Norma is known for their high quality brass and ammunition, I’ve used Norma brass for precision reloading in calibers like .30-06 with great results. Recently, I saw that Norma had announced a new addition to their Professional Hunter lineup of ammunition: in 6.5 Creedmoor! I thought I should try some out with the Ruger Precision Rifle, and that’s what I’ll cover in this post.

As you saw in the video, this ammunition behaves more like match ammunition than it does hunting ammunition- I really wish it was deer season! Here’s the chronograph results:

With an SD of 13.7 FPS, this ammunition is very consistent in terms of velocity. It’s not surprising that the first four shots went into a .5″ group. This new ammunition is built around the Swift Scirocco II 6.5mm Bullet, and here’s more info about this precision-oriented hunting projectile:

Technical Information

• Caliber: 264, 6.5mm
• Bullet Diameter: 0.264
• Bullet Weight: 130 Grains
• Bullet Length: 1.350″
• Bullet Style: Polymer Tip Spitzer Boat Tail
• Bullet Coating: Non-Coated

Ballistics Information:

• Sectional Density: .266
• Ballistic Coefficient:.571

This is certainly a great choice of ammunition if you are hunting medium game with a rifle chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. I do hope to show more 6.5 Creedmoor rifles here on Ultimate Reloader chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor- stay tuned!

My only regret for this range day is that I was so rushed. I literally spent hours clearing show at the 100 yard Ultimate Reloader rifle range before I could fire a single shot! That left very little time to film this story, but even in that short time (before dark) I was thrilled to sit down and get great results right off the bat. You may know the feeling: where did that shot go? (oh, it’s a same-hole shot!).

Here’s a picture of clearing the shooting line area with my trusty Case 580 4×4 Extendahoe backhoe:

And the “brutal” process of crunching through 1″ of solid ice on top of 24″ of “semi-fresh” snow underneath to get up to the 100 yard target backstop. What would take two minutes in the summer took me almost 1/2 hour! I had to dig in the snow just to find the target board- a true winter adventure!

But the effort was well worth it- it’s always good to feel the sharp recoil of the Ruger Precision Rifle against my shoulder, and to smell the burnt gunpowder in the air. Can’t wait to sit down again with this ammunition to see if I can get that 3/8″ 5-shot group I know this ammo is capable of! If you are looking for this new 6.5 Creedmoor Professional Hunter ammunition, Midsouth Shooters Supply has it!

Have you been shooting Norma Professional Hunter ammunition? If so, please share your experiences!

Thanks,
Gavin