First Look: Sellier & Bellot 6.5 Creedmoor Ammunition

For U.S.-based fans of the hot 6.5 Creedmoor round, Sellier & Bellot introduced its 6.5 Creedmoor loading, designed to provide them with an all-around plinking and training round at a price that's more affordable than many current market offerings, most of which are geared toward precision and competition shooting and are often sold at a premium, due to tighter tolerances in the loading process.

“There is great demand for 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition. However, many of the currently available options are cost-prohibitive,” said Mike Fisher, S&B vice president of US sales and marketing. “We developed something here that allows more people to get out and shoot their rifles. It’s ideal for training or a fun day of plinking without breaking the bank.”

Designed to function reliably and consistently in both bolt-action rifles and semi-automatic actions, the Sellier & Bellot 6.5 Creedmoor round features a full-metal jacket projectile with a lead core, weighing in at 140 grains. The overall length of the cartridge measures 2.752 inches, and the round features a G1 ballistic coefficient of 0.510 and a G7 ballistic coefficient of 0.256.

Measured from a 23.6-inch barrel, the company claims a muzzle velocity of 2,657 feet per second, producing a muzzle energy of 2,202 foot-pounds. Measured again at 400 yards, muzzle velocity was recorded at 2,023 fps with a muzzle energy of 1,276 foot-pounds. Assuming a 100-yard zero, total bullet drop at 400 yards measured 31.4 inches.

Each Sellier & Bellot 6.5 Creedmoor round is loaded in a high-quality, boxer-primed brass case, making it usable by reloaders as a source of brass for their hand-crafted cartridges. As of February 2018, the company had already begun shipping quantities of its affordable 6.5 Creedmoor ammo to retailers. While no MSRP was set by the company, consumers can expect to see retail pricing of around $11.99 per box of 20 rounds.