Hornady GMX Bullets in 6.5

[Novice Huntress]

Hi All good evening,

Looking at your thoughts and views on Hornady GMX Bullets, I plan to use 140g in a 6.5x55 and possibly a 260 Rem.

Possibly on some PG, Fallow and Red Deer, at sensible hunting range any quirks with the GMX do they have to be driven fast?

Appreciate your views.

Regards

 

[Olvast09]

For fallow and small red deer, GMX is perfect in .260 Rem. In 6.5x55, keep shots under 200 yards and avoid marginal angles.

 

[Novice Huntress]

Olvast09, thank you for feedback much appreciated

 

[coreydb]

The GMXs will be more than great for any plains game you want to hunt. My max distance in hunting with these (6.5 Creedmoor) is under 300 yds. Your bullet weight is spot on using 140-143 grain bullets.

 

[dchum]

Since you plan on using a non-lead projectile I would recommend the 120gr GMX they used to load. (The gmx is now discontinued)

For copper expanding rounds you need quite a bit more speed to open them up.

When using traditional weighted non lead bullets you will see lackluster expansion and slower deaths. With 120s you still get the excellent penetration and the classic 99% weight retention… but also more expansion for larger wound cavity.

 

[Novice Huntress]

Coreydb, Dchum, thank you for feedback much appreciated, will be looking to reload some soon!

 

[ARHinAK]

I’m with (dchum) on this one. Dropping down to 120 mono bullet, GMX/CX or TTSX in the 6.5x55 is the way to go on plains game. If using lead core bullets I’d be looking at 140s to 156 grainers.

 

[jruby]

I have pretty much settled on using Hornady 140G interloks in my 6.5x55 and 6.5-06AI. I think that is an excellent bullet for mule deer and they are accurate out of my two rifles plus they are cheap enought to plink with.

 

[Lance Hopper]

If you are hand loading and are using a post-World War I or more modern action, 6.5 X 55 has no reason to be downloaded to factory pressures. Pressures are kept low for the old KRAG. You can drive the 6.5 X 55 just as hard as the 260 Remington and with more case capacity can get more velocity. They don’t make the brass for 6.5 X 55 weaker because the factory pressures are lower. Strictly a liability thing for old rifles not capable of modern pressures.

 

[Hififile324]

Hi All good evening,

Looking at your thoughts and views on Hornady GMX Bullets, I plan to use 140g in a 6.5x55 and possibly a 260 Rem.

Possibly on some PG, Fallow and Red Deer, at sensible hunting range any quirks with the GMX do they have to be driven fast?

Appreciate your views.

Regards

The GMX (now CX in the USA) are excellent bullets that penetrate. Before you hunt with them shoot them and test them for accuracy and feeding from your magazine. If they shoot well and you do your part you will bag your game!

 

[jruby]

I have had hit or miss with monolithic bullets. Some rifles I have love them, others not so much. Havent been able to determine why this is.

 

[Lance Hopper]

Don’t forget to jump them at least .050”. Monos need a running start for accuracy. For anything less than an Eland I would not hesitate to use the 90 grain CX bullets at warp speed. I run them at 2900 FPS plus in my 6.5 Grendel 20 inch barrel. Your 6.5x55 and 260 Remington should be able to get over 3300 ft./s.

 

[112Savage]

Post in thread '6.5 for the largest game'

Oct 14, 2024

I would not advocate for the6.5mm CX’s use on dangerous game just wanted to showcase expansion and penetration of a lesser known option at what most would consider low speed for a monometal bullet. A milk jug is almost 6” across. 6x6”=36” of penetration including plastic which is about as thick/resistant as upper scapulas and thin ribs. Water is also more dense and resistant than lung, liver, and some muscle tissue. I feel like this bullet could work well for animals up to 1000 pounds. The bigger question is, would a larger caliber work better in those instances. I would say almost...

• 112Savage

I have only tested the 140ECX/ GMX in the 6.5 creedmoor. Velocities were good to okay given the bullet’s bearing surface and intrusion into the case. Accuracy was excellent. I have only killed one whitetail doe with this bullet and it didn’t expire as quickly as most shot with the 143ELDX but the blood trail was easy to follow.

For most animals I would drop to the 130 or 120 CX for the 6.5x55 and below cases and enjoy the much better BC compared to the 140.

 

[Novice Huntress]

Since you plan on using a non-lead projectile I would recommend the 120gr GMX they used to load. (The gmx is now discontinued)

For copper expanding rounds you need quite a bit more speed to open them up.

When using traditional weighted non lead bullets you will see lackluster expansion and slower deaths. With 120s you still get the excellent penetration and the classic 99% weight retention… but also more expansion for larger wound cavity.

Hi All, thank you all for your imput, much appreciated.

Both the 260 and the 6.5x55 are modern bolt sporting rifles.
The 260 can use factory 140g cartridges, but it is cut with a tight chamber. It seems to favour 130g and under. We do have some good loads for both using 118g Peregrine and 123g Fox.

I just want to also have the option of a slightly heavier bullet for the 6.5x55.

Please keep your user feedback coming in.

 

[JG26Irish_2]

I have used the newer Hornady CX copper mono bullets in Africa on PG recently. I am not clear how the GMX differs if any to the CX. I always suspected that the alloy was changed. I was using a 7mm/08 and my bullet was 139g and chrono'ed 2935 fps. I only used it on two animals. A Blesbok at 280y and a Warthog at 60-70y. The Blesbok took off running after the initial shot and took several followup shots to put down. The Warthog was a one and done. Like all copper monos, you give up some rapid energy transfer to get deeper penetration and better ability to drive thru bone and flesh. I think that often the kills with mono's are slower and follow up shots are required more often but that is from very limited experience. I used Barnes TTSX also on that hunt and found them to be marginally more effective.

I like bonded core bullets better. Swift Scirocco, Federal Fusion, etc.