mean.

My strong feeling now with 2 years experience and about 800 rounds fired is that the shorter barrel is better. I spent time on the ballistic apps and at the range with my Garmin. My conclusion: energy with an high BC bondstrike is sufficient with the 52cm, and anyway, you get 8 or so m/s extra with the moderator.

I live in Belgium where moderators are forbidden, but I have one in France for hunting and some occasional hunting range shooting. Now that I’ve used one on the K95, I’m sold. Lower recoil and blast helps my shooting, and I can spot impacts.

So that’s another reason for the 52cm barrel. Total length without a moderator is 96cm, and its 110cm with my Hausken. I wouldn’t want to go longer than that.

 

[Pepepotano]

Thanks again for your help!

I'm decided on exactly the same K95 Ultimate you have (my only doubt is cartridge as you can see...)

To be honest, I realise I’m overthinking this… but I don’t want to make a mistake with such a big purchase. I suppose 20 (or even 30) m/s is nothing, and I’d be perfectly happy with the 52cm The bolt-action rifle I used to have had a 56cm barrel and I managed to bag a huge stag and several roe deer at nearly 300m with it.

Unfortunately, we can’t use silencers in Spain, so I’d only be able to fit a muzzle brake, at the risk of going deaf if the recoil from the .270 proved too much.

I usually shoot from a prone position whenever I can; in fact, I don’t shoot beyond 150 metres using sticks because I don’t feel at all comfortable, but with a bipod (or the same tripod as the spotting scope) it’s a different story, and I’ve made some very good shots at around 300 metres.

As for supports, I’ve seen that there are forends where you can swap the tip to accommodate a Spartan bipod. I’m not keen on these bipods because I prefer the bipod to be permanently attached to the rifle, but if there’s no other option, I reckon it’ll do the job.

By the way, how do you transport it? Do you use the Blaser case for the K95, or have you managed to find a case that doesn’t leave the single-shot rifle sticking out all over the place? When I had the 6.5x57R, I couldn’t find anything that fit it properly and the rifle would rattle about inside the case.

At the risk of taking advantage of your kindness, it would be great to see a photo of your kit to really ‘motivate’ me .

Many thanks again.

Happy hunting!

 

[pzbrook]

Thanks again for your help!

I'm decided on exactly the same K95 Ultimate you have (my only doubt is cartridge as you can see...)

To be honest, I realise I’m overthinking this… but I don’t want to make a mistake with such a big purchase. I suppose 20 (or even 30) m/s is nothing, and I’d be perfectly happy with the 52cm The bolt-action rifle I used to have had a 56cm barrel and I managed to bag a huge stag and several roe deer at nearly 300m with it.

Unfortunately, we can’t use silencers in Spain, so I’d only be able to fit a muzzle brake, at the risk of going deaf if the recoil from the .270 proved too much.

I usually shoot from a prone position whenever I can; in fact, I don’t shoot beyond 150 metres using sticks because I don’t feel at all comfortable, but with a bipod (or the same tripod as the spotting scope) it’s a different story, and I’ve made some very good shots at around 300 metres.

As for supports, I’ve seen that there are forends where you can swap the tip to accommodate a Spartan bipod. I’m not keen on these bipods because I prefer the bipod to be permanently attached to the rifle, but if there’s no other option, I reckon it’ll do the job.

By the way, how do you transport it? Do you use the Blaser case for the K95, or have you managed to find a case that doesn’t leave the single-shot rifle sticking out all over the place? When I had the 6.5x57R, I couldn’t find anything that fit it properly and the rifle would rattle about inside the case.

At the risk of taking advantage of your kindness, it would be great to see a photo of your kit to really ‘motivate’ me .

Many thanks again.

Happy hunting!

I’ve been over these same questions myself many times! Completely understand you going through them.

I think, if I couldn’t have a moderator, I wouldn’t pick the .270. I don’t think the increase in power is worth the recoil (but I say this without having fired a K95 in .270, 6.5 PRC or 7x65 - it’s just my impression).

I also wouldn’t go for a muzzle break. So that would confirm the 6.5 CM for me.

Now, on the barrel length, I recently got a second barrel in .22 hornet. The idea is to double my number of training shots and improve trigger pull, shoulder positioning and so on. Anyway, the default length was 60 cm but my dealer could get it in 52cm for a small extra cost. I see on the Blaser website the CM is standard at 60cm, optional at 52cm. So it ought to be possible.

Having said all that, I’d still go for 52cm, even without a moderator. It’s short and handy, low recoil, balances perfectly and I’m comfortable with the ballistics.

Some photos attached.

I use a standard Blaser rifle bag. The second barrel goes in the long pocket on the front.

I have a Vorn backpack for mountain hunting, but haven’t used it yet - this winter, I hope

You’ll see my mini tripod by viper sticks. It’s very light and stable, but you can’t attach it to the rifle. It works for me.

I use the MDT peanut bag with spexlite. It’s about 500g. You can use it as a rear bag, or as a single point of support just in front of the trigger guard on the rifle’s balance point. It’s excellent.

I don’t have the Blaser travelling case, but I drive to wherever I’m hunting. I do have a two-compartment bag which is designed for carrying a take down bow. That’s the black one in the photo. I put the stock on one side of the bag, and the barrel, foreend and scope (removed from the barrel) in the other. It’s a cheap Decathlon system but it’s padded and just the right size.

What sort of tripod do you use, and do you clip the rifle on to it via a spartan system or similar, or do you put a shooting bag on the tripod? I’m curious about this approach too

Thanks!

 

[Pepepotano]

Thanks again for your help!

I think you have a very well-thought-out setup for hunting on steep terrain, and it’s been a big help to get a firsthand opinion. I see that your rifle is the leather-wrapped version! In my case, I’d go with the basic rubber-wrapped version. I’m leaning more and more toward the short Creedmoor. The only problem with the long-barreled Creedmoor is that it takes 5 months to arrive...

Speaking of my support, it’s a pretty heavy tripod that I use with my spotting scope.
I bought a kind of clamp that attaches to the tripod’s bow rail and provides a very secure mount, although it’s quite bulky.

By the way! I really like the idea of the bow case! Back in my K95 days, I had the official carrying case, and it was very convenient for traveling and staying under the radar, but like all Blaser products, it was quite expensive.

I have to make up my mind, but you've really helped me see things more clearly

Happy hunting!

 

[pzbrook]

Thanks again for your help!

I think you have a very well-thought-out setup for hunting on steep terrain, and it’s been a big help to get a firsthand opinion. I see that your rifle is the leather-wrapped version! In my case, I’d go with the basic rubber-wrapped version. I’m leaning more and more toward the short Creedmoor. The only problem with the long-barreled Creedmoor is that it takes 5 months to arrive...

Speaking of my support, it’s a pretty heavy tripod that I use with my spotting scope.
I bought a kind of clamp that attaches to the tripod’s bow rail and provides a very secure mount, although it’s quite bulky.

By the way! I really like the idea of the bow case! Back in my K95 days, I had the official carrying case, and it was very convenient for traveling and staying under the radar, but like all Blaser products, it was quite expensive.

I have to make up my mind, but you've really helped me see things more clearly

Happy hunting!

haha, yes, you’re right. One day I guess I’ll get the Blaser case but for now the bow bag does the job!

I got the leather version by chance. My gun shop had it in stock - the only K95 in the store. I was on the lookout for a second rifle, tried it out and was totally sold on the design and handling. I expect the rubber version is just as comfy and more practical.

Thanks for the info on the tripod - sounds like it works

Good luck with the decision and just say if I can help with anything else. And you too, happy hunting!