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Hey guys, I'd like all you experienced 6 mm users to name your favorite 6 mm bullets. Thought of this after reading Bobby Tomek's recs on 6 mm 80 gr bullets. I'm still working up loads for my 6X50R Bellm. From initial load development, here are the approximate muzzle velocities I'll be working with: 55 gr=3050-3150 fps; 75 gr=2800-2950 fps; 80 gr=2650-2750 fps. These are the categories for your submission(s): small varmints (e.g. prairie dogs, ground squirrels, etc) large varmints (e.g. coyotes) deer/antelope (I'm talking about small whitetail deer inside 250 yards, not large mule deer or midwestern wt at really long range) I don't think my velocities will be sufficient to make bullets heavier than 80 gr practical. Gary T. [ 07-05-2002, 08:18: Message edited by: Gary T ] | ||
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Gary- Here are my thoughts on the subject: For the smaller critters, it's really hard to beat the performance of the Hornady 70 grain SX. This no-frills bullet really shines at handgun velocites and is devastating on smaller varmints. The Sierra BlitzKing in the same weight also shows tremendous potential, but I haven't worked with it enough to feel comfortable reporting on its performance. But I will say that it opens extremely quickly... When it comes to smaller deer or exotics, the 80 grain Sierra Single Shot Pistol bullet is my favored projectile. It is amazingly accurate and features a perfect blend of penetration and expansion out to reasonable handgun hunting ranges. In fact, I often use the same load year-round, and that 80 grainer will do the trick on the smaller varmint species as well -- perhaps not as spectacularly as the 70 grain SX, but efficiently, nonetheless. For the 6mm-.223s (6x45s), I have pretty much used H335 exclusively over the eyars. But today, in my 15" 6x45 VVCG barrel, I decided to work with BenchMark -- and was it an eye-opener! I had no data for this cartridge/powder combo, so I started low & worked up a half-grain at a time. I finally settled on a keeper: 26 grains BenchMark, Rem 7 1/2" primers and the 80 grain Sierra SSP, a load that develops an average of 2703 fps at 15' from the muzzle. I didn't measure the 100 yard groups, but I did fire 2 5-shot groups at 200 yards. They measured 1.03" and 1.21". ANd considering that the wind wasn't exactly consistent, I am extremely pleased with the load's performance. In fact, this is the first load in the VVCG barrel with 80 grain bullets to safely reach the 2700 fps mark. My XP, which I am in the process of trading, does 2740 fps with the 80 grain Sierra SSP, and it has been a proven performer at that velocity level. As to the other 80 grain bullets: The 80 grain Sierra Blitz performs very similarly to the SSP as long as MVs don't exceed 2750 fps or so. Beyond that, it's a core-shedder. The Hornady 80 grain SSP, while very accurate, has never given the velocity of the Sierra and has been somewhat inconsistent in the expansion department. The 80 grain Speer is a little tougher than the Sierra 80 grain SSP, but it gives classic mushrooms every time, whether it be in test medium or in game. I have little use for weights over 80 grains and under 70 grains -- which reminds me, I have some 60 grain Sierra Varminters and 90 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips that I need to put on the classifieds. [ 07-05-2002, 09:20: Message edited by: Bobby Tomek ] | |||
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Gary, I have not found a bullet yrt that my 6 TCU does not like, all though some better than others (55-100 grains). As an over all so far the Sierra 70 grain MK is my favorite. I can't give you any thing on the deer aspect of any loads, but have some Sieera 80 grain SSP's waiting for the chance. All of my shooting with the ^ TCU has been IHMSA 1/2 size, and in all actuallity they are 1/5 size. Chickens at 50 meters are about blackbird sized, rams at 200 meters are about p-dog sized. I have not chronoed any of the 55 grainers, but this is what I use for shoot offs. They are shooting so much flatter that I have to take two clicks out of my 7x Burris. I am suppriesed that they shoot this well in a factory TC barrel, long throat and all. Here is what little data I have at the moment 80 grain Speer flat base LC brass Rem BR primer AA 2015 BR 24.0 grains 2600 fps 100 grain Sieera FB LC brass Rem BR primer AA2015 BR 21.5 grains 2350 fps I am in the process of switching to WW brass. The LC brass is looking like it is doing some what better. Hope this helps. Jeff | |||
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Hey guys, When I posted this same topic at the "Reloading Forum", the number one response for deer bullet was the Sierra 85 gr BTHP. I realize this isn't a "handgun" bullet, but has anyone had any experiences w/ this bullet they'd like to share? Looks like the 70 gr Sierra Blitz has been discontinued. Couldn't find any in various wholesale catalogs so checked out the Sierra website; unfortunately, it's not on the website either. Gary T. | |||
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Gary- The 85 grain BTHP USED to be a good handgun hunting bullet, and Bob Milek used it quite a bit for mulies, pronghorn & even varmints. But it has been toughened up over the years, and now it's a bit too stout for proper performance at handgun velocity levels cartridges such as the 6mm-.223, 6 TCU, 6BR and others are capable of generating. In rifles, this bullet holds together quite well when fired at top velocities from the .243 and such and does a good job on deer-sized game. One of my best bucks was taken with this bullet. I was using a .243, and the bullet entered just behind the shoulder, devastated the lungs and exited, dropping the buck on the spot. The range was app. 175 yards. | |||
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