My best friend (brother from another mother) just picked up an Accuracy International AT-X 6.5CM with a 24” barrel. He has other 6.5CM rifles, but this one will be his PRS rifle…so he is looking to find the optimal cartridge for his rifle.
Any input/opinions would be greatly appreciated! (He doesn’t reload, yet…so that is off the table for now).
6 GT has some factory support now if he’s wanting a full prs gun.
Hi @backfire … the rifle is already set for 6.5 Creedmore. That’s the caliber of choice for my brother (from another mother).
That said, just working to gather knowledge on which ammo vendors & cartridge(s) work best with 6.5CM. 
P.S. The 1000 yard challenge video was just hilarious!
Unfortunately the simple rule is every rifle is different. I’ve had similar rifles from the same company in the same chambering like different brands of ammo.
With that being said, in terms of 6.5 Creedmoor, I seem to have had good luck from the eldm from hornady, specifically the 147 grain version as well as the Lapua scenar
@cchilds Thanks! I know there’s no single “perfect” recipe…but gathering knowledge from others will give him a decent starting point (above and beyond what he has shot in his other 6.5CM rifle).
Much appreciated.
I’m guessing that factory loadings from Berger, Norma, or the premium Hornady loadings are safe bets to start with. I’d just buy a box or two of the cheap stuff to break in the barrel then buy a box of premium target loads and see what shoots. Expensive experiment potentially but it’s a good way to go.
Expensive = truth! LOL
Handloading is something we have both talked about getting into, as it might reduce costs some, once equipment is in-hand.
Thanks for the input.
I think handloading CAN be less expensive for many cartridges but I think a lot comes down to components. Maybe are still price gouging and worldwide conflict is t going to help the situation should our country get more deeply and overtly involved in them. Then there’s the initial investment and I’m a subscriber to the buy once cry once methodology so the initial investment is going to be high and you’re going to have to shoot a lot without stepping on the gas too for the components like cases to last longer and powder usage to be maximized. Primers are still just stupid expensive from the prices they were and again - price gouging still happens though not as extreme as a few years ago.
100%
I have gone down the road of buy what I want right out of the gate, rather than get 2nd or 3rd best option and ultimately end up spending the money for the original best option anyway!
Forces me to do more research first anyway.
There is SO much to know about handloading equipment, the process, etc. But, knowledge IS power… 
Yeah, i think most kit bundles are mostly junk outside the press, hand priming tools, trickle measures, etc. and would need to be replaced by aftermarket items but the Lyman Ultimate Reloading Turret Press kit actually looks pretty decent for a kit. I think they retail for $900 but regularly go on sale in the $550-700 range.
Personally I’m building out a full setup with the Area 419 Zero, AMP Annealer, AutoTrickler or RCBS Matchmaster Powder Tricklers (because i can pretty much get two RXBS units for the price of one AutoTrickler), etc.
I feel my bank account draining… 
Gotta pay to play…