Barnes Harvest 6.5 Creedmoor 140gr Sierra TGK – Reliable Deer Load

Description

The Barnes Harvest 6.5 Creedmoor 140gr is the value line from Barnes, and it works differently than the copper VOR-TX ammunition the brand is best known for. Harvest is loaded with a Sierra Tipped GameKing, a conventional jacketed lead core bullet with a polymer tip and a boat tail, carrying a 0.563 G1 ballistic coefficient. That is a genuinely high number, and in a 6.5 Creedmoor it is the whole point. Each box holds 20 rounds.

• Barnes Harvest 6.5 Creedmoor 140gr Overview
• 140 Grain Sierra Tipped GameKing Performance
• Why Hunters Choose 6.5 Creedmoor Deer Ammo
• Specifications
• Range Notes For This High BC Polymer Tipped Bullet

Barnes Harvest 6.5 Creedmoor 140gr Overview

Two things are worth stating plainly. First, this is not lead free ammunition. If you hunt in California, a condor zone, or anywhere else requiring non toxic projectiles, you need a copper load instead. Second, Barnes does not publish a factory muzzle velocity for this load, so treat any number you see quoted with some care.

Independent testing by American Hunter chronographed it at an average of 2640 fps from a 20 inch barrel, which works out to roughly 2166 ft-lbs at the muzzle. A 22 or 24 inch barrel will run faster than that. Chronograph your own rifle rather than building a drop chart from someone else barrel.

140 Grain Sierra Tipped GameKing Performance

The 140 grain Sierra Tipped GameKing is the classic 6.5 hunting weight. Sierra GameKings have been dropping deer since long before the Creedmoor existed, and adding a polymer tip raises the ballistic coefficient and starts expansion faster on impact, which matters at the reduced velocities you see past 400 yards.

At 0.563 G1, this bullet drifts less in wind and sheds velocity more slowly than almost anything in its price class. Combined with the modest recoil of the cartridge, it is a very easy combination to shoot accurately at distance.

Why Hunters Choose 6.5 Creedmoor Deer Ammo

The 6.5 Creedmoor became the default modern deer cartridge for good reasons. It fits a short action, recoils lightly enough that almost anyone can shoot it well, and pushes high ballistic coefficient bullets fast enough to stay lethal well past where most people should be shooting. Barrel life is reasonable and factory ammunition is everywhere.

Where this 6.5 Creedmoor deer ammo fits is cost. Premium copper loads are excellent and expensive enough that plenty of hunters fire two rounds a year to check zero and call that practice. A load you will actually shoot a box of before opening day is worth more than a better bullet you never got comfortable with.

On whitetail, mule deer, antelope and black bear the Tipped GameKing does everything asked of it. For elk, step up to a heavier or tougher bullet, or a different cartridge.

Specifications

Range Notes For This High BC Polymer Tipped Bullet

Because a high BC polymer tipped bullet has a different profile and weight than whatever you shot last season, confirm your zero with this exact load before you hunt. Two or three rounds to foul a clean barrel, then a three shot group, then leave the scope alone.

Twist rate is not a concern here. Every 6.5 Creedmoor barrel made runs 1 in 8, which stabilizes a 140 grain lead core bullet with room to spare. This is a much less fussy bullet in that respect than a long monolithic copper design.

Barnes packs the Barnes Harvest 6.5 Creedmoor 140gr 20 rounds to a box. At this price, buying two or three boxes from one lot is realistic, which means you can practice properly and still hunt on the lot you zeroed with. Store them cool and dry.

Affordable Big Game Hunting Ammunition Availability

Deer and antelope hunters who want a proven bullet without premium pricing, shooters building real range time before the season, and anyone not hunting in a lead free required area will get the most from this affordable big game hunting ammunition. Full details on the Harvest Collection are published by Barnes Bullets.

Shop more rifle ammunition, compare it with our Barnes Harvest 308 Win 165gr load, or browse the full ammunition selection at MAG5 Firearms.