HSM Tipping Point 6.5 Creedmoor 140 gr

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HSM Tipping Point ammunition box with 20 cartridges, featuring Sierra bullets, designed for precision shooting.
Primary UseDeer hunting · Elk hunting · Big game
Bullet TypeSST — Hornady Super Shock Tip, polymer-tipped boat-tail
Bullet Weight140 gr
CaseBrass (reloadable)
PrimerBoxer
Packaging20 rounds per box · 25 boxes per case (500 rounds)
Typical Price~$42–45 / box (~$2.10–2.25 per round)
Closest CompetitorsFiocchi Hyperformance 6.5 CM 129 gr SST · Hornady American Whitetail 6.5 CM 129 gr ISP · Federal Power-Shok 6.5 CM 140 gr SP

Official Specs

SpecValueSource
Muzzle VelocityNot published
Muzzle EnergyNot published
Bullet Weight140 grHSM
Bullet TypeHornady SST — Super Shock Tip, polymer tip, boat-tailHornady / HSM
BC (G1)~0.500Hornady SST 140 gr estimated
Manufacturer SKU65CREEDMOOR8NHSM
UPC810742028770
ReloadableYesBrass

Velocity note: HSM does not publish muzzle velocity or energy for this load — the listing contains only bullet weight, bullet type (Super Shock Tip = Hornady SST), and case material. This is the third HSM 6.5 CM load in this series with no published velocity. The ballistics table uses ~2,700 fps as a conservative estimate for 140 gr SST in 6.5 CM from a 24″ barrel. Community submissions will establish actual velocity.

Bullet note: “Super Shock Tip” is Hornady’s trademarked name for the SST bullet. This load uses the Hornady SST at 140 gr — a heavier weight than the common 129 gr SST loads from Fiocchi and Ammo Inc. The 140 gr SST is less common in factory loads than the 129 gr variant.


Ballistics Table

⚠️ Estimated — muzzle velocity not published by HSM.

Zero: 100 yards. Sight height: 1.5″ above bore. Assumed MV: ~2,700 fps. BC (G1): ~0.500 (Hornady SST 140 gr, estimated).

Yards~Velocity (fps)~Energy (ft-lbs)~Trajectory (in)
0~2,700~2,266+1.5
100~2,554~2,0280.0 ← zero
200~2,416~1,814-7.1
300~2,285~1,623-20.8
400~2,162~1,452-42.2
500~2,045~1,300-72.5

Key takeaway: the Hornady SST’s BC of ~0.500 at 140 gr is competitive for a polymer-tipped hunting bullet — higher than standard soft points (~0.480) and the 130 gr GameKing HPBT (0.410). At 300 yards an estimated 1,623 ft-lbs retained with 20.8 inches of drop covers all practical deer and elk hunting distances. These figures require community velocity confirmation — the ballistics table is entirely estimated until first submissions arrive.


129 gr vs 140 gr Hornady SST — The Weight Difference

Hornady SST appears in 6.5 CM factory loads at two weights. Understanding the difference:

129 gr SST (Fiocchi, Ammo Inc)140 gr SST (this load)
Weight129 gr140 gr
BC (G1)~0.527~0.500
Typical factory MV2,820 fps~2,700 fps
Energy at 300 yd~1,593 ft-lbs~1,623 ft-lbs
Drop at 300 yd~19.6″~20.8″ (estimated)
Sectional density~0.264~0.287

The 140 gr is heavier with higher sectional density — better penetration through bone. The 129 gr has a higher BC and faster velocity — flatter trajectory. For deer inside 300 yards both are adequate. For elk where penetration matters more, the 140 gr’s higher sectional density is a slight advantage. For open-country shooting where BC matters, the 129 gr’s 0.527 BC outperforms the 140 gr’s estimated 0.500.


About the Tipping Point Line

HSM Tipping Point is HSM’s mid-tier hunting line using polymer-tipped component bullets — positioned between their value Game King line (Sierra GameKing SBT) and their premium Trophy Gold line (Berger bullets). The “Tipping Point” name references the polymer tip’s role in initiating expansion.

Like other HSM loads, the Tipping Point uses third-party component bullets (Hornady SST in this case) loaded in HSM’s own brass. The line targets the mainstream deer hunting market where polymer-tipped performance is wanted at a competitive price.


Best Uses

Good fit:

  • Whitetail and mule deer at 100–300 yards where the Hornady SST’s reliable expansion delivers clean kills
  • Elk inside 275 yards where the 140 gr’s higher sectional density (0.287 vs 0.264 for 129 gr) aids penetration on broadside shots
  • Hunters who want 140 gr SST performance in a factory load — this is one of the few factory options for this specific weight/bullet combination
  • 25-box case buyers who want a large quantity at competitive pricing

Not the right tool for:

  • Long-range hunting beyond 350 yards where the 129 gr SST loads’ higher BC (0.527 vs ~0.500) becomes meaningful — and velocity is unknown for this load
  • Any application requiring confirmed ballistic specifications before purchasing
  • Lead-free requirements — lead-core SST
  • Self-defense — not designed or rated for it

Reliability Notes

No structured submissions yet.

General notes:

  • The Hornady SST 140 gr is the same component bullet Hornady loads in their own lines — terminal performance is well-documented in that context
  • HSM’s documentation for this load is the most limited in the series — no velocity, no energy, no BC published; buyers are relying entirely on knowledge of the Hornady SST bullet’s properties with an assumed velocity
  • The 25-box case format continues HSM’s non-standard packaging approach
  • At $2.20/round this is competitively priced for an SST-loaded 6.5 CM hunting load — Fiocchi Hyperformance 129 gr SST runs $1.80/round; the 11 gr heavier bullet justifies some premium

Competitors

LoadWeightBulletBC (G1)Adv. VelocityPrice / boxNotes
Fiocchi Hyperformance 6.5 CM 129 gr SST129 grHornady SST~0.5272,820 fps~$35–38Lighter, higher BC, published velocity, $6–8/box less
Hornady Superformance 6.5 CM 129 gr SST129 grHornady SST~0.5272,850 fps~$43–47Same brand, higher BC, faster, comparable price
Ammo Inc Hunt LR 6.5 CM 129 gr SST129 grHornady SST~0.527~2,820 fps~$34–37Cheaper, higher BC, same SST bullet
Federal Power-Shok 6.5 CM 140 gr SP140 grFederal SP~0.4802,750 fps~$28–35Faster, lower BC, no tip, significantly cheaper
Nosler Whitetail Country 6.5 CM 140 gr Solid Base140 grNosler SB~0.4952,650 fps~$35–38Similar BC, Nosler brand, published BC, cheaper

The SST weight question: all three 129 gr SST loads (Fiocchi, Hornady, Ammo Inc) publish velocity and have a higher BC (~0.527) than the 140 gr SST (~0.500). The 140 gr’s higher sectional density is its only meaningful advantage. For most hunters, the 129 gr SST at published specs is the better-documented choice.


Price Reality

  • Typical retail range: $42–45 per box of 20 (~$2.10–2.25/round)
  • vs. Fiocchi Hyperformance SST 129 gr: Fiocchi runs $6–8/box less with a higher-BC SST at published velocity — the most direct unfavorable comparison
  • vs. Nosler Whitetail Country (140 gr, similar BC): Nosler runs $5–8/box less with a published BC and Nosler brand
  • The 140 gr SST niche: this is one of the few factory loads using 140 gr SST in 6.5 CM — for hunters specifically wanting that combination, HSM is effectively the only option
  • Fair price benchmark: under $44/box is reasonable for HSM Tipping Point SST; the premium over 129 gr SST alternatives should be limited to 140 gr sectional density preference

Where to Buy

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

  • MidwayUSA
  • Brownells
  • Palmetto State Armory
  • Natchez Shooters Supplies

FAQ

Why choose 140 gr SST over the more common 129 gr SST in 6.5 Creedmoor?

The 140 gr SST has higher sectional density (0.287 vs 0.264) — it’s a heavier bullet for the same bore diameter, which means deeper penetration relative to its frontal area. For hunting deer this difference is largely academic — both weights penetrate adequately. For elk where shots may encounter heavy shoulder bone, the 140 gr’s higher SD provides a modest penetration advantage. The 129 gr’s higher BC (0.527 vs ~0.500) and typically faster velocity make it the better aerodynamic choice for longer shots. If you’re hunting deer inside 300 yards and value heavier bullet weight for penetration, the 140 gr is a rational choice. For most hunting scenarios, the 129 gr is the better overall performer.

What is HSM’s Tipping Point line?

HSM Tipping Point is Hunting Shack Munitions’ mid-tier hunting line using polymer-tipped component bullets. It sits between their Game King (Sierra GameKing, no tip) and Trophy Gold (Berger premium bullets) lines on price and performance. The name references the polymer tip’s mechanism. Like all HSM factory loads, the Tipping Point uses third-party bullets — here Hornady SST — loaded in HSM’s own brass and powder.

Does HSM publish velocity for any of their 6.5 CM loads?

Among the three HSM loads in this report series — Trophy Gold Berger Hybrid OTM 140 gr, Game King Sierra GameKing SBT 140 gr, and this Tipping Point 140 gr — only the Trophy Gold Berger Hybrid OTM publishes velocity (2,780 fps). The Game King and Tipping Point listings contain no velocity data. This is a consistent documentation gap across HSM’s 6.5 CM hunting line that limits buyers’ ability to make fully informed purchasing decisions.


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 #FirearmBarrel (in)Avg Velocity (fps)ShotsTemp (°F)ChronographLotNotes
810742028770No data yet

Shot this load? Velocity is the top priority — HSM does not publish it. Your chronograph data immediately improves every figure on this page.

All submissions are manually reviewed before appearing on this page.

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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: April 2026 · Data confidence: Low (0 submissions) · Velocity not published — all ballistics figures are estimates.

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