6.5 Creedmoor - Which ammo?

[5pointer]

Hi all,

A quick question for those of you who have more experience with this calibre on the deer.

I recently purchased a 6.5 Creedmoor, (I know - hipster beard is coming through as we speak), and whilst at the RFD I asked for a selection of deer appropriate ammunition to try. There were three options available so I brought a couple of boxes and I’ve since tried each one in my rifle. Thankfully the rifle appears to be happy enough to work with any of them. Current results over 3x 5shot groups with each are:

• Sako Gamehead Pro 130gr = 0.36 MOA

• Hornady ELD-X Precision Hunter 143gr = 0.45 MOA

• Hornady SST Superperformance 129gr = 0.51 MOA

Whilst I’m very happy to use any of these at that level of accuracy, the rifle does appear to particularly like the Sako offering. However, I’ve no experience with using this ammunition on deer, and I had someone say to me recently that they weren’t a particular fan of it - without elaborating as to the specifics of why.

For those of you who have experience with the above options, which one would you recommend the most as far as performance on deer is concerned, and why?

TIA

5pointer

 

[Kjm041]

I’ve used eldx with good results. Lots of info on the internet on their performance being an American round. Not sure on the sale. It’s relatively new so I doubt there is as much literature on it. Give it a go and report back

 

[hendrix's rifle]

Eld x or the sako.
The sako uses the 130g sierra gamechanger if i remember correctly, great bullet that works well. They can punch a large hole though. The eld x seems to work a treat for everything

 

[monarman]

Just use the most accurate..... you're gonna get a hole in the deer regardless ...

 

[5pointer]

Thank you all for the input. Common sense says to go with the most accurate option, in this case the Sako, but I just wanted to ensure it was suitable for deer in terms of expansion etc.
Looks like that’s what I’ll be going with for now.

 

[Muir]

And remember that the next LOT of these munitions may have the accuracy 'status' entirely reversed. The Hornady Precision Hunter could be the most accurate (tho your results mirror what I have gotten many times over with the PH) and the SAKO the least. All of this is splitting hairs. Buy what you can get a good supply of and buy heavily.

And for those who think the CM is a 'wuss' cartridge, take note of those groups sizes. ~Muir

 

[Mungo]

Speaking as a reasonably experienced statistician, with 5 shot groups, you almost certainly don’t have a statistically significant difference between the ammo. That means that you can’t actually say they are different.

Of the 3, I would prefer the eldx, simply for terminal effect.

 

[Mungo]

If you really wanted to know which was the most accurate, you’d need to fire a minimum of 6 groups for each ammo.

Almost no one actually does this...

 

[TURNBOLT]

Hi all,

A quick question for those of you who have more experience with this calibre on the deer.

I recently purchased a 6.5 Creedmoor, (I know - hipster beard is coming through as we speak), and whilst at the RFD I asked for a selection of deer appropriate ammunition to try. There were three options available so I brought a couple of boxes and I’ve since tried each one in my rifle. Thankfully the rifle appears to be happy enough to work with any of them. Current results over 3x 5shot groups with each are:

• Sako Gamehead Pro 130gr = 0.36 MOA

• Hornady ELD-X Precision Hunter 143gr = 0.45 MOA

• Hornady SST Superperformance 129gr = 0.51 MOA

Whilst I’m very happy to use any of these at that level of accuracy, the rifle does appear to particularly like the Sako offering. However, I’ve no experience with using this ammunition on deer, and I had someone say to me recently that they weren’t a particular fan of it - without elaborating as to the specifics of why.

For those of you who have experience with the above options, which one would you recommend the most as far as performance on deer is concerned, and why?

TIA

5pointer

I have used the 143 Eld x .Accuracy and Terminal performance are excellent .A mate uses the 129 sst Hornady and swears by them.Not tried the sako at all but intend to try the Gamehead l l copper ones shortly.

 

[5pointer]

And remember that the next LOT of these munitions may have the accuracy 'status' entirely reversed. The Hornady Precision Hunter could be the most accurate (tho your results mirror what I have gotten many times over with the PH) and the SAKO the least. All of this is splitting hairs. Buy what you can get a good supply of and buy heavily.

And for those who think the CM is a 'wuss' cartridge, take note of those groups sizes. ~Muir

Hi Muir,
You’re right, of course, that this is splitting hairs. The Hornady seems to be stocked slightly more readily than the Sako, and I keep hearing good things about the terminal performance of the ELD-X. For the sake of a fraction of an inch, (which, as you say, could change on any given day as to which one is performing the better when dealing with such small margins), I do wonder if going with the Hornady might be the better option.

Also, I know it’s a small sample size, but I was very happy with the groups and I was impressed by how ‘easy’ the rifle was to shoot, if that makes sense? Over the moon with the rifle & ammo so far.

Speaking as a reasonably experienced statistician, with 5 shot groups, you almost certainly don’t have a statistically significant difference between the ammo. That means that you can’t actually say they are different.

Of the 3, I would prefer the eldx, simply for terminal effect.

If you really wanted to know which was the most accurate, you’d need to fire a minimum of 6 groups for each ammo.

Almost no one actually does this...

You’re right about the data, I know it’s only a small sample size but I wanted to keep enough back from each potential choice to allow me a box of each ammo + a magazine full after zeroing/grouping. If I got the time and more ammunition I’d like to do some more groups, but it ‘felt’ like it was ‘easy’ for the rifle, if that makes sense? I know that’s purely anecdotal, but it gave me confidence that it would be consistent if I’d been able to continue. As I said to Muir, I keep hearing good things about the ELD-X, so perhaps it would be worth giving them a run first.

Thanks all for the input.

5pointer.

 

[Rasputin]

Tried all three now use eldx just because it’s been easier to find and box to box even across batches never noticeably changes for me.

 

[Muir]

Speaking as a reasonably experienced statistician, with 5 shot groups, you almost certainly don’t have a statistically significant difference between the ammo. That means that you can’t actually say they are different.

Of the 3, I would prefer the eldx, simply for terminal effect.

Well heck. Three, five shot groups from each cartridge, from a hunting rifle, is far better than some of the 2 shot groups I've seen posted on line. I'd say the OP did his do diligence. Here that's $150+ worth of ammo.

The best testing I've seen was a fellow who had a sheet with 10, quarter-inch circles on it. He fired one round at each. If he could cut that circle every time he considered the load accurate.

The ELDX kills a lot of elk in this area....~Muir

 

[Mungo]

Well heck. Three, five shot groups from each cartridge, from a hunting rifle, is far better than some of the 2 shot groups I've seen posted on line. I'd say the OP did his do diligence. Here that's $150+ worth of ammo.

The best testing I've seen was a fellow who had a sheet with 10, quarter-inch circles on it. He fired one round at each. If he could cut that circle every time he considered the load accurate.

The ELDX kills a lot of elk in this area....~Muir

Absolutely.

My real point is that when your groups are all well under MOA and only differ by tiny fractions of an inch, it really doesn’t matter.

 

[25 Sharps]

And remember that the next LOT of these munitions may have the accuracy 'status' entirely reversed. The Hornady Precision Hunter could be the most accurate (tho your results mirror what I have gotten many times over with the PH) and the SAKO the least. All of this is splitting hairs. Buy what you can get a good supply of and buy heavily.

And for those who think the CM is a 'wuss' cartridge, take note of those groups sizes. ~Muir

Should have bought a 6.5x55

 

[25 Sharps]

Well heck. Three, five shot groups from each cartridge, from a hunting rifle, is far better than some of the 2 shot groups I've seen posted on line. I'd say the OP did his do diligence. Here that's $150+ worth of ammo.

The best testing I've seen was a fellow who had a sheet with 10, quarter-inch circles on it. He fired one round at each. If he could cut that circle every time he considered the load accurate.

The ELDX kills a lot of elk in this area....~Muir

60 rounds is $150 worth?! I thought the US was cheap for ammo!

 

[25 Sharps]

Hi Muir,
You’re right, of course, that this is splitting hairs. The Hornady seems to be stocked slightly more readily than the Sako, and I keep hearing good things about the terminal performance of the ELD-X. For the sake of a fraction of an inch, (which, as you say, could change on any given day as to which one is performing the better when dealing with such small margins), I do wonder if going with the Hornady might be the better option.

Also, I know it’s a small sample size, but I was very happy with the groups and I was impressed by how ‘easy’ the rifle was to shoot, if that makes sense? Over the moon with the rifle & ammo so far.




You’re right about the data, I know it’s only a small sample size but I wanted to keep enough back from each potential choice to allow me a box of each ammo + a magazine full after zeroing/grouping. If I got the time and more ammunition I’d like to do some more groups, but it ‘felt’ like it was ‘easy’ for the rifle, if that makes sense? I know that’s purely anecdotal, but it gave me confidence that it would be consistent if I’d been able to continue. As I said to Muir, I keep hearing good things about the ELD-X, so perhaps it would be worth giving them a run first.

Thanks all for the input.

5pointer.

It’s a very accurate round, it is easy to shoot well.

personally I’ve stayed away from the eld-x as they seem, from the photo’s I’ve seen, to do a lot of damage. If you’re not worried about maximum meat return that is not an issue of course. Used 140 gr game king in previous creedmoor and it worked well. In the new one S&B 140 soft points shoot well but are a bit splatty!

Finally got a 129gr ABLR load sorted between lockdowns and took first couple of roe with it last weekend. Hit hard, and the little doe follower was a bit beat up, though she was small (10kg larder weight).

Out for a red in the morning so fingers crossed I’ll get to try the ABLR on something bigger.

Anyway, my point is all these bullets and those in your line up kill deer and kill them well. With the accuracy you’re getting it’ll kill them well out to a fair distance too, so I don’t think you’ll go wrong whatever you pick.

 

[Muir]

60 rounds is $150 worth?! I thought the US was cheap for ammo!

That ammo, when available, is about $50 a box. Maybe less now, but still between $40 and $50 a box. That's why I advised to buy heavy.~Muir

 

[25 Sharps]

That ammo, when available, is about $50 a box. Maybe less now, but still between $40 and $50 a box. That's why I advised to buy heavy.~Muir

Crikey!!
Glad I reload, I’m lucky in that the s&b factory soft point that is £18/20 shoots to the same 1/2” group as the accubonds so if I run low I can grab a box and both local shops stock them

 

[Fox Red]

It’s a very accurate round, it is easy to shoot well.

Out for a red in the morning so fingers crossed I’ll get to try the ABLR on something bigger.

Good luck tomorrow pal! Let us know how you get on.

 

[Kjm041]

Crikey!!
Glad I reload, I’m lucky in that the s&b factory soft point that is £18/20 shoots to the same 1/2” group as the accubonds so if I run low I can grab a box and both local shops stock them

Yes I would definitely recommend trying the 140gr soft points from S and B. Good value and I’ve also had really good results accuracy wise