6.5 Creedmoor Hornady Bullets

[Rucker61]

I'm starting to get a chance to shoot my new 6.5, but I'm finding that my first reloading bullet of choice, Hornady 140 gr ELD-M, isn't available anywhere that ammoseek can find. I did shoot some factory 143 ELD-X last weekend and they shot very well. There's a well respected member here who swears by the Hornady 140 BTHP. Both the 143 ELD-X and BTHP are available locally in quantity and online, with the BTHP anywhere from $5 to $8 cheaper per 100.

I ran all three through JBM to look at the performance difference using Hornady factory MV, and for 1000 yards/10 mph wind got:

140 BTHP: -8.5 mil drop, 1.9 mil windage
140 ELD-M: -8.3 mil drop, 1.8 mil windage
143 ELD-X: -8.3 mil drop, 1.7 mil windage

Are 1/10th mil differences at 1000 yards significant enough to pick the more expensive ELD bullets?

[Delfuego]

It will not matter. BC is really more about wind drift. Drop is predictable. I would try a few different types and see what will group best. I would recommend seeing how they group at 500 yards, that is far more important than groups at 100y. Another example is using the lighter 6.5 bullets. Prime 130gr has a lower BC but a higher muzzle velocity. The end result is nearly identical drop/drift as the heavier bullets going 100fps slower. Find one your rifle likes and shoot it. Then buy a bunch of the same lot, as they can vary considerably lot to lot.

[XC700116]

Tons of great 6.5 bullets out there, smk142's lapua Scenars, elds, Berger hybrids, Barnes match burners, etc. Find what is the easiest to tune and most consistent bullet for your barrel and then buy a BUNCH of them so you don't have to worry about availability.

BC is secondary to a good shooting bullet.