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Federal 6.5 Creedmoor 140 Gr Power-Shok SP

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Ammo Reports Team 2 6.5 Creedmoor

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Official Specs

Note: Federal does not publish muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, or ballistic coefficients for this specific Power-Shok load in currently available product data. The ballistics table below uses a community-standard estimated muzzle velocity of 2,650 fps — a figure consistent with 140 gr loads in this caliber from comparable 24-inch test barrels. All derived values are calculated estimates and are clearly labeled as such. Manufacturer-confirmed data will replace these estimates if and when published.

Ballistics Table

Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature, altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzle velocity for comparison.

Assumed muzzle velocity: ~2,650 fps (estimated). Sight height: 1.5″ above bore. Zero: 100 yards.

All values marked ~ are calculated from an assumed muzzle velocity. BC G1 used for calculation: ~0.485 (community reference value for 140 gr 6.5 mm SP bullets). These are approximations only.

Key takeaway: At the estimated muzzle velocity, this 140 gr soft point load retains meaningful energy well past 300 yards — staying above 1,300 ft-lbs through that distance, which is widely cited as a minimum threshold for clean deer-sized game harvests. Drop becomes significant beyond 300 yards, reaching roughly 13 inches below line of sight, which demands careful holdover at extended ranges. For most hunting applications in wooded or mixed terrain where shots rarely exceed 250 yards, the trajectory is manageable with standard field holds. Buyers who plan to stretch this load to 400 yards or beyond should confirm actual muzzle velocity from their specific barrel before establishing field zeros.

Best Uses

Good fit:

• Whitetail deer hunting at ranges inside 300 yards where a soft point bullet’s controlled expansion and reliable terminal performance are priorities
• Elk and black bear hunting at moderate distances where the 140 gr bullet weight provides adequate sectional density for penetration on larger-bodied animals
• Budget-conscious hunters who need a dependable, brass-cased, reloadable factory load without paying a premium for bonded or tipped bullets
• Hunters in jurisdictions with no lead-free requirement who prefer traditional cup-and-core construction for predictable mushrooming behavior
• Shooters who want a factory load that uses quality brass suitable for reloading once the initial hunt is over

Not the right tool for:

• Long-range precision hunting beyond 400 yards, where an unpublished and likely modest BC for a standard soft point will produce significant wind drift and trajectory uncertainty
• Areas or seasons with lead-free ammunition mandates — this is a traditional lead-core bullet
• Varmint or predator hunting where rapid, frangible expansion is preferred over the controlled, deep-penetrating expansion typical of a heavy hunting soft point
• Shooters who require manufacturer-published ballistic data for load verification or competition use, since Federal does not publish velocity or BC for this specific load
• Applications requiring bonded or partition-style bullet construction for maximum weight retention on heavily quartering shots at close range

Reliability Notes

No structured submissions yet.

From manufacturer claims and open sources: Federal describes Power-Shok as a line built around lead-core bullets loaded with quality brass, primers, and powder intended to deliver consistent ignition and repeatable accuracy across a range of temperatures. The soft point bullet design is a decades-old construction that has an established track record for reliable expansion on medium and large game at hunting velocities. Federal positions this line as a value-tier hunting load, not a match or premium hunting round, which sets appropriate expectations for lot-to-lot consistency compared to higher-cost tiers. No recall notices or documented reliability issues for this specific load were identified in publicly available sources at the time of publication. All notes above reflect manufacturer claims and publicly available product descriptions — not structured performance submissions.

Competitors

Price Reality

• Typical retail price: $36.99 per 20-round box based on current listing data
• Per-round cost: approximately $1.85 per round
• At $1.85 per round, this load sits in the mid-budget tier for 6.5 Creedmoor hunting ammunition — more expensive than some competing soft points (Remington Core-Lokt and Winchester Power-Point frequently appear in the $28–$36 range) but less expensive than premium bonded or polymer-tipped loads
• Hornady American Whitetail 129 gr typically runs $29–$34 per box, making it the most direct budget competitor on a per-round basis
• Hornady Precision Hunter 143 gr ELD-X and Federal Trophy Bonded Tip 140 gr both run $42–$52 per box, representing a meaningful step up in both cost and bullet technology
• Fair price benchmark: $36.99 is a reasonable price for this load given its construction tier. Prices above $42 per box for this specific load would represent an overpriced purchase relative to what the bullet design and published feature set justify — at that price point, premium bonded alternatives become the better value proposition

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

Where to Buy

Federal 6.5 Creedmoor 140 Gr Power-Shok SP (Box)

The Federal 6.5 Creedmoor 140 Gr Power-Shok SP ammunition delivers excellent accuracy and dependable power, making it ideal for hunting medium to large game. With its quality construction and affordable price, it ensures reliable performance on every shot.

$36.99 at Ammunitiondepot.com

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

FAQ

Does the Federal Power-Shok 140 gr SP use a bonded bullet, and does that matter for deer hunting?

No — the Power-Shok soft point uses a traditional cup-and-core (non-bonded) construction, meaning the lead core is not chemically or mechanically bonded to the copper jacket. For most deer-hunting scenarios at moderate ranges and typical impact velocities, this is not a meaningful disadvantage. Cup-and-core bullets have taken deer reliably for decades and expand consistently when impact velocity stays within a reasonable range. The limitation appears at very high impact velocities (close-range shots on large game) where core-jacket separation can reduce penetration, or at very low velocities (extreme long range) where expansion may be inconsistent. For inside-300-yard whitetail use, the non-bonded construction is unlikely to cause problems in the field.

How does this load compare directly to the Winchester Power-Point 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr?

Both loads use a 140 gr soft point bullet in a similar cup-and-core construction and occupy the same budget hunting tier. Winchester publishes a muzzle velocity of 2,612 fps for the Power-Point, while Federal does not publish velocity for this Power-Shok load, which makes direct ballistic comparison difficult without independent testing. The Winchester load typically retails for slightly less per box. Either load represents a reasonable choice for hunting at moderate distances; the primary practical differentiator is price availability on any given day rather than a meaningful performance gap between the two designs.

Is this ammunition suitable for elk, or is it primarily a deer load?

The 140 gr bullet weight and the sectional density of a 6.5 mm projectile at this weight (approximately 0.287) give this load adequate penetration potential for elk-sized animals at reasonable hunting distances. Federal’s own marketing positions the Power-Shok line for medium to large game. However, hunters pursuing elk should be aware that the non-bonded cup-and-core construction carries a higher risk of core-jacket separation on heavy bone at close-range impact velocities than bonded alternatives like Federal’s own Trophy Bonded Tip. For elk hunting, shots should be placed carefully to avoid major bone at close range, and hunters comfortable with the construction’s limitations can use this load effectively inside 250 yards.

Can I reload the brass after firing this ammunition?

Yes. Federal Power-Shok uses brass cases with Boxer primers, which means the spent cases are fully reloadable using standard reloading equipment. Federal brass has a reputation for consistent wall thickness and good annealing, making it a reasonable starting point for reloaders. This page covers factory ammunition only and does not provide reloading data; consult a current published reloading manual for appropriate components and charge data. The reloadability of the brass adds practical value for cost-conscious shooters who plan to reload.

Why doesn’t Federal publish muzzle velocity for this load, and how should buyers interpret that?

Federal does not publish velocity, energy, or ballistic coefficient data for the Power-Shok line in the product listings reviewed for this page. This is not unusual for budget-tier hunting ammunition, where manufacturers sometimes omit detailed ballistic data. It does mean buyers cannot verify claimed performance figures against a manufacturer standard, and ballistics tables for this load — including the one on this page — rely on estimated or calculated values rather than confirmed factory data. Hunters who require precise, confirmed ballistic data for long-range shooting should consider loads from manufacturers that publish full ballistic tables. For inside-300-yard hunting use where exact trajectory numbers matter less, the absence of published data is a minor practical inconvenience rather than a disqualifying factor.

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.

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

Federal 6.5 Creedmoor 140 Gr Power-Shok SP (Box)

$36.99

in stock