Precision Redefined: Hornady Match 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr ELD-M Ammunition for Unrivaled Accuracy

For the dedicated long-range shooter, the competitive marksman, and the precision rifle enthusiast, every shot counts. The pursuit of sub-minute-of-angle groups and consistent hits at extended distances demands ammunition that delivers unwavering performance, shot after shot. This is where Hornady Match 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr Extremely Low Drag-Match (ELD-M) ammunition distinguishes itself. Engineered with an uncompromising commitment to precision, this ammunition is a cornerstone for anyone striving to achieve peak accuracy in demanding scenarios.

Are you constantly asking, "What's the best ammunition to tighten my groups at 600 yards?" or "How can I reduce wind drift when shooting at 1000 meters?" The answer often lies in the consistent, technologically advanced features found in match-grade ammunition like the Hornady 81500 Match. This specific load addresses the critical needs of shooters who cannot afford inconsistencies, providing a predictable and repeatable ballistic solution that minimizes external variables and maximizes hit probability. It's the ammunition of choice for those who understand that ultimate accuracy begins with superior components and meticulous manufacturing processes.

The Pursuit of Perfection: Hornady Match Ammunition Philosophy

Hornady's reputation for innovation and quality in the ammunition industry is legendary, and their Match line is the pinnacle of this commitment. Every box of Hornady Match ammunition, including the highly sought-after 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr ELD-M, undergoes rigorous quality control to ensure an unparalleled level of consistency. This meticulous attention to detail is what sets it apart and is fundamental to achieving the tight groups and predictable impacts that precision shooters demand.

What makes Hornady Match ammunition consistently perform at such a high level? It's a combination of carefully selected components and stringent manufacturing protocols:

• Optimal Bullet Seating: Precision in bullet seating depth and concentricity is paramount for consistent flight. Hornady ensures each bullet is seated to exacting specifications, minimizing variations that could lead to erratic performance.
• Consistent Powder Charges and Pressures: The powder charge is meticulously weighed and matched to each load. This ensures that every round generates optimal chamber pressure and velocity, leading to reduced standard deviation and improved shot-to-shot consistency, which is crucial for long-range engagement.
• Controlled Velocity: While pressure and powder charge contribute, the ultimate goal is consistent muzzle velocity. Hornady engineers carefully balance propellants to achieve an ideal velocity window that enhances accuracy and provides reliable ballistic data for calculating drops and wind holds.
• Uniform Overall Length (OAL): Consistency in OAL is critical for optimal chambering and repeatable bullet jump, directly impacting precision. Hornady's strict criteria ensure that each round adheres to precise dimensional tolerances.
• Rigorous Case Selection: The brass casing is the foundation of the cartridge. Only cases that meet the strictest criteria for uniformity, concentricity, and durability are selected for Hornady Match ammunition. This commitment ensures reliable feeding, extraction, and consistent pressure containment.
• Repeatable Accuracy: The culmination of these precise manufacturing steps is ammunition that delivers repeatable accuracy. This means that a shooter can trust that the performance of one round will closely mirror the next, allowing for reliable data collection and confident shot placement, even in competitive scenarios where every point matters.

This holistic approach to quality control means that when you load a magazine with Hornady Match 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr ELD-M, you're loading a batch of ammunition designed to perform identically, round after round, lot after lot. This consistency is the bedrock upon which world-class accuracy is built.

Unpacking the ELD-M Bullet: The Heart of Precision

The true innovation within Hornady Match ammunition lies in its projectile: the Extremely Low Drag-Match (ELD-M) bullet. This isn't just any bullet; it's a testament to advanced ballistic engineering designed to conquer the challenges of long-range shooting, particularly wind drift and bullet drop. When users ask, "What makes the ELD-M bullet so effective for long-range accuracy?" or "How does bullet design impact wind performance?" the ELD-M provides a comprehensive answer.

The ELD-M bullet incorporates several patented technologies that contribute to its superior aerodynamic performance and terminal stability:

• The Revolutionary Heat Shield® Tip: Traditional polymer tips can deform under the extreme aerodynamic heating generated during high-velocity flight, especially over long distances. This deformation negatively impacts the bullet's ballistic coefficient (BC), leading to unpredictable flight paths. The Hornady patented Heat Shield® Tip is made from a heat-resistant polymer that maintains its shape and form through the entire trajectory. This ensures that the bullet's critical meplat (tip) remains perfectly uniform, preserving the highest possible BC from muzzle to target. This innovation is a game-changer for maintaining ballistic consistency over extended ranges.
• Optimized Secant Ogive: The secant ogive profile is a highly efficient aerodynamic shape that reduces drag and flattens trajectory. The ELD-M bullet's specific secant ogive is carefully optimized to deliver the lowest possible drag for its weight and caliber. This design minimizes the air resistance encountered by the bullet, allowing it to retain velocity more effectively and reducing the time of flight, which in turn means less susceptibility to wind effects.
• Streamlined Boattail Design: Complementing the secant ogive, the ELD-M features a long, streamlined boattail. This tapered base further reduces base drag and improves aerodynamic efficiency. The boattail design helps to smooth the airflow as it leaves the bullet, enhancing stability and ensuring a consistent transition from supersonic to transonic flight, which can often destabilize less optimally designed projectiles.
• AMP® (Advanced Manufacturing Process) Bullet Jackets: The jacket of the ELD-M bullet is produced using Hornady's revolutionary AMP® technology. This proprietary process creates bullet jackets with virtually zero runout and near-perfect concentricity, along with uniform wall thickness. The result is a bullet that spins perfectly true, minimizing yaw and wobble in flight. This incredible consistency in the jacket is a foundational element for the ELD-M's renowned accuracy.

These combined features result in a bullet that flies with exceptional stability and predictability, delivering unmatched ballistic coefficients that outperform traditional designs. For the serious long-range shooter, this translates directly to tighter groups, fewer wind-induced misses, and a greater confidence in their ballistic solutions.

The 6.5 Creedmoor Advantage: Why This Caliber Shines

The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge has rapidly ascended to prominence within the shooting community, particularly among precision rifle competitors and long-range enthusiasts. When considering "Why is 6.5 Creedmoor so popular for precision shooting?" or "What are the benefits of the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge?", the answers highlight its inherently accurate design and exceptional ballistic performance.

Developed in 2007 by Hornady in collaboration with Dennis DeMille, the 6.5 Creedmoor was designed from the ground up to be a true match-grade cartridge for competition. Its advantages are manifold:

• Designed for Efficiency: The cartridge was engineered with an efficient powder column, allowing for excellent velocity with moderate powder charges. This efficiency contributes to lower recoil compared to many other long-range cartridges, making it easier for shooters to spot their own shots and maintain consistent shooting positions.
• Excellent Ballistic Performance: The 6.5mm (.264 caliber) bullets excel in ballistic coefficient, meaning they are very aerodynamic and resist wind drift and bullet drop exceptionally well. The 140 gr ELD-M, with its high BC, is a prime example of this advantage, making the 6.5 Creedmoor a formidable cartridge for distances out to 1000 yards and beyond.
• Manageable Recoil: Despite its impressive ballistic performance, the 6.5 Creedmoor offers surprisingly mild recoil. This allows shooters to stay on target longer, reduces fatigue during extended shooting sessions, and makes it an excellent choice for new long-range shooters looking to minimize recoil-induced flinching.
• Short-Action Compatibility: The 6.5 Creedmoor fits into short-action rifles, which typically results in stiffer, more compact rifle platforms. This can contribute to enhanced inherent accuracy and often lighter overall rifle weights.
• Wide Availability: Due to its popularity, 6.5 Creedmoor ammunition and components are widely available, making it a practical and accessible choice for shooters.

Combining the inherent accuracy and ballistic efficiency of the 6.5 Creedmoor with the advanced technology of Hornady's 140 gr ELD-M bullet creates a synergy that is hard to beat for competitive and precision long-range shooting.

Performance Metrics that Matter: Understanding the Data

Understanding the specifications of your ammunition is crucial for predicting its performance downrange. For the Hornady Match 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr ELD-M, specific data points provide insight into its capabilities and are essential for building accurate ballistic profiles. When you seek to understand "What do muzzle velocity and energy mean for my shot?" or "How does a ballistic coefficient impact long-range accuracy?", these numbers are your guide.

• Muzzle Velocity: 2710 fps (feet per second)
  • This is the speed at which the bullet exits the barrel. A muzzle velocity of 2710 fps for a 140 gr projectile is an excellent balance for the 6.5 Creedmoor, providing a flat trajectory while maintaining manageable pressure and recoil. Higher muzzle velocity generally means less time of flight to the target, which directly translates to less bullet drop and reduced wind drift. Consistent muzzle velocity from shot to shot is a hallmark of match-grade ammunition and is indispensable for predictable long-range performance.
• Muzzle Energy: 2283 ft lbs (foot-pounds)
  • Muzzle energy represents the kinetic energy of the bullet as it leaves the barrel. While primarily a factor for hunting, for target shooting, it indicates the power behind the projectile. A muzzle energy of 2283 ft lbs signifies that the 140 gr ELD-M bullet carries substantial power, contributing to its ability to buck the wind and retain energy effectively downrange, ensuring stable flight and reliable impact on steel targets.
• Ballistic Coefficient (BC): G1: .588 / G7: .295
  • The ballistic coefficient is a fundamental measure of a bullet's efficiency in overcoming air resistance. A higher BC indicates a more aerodynamic bullet that retains velocity better and is less affected by drag, wind, and gravity.
  • G1 vs. G7 BC: The G1 model is a common standard, but the G7 model is often more accurate for long, sleek, boat-tail bullets like the ELD-M, as it better represents their actual aerodynamic profile. The G7 BC of .295 for the 140 gr ELD-M is exceptionally high for its weight class, highlighting its outstanding aerodynamic performance.
  • Impact on Performance: A high ballistic coefficient directly translates to:
    • Less Bullet Drop: The bullet retains velocity longer, meaning gravity has less time to pull it down.
    • Reduced Wind Drift: The bullet spends less time in the air and is more efficient at cutting through the wind, resulting in less lateral deviation.
    • Greater Retained Energy: The bullet arrives at the target with more energy, which is important for positive feedback on steel targets.

These critical data points, combined with the ELD-M's design, provide a clear picture of why this ammunition is a top-tier choice for precision and long-range shooting.

Real-World Applications and Use Cases for Hornady Match Ammunition

Hornady Match 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr ELD-M ammunition is purpose-built for scenarios where precision is non-negotiable. It excels in diverse applications, catering to serious competitors and enthusiasts alike.

• Competitive Precision Rifle Series (PRS) and National Rifle League (NRL): These demanding competitions require absolute consistency and accuracy at varying distances, often under tight time constraints and diverse environmental conditions. The 6.5 Creedmoor with ELD-M bullets is a dominant force in these circuits due to its inherent accuracy, manageable recoil, and excellent ballistic performance that minimizes errors due to wind or range estimation. Competitors rely on its predictable performance to make critical hits on challenging targets.
• F-Class and Long-Range Benchrest Shooting: In these disciplines, the goal is to achieve the tightest possible groups at distances like 600, 800, 1000 yards, or even beyond. The ELD-M's superior ballistic coefficient and the ammunition's exceptional consistency are critical for shrinking group sizes and placing shots precisely in the X-ring.
• Advanced Target Shooting and Training: For shooters looking to push their skills and their equipment to the limits, the Hornady 81500 Match provides the perfect training partner. Its consistent performance allows shooters to confidently evaluate their rifle's capabilities, refine their shooting fundamentals, and develop robust wind-reading and ballistic calculation skills without the variable of inconsistent ammunition. It's the ideal choice for zeroing precision rifles, confirming dope at various ranges, and building confidence in extreme long-range scenarios.
• Extreme Long-Range (ELR) Enthusiasts: While often requiring specialized cartridges, the 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr ELD-M can still push the boundaries of conventional long-range shooting. Its high BC and consistency make it a strong contender for reaching out to 1200 yards and beyond when paired with capable rifles and experienced shooters.

In any scenario where precise bullet placement at extended distances is the primary objective, the Hornady Match 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr ELD-M ammunition stands out as a top-tier solution, consistently delivering the performance required to succeed.

Why Hornady 81500 Match is Your Go-To Ammunition

Choosing the right ammunition is as crucial as selecting the right rifle. When evaluating options, especially for precision shooting, asking "Why should I choose Hornady Match over other brands?" or "What unique value does this ammunition offer?" leads directly to the core strengths of the Hornady 81500 Match 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr ELD-M.

Here’s why it consistently emerges as a leading choice:

• Unparalleled Consistency: Hornady's obsessive quality control ensures that every round performs virtually identically. This consistency in muzzle velocity, pressure, and bullet concentricity is fundamental to repeatable accuracy, reducing the variables that can lead to misses downrange.
• Superior Aerodynamic Performance: The ELD-M bullet, with its Heat Shield® Tip and optimized profile, boasts some of the highest ballistic coefficients available for its class. This translates to less drag, less drop, and significantly less wind drift, giving shooters a distinct advantage in challenging conditions.
• Reduced Environmental Influence: By minimizing drag and maximizing BC, this ammunition is less susceptible to external factors like wind and gravity. This means your ballistic solutions are more reliable, and your calls for wind correction are more accurate.
• Predictable Point of Impact: With consistent velocity and a stable, high-BC bullet, the Hornady Match 81500 delivers a highly predictable point of impact. This allows shooters to trust their ballistic calculators and range cards, knowing that the ammunition will perform exactly as expected.
• Hornady's Legacy of Innovation and Quality: For decades, Hornady has been at the forefront of ammunition technology, consistently pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Choosing Hornady Match is investing in a product backed by extensive research, development, and a reputation for excellence that is proven on ranges and in competitions worldwide.
• Empowering Shooter Performance: Ultimately, this ammunition is designed to help shooters achieve their personal bests. By eliminating ammunition-related inconsistencies, it allows you to focus on your fundamentals, wind reading, and target engagement, knowing that your ammunition is performing flawlessly. It provides the confidence needed to make that critical shot under pressure.

Tips for Maximizing Performance with Hornady Match Ammunition

Even the best ammunition performs optimally when paired with proper technique and equipment. To unlock the full potential of your Hornady Match 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr ELD-M ammunition, consider these tips:

• Proper Rifle Setup: Ensure your rifle is meticulously clean, your optics are securely mounted and properly torqued, and your barrel is broken in according to manufacturer recommendations. A free-floated barrel and a consistent bedding job are also crucial for optimal accuracy.
• Accurate Zeroing: Spend time properly zeroing your rifle at a known distance, ideally 100 or 200 yards, to establish a precise starting point for your ballistic calculations.
• Environmental Considerations: While ELD-M reduces environmental influence, understanding wind direction, speed, temperature, and atmospheric pressure is still vital. Use a Kestrel or similar device to gather accurate data for your ballistic calculator.
• Shooting Fundamentals: Maintain strict attention to core shooting fundamentals: consistent cheek weld, proper natural point of aim, consistent grip pressure, controlled breathing, and a smooth trigger squeeze. Ammunition cannot compensate for poor shooting technique.
• Understanding Your Rifle's Preferences: Even with match ammunition, individual rifles can show slight preferences for specific seating depths or variations within factory loads. While not typically necessary with factory match ammo, meticulous handloaders may explore these nuances. For factory loads, ensure your rifle's chamber is clean and compatible with the cartridge dimensions.
• Bullet Trajectory and Ballistic Calculators: Utilize a modern ballistic calculator (app or software) with accurate inputs for your muzzle velocity (preferably measured from your rifle with a chronograph), scope height, and the ELD-M's G7 ballistic coefficient (.295) to generate precise firing solutions for different ranges.

By combining the inherent superiority of Hornady Match 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr ELD-M ammunition with disciplined shooting practices and a well-maintained rifle system, you are well-equipped to achieve unprecedented levels of precision and consistency in your long-range shooting endeavors. It is the definitive choice for shooters who demand the absolute best from their equipment and themselves.

Attribute	Detail
Brand	Hornady
Model	Match
Caliber	6.5 Creedmoor
Bullet Weight	140 gr
Bullet Type	Extremely Low Drag-Match (ELD-M)
Rounds Per Box	20
Boxes Per Case	10
Casing Material	Brass
Muzzle Velocity	2710 fps
Muzzle Energy	2283 ft lbs
Application	Target Shooting, Competitive Shooting
SKU	81500
UPC	090255815009