Hornady Reduces 120gr Load for 6.5 Creedmoor Ammunition
We recently spoke to Dennis DeMille, General Manager of Creedmoor® Sports and two-time NRA National High Power Rifle Champion. Dennis has been one of the driving forces in the creation of the new 6.5 Creedmoor round (see video below). He alerted us to a recent change in the 120gr version of the factory-loaded 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition.
120gr Load Changed to Reduce Pressure
Hornady sells two types of 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition, one loaded with 140gr Amax bullets and a second loaded with 120gr Amax bullets. Hornady has changed the 120gr load because there were some reports of pressure issues — stiff bolt lift and primer cratering — with the “first generation” load. The new load for the 120-grainers uses 40.3 grains of Hodgdon Varget. Previously Hornady was pushing the 120s with 44.5 grains of Hodgdon H4350. The old load was rated at 3020 fps from a 28″ barrel. According to Hornady, the new 120gr Varget load “sacrifices about 75 fps”, which means the Varget load should offer about 2945 fps velocity.
New 120gr Load Accurate and Easy on the Shoulder
Dennis DeMille recently tested the new 120gr 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition at the Camp Pendleton range. He tells us: “At 200 and 300 yards, this Varget 120gr load gives up nothing in accuracy to the previous 120gr ammunition. Shooting prone with iron sights, I was able to shoot ‘cleans’ at 200 rapid-fire. The new load is easier on the shoulder too. The 75fps reduction in velocity reduces recoil considerably. The reduced kick was pretty noticeable.”
Dennis also told us: “The new 120gr (Varget-loaded) ammo had exactly the same point of impact at 300 yards as the 140gr loaded ammo. The zero was pretty much identical at this distance.”
The new 6.5 Creedmoor 120gr ammo should be available shortly. Creedmoor Sports expects to receive supplies of the Varget-loaded 120gr ammo by the end of September. Creedmoor Sports has 6.5 Creedmoor brass, Amax bullets, and 6.5 Creedmoor reloading dies in stock right now. Click on Video below to learn more about the 6.5 Creedmore cartridge.
