Will be working up a whitetail deer load, in 6.5X55 for a Remington 700. Hunting will be in eastern Canada. Could be woods or open areas, much like the state of Maine. I want to use the 120 grain Ballistic Tip or the 125 grain partition. I understand the difference between the two bullet styles, but how do you choose, on thin skined game? Has Nosler given us too many choices?

Leo -
Have no experience on game with 120 B-TIPS, but, they are sure do shoot well. I can't imagine why they wouldn't work on whitetail, although a lot of guys here aren't crazy about anything Ballistic Tip.

The 125 Partition is a known quantity - they just flat work, and would probably even take out an elk (that should generate an avalanche of responses).

My experience with the 6.5's and whitetails is limited to the 120 and 140 Speer Hot Cores, both of which worked quite well in a 260 Rem, which is just a short action 6.5x55.

R-WEST

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"it is up to God to judge these terrorists; it is up to us to arrange their meeting" Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf

Given the choices you have stated, I would go with the partition. However, at the velocity you will be operating, 25-2800fps, I would think a hornady would be ideal. I will be the first to admit that the partition will give you greater peace of mind even if not performance.

I've used them both in one of my 6.5 x 55's and I would go with the partition. I've just had too many ballistic tips come apart on bone. The partition will get the job done. - Dan

Is the black bear season open at the same time? It is here. That may make up your mind for you.

LEO M
I've played with several .264 cases over the years, factory and wildcats. I do not think the calibre equal to elk and see no need for the 140 grain bullets. I've found the 125 grain Nosler Partition to be the best bullet for everything the .264 is adequate for. I've used the various cartridges on a few deer and lot of antelope. I've taken antelope at 16 feet and more yards then I care to talk about. The bullet has never failed me. Should I ever get another .264 the first bullet I'd pick up would be the 125 grain Nosler Partition. The powder that worked best in my 6.5x55 was Varget.

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BigBob

For conventional angle shots the 100 or 120gr ballistic tips works fine on animals up to big fallow size. I have no knowledge of the partition or indeed on the 120 BT on bigger animals.

Leo

I have used the 125 Partition on fallow size deer and it works well. However, I have used the 120 Speer Hot Core on dozens of fallow (up to 160lbs) and I never had to shoot one twice. Complete penetration in all but three, which were frontal quartering shots.

I have found the BT to be the most accurate bullet I have used but, IMO, it breaks up quick and consequently wrecks too much meat for my liking.

Have you considered a Barnes X? But unless you have 1:8 twist or faster you may find, as I did , that the long heavier Barnes do not stabalise.

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Regards

Richard

Hi Fella's

I use a 6.5x55 quite a lot on Red deer which can be quite big. I have also used it on White tail with 129gr Hornady and 46.2g win 760. Very accurate and puts 'em down on the spot.

Steve H

I have also shot about 20 elk in the last 12 months usng 160gr projectiles works good for me

I have found the 140gr. partition to group very well in my rifle, a 6.5 swede. The bonus with the partition on the deer I've killed has been very low meat damage. And of course, sure kills. RL-22 was the powder I have shot the best groups with, although the velocity was lower than I had hoped. Nevetheless, moderate velocity and a premium bullet seems to do the trick every time.

BigBob, I am interested in the Varget load data? Care to share beginning load?
Mike.

[This message has been edited by Mike in SC (edited 02-07-2002).]

I am using the Remington 700 Classic, does anybody know the twist of this gun?

Leo: Neither your nor the deer will know the difference between the BT and the Partition. Shoot the one which gives the best accuracy in your gun.

I used 125 grain partitions in my 264 mag. I just got the gun last summer so I only got to hunt one season with it. but the deer I did shoot with it was at 350 yards so the impact velocity was probably pretty close to the typical impact velocity of a 6.5 swede at say 100 yards. anyway the end result was one very dead deer. dropped right where it stood. unless cost is a big issue just use the partitions. you may hunt a lifetime and never lose a deer because of bullet failure. but then again you could shoot at the biggest buck ever, and then lose it because of a bullet failure. if I were you I would use the partitions.

Rock 42,
What if when you hit that "Buck of a lifetime", the partition fails to expand - and you lose the deer???
No manufacturing process is flawless.

I still have yet to see the deer that requires a premium bullet.

[This message has been edited by Johnny Ringo (edited 02-10-2002).]

Unless Swift is makeing the .264 scirroco I'd go with the Partition. You might see a Buck of a lifetime and you may not have the perfect "broadside".

I dont know, I mean why risk it ?...............good shooting..........10

I'd skip over both the ballistic Tip (too risky) and the partition (too expensive)
and go with the 140 Rem Core-lock or the 140 Gr Hornady interlock.

Leo --
Restricted to the two choices you state, I would strongly recommend the Partition. The BT's in this caliber are relatively fragile and cannot be trusted at shorter ranges if they strike larger bones. Sometimes they expand a little TOO fast. The partition is a more reliable killer. But honestly, I would look hard at Hornady's 129 gr. InterLock. And I would not discount the beauty of the higher S.D. in the heavier bullets. The advantages of wind bucking ability and penetration can sometimes make or break the shot. Finally, I'd pick the one that shoots best among the 129 and 140 grain Interlock, 140 gr Cor-lock, 140 gr Hot core and the 125 gr Partition and 140 gr Partition.
good luck --
-- Doc

Thanks for all the advice. I have re-thought this through and will try the 140 grain partition.

Deer are thin skinned and easy to take with the 125 grain bullet. In light cover and open country the 125 grain bullet should perform very well on deer. In heavy cover, even a 12 gauge slug will deflect when it strikes brush. The Nosler Partition bullet does work, but shoots very poorly in some rifles. That is due to the two compartment design of the Nosler Partition bullet. It has to due with how the weight of the bullet is moved forward. Bullet placement will be the key to taking your deer. Thick skinned game require stronger jacketed bullets.