I'm shooting the 142 grain SMK's at 3,000 fps in my 6.5x284 for paper and long range varminting but I need a hunting bullet for antelope.

What would you recommend for a long range 130-140 grain antelope bullet?

Partition or Interlock

I have used the 120 grain NBT on Antelope for the past several years with great success. They do damage meat, but they definitely kill them dead.

I have had success with both the 125 and 140 grain Nosler Partitions in a 264 Winchester.

I'll probably get crucified for saying this, but your current load would probably work just fine. Antelope aren't hard to kill, so long as you hit them in the right place.

I also like the 130 gr. TSX in 6.5; it works well up close as well as at distance.

If that load is accurate find a bullet with a similar profile maybe a Sierra 140 Spitzer B.T.
As said before Antelope are easy to kill and don't require a "premium" bullet. Vanilla pudding stuff like the Sierra's, Speers, and standard Hornady bullets will turn out impressive results on Antelope as well as Deer.
If it were me and your current Match bullet shoots well I would probably use it, know though that some folks have reported erratic expansion from Match bullets, some say they expand too fast others say they will whistle right through, I'd probably shoot a few Antelope and figure it out for myself.

Looong range bullet in 6.5 that wont blow meat apart....I'd look at the 130 gr Scirocco.

It does not look like a long range bullet but its pretty good.The bc is .377 with the Lapula 155 gr mega tip bullet.I shot two pronghorn at 350 yards with it in my 264 win mag and it flattened both pronghorn.It tore up very little meat.I was very impressed with that bullet so I shot a 275 pound whitetail buck very close up and it still worked very well.I got my best gruops with my rifle with that bullet 3/8" at 100 yards.

Thanks guys, I know lopes aren't hard to kill I was just going to find a high BC hunting bullet and just wanted to see if I was missing anything in 6.5 caliber.

Just as a matter of principle I won't use match bullets for game even though the SMK's shot a 2.5" group at 500 meters a couple of weeks ago.

I'm taking two first time antelope hunters hunting this fall and I'll only shoot last, or if one's too far out for them to take.

You may want to try the Hornady 129gr or 140grSST. High BC & should do the job. The 140gr SGK would also work well, but has a lower BC.

I'd try the 120 gr. Nosler BT

You might want to give the Berger 140gr VLD a try. They have updated there website and all there VLD bullets are listed as a Hunting bullet now. Here is their site.
http://www.bergerbullets.com/

quote:

Originally posted by boilerroom:
Looong range bullet in 6.5 that wont blow meat apart....I'd look at the 130 gr Scirocco.

That is the exact thought that came to my mind after reading the original post. For a tough plastic tipped bullet, the Scirocco is very hard to beat. I think it is an excellent choice for antlelope.

140 grain Hdy A-Max.

I'd second the Bergers 140gr VLD. For deer and 'lope at distance you don't need bonded, X's, or any of the stout bullets really. If you expect shot's up close then that's somthing different to consider. Most antelope are taken far enough away that the "soft" bullets work very well. Nate

I use the 120 BT in the 6.5-06AI and the 125 Partition in the 264WM because that is what shoots best in the individual rifles. Either would work very well for your application.

Fjold:

No one mentioned these bullet weights.. I use them a lot for blacktail, which you know are antelope sized....

I get 3350 out of a 22 inch barrel 260...

And 3450 out of a 26 inch 6.5 x 55....

a 6.5 x 284 ought to do even better...

The 100 grain partition, the 100 grain Sierra HP or the 100 grain Hornady SP...

300 yds in the 260 on blacktails has been a chip shot with a good rest...

I zero the load 3.5 inches high at 100 yds, and the recoil in the 260 is low enough I have watched the deer instantly drop thru the scope...recoil was light enough I didn't loose sight picture.....

Cheers
seafire