I bought my standard cross in 6.5 CM on Valentines day and have about 350 rounds through it. Initially I bought a bunch of the Hornady 140 bthp match ammo from Scheels to load up on brass, break it in, and shoot steel. It shoots that stuff phenomenally (20 shots into 1.2” at 100). It is slow, about 180 fps slower than the box posted 2690 fps after break-in.
I have an antelope hunt in Wyoming this year and a mule deer hunt as well so I was hoping to run 127 Barnes LRX. I loaded some up with 43 grains of Staball 6.5 to 2.750” coal and it’s shooting 3” groups at 100. It’s getting too hot for load development so I bought a box of Hornady outfitter 120 CX and a box of Precision hunter 143 ELDX. The CX was about a 2.5” 5 shot groups and the ELDX was about a 2” 5 shot groups. These are both unacceptable to me. I considered trying H4350 but with this short barrel I would be around or under 2500 fps which is borderline for velocity with the LRX at 400.
I bought this rifle largely due having all the features I want and hearing about exceptional accuracy. I have great accuracy out of the bthp match ammo but that’s it so far. I hate to spend $50 a box to try others but I don’t like to develop loads in the summer. At this point I’m looking at taking my Ruger ranch in 6 arc for antelope and my 30-06 for the mule deer hunt because I can’t get my cross to shoot. They both shoot great with factory Hornady CX.
Mostly venting but also looking for suggestions on other hunting ammo to try. I’m generally a Hornady fan but am open to other mfg as well. I’m also generally a copper fan but I recognize that lead works.