Ammo Reports Team
Federal Premium 6.5 Creedmoor 130 Grain Swift Scirocco II (Box)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary Use | Hunting medium game; long-range field shooting |
| Bullet Type | Swift Scirocco II — bonded polymer-tip spitzer boattail |
| Bullet Weight | 130 grain |
| Case Material | Brass |
| Primer Type | Boxer |
| Packaging | 20 rounds per box |
| Typical Price | $54.99/box · $2.75/round |
| Closest Competitors | Hornady Precision Hunter 6.5 CM 143 gr ELD-X · Federal Premium 6.5 CM 130 gr Berger Hybrid · Nosler Trophy Grade 6.5 CM 130 gr AccuBond |
Official Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | — | Not published by manufacturer |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | — | Not published by manufacturer |
| Bullet Weight | 130 gr | Federal Premium product listing |
| Bullet Type | Swift Scirocco II bonded polymer-tip BT | Federal Premium product listing |
| BC G1 | — | Not published by manufacturer |
| BC G7 | — | Not published by manufacturer |
| Manufacturer SKU | — | Not published in available data |
| UPC | — | Not published in available data |
| Reloadable | Yes | Brass case, Boxer primer |
Note: Federal Premium does not publish muzzle velocity, muzzle energy, or ballistic coefficient data for this specific load in currently available retail listings. The Swift Scirocco II bullet itself carries a published G1 BC of approximately 0.520 from Swift Bullet Company for the 130 gr 6.5mm projectile, but that figure applies to the component bullet — not this loaded cartridge — and has therefore been omitted from the factory spec table above. Ballistics in the section below are estimated from that component BC combined with a velocity assumption derived from comparable Federal 6.5 Creedmoor loads; all values are labeled accordingly.
Ballistics Table
Calculated estimate. Real-world results vary by barrel length, temperature,altitude, and lot. Community submissions will provide measured muzzlevelocity for comparison.
Assumptions: muzzle velocity ~2,875 fps (estimated from comparable Federal Premium 6.5 Creedmoor 130 gr loads); G1 BC 0.520 (Swift component spec); sight height 1.5″ above bore; 100-yard zero; sea level; 59°F; no wind.
| Yards | ~Velocity (fps) | ~Energy (ft-lbs) | ~Trajectory (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ~2,875 | ~2,385 | −1.5 |
| 100 | ~2,676 | ~2,067 | 0.0 ← zero |
| 200 | ~2,485 | ~1,783 | +3.6 (approx.) |
| 300 | ~2,301 | ~1,528 | 0.0 (approx.) |
| 400 | ~2,124 | ~1,301 | −12.7 (approx.) |
| 500 | ~1,955 | ~1,103 | −35.5 (approx.) |
Note on trajectory: The +3.6″ figure at 200 yards reflects a standard 100-yard zero hold. Hunters who prefer a 200-yard zero will see a slightly flatter mid-range arc; the table above uses the standard non-magnum 100-yard zero per this site’s methodology. All values preceded by ~ are calculated estimates, not manufacturer-published data.
Key takeaway: Even under conservative velocity assumptions, the 130 gr Scirocco II retains over 1,100 ft-lbs of energy at 500 yards — well above the commonly cited 1,000 ft-lb threshold for ethical deer-sized game. The bullet’s high sectional density and bonded construction mean terminal performance holds up at extended ranges where velocity has dropped. For hunters shooting inside 400 yards, holdover remains manageable; beyond that, a confirmed muzzle velocity from your specific rifle becomes increasingly important for precise elevation corrections.
The Swift Scirocco II Bullet
The Swift Scirocco II is not simply a polymer-tipped bullet — it is a bonded-core design with a proprietary construction process that distinguishes it from standard cup-and-core projectiles. Swift chemically bonds the lead core to the copper jacket, which dramatically reduces core-jacket separation on impact. The result is predictable mushroom expansion across a wide velocity range, from close-range shots where velocity is high to longer-range impacts where retained velocity is lower.
The polymer tip serves two functions: it initiates reliable expansion at moderate impact velocities, and it improves the bullet’s aerodynamic profile, contributing to the relatively high ballistic coefficient for a 130 gr 6.5mm projectile. The boattail base further reduces base drag at long range.
Federal Premium’s decision to pair the Scirocco II with the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge reflects the combination’s particular suitability for hunters who may take shots across a wide range of distances in open terrain. The Scirocco II’s bonding process was specifically engineered to handle the velocity swings that come with that kind of hunting, making it a notably versatile choice compared to non-bonded alternatives in this caliber.
Best Uses
Good fit:
- Whitetail deer, mule deer, pronghorn, and similarly sized medium game at ranges from 50 to 400+ yards
- Open-country hunting where shot distances are unpredictable and a single load must perform across a wide velocity window
- Hunters who want a bonded bullet for improved weight retention without moving to a heavier projectile
- Shooters running 22–24″ barrels where the 6.5 Creedmoor delivers near-peak velocity for this bullet weight
- Hunters in states where lead-free is not required but want controlled expansion and reduced fragmentation
Not the right tool for:
- Elk, moose, or large bear — the 130 gr weight and 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge are generally considered marginal for animals in the 600+ lb class at extended range
- Varmint or predator shooting where rapid fragmentation is preferred over controlled expansion
- Competitive long-range target shooting, where a match-grade open-tip bullet with a published, verified BC is a better fit
- Budget-conscious shooters — at $2.75/round this is a premium hunting load, not a practice round
- Jurisdictions with non-toxic ammunition requirements (California, certain national parks), as this is a lead-core projectile
Reliability Notes
No structured submissions yet.
Based on manufacturer claims and open-source product information: Federal Premium describes the Scirocco II’s bonded core as providing consistent weight retention on impact, which aligns with Swift’s published data for this bullet design across multiple calibers. The polymer tip is cited as improving feeding reliability in addition to its aerodynamic function — a practical benefit in bolt-action hunting rifles where tip deformation in the magazine can affect BC consistency over a string of shots. Federal’s brass cases are generally regarded in open-source commentary as uniform in dimension and well-suited to reloading, though reloading data is outside the scope of this page. No recall notices or safety advisories for this specific load were identified at time of publication. All notes above reflect manufacturer claims or open-source information, not structured performance submissions.
Competitors
| Load | Weight | Bullet | BC G1 | Adv. Velocity | Price/box | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady Precision Hunter 6.5 CM 143 gr ELD-X | 143 gr | ELD-X polymer-tip bonded | 0.625 | 2,700 fps | ~$42–$48 | Higher BC; heavier bullet; budget-friendlier; most popular 6.5 CM hunting load |
| Nosler Trophy Grade 6.5 CM 130 gr AccuBond | 130 gr | AccuBond bonded PT BT | 0.488 | 2,875 fps | ~$52–$58 | Same weight class; bonded construction; slightly lower BC; premium alternative |
| Federal Premium 6.5 CM 130 gr Berger Hybrid | 130 gr | Berger Hybrid OTM | 0.287 (G7) | 2,875 fps | ~$50–$58 | Same Federal line; target/hunting hybrid; open-tip design; not a bonded bullet |
| Browning Long Range Pro Hunter 6.5 CM 127 gr | 127 gr | Sierra MatchKing BTHP | 0.530 | 2,750 fps | ~$35–$42 | Budget alternative; non-bonded; target bullet in hunting role |
| Sig Sauer Elite Hunter Tipped 6.5 CM 130 gr | 130 gr | Tipped HP BT | 0.530 | 2,850 fps | ~$38–$45 | Competitive price; non-bonded; moderate availability |
| Barnes Precision Match 6.5 CM 140 gr OTM | 140 gr | Barnes OTM BT | 0.287 (G7) | 2,600 fps | ~$45–$52 | Lead-free option; open-tip match; not a hunting-oriented bonded design |
The Hornady Precision Hunter 143 gr ELD-X is the most direct market competitor and offers a meaningfully higher BC at a lower price point — the primary trade-off being a heavier bullet with a slightly lower muzzle velocity. The Nosler AccuBond at the same 130 gr weight is the closest construction analog at a similar price.
Price Reality
- Typical retail price for this load runs $50–$58 per 20-round box, with $54.99 representing a mid-range retail price
- Per-round cost: approximately $2.50–$2.90, depending on retailer and promotional pricing
- The Hornady Precision Hunter 143 gr ELD-X — the category’s volume leader — typically retails for $42–$48/box, making it roughly $0.35–$0.50 less per round
- The Nosler Trophy Grade 130 gr AccuBond runs in a similar $52–$58 range, putting it at near price parity with this Federal load
- At $54.99, this load is appropriately priced for a bonded premium hunting round in a popular caliber — it is not a budget option and is not marketed as one
- Prices above $62/box for a 20-round box of this load should be considered overpriced relative to current market norms; case pricing (typically 10 boxes) occasionally reduces per-round cost by 5–10% when available
Prices change. Check the Where to Buy block for current listings.
Where to Buy
Federal Premium 6.5 Creedmoor 130 Grain Swift Scirocco II (Box)
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FAQ
Does the Swift Scirocco II bullet actually retain more weight than a standard cup-and-core bullet?
The bonded-core construction of the Scirocco II is specifically engineered to resist core-jacket separation on impact, which is the primary mechanism behind weight loss in conventional cup-and-core designs. Swift’s published component data for this bullet reports weight retention above 95% across a range of impact velocities in controlled testing. In practical hunting terms, this means the bullet is more likely to stay together on angled shots or when encountering heavy bone before reaching vital tissue. Non-bonded bullets at comparable velocities can shed 30–50% of their weight under those conditions. This retention characteristic is a core reason hunters select this load for situations where shot angle cannot be controlled.
How does this load compare to the Hornady Precision Hunter 143 gr ELD-X for whitetail deer hunting?
Both are legitimate premium hunting loads for whitetail, but they reflect different design priorities. The ELD-X at 143 gr carries a significantly higher G1 BC (0.625 vs. approximately 0.520 for the Scirocco II), which translates to less wind drift and drop at extended range. The Scirocco II at 130 gr offers a slightly flatter trajectory at moderate distances due to its higher muzzle velocity from a lighter bullet. The ELD-X uses Hornady’s InterLock-style mechanically bonded design, while the Scirocco II uses a chemical bonding process — both are credible for controlled expansion. Price and BC favor the ELD-X for most hunters; the Scirocco II appeals to those with a specific preference for the Swift bullet’s terminal behavior or Federal’s brass quality.
Is this load suitable for hunting at distances beyond 400 yards?
The 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge and the Scirocco II bullet are technically capable of ethical terminal performance beyond 400 yards, provided the shooter has confirmed their rifle’s actual muzzle velocity, a verified zero, and the ability to calculate or measure environmental corrections at that distance. The bullet retains adequate energy for deer-class game well past 500 yards under favorable conditions. However, the practical limiting factor is shooter capability and field conditions — wind drift at 400+ yards on a hunting shot is substantial and difficult to assess in the field. This load is not a poor choice for longer shots; it simply requires the same disciplined preparation any extended-range hunting shot demands, regardless of cartridge.
Can this ammunition be used in a 6.5 Creedmoor rifle with a 1:8 twist barrel?
A 1:8 twist barrel is well-suited to stabilize 130 gr 6.5mm projectiles. The Scirocco II at 130 gr has a moderate length-to-diameter ratio that stabilizes reliably in both the common 1:8 and 1:9 twist rates found in factory 6.5 Creedmoor rifles. Stability issues with this bullet weight and twist combination would be unusual. If your rifle was manufactured for the 6.5 Creedmoor cartridge by a reputable manufacturer, twist rate is unlikely to be a limiting factor with this load.
Why doesn’t Federal publish muzzle velocity for this load in standard retail listings?
This is a known gap in Federal Premium’s product data for certain Swift Scirocco II offerings. Federal publishes full ballistic tables for many of its loads but does not consistently do so across all SKUs in every caliber. The absence of published velocity data does not indicate a performance deficiency — it reflects an inconsistency in how manufacturers populate retail product pages versus technical data sheets. Shooters who require confirmed velocity data for ballistic solver inputs should chronograph this load from their specific barrel length, as published figures would represent a 24″ test barrel result that may not match a 20″ or 22″ hunting rifle. This site will update the spec table if Federal publishes official data.
