“Each component of the Hornady Match series cartridges is carefully selected to ensure consistent quality. Strict control in the production process ensures the most accurate fit of the bullets and the stability of charges and pressures. As well as, an optimal speed, the invariance of the total length of the cartridge, and the highest accuracy.”
From the depth of the bullet landing to the optimal selection of weights and speeds, each component of the 6.5 Creedmore bullet is designed to put into practice the company’s motto of the founder, Joyce Hornady: “Ten bullets in one hole.”
Our 6.5 Creedmoor review seeks to either back that up or dispel it as pure hype.
We just quoted from the Hornady website. While they have a good track history of making the finest bullets in the world, let us take a closer look at one of their best sellers.
From hunting to sport shooting, to military and paramilitary applications, these bullets have seemed able to find their way into all manner of firearms.
But is it right for you?
We’ll see…
6.5 Creedmoor Origins
In 2005, Hornady announced it would introduce new hunting and target bullets with a high-tech ballistic tip made of heat-resistant polymer. They had developed a new tip technology called “Heat Shield.” This idea was born after numerous tests on the Doppler radar. These showed that ballistic coefficients (BC) of bullets with old tips deteriorated in flight for several reasons.
The company’s engineers suggested that the old ballistic tips on the bullets were deformed in flight due to thermal loads and high pressure. In the tests, the company found out that after a distance of about 150 yards, the tip on the bullets with a high BC melted on the nose, increasing air resistance.
As a result, Hornady developed a new type of bullet tips made of heat-resistant polymer.
Further, when testing a new batch, the Doppler radar confirmed that there was no change in the BC. This gave the bullets a higher and permanent BC in the entire trajectory.
The end result?
A reduction in the vertical spread at long range shooting.
6.5 Creedmoor Overview
The 6.5 Creedmoor is the “hunter’s joy.” It is given the acronym ELD-X, an abbreviation of “Extreme Low Drag eXpanding” by the manufacturers. These bullets are equipped with dark red translucent tips made of heat-resistant polymer.
With an internal design like an interlock, the trajectories of the bullets give deep penetration and excellent residual mass.
And for other applications?
Also, for sport shooting, this bullet seems able to excel. The new Heat Shield Tip gives you an advantage when target shooting.
With this design and new technology, you will get an ideal bullet nose circle. You can make a group of shots with a smaller vertical deflection since the bullet will have a constant resistance factor.
Long distance, short distance?
No problem!
These Heat Shield Tips have a more accurate and consistent bullet nose than full cast hollow-points.
6.5 Creedmoor Live Testing
For standard competitions, the rules below are the least expected from each cartridge.
- To be at the length of a store intended to allow rapid shooting in competition;
- Have a slight recoil, much less than a .308 Win, with a general shooter comfort for quick fire;
- Pull “flat” with a high precision ball;
- Allow a good life of the rifle barrel that will fire this cartridge;
- Use available components to be easily reproduced;
- Have the reloading recipe listed on the box of cartridges sold commercially;
- Be produced in sufficient quantities to meet the demand.
With these in mind, let us see how the 6.5 Creedmore fares.
Very quickly, the cartridge began to win matches including winning multiple awards in TLD. We can, therefore, state that since its birth, the 6.5 Creedmoor has been designed for long distance shooting, and it excels at it.
Now, don’t forget that it met all the expectations of a top cartridge, and excels over other famous brands at its duty.
Just as advertised…
The shell of the bullets used in the 6.5 Creedmoor is manufactured using the AMP (Advanced Manufacturing Process) technology, which guarantees an almost zero change in thickness and unprecedented uniformity of the shell. These give the best “on-site” results.
6.5 Creedmoor Specifications
Originally designed as a match cartridge, the latest powder mixes and Hornady’s different ball designs have allowed it to become, not only accurate but also an effective big game hunter. The standard weights of projectiles range from 120 grains to 147 grains.
The Hornady 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge was manufactured by folding the .30 TC cartridge, which in turn was itself made from the .307 Winchester while using the SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Institute) guidelines and standards.
Let’s cover some specifications…
The Creedmoor 6.5 cartridge has a base diameter of 0.47 inch (11.95mm), same as the .30-06 cartridge family, a 30-degree shoulder and a length of 1.920 inches (48.8mm). The total length of the cartridge is 2.825 inches (71.8mm).
There is almost an inch difference (0.905 = 22.987mm) between the length of the bushing and the total length of the cartridge. This allows the long balls with a high ballistic coefficient of 140 grains, VLD, and ELD to protrude from the sleeve rather than being placed deep inside, which absorbs the powder space.
Straight through the air…
The initial speed for the 140-gram factory load is 2,710 fps. This corresponds almost exactly to the original velocity of the Remington .260 with a bullet of the same weight, although the .260 Remington has a larger socket. This is due to less intrusion into the powder space of long bales, and because the mean SAAMI pressure for Creedmoor 6.5 is 62,000 psi, while the Remington .260 MAP is 60,000 psi.
The 6.5 Creedmoor is also a dream cartridge for a “hand loader” because, for example, in addition to the sockets, Norma also manufactures them with beautiful “warheads.”
While the Hodgdon H4350 is the most popular powder for this cartridge. It also works great with a wide range of medium-combustion powders, including the Alliant RL-17.
Fast and furious…
The 6.5 Creedmoor has a case length of 1.92 inches and a maximum cartridge length of 2.82 inches to allow it to fit in short stock. This caliber also fits very easily on a .308/30-06 chassis. So it’s an easy choice for someone who wants to re-canon his .308 Win while wanting to try something new.
The case has a shoulder at 30 degrees to allow maximum powder capacity. While also leaving room for longer warheads and the finer profile of balls with a high ballistic coefficient (BC).
Essentially, the 6.5 Creedmoor uses thinner and lighter balls and sends them faster.
6.5 Creedmoor Top Features – At A Glance
Pros
- Low recoil.
- Great for sport shooting and hunting.
- The heat shield bullet tip is immune to the effects of aerodynamic heating and retains its shape. This provides the perfect tip for long distance accuracy.
- A sleek cutout with an optimal tail design, plus a highly concentrated shell, provides the highest degree of accuracy.
- Rigorously tested using the Doppler radar and adjusted to standard atmospheric conditions.
Cons
- Not as inexpensive as most users would like it to be.
Conclusion
In truth, the Creedmoor 6.5 mm only began to gain popularity once it became a favorite among competition shooters. This is because it remains powerful and precise while offering less recoil.
So, any shooter with a precise rifle can already be competitive with this ammunition. In this case, it can be said that the 6.5 Creedmoor has totally changed the world of the TLD.
A pro at competitive sports, then you should expect even more from the 6.5 Creedmoor on your hunting expeditions!