Reloading 6.5 Creedmoor for hunting. 6.5 Creedmoor Hunting Bullets Reloading
The 6.5 Creedmoor is a short-action compatible bottleneck rifle cartridge that bears only a slight body taper. It is well known and preferred for long-range shooting as well as hunting, especially deer and antelope.
It has less recoil compared to a 308and gives great energy delivered at medium range. The 6.5mm bullet is better suited for 1000-yard shots than a .30 caliber bullet like the one the 308 Winchester uses. This bullet is longer, faster, and stays supersonic to longer distances when fired from about a 308-sized case.
The best smokeless powder for Creedmoor is H4350 and IMR4350. Others include; Reloder 17, Hybrid 100V, W760, Superformance, 4007 SSC, and Varget are also great choices. For cases, Hornady offers one of the most excellent brass. The selection of 6.5mm bullets is quite excellent as well. It performs well with bullets between 120 and 140 grains, which are 6.5mm in metric.
Why Reloading 6.5 Creedmoor for Hunting
Cost-saving– Factory ammo is expensive hence, reloading your ammo is a great way to save on costs that would have otherwise been incurred. The components used can also be re-used to further save costs.
Self-sufficiency- many firearm owners especially the more experienced ones do not like depending on the market for ammo. The ability to custom load your ammo will give you a sense of security and control over your weapon. You can also reuse certain essential components, increasing the life of ammo availability in the case of a shortage. This activity is enjoyable and also allows you to have complete control over the reloading process. You are able to choose the components to use and take responsibility for each step of manufacturing and quality control.
Accuracy- shooting sports require accuracy, from the factory to the field. When loading your own ammo, you will be able to pay more attention to every individual round compared to ammo companies. You will also be able to test different types of ammo with a single rifle for the best accuracy.
Check out: The Best 6.5 Creedmoor Reloading Kits
Factors to Consider when Reloading 6.5 Creedmoor for Hunting
Cost- just like other products in the market, especially those involving weapons, the cost is an important factor to consider before purchasing any reloading equipment for your 6.5 Creedmoor. The reloading equipment with higher prices is major of better quality compared to the cheaper ones. Your best option would be a single-stage reloading press if you are working on a low budget. It can however load only one cartridge at a time.
Durability- reloading equipment that is made with good quality materials will last a long time offering a good performance. Your reloading kit should be able to resist user error and bad materials pushed through it.
Ease of use- choose a reloading kit that is easy to use depending on your level of expertise. Reloading kits with most core accessories right out of the box is easier to use. Many reloading equipment in the market comes with a user manual. The best reloading kits should be easy to operate and mostly do not require a lot of tools to put together.
Compatibility- you do not want to buy any reloading equipment for each of your calibers. Always look for a reloading kit that can use most of the popular ammo on the market. To help you save money and space, a conversion kit can be used to enhance the compatibility of equipment in the case where it is low.
Accuracy- reloading rifle ammunition requires you to be precise and methodical. There should be no room for mistakes or miscalculations when it comes to reloading.
Speed- a progressive press is a high output model choice as it can load more than 800 rounds in an hour. Most reloading presses are designed for mass production and mostly sacrifice quality for many rounds per cycle. They are most ideal for use by professional shooters or hunters. If you are looking for low output, however, a turret press could be the best choice as it is faster than the single-stage press and allows you to be more aware of certain details.
Expertise- this is also another factor to consider when reloading your Creedmoor. Depending on whether you are a beginner or an experienced reloader, the kind of work you wish to do with the press matters during reloading, just as during purchase. The more experienced reloaders are most likely to prefer an intricate and customizable press while beginners will need something that is easy to use in order to familiarize themselves with the basics of reloading.
Reloading 6.5 Creedmoor for Hunting FAQS
- Is a 6.5 Creedmoor good for hunting deer?
Absolutely. As a matter of fact, the 6.5 Creedmoor is best known by deer hunters as well as those hunting antelope, coyotes, and hogs. The 6.5mm cartridge makes an excellent deer gun, and the 140-grain bullets are good for hunting black bears, but there are even better choices for larger game.
- How far will a 6.5 Creedmoor kill a deer?
The 6.5 mm Creedmoor will provide enough energy to kill a deer at 1000 yards if a perfect shot is well placed.
- Is 6.5 Creedmoor good for long-range hunting?
The 6.5 Creedmoor will remain supersonic out to 1,400 yards. For this reason, it is the most popular long-range, big-game cartridge in the world.
- What distance should you zero a 6.5 Creedmoor?
You can zero at 100 yards if you do not expect to shoot farther than that. However, when shooting a flat trajectory like the 6.5 Creedmoor, always consider a 200-yard zero.
Conclusion
For the 6.5 Creedmoor, accurate factory ammunition is available in both hunting-capable bullets as well as match-focused bullets. I still believe that reloading your own ammo is however the most cost-saving action to take. Considering that it also gives you time to familiarize yourself with your weapon, this should be a great activity for most shooters.