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Hornady Superformance 6.5 Creedmoor 120 Grain Copper Alloy eXpanding

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Ammo Reports Team 9 6.5 Creedmoor

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Official Specs

All data verified against Hornady’s official ballistics chart (PDF, two independent sources confirmed).

Real-world velocity note: One verified user report (Christensen Arms MPR, unspecified barrel length) recorded 3,209 fps average with SD under 10 — substantially above the published 3,050 fps. This outlier may reflect a longer-than-24″ barrel or favorable lot conditions. Hornady’s 3,050 fps (24″ barrel) is used as the baseline. Community submissions with confirmed barrel lengths will help establish the real-world velocity distribution for this load.

Ballistics Table

From Hornady’s official ballistics chart (SKU 814904, 24″ barrel). Zero: 100 yards. Sight height: 1.5″.

Key takeaway: at 3,050 fps this is the fastest Hornady hunting load in 6.5 Creedmoor — 125 fps faster than the Outfitter CX (2,925 fps) and the fastest lead-free factory load in this report series. At 300 yards the Superformance CX carries 1,549 ft-lbs vs 1,413 ft-lbs for the Outfitter — a 136 ft-lbs advantage. At 500 yards 1,101 ft-lbs just clears the conventional deer threshold. The Superformance propellant technology squeezes the same CX bullet to significantly higher velocity than conventional loads.

Superformance CX vs Outfitter CX — Same Bullet, Different Purpose

Both loads use the identical Hornady CX 120 gr bullet. The differences are entirely in the case, propellant, and intended use:

Choose Superformance when flat trajectory and maximum energy at distance are the priority — open-country hunting, longer shots, drier conditions. Choose Outfitter when weatherproofing and corrosion resistance matter more — pack-in hunts, rainy conditions, leather scabbard carry.

Best Uses

Good fit:

• California deer and elk hunting — fully lead-free, California DFW-compliant; this is the maximum-velocity lead-free option in the Hornady 6.5 CM lineup
• Open-country western hunting at 200–400 yards where 3,050 fps velocity and flatter trajectory reduce holdover estimation error
• Hunters who want Hornady’s own lead-free option at maximum velocity rather than the weatherproofed Outfitter version
• Semi-automatic and lever-action platforms — Hornady explicitly states Superformance is safe in all firearm types

Not the right tool for:

• Backcountry multi-day hunts in wet conditions where the Outfitter’s sealed waterproof cases provide a meaningful advantage
• Non-restricted hunting where lead-core loads at lower prices deliver comparable performance — ELD-X Precision Hunter at similar price with higher BC
• Precision match competition — CX is a hunting bullet

Reliability Notes

No structured submissions yet.

One verified user report from MiWall Corp (Christensen Arms MPR) recorded 3,209 fps average with SD under 10 — exceptional consistency. The velocity figure is above spec and may reflect a longer barrel or specific lot characteristics. Hornady states Superformance propellants are specifically formulated for temperature stability — consistent performance from cold mornings through warm afternoons is a documented design goal for this line. CX bullet terminal performance (95%+ weight retention, controlled mushroom) is the same as documented in Field & Stream’s Outfitter CX gel test. All notes reflect manufacturer claims and open-source community reports, not structured data.

Competitors

Price Reality

• Typical retail range: $50–56 per box of 20 (~$2.50–2.80/round)
• Nearly identical price to the Outfitter CX ($0.05/round difference) but 125 fps faster — for most hunters, Superformance is the better value unless weatherproofing is a priority
• Barnes Vor-Tx and Nosler E-Tip offer higher BC (0.453–0.458) at lower velocity and higher price; for hunters who prioritize BC over raw speed, those alternatives are worth considering
• Remington Premier CuT delivers the same BC at comparable velocity for $3–4/box less — the strongest value alternative in the same BC class
• Under $54/box is competitive for the fastest Hornady lead-free hunting load in 6.5 Creedmoor

Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.

Where to Buy

Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.

FAQ

Superformance CX vs Outfitter CX — which should I buy?
Both use the identical CX 120 gr bullet. Choose Superformance (this load) for the velocity advantage — 125 fps faster, noticeably flatter trajectory, more energy at distance. Choose Outfitter when weatherproofing matters — nickel-plated, sealed primer pocket and case mouth for watertight protection on backcountry hunts. The prices are nearly identical (~$0.05/round). For most hunting situations without extreme weather exposure, Superformance delivers meaningfully better ballistics for the same money.

Is 3,050 fps unusually fast for a lead-free 120 gr load?
Yes — 3,050 fps is the highest velocity of any lead-free factory 6.5 Creedmoor load in this report series. The next fastest alternatives (Barnes Vor-Tx TTSX, Nosler E-Tip) top out at 2,850–2,910 fps. Hornady achieves this with Superformance propellants that burn more efficiently without exceeding SAAMI pressure limits. The tradeoff is that this load uses standard brass without weatherproofing — the Outfitter at 2,925 fps is the “all-conditions” version.

Is this load California-legal for deer and elk hunting?
Yes — the CX bullet is a monolithic copper alloy projectile with no lead core, qualifying as nonlead ammunition under California DFW regulations. Superformance CX is labeled lead-free by Hornady. Always verify current California DFW requirements before hunting season.

Why does Hornady publish BC 0.428 when Barnes TTSX achieves 0.453 at the same weight?
This difference relates to bullet construction, not measurement error. The Barnes TTSX uses a pure copper body with polymer tip — copper’s density and the TTSX’s specific ogive geometry produce a slightly more aerodynamic profile. The CX uses gilding metal (copper alloy) with relief grooves that manage pressure but marginally affect aerodynamic efficiency. NRA American Hunter’s reviewer noted Hornady has moved toward using their 4DOF ballistic program rather than publishing a single BC — the 0.428 value may be a conservative published figure. At hunting distances inside 400 yards, the BC difference between 0.428 and 0.453 is less than 2 inches of drop difference.

Submit Your Data · Real-World Results

Manufacturer velocity figures are measured under controlled lab conditions — barrel length, temperature, and lot number all affect real-world performance. The data below comes from community submissions tied to specific test conditions and reviewed before publishing.

Once this page reaches 3 approved submissions, aggregate velocity and confidence level will appear here automatically.

Shot this load? Share your results — firearm type, barrel length, average velocity, shots fired, temperature. No account required.

All submissions are manually reviewed before appearing on this page.

Results vary by firearm, barrel condition, ammunition lot, and environmental factors. Submitted data is for reference only. AmmoReports does not guarantee accuracy of user-submitted results.