Calling 6.5 Creedmoor users

[jcampbellsmith]

SAKO DEAD LFA NEW 6.5 Creedmoor Powerhead 2 120gr 20pk

The Sako Powerhead II (Barnes Tipped TTSX®) has a polymer tip and a re-engineered nose cavity to provide an even faster expansion when compared to the original Powerhead (TSX®). The polymer tip initiates rapid expansion and improves ballistics at longer distances making it a versatile bullet at...

www.bushwear.co.uk

Regards
JCS

 

[Malxwal]

SAKO DEAD LFA NEW 6.5 Creedmoor Powerhead 2 120gr 20pk

The Sako Powerhead II (Barnes Tipped TTSX®) has a polymer tip and a re-engineered nose cavity to provide an even faster expansion when compared to the original Powerhead (TSX®). The polymer tip initiates rapid expansion and improves ballistics at longer distances making it a versatile bullet at...

www.bushwear.co.uk

Regards
JCS

I thought Sako were introducing their own lead free bullet to replace the Barnes TTSX, but as yet not seen any.

 

[ColinBr]

Barnes TTSX 120gr using RS62
Barnes TTSX 100gr using RS60
Sierra gameking 120gr using RS62
Sierra gameking 140gr using RS62

All work very well and accurately for me

 

[badmolassesaccident]

Had anyone actually used ELDM, ie match, for hunting?

 

[NigelM]

Had anyone actually used ELDM, ie match, for hunting?

@dodgyknees

 

[Malxwal]

Had anyone actually used ELDM, ie match, for hunting?

I used the 140 ELD-M for a while in my 6.5-47. I had a couple of very odd bullet paths on very straightforward roe shots. Wouldn't use again.

 

[Tickerman]

Had anyone actually used ELDM, ie match, for hunting?

With the 147ELDM Limited use yes.
Long range crows/rabbits mostly, but working great.
Foxes have been mixed results. Had some turn inside out, and some very cleanly shot with only a small and tidy exit wound. Ranges varying from 120-350 yards, and no correlation between carcass damage and the distance they have been shot at.
Only 2 deer, and both have been at close range and head shots so can’t really comment regarding use on deer. If I were only using a rifle for stalking id probably use a bullet more suited for the job that I could reliably depend upon for performance, but I wouldnt have a problem using them in a rifle with a good load worked up for multi purpose use.

I’ve seen a lot of evidence of some of the non toxic offerings not performing as well!

 

[badmolassesaccident]

^ I looked online for some user reviews on larger animals and got a similar impression to your post. Some behaved like a regular hunting bullet, some just a complete mess inside and some where the bullet just did a JFK magic bullet style change in direction after entry. If you look at the cross section of a 147 ELDM, it has a very thin jacket. Infact the jacket is so thin that there are user reports of them blowing up about 50 metres downrange when pushed to higher speeds, eg if you shoot it out of a 6.5 PRC.

 

[Malxwal]

I never had a problem with 123 Amax, super reliable. I never tried a longer/heavier Amax, which would be a better comparison.
I have 123 ELD-M, but only two boxes, so not bothering load development with them until supply is more robust.
My limited experience would say not to use the longer/heavier ELD-M, too unpredictable.

 

[Laurie]

I never had a problem with 123 Amax, super reliable. I never tried a longer/heavier Amax, which would be a better comparison.

The cartridge and the matching original PT&G designed chamber were designed around the then Hornady heavy / long-range match bullet, the 140gn AMax. It is pretty well optimally seated at the SAAMI 2.820" COAL. As a rule, factory rifles seem to stick to this chamber pretty tightly.

Now that heavier / longer bullets are being used especially by PRS / Tactical competitors, I'd imagine that their gunsmith are throating chambers out a bit further to allow the likes of the ELD-M to just fit in AI magazines at slightly longer COALs.

 

[User00033]

Had anyone actually used ELDM, ie match, for hunting?

Yes.

Terminal performance is no different to any of the thin jacketed lead bullets… Sierra Gameking, Speer BTSP, Nosler BT etc etc. When we shoot a mob of red deer side-by-side, one using ELD-M and the other using ELD-X, there’s no difference in effectiveness whatsoever. You can’t pick who shot what deer by terminal damage, that’s for sure.

 

[Malxwal]

My experiences using the 140 ELD-M were based on a 6.5x47 that was throated to run long bullets, 24" barrel, and driven at circa 2750-2800 fps. I'd not have anticipated such dramatic changes of direction on impact. One particular instance had a bullet hit a roe in the ribs at 120 yds, exiting only bruising and the roe running off practically unhurt. I searched for it that evening with three dogs, and again the next morning. I shot it the following evening ( in the head) and only discovered the previous wound on skinning it. Totally gobsmacked.
Another I shot broadside high front shoulder, at about 130, perfect broadside shot. When I got to the animal, the entire gralloch was lying out the offside, all the ribs taken out.
Better performance at long range and on bigger animals, but not an all rounder for the stuff I generally encounter.

 

[NullMac]

Had anyone actually used ELDM, ie match, for hunting?

I have a mate that is a pro stalker. Will not use anything else. Uses the lighter weights

 

[One on top of two]

I use eld m for foxing and find them excellent.

 

[captaincrunch1970]

Match bullets for paper and varmits yes. Larger game no. They are not designed for it. That is why such variable results with match bullets on larger game. Hunting bullets do fail occasionally but very rarely. Match the bullet to the intended target.

 

[Doric]

My Creedmoor has a 1- 8 1/2" twist and performs well with all the bullets I have tryed in the 130 / 140 weight range except the SSTs that shot about 1".

 

[Mungo]

Had anyone actually used ELDM, ie match, for hunting?

Yes

I’ve used 140gr ELDM in 6.5 Creedmoor, 147gr eldm in 6.5 PRC and 168gr in .308.

My Creedmoor has a 20” barrel, so I was only getting about 2500fps from it. I shot roe, sika and fallow with the 140gr eldm. No real complaints - all the problems I had were due to operator error. Extremely accurate, and might expand a little more than eldx. But I think you could use them interchangeably and not notice the difference.

I think we’ve talked about the eldm in my PRC before - it’s fantastic for longer range.

 

[Mungo]

Yes.

Terminal performance is no different to any of the thin jacketed lead bullets… Sierra Gameking, Speer BTSP, Nosler BT etc etc. When we shoot a mob of red deer side-by-side, one using ELD-M and the other using ELD-X, there’s no difference in effectiveness whatsoever. You can’t pick who shot what deer by terminal damage, that’s for sure.

Exactly this.

Though I have one context where I think I saw a difference. I shot a roe deer in the head, front on at 50metres with eldm. The bullet didn’t exit - it went in, fragmented and turned the skull into a wet bag of fragments held together by skin. A week or two later, I’d switched to eldx and had an identical shot (front on head shot at about 50m). This time it exited, dramatically - whole back of the head gone. Now sample size of 1 tells you nothing, and there could be any number of reasons for the difference, but I do wonder if it might have been because the eldx held together more.