Bullet suggestions for AR10 in 6.5 Creedmoor

J

jetinteriorguy

New member
I just ordered an AR10 in 6.5 Creedmoor as a treat with my Christmas bonus. Up to now I've only been loading for my Savage bolt rifle and single feeding it so COAL hasn't been an issue with 140 gr bullets. But I'm thinking now I'll be feeding from a mag with its length limitations and a semi auto, and am open to suggestions as to weight and type of bullet I should be using.
 
I believe that the 6.5 Creedmoor was designed by Hornady to use TC30 length brass (1.910 nominal length) versus the .308 brass (2.005 nominal trim length) to accommodate the length limitations of AR mags.

The SAAMI recommended 2.810 O.A.L. should fit your mag with some room to spare.
I wouldn't worry about trying to seat the bullets out so deep into the chamber that the O.A.L. exceeds the mag length limit.

I have two Savage 6.5mm Creedmoor bolt rifles and both shoot incredibly accurately with the O.A.L. set within 2.820 so I have found no need to seat the bullets out further than that. They both average well under 0.4 inch 5-round groups at 100 yards for all the groups shot since they were new.

Both rifles have chambers that are short enough to keep the jump reasonable. One of them has over 3,000 rounds down the tube. The most used is my most accurate rifle and shoots better now than it did when it was new, but, I admit that is probably because the 'nut behind the trigger' is a bit more consistent after all that time behind the trigger.
 
I guess my question is, if shooting lighter shorter bullets poses any advantage over longer heavier bullets. Compared to my current seating depths for 140 gr bullets, I would have to lower the powder amount pretty substantial to seat deap enough and avoid a seriously compressed load. I'm leery of this if it means substantial decrease in MV, since I'm fairly low as it is to avoid a heavily compressed load. Just some preemptive planning for when my new rifle gets here.
 
metal magazines are going to allow you a bit more room or you could cut a slot from the front of a plastic mag too. I've only just begun to play with mine and haven't even chrono'd anything yet.
What I have learned so far is unless you have a +2 gas or an adjustable gas block you are going to be somewhat limited on how far you want to push it versus battering your brass and or gun.
 
It does have an adjustable gas block, so that should help. Until next summer I'll only be shooting on a 100 yd indoor range with a brass catcher so will just try adjust it to function reliably and be as easy on brass as possible. Maybe next summer I can stretch it to a thousand yds.
 
The only advantage to shooting lighter bullets is less recoil and higher velocities. Seems that many AR folks like the 120-130 range pills best.
 
The only difference between reloading for a bolt action and semi is that you must FL resize every time, plus watch the case lengths for the semi.
A heavily compressed load really makes no difference one way or the other. That's about the powder used anyway. And there are only 3 listed by Hodgdon, at least, that have compressed max loads(compression starts before the max load though).
Hodgdon's test loads ran 2.820" OAL. SAAMI max is 2.825". Minimum is 2.700". So anything in between will do. Best to use the Max OAL though. It should fit the mag with no fuss.
 
Have a 6.5 ar-10, although haven't worked up any loads for it. It's intended purpose is for closer up and lighter weight than a target rifle. Part of the consideration for the bullet choice is how the extra velocity from the lighter bullet compares with the higher bc of the heavier bullet. At a certain distance, the higher velocity may offset the higher bc. Shot factory Hdy 140 match through it, and was surprised at the velocity from a 18 in barrel. Am suspecting the barrel is tight. The adjustable gas block is very handy. Perhaps compare the 1000 yd drop tables from the 2 bullets and see how much difference there is?
 
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