Ammo Reports Team
Federal Gold Medal 6.5 Creedmoor 140 Grain Open Tip Match (Box)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Long-range precision rifle competition and target shooting |
| Bullet Type | Open Tip Match (OTM) — Sierra® MatchKing® BTHP, boat-tail lead-core copper-jacketed |
| Bullet Weight | 140 grain |
| Case Material | Brass (Federal Match Grade, reloadable) |
| Primer Type | Gold Medal Match Large Rifle, Boxer, non-corrosive |
| Packaging | 20 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | ~$40–$44/box — ~$2.00–$2.20/round |
| Closest Competitors | Hornady Match 6.5 CM 140gr ELD-M, Lapua Scenar-L 6.5 CM 136gr OTM, Nosler Match Grade 6.5 CM 140gr HPBT |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | 2725 | Federal Premium — 24″ test barrel |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | 2308 | Federal Premium (verified: 140 × 2725² ÷ 450,400 = 2308 ✓) |
| Bullet Weight | 140 gr | Manufacturer |
| Bullet Type | Sierra® MatchKing® BTHP (Open Tip Match) | Manufacturer |
| BC G1 | 0.580 | Sierra Bullets / Federal Premium |
| BC G7 | 0.293 | Sierra Bullets / Federal Premium |
| Sectional Density | 0.287 | Manufacturer |
| Manufacturer SKU | GM65CRD1 | Manufacturer |
| UPC | 604544621006 | Manufacturer |
| Country of Origin | USA | Manufacturer |
| Reloadable | Yes | Brass case, Boxer primer |
Ballistics Table
Zero: 100 yards | Sight height: 1.5″ above bore | MV: 2725 fps (24″ test barrel) | BC G7: 0.293
Source: Federal Premium published ballistics data. Values are manufacturer-stated, not calculated estimates.
| Yards | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2725 | 2308 | −1.5 |
| 100 | 2623 | 2138 | 0.0 ← zero |
| 200 | 2525 | 1981 | −3.5 |
| 300 | 2429 | 1834 | −12.5 |
| 400 | 2338 | 1699 | −27.3 |
| 500 | 2250 | 1574 | −48.5 |
Key takeaway: The 140gr Sierra MatchKing at 2725 fps delivers a notably flat trajectory through 300 yards — just 12.5 inches of drop with a 100-yard zero. The published G7 BC of 0.293 provides effective wind resistance that makes this load competitive in field-condition precision shooting. At 500 yards, the 48.5-inch drop is manageable with a dialed turret solution or known hold-over; retained velocity of 2250 fps keeps the bullet comfortably supersonic well beyond that distance. This is a load optimized for the 300–600 yard competition range where both trajectory and consistent point-of-impact matter.
The Federal Gold Medal OTM Bullet
The Open Tip Match designation used by Federal in this line is frequently misunderstood. The open tip is a manufacturing artifact of the jacket-first drawing process — the small opening at the nose is not a hollow point designed for expansion. The core is seated from the base, leaving a tiny aperture at the tip that has negligible effect on terminal behavior compared to a true hollow-point hunting bullet.
The projectile itself is the Sierra MatchKing BTHP — one of the most competition-proven bullets in the 6.5mm class. Sierra’s manufacturing emphasis on jacket concentricity and consistent core seating is what gives this bullet its reputation for lot-to-lot accuracy consistency. Federal’s Gold Medal line has been a benchmark for precision rifle competition since the 1980s; the 6.5 Creedmoor chambering was added as the cartridge grew to dominate NRL, PRS, and F-Class competition formats. This is a competition-oriented design — not a dual-purpose hunting round.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- NRL, PRS, and F-Class competition where consistent grouping at 300–600 yards is the primary objective
- Precision rifle training sessions where repeatable point-of-impact data is needed across multiple range sessions
- Long-range steel target shooting where trajectory predictability and wind drift resistance are valued
- Bolt-action rifle load development where a consistent factory baseline is needed before moving to custom loads
- Shooters using 6.5 Creedmoor rifles with 1:8 twist barrels optimized for heavier projectiles in the 130–143gr range
Not the right tool for:
- Deer, elk, or any big-game hunting — the OTM bullet is not designed for controlled expansion and may not meet legal hunting requirements in many jurisdictions
- Defensive or home-protection applications — purpose-built defensive loads are more appropriate
- Semi-automatic rifles with tight chambers or short gas systems where pressure sensitivity matters — performance in gas guns should be verified before competition use
- Budget-conscious shooters who need high-volume practice ammunition — at ~$2.00+/round, this is a match-day or precision-session load, not a bulk trainer
Reliability Notes
Not enough data to draw conclusions. This section will be updated as community submissions accumulate.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source product information: Federal’s Gold Medal line is manufactured to tighter tolerances than their standard commercial offerings, with particular attention to primer seating depth, powder charge consistency, and bullet runout. These factors are cited by Federal as contributors to the line’s competition-oriented accuracy standard. Open-source forum discussions (not structured data) frequently reference this load performing well in bolt-action rifles with 24-inch barrels, though barrel length and chamber dimensions will affect individual results. No reliability issues, failure patterns, or lot-specific problems have been identified in publicly available sources at the time of publication. All notes here come from manufacturer claims or open sources, not structured data.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Adv. Velocity | Price/box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady Match 6.5 CM 140gr ELD-M | 140 gr | ELD Match (polymer tip) | 0.646 | 2710 fps | ~$35–$38 | Lower cost; polymer tip vs. OTM; widely available |
| Lapua Scenar-L 6.5 CM 136gr OTM | 136 gr | Scenar-L OTM | 0.615 | 2789 fps | ~$55–$65 | Premium brass; preferred by F-Class competitors; clear premium alternative |
| Nosler Match Grade 6.5 CM 140gr HPBT | 140 gr | Custom Competition HPBT | ~0.612 | 2650 fps | ~$42–$48 | Similar OTM-class construction; brass reloadable |
| Sig Sauer Elite Match 6.5 CM 140gr OTM | 140 gr | OTM | ~0.595 | 2625 fps | ~$33–$38 | Budget entry point; less established match track record |
| Berger Hybrid OTM 6.5 CM 140gr | 140 gr | Hybrid OTM | 0.697 | 2650 fps | ~$44–$52 | Highest BC in class; favored in extreme long-range wind conditions |
Note: Advertised velocities are manufacturer-stated figures where available, provided for comparison context only. Barrel length, temperature, and chamber dimensions affect all loads. None of the listed competitors carry known active recalls or discontinuation notices at the time of publication.
Price Reality
- Typical retail range: $38–$44 per box of 20 rounds; case pricing (10 boxes / 200 rounds) ranges from approximately $370–$420 where available
- Per-round cost: ~$2.00–$2.20/round at typical retail
- The Hornady Match 140gr ELD-M typically runs $1.75–$1.90/round — a meaningful savings for high-volume practice while remaining in the match-grade tier
- The Lapua Scenar-L runs $2.75–$3.25/round, reflecting premium brass and tighter lot-to-lot consistency preferred by serious competitors
- Fair price benchmark: $38–$43/box is a reasonable market range for this load. Prices above $46/box should prompt comparison shopping. Prices below $36/box may indicate older stock or a promotional event worth verifying before purchase.
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Federal Gold Medal 6.5 Creedmoor 140 Grain Open Tip Match (Box)
Affiliate links. These do not influence ratings, data, or any editorial content on this page.
FAQ
Is the Open Tip Match bullet in this load the same as a hollow point?
The Open Tip Match designation is frequently confused with hollow-point expanding bullets, but the two are functionally different. The small opening at the nose of an OTM bullet is a byproduct of the jacket-drawing manufacturing process, not a feature engineered for expansion. The core is inserted from the base, and the tip aperture is too small and inconsistent to initiate reliable expansion on soft tissue. This load is designed for match accuracy, not terminal performance, and should not be substituted for a hunting or defensive hollow-point load.
How does Federal Gold Medal OTM compare to the Hornady Match ELD-M in practical competition use?
Both loads are well-regarded in the precision rifle competition community, but they use different projectile designs. The Hornady ELD-M uses a polymer tip that resists aerodynamic heating and claims a higher published BC (0.646 G1 vs. 0.580 G1), which can provide a marginal advantage in long-range wind drift. The Federal OTM uses the Sierra MatchKing — a traditional lead-core boat-tail without a tip insert. In practical competition at 600 yards and under, the difference is small enough that rifle fit, trigger control, and environmental reading will dominate group size far more than the bullet design choice. At 800 yards and beyond, the BC advantage of the ELD-M becomes more measurable.
Can this load be used for deer hunting in states where OTM bullets are legal?
Technically, the Open Tip Match bullet is not prohibited in most jurisdictions that restrict hollow-point projectiles, because it does not meet the legal definition of a hollow point in most state regulations. However, the OTM is not designed for controlled expansion, and terminal performance on deer-sized game is unpredictable — ranging from pass-through with minimal energy transfer to fragmentation depending on impact velocity and tissue density. Federal produces dedicated hunting loads in 6.5 Creedmoor, such as the Terminal Ascent and Fusion lines, which are far more appropriate choices for ethical big-game harvest.
What barrel twist rate does this load require?
Federal does not publish a minimum twist rate recommendation for this specific load. The 140 grain Sierra MatchKing in 6.5 Creedmoor is generally stabilized by 1:8 twist barrels, which have become the industry standard for this caliber. A 1:9 twist may also stabilize this bullet depending on barrel length, temperature, and altitude, but optimal stability and accuracy are most consistently achieved with a 1:8 twist. Shooters using non-standard twist rates should verify stability with a Greenhill or Miller stability calculator before committing to this load for competition.
Is this ammunition reloadable, and is the brass worth saving?
Yes, this load uses Federal Match Grade brass cases with Boxer primers, making it fully reloadable with standard reloading equipment. Federal’s Gold Medal brass is generally considered mid-to-upper tier in terms of consistency and case life. Competitive reloaders often save this brass specifically because the case dimensions and primer pocket uniformity tend to be tighter than standard production brass. That said, this page covers factory ammunition only — specific reloading data, charge weights, and handloading recipes are outside the scope of this reference.
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.
| UPC # | Firearm | Barrel (in) | Avg Velocity (fps) | Shots | Temp (°F) | Chronograph | Lot | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 604544621006 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | No data yet |
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.
You need to login first.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.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data confidence: Low (0 submissions)
