Winchester Deer Season XP 6.5 Creedmoor Tested Out to 1,082 Yards

The Armory Life ran Winchester's Deer Season XP hunting load in 6.5 Creedmoor through a Model 2020 Waypoint rifle to see whether a flat-based deer bullet can hold up at long range.

Key points

• Load tested: 125-grain 6.5 Creedmoor. The line covers chamberings from .223 to .30-06 to 7mm Magnum, with bullet weights from 64 to 250 grains.
• Bullet design: An "Extreme Point" with an oversized impact diameter, a large polymer tip, a tapered jacket and a flat base, intended to put more energy into the animal.
• Numbers: Listed at 2,850 feet per second and 2,254 ft-lbs. Over a Magnetospeed at 100 yards, the testers logged a 7.4 fps standard deviation.
• Distance: After zeroing, shooter Grant hit targets at 405, 617, 760 and 1,082 yards. Beyond 1,082 yards the bullet got harder to predict.

Quick take

The reviewers say they started with low expectations because flat-based bullets don't fly as well as boat-tailed ones, and the load proved them wrong. Groups at 100 yards were tight, though not match tight, by their account. Grant felt he could reliably hit and drop a deer-sized target at 600 yards with a well-placed shot. The article adds that the round being capable does not mean the shooter is, and calls it unethical to shoot at an animal without confidence in the shot.

Read the full story at The Armory Life.