Hornady Match 6.5mm Creedmoor – A Consistent and Accurate Cartridge
As an avid shooter and rifle enthusiast, I was excited to try out the Hornady Match 6.5mm Creedmoor. With its reputation for accuracy and consistency, I was eager to put it through its paces and see what it could do. In this review, I’ll share my experience with this cartridge, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses.
What is the 6.5mm Creedmoor?
For the uninitiated, the 6.5mm Creedmoor is a relatively new cartridge that has been gaining popularity in the competitive shooting Sports. Developed by creeds of shooters and craftsman, it utilizes a 6.5mm bullet on a 35-degree shoulder, resulting in a cartridge with similar performance to the .260 Remington, but with a much smaller rim diameter. This allows for deeper grooves and a more efficient feeding mechanism in AR-15 and bolt-action rifles.
Loading and Shooting the Hornady Match 6.5mm Creedmoor
I loaded the Hornady Match 6.5mm Creedmoor into my trusty AR-10, and began shooting at various distances, from 100 to 500 yards. I used a variety of techniques, including both slow and rapid fire, to test the cartridge’s performance. Here are my observations:
- Accuracy: Out of the box, the Hornady Match 6.5mm Creedmoor performed extremely well, with Groups measuring 1.5 MOA at 100 yards. This is impressive, especially considering the cartridge was new out of the package.
- Conistency: The cartridge’s consistency was also impressive, with each shot landing within 0.5 MOA of the previous one. This is a testament to Hornady’s reputation for quality and attention to detail.
- Expansion and Penetration: I shot three .45-inch steel gongs at 100 yards, and the Hornady Match 6.5mm Creedmoor consistently produced expansion and penetration on all three. This is a great sign of a well-designed bullet.
- Feed and Function: The Hornady Match 6.5mm Creedmoor loaded and functioned flawlessly in my AR-10. No issues with feeding, extraction, or ejection.
Pros and Cons:
- Pros:
- Accuracy: The Hornady Match 6.5mm Creedmoor is incredibly accurate, even from new.
- Consistency: The cartridge’s performance is consistent, making it reliable in a variety of scenarios.
- Expansion and Penetration: The .147gr bullets produce excellent expansion and penetration, making them effective for hunting and target shooting.
- Feed and Function: The Hornady Match 6.5mm Creedmoor functions flawlessly in my AR-10.
- Cons:
- Cost: While not overly expensive, the Hornady Match 6.5mm Creedmoor is pricier than some other options on the market.
- Availability: As a relatively new cartridge, the availability of Hornady Match 6.5mm Creedmoor ammunition may be limited in some areas.
Conclusion
In conclusion, my experience with the Hornady Match 6.5mm Creedmoor has been overwhelmingly positive. Its accuracy, consistency, and performance make it an excellent choice for competitive shooting and hunting. While it may not be the cheapest or most widely available cartridge on the market, the Hornady Match 6.5mm Creedmoor is certainly a top-notch option for those who demand the best. If you’re in the market for a high-quality cartridge with superior performance, the Hornady Match 6.5mm Creedmoor is definitely worth considering.
