I don't get many recoveries of Ballistic Tips when launched at moderate velocities as they tend to penetrate completely on most broadside presentations.

I stubled upon this photo of a couple that I did recover, however.

The doe was a 110-115 pound animal. The hog went at least 255-260. Internal damage was impressive in each instance. It actually appeared the BT exited the hog as there was a nice gaping wound which left a generous blood trail. I am guessing the exit was from secondary bone fragments as the bullet was located in a layer of fat between the muscle and hide.

Anyway, here's the photo:

As one can always expect with your posts, those are GREAT pictures.

I am interested in performance at the opposite end of the muzzle velocity extreme. Something like 1900-2200 fps out of the 6.5 TCU.

Everything I have read from every author says this is the go to bullet for the TCU.

I also have a healthy supply of the 100 grain BT and wonder if the trade off in weight will be worth it for the gain in velocity.

Around here a long shot will be 100 yards and of course the deer are typically fairly light.

Louis-

Thanks for the kind words.

The tradeoff in velocity is not worth the switch to the lighter 100 grain BT in your 6.5 TCU.

The 120 grainer will do everything you ask of it -- and with more authority as well.

In addition to its excellent terminal performance, this bullet has proven to be a literal tack-driver in just about anything I load it in.

Bobby,

Well stated. I shoot the 120 gr BT in my 6.5 JDJ and it is a real tack driver. One holers at 100yds. Can't get any better than that from a contender with a 14" bbl....and zero recoil to boot.

Woody

Woody-

The 6.5 JDJ is one of my favorite calibers, and even though I've sold or traded away a couple fo them over the years, I always come back. My current is an older SSK barrel that gives me a fraction over 2400 fps with Re-15 and the Nosler 120 grain BT along with accuracy that is stellar.

I always say that if there's a deer I can't kill inside of 250 yards with the 6.5mm JDJ, then I won't be able to kill it with anything bigger, either.

...... Do you know if the Sierra match kings are reliable on game , wether expanding or not ??? Great pic .. .. I,m more interested in the higher velocity of the 6.5x55 . as I,m having a 260 rem built on a CZ action ....

Mine will be for fur , wolves coyote ,fox and lynx . so I don,t really want it to expand too much on the light animals ....

This has been hashed back and forth many times, but my experience mirrors what Sierra techs vehemently tell you : NOT to use the MatchKings on game.

THey are designed to punch paper and nothing more. They may come apart on hard impact or pinch shut and not expand at all. With so many good HUNTING bullets out there, I can't understand why anyone would choose to use a MatchKing on game other than small varmints.

In fact, if you'll research an old thread from a few eyars back, the discussion got heated, and someone (Jon A) even said he'd put up $100 for anyone who could show him a recovered MK that was not expanded.

It was the easiest $100 I ever made...

As to your intentions, they'd probably do OK but may even tumble and cause a gaping exit. A better bet would be a controlled expansion projectile at moderate velocity. Drive the Sierra 140 grain GameKing to 2500 fps and you'll have a reasonably flat-shooting load, and while you will get exits, the will generally be small and easy to repair.