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6.5mm hunting bullets
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Hi! just wondering what the rest of you are using for 6.5mm. considering building a 6.5-284 for hunting. will be shooting red deer with it.
 
Posts: 735 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 17 August 2006Reply With Quote
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Gidday Paul,

I have used 140gr Rem corelocts and am about to start using 140 gr Partitions to see if they are up to all the hype about them.

I have also used 120 gr corelocts, sierra prohunters, speer hotcores and nosler balistic tips.

They all work well on game up to reds (as big as I have gone) so take your pick though on wallabies and goats the corelocts were a little bit stiff for adequate expansion. The rest work well on smaller game, fallow, whitetail and reds.

I haven't taken chamois or tahr with them yet but don't expect too many problems.

Hope this helps out mate.

Happy Hunting

Hamish
 
Posts: 588 | Location: christchurch NZ | Registered: 11 June 2005Reply With Quote
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Using 125gr Nosler partitions in my 260 Remington.


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Posts: 1652 | Location: Deer Park, Texas | Registered: 08 June 2005Reply With Quote
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140gr Nosler Partitions, the penetration is amazing. I put a load together for my son in 6.5 Swede for hunting in PA. He killed his first buck with one that entered beside the tail on the right side and exited between the shoulder and throat on the left side flipping the deer butt over tincups. When it hit the ground, it was dead, no tracking involved.
 
Posts: 350 | Location: GA by way of PA, OH, KY, TX, VA, and NC | Registered: 10 November 2005Reply With Quote
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A Hornady 6.5 140 Gr SST did a great job out of a handgun for me on a large buck (better than 200 Lbs) a few weeks back. The deer droped right where it was hit. Ping Pong ball sized hole going in, tennis ball size hole going out on a steeply angled high shoulder shot from 75 or so yards. Its hard to find a bad bullet in the 6.5s. Muzzle velocity was 2,500 plus...Rusty.
 
Posts: 280 | Location: Fresno, California | Registered: 27 August 2005Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Paul from nz:
Hi! just wondering what the rest of you are using for 6.5mm. considering building a 6.5-284 for hunting. will be shooting red deer with it.


If your magazine and throat will allow it use the 160 gr. SMP Pro Hunter (Sierra) or the 160gr Hornady round nose. In my 6.5X.284 these and the 156gr. Original Barnes were the only ones that didn't come apart going thru the air. On large mule deer the kills were spectacular.

On one deer the shoulder on the far side was almost blown off. Another one ,when gutted, had all the orgins in the chest cavity come out as one blob of jelley.

The 140s may work fine in your rifle but they would not hold together coming out of mine. Back than premium bullet construction didn't exist as it does today. dancingroger


Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..
 
Posts: 10226 | Location: Temple City CA | Registered: 29 April 2003Reply With Quote
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I would use any 6.5 bullet, at 120 grains and above, that shoots best in your particular rifle. It also depends on the twist rate of the barrel, at least for some. Mine are all 1:9 and I have never had trouble stabilizing any of the bullets.

That being said, I am partial to the 125 Partition and the 129 Hornady. Both do well out of my 6.5-284 as well as my 264WM. My Douglas barrelled Swede likes the 140 grain anythings.

As for the 6.5-284, it is a great round, but if I had it to do again, I would build a plain jane 6.5-06. I also have a 6.5-06AI that I would say the same thing about.

Roger, what twist and velocity were you using to have them come apart, and how long ago was it? Just curious.


Larry

"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading" -- Thomas Jefferson
 
Posts: 3942 | Location: Kansas USA | Registered: 04 February 2002Reply With Quote
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I like the 95 grain VMAX for game weighing less than 125+/- lbs., the 129 grain Hornady SpirePoints for game in the 125 to 250 lbs. range, and the 140 grain Partitions for game in the 250 to 500 lbs. range. There really isn't much difference in velocity potential between the 129 grain and 140 grain, so if I was limited to 1 bullet for the full spectrum of game, it would have to be the 140 grain Partition.

Jeff
 
Posts: 993 | Location: Omaha, NE, USA | Registered: 11 May 2005Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by larrys:
Roger, what twist and velocity were you using to have them come apart, and how long ago was it? Just curious.


It was a cormium steel 6.5 Arasaka rechambered by Ackley in 1966. Found out later from a collecter of Japanese fire arms that
particular rifle and barrel was a real rarity. Do not for sure know what that twist was but it was fast and at one time someone said it was a gain twist. It may or may not have been.

For a long time I thought I might have been the first to build a 6.5x.284 but since found out I most likely was not. beerroger


Old age is a high price to pay for maturity!!! Some never pay and some pay and never reap the reward. Wisdom comes with age! Sometimes age comes alone..
 
Posts: 10226 | Location: Temple City CA | Registered: 29 April 2003Reply With Quote
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I recently had good luck on a couple antelope does and a nice muley buck with 129 grain Hornady SSTs. They are very accurate in my Sako and performed very well on game. I tried them because I'm holding out for 129 grain Interbonds.


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Posts: 3301 | Location: Southern NM USA | Registered: 01 October 2002Reply With Quote
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Although I use about all of them, at least the non premium, because I don't think you need a premium in a 6.5... ( I don't consider the Nosler a premium but many do)...

The best balance is either the 125 partition or the 129 grain Hornady SP....Anything of 100 grains or above have never failed me...

cheers
seafire
cheers
 
Posts: 16144 | Location: Southern Oregon USA | Registered: 04 January 2005Reply With Quote
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not as much choice as 7mm and 308. but good to use something different!
 
Posts: 735 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 17 August 2006Reply With Quote
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140 grain Remington Core Lockts.

 
Posts: 5604 | Location: Eastern plains of Colorado | Registered: 31 October 2005Reply With Quote
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Roger, thanks. Gain twist would explain it.


Larry

"Peace is that brief glorious moment in history, when everybody stands around reloading" -- Thomas Jefferson
 
Posts: 3942 | Location: Kansas USA | Registered: 04 February 2002Reply With Quote
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For the ultimate 6.5mm bullet, I have to bow to the RWS 6.5mm 154 grain H-Mantle. My experience with that bullet has been superb! It groups inside an inch,and destroys whatever it hits!!!

LLS


 
Posts: 996 | Location: Texas | Registered: 14 October 2004Reply With Quote
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How about the 130 grain scirocco? The published b.c. is an amazing .571! I don't have any experience with it (yet).
 
Posts: 9 | Registered: 26 October 2005Reply With Quote
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Pet load for my M70 XTR Fwt 6.5x55:

WW Brass, F210GM, 47.5 H4350, 130 TSX, OAL 3.10 (Lands - .05).

~ 2900 FPS, Last 3 Shot Groups = .72 and .57.

Can't think of much (Mean Bears aside) in N.A. from Pronghorn on up that I'd be ashamed of taking after with that rig.
 
Posts: 58 | Location: Bemidji, MN | Registered: 20 January 2006Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by Paul from nz:
Hi! just wondering what the rest of you are using for 6.5mm. considering building a 6.5-284 for hunting. will be shooting red deer with it.


I'm currently shooting Northfork's 120 grain hollow point.


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Posts: 28849 | Location: western Nebraska | Registered: 27 May 2003Reply With Quote
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remington core-lockts? oh?

I always liked the look of the high BC bullets. probably shooting around 140grainers. but the things like berger VLDs aint much of a close range bullet.
 
Posts: 735 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 17 August 2006Reply With Quote
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For light game (antelope) I use the 100 grain Ballistic Tip. Out to 500 yards it's explosive but I'd be cautious about using it at less than 200 yards out of a 6.5x284.
100 yard group.

For red deer, I'd recommend the 140 grain Hornady SST. It shoots almost as well in my gun and from what I've seen performs well in deer+ sized game.


Frank



"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money."
- Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953

NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite

 
Posts: 12711 | Location: Kentucky, USA | Registered: 30 December 2002Reply With Quote
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140 NP or 129 gr Hornady InterLock, I prefer the 140 NP but both have worked great in 264 and 6.5-06. The 130 gr TSX and 120 Swift A-Frame look interesting, but the Nolser is not broke so I am a bit reluctant to change.

Saludos...Frank
 
Posts: 145 | Location: Katy, Tx | Registered: 06 February 2002Reply With Quote
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Paul,
For Sika the 129 grain Hornady is great. at a velocity of 2850 fps it's a very good killer
For Reds in a 6.5-284 the Remington 140 grainers should also be good. I've used the Hornady and Remington in 260 Rem and 6.5x55 to good effect. Your likely to find that the 129 grain bullet in a 6.5-284 will perform much like a 270 Win.

Happy Hunting wave
 
Posts: 1374 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 10 February 2005Reply With Quote
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ok! thanks for all the info.

hopefully ill have it built by new year. going to have a bit of a talk to the guy who is going to make it and his thoughts.
am going to sell my current rifle - 300WSM kimber montana. but not before i shoot a few animals with it :P
 
Posts: 735 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 17 August 2006Reply With Quote
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Paul,
I’m currently building a .260AAR (6.5x57 imp.) with all intentions of shooting the 130 grain, Swift Scirocco II. The Scirocco II has performed well for me in 7mm on deer & elk, so I want to take full advantage of the .571 b.c. If I were hunting in NZ, I would feel confident this bullet would handle anything from chamois to red deer without a problem, In the end it all boils down to being able to work up a load that will shoot well in your rifle. I’m having my reamer & magazine designed to provide the optimum OAL of this cartridge + .035†seating off the lands. Best of luck with your new rifle, the 6.5x.284 should prove perfect for NZ game.
Dave
 
Posts: 87 | Location: High Above the Timberline | Registered: 16 September 2006Reply With Quote
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Fjold, that is good shooting, tell me about your rifle/set up if you can.
 
Posts: 2898 | Registered: 25 September 2005Reply With Quote
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The 130 gr. TSX is another good all around choice. It's been very accurate for me in all of my 6.5's (6.5-300 WSM, 6.5X55 and 260 rem). It holds together at high velocity (3400 fps from the 6.5-300) but will expand all the way down to 1800 fps.
 
Posts: 810 | Location: Minnesota | Registered: 26 July 2004Reply With Quote
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I just got home from a deer hunt, took two small bucks with my 6.5x55 using 156gr Lapua Megas. I haven´t really been a fan of this bullet but tonight might have changed my mind -both shots to the shoulder, both animals ran about 40m in a semicircle and expired. No excessive meat damage and they are very accurate.


http://www.tgsafari.co.za

"What doesn´t kill you makes you stranger!"
 
Posts: 2213 | Location: Finland | Registered: 02 May 2003Reply With Quote
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120gr NBT, 140gr core-lokt, or even a 140gr a-max. I was suprised at how explosive the a-max was on game,....and "dead nutz" accurate to boot.


Difficulty is inevitable
Misery is optional
 
Posts: 1496 | Location: behind the crosshairs | Registered: 01 August 2002Reply With Quote
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Are A-max's more or less explosive than BT's?

Do you loss too much meat with A-max's if they are?
 
Posts: 85 | Location: Glasgow, Scotland | Registered: 11 May 2006Reply With Quote
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Originally posted by 6.5BR:
Fjold, that is good shooting, tell me about your rifle/set up if you can.


My rifle is a left handed Montana Rifle Co action with a 26" Krieger barrel and the Accurate Innovations Golden Varminter stock.

I had the chamber cut to minimum body dimensions and the neck cut to .296" (.004" under SAAMI spec) so that I can use the Lapua brass without neck turning.

My Smith blueprinted the action and set the trigger at 2Lb, 4 Oz.


Frank



"I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money."
- Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953

NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite

 
Posts: 12711 | Location: Kentucky, USA | Registered: 30 December 2002Reply With Quote
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I would say the a-max is slightly more dense than a BT due to the smaller dia tip and sleek shape. We have yet to lose a deer with the a-max in 6.5, 7mm, and 30cal. Keep in mind the closest we have taken one with the a-max would probably be around 200yds and have mostly been in the 300-500yd range.


Difficulty is inevitable
Misery is optional
 
Posts: 1496 | Location: behind the crosshairs | Registered: 01 August 2002Reply With Quote
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6BR 105gr Amax dumped 2 for me, back to back, 1 at 200 yds-backbone bullet vaporized, DOA

400 yds, 2nd deer broadside, pass through, golf ball exit, destroyed both lungs, deer went about 20-30 yds.

Amax will be MY bullet for long range open hunting for me in the 6BR, NOT ideal, but the rifle is SO accurate I have confidence, last trip to the range, it shot 3 shots in .498 at 330 yds. If I miss, it's MY fault, if I place my shot, dead deer, will not use it close to dark and/or in the timber where I want a trail to follow if I need one.

Just wanted to chime in on the Amax. I will continue to support Hornady as they make great products at reasonable prices unlike others that gouge.
 
Posts: 2898 | Registered: 25 September 2005Reply With Quote
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I have heard that the Amax makes a great long range bullet, 1000yard + sorta stuff
 
Posts: 735 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 17 August 2006Reply With Quote
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sierra (1730) 140 grain sbt. over 45.8 of N 160 has neatly killed 7 Red stags in last 7weeks.
Accurate 6.5mm in 30mm out. 70 - 200 yards.
 
Posts: 337 | Location: Devon UK | Registered: 21 March 2002Reply With Quote
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156 gr Norma and 14 0 gr SIerras have performed well in the past. Next up (for fallow deer and wild boar) is the 160 gr Woodleigh PP. I believe in heavy bullets for the 6,5x55.
 
Posts: 544 | Location: Sweden | Registered: 27 October 2001Reply With Quote
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140gr Hornady SP Interlocks work well in my 6.5x55 CZ550 FS. My Kimber 84M in 260 Rem shows a definite preference for 129gr Hornady SP Interlocks. I haven't tried 125gr Nosler Partitions yet, however I have no doubt that they work exceptionally well.


BH1

There are no flies on 6.5s!
 
Posts: 707 | Location: Nebraska | Registered: 23 December 2001Reply With Quote
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Blackhawk,

What accuracy with 129's? 9 twist is ok up to that, but I know they often won't cut it with heavy bullets in that case.
 
Posts: 2898 | Registered: 25 September 2005Reply With Quote
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In my CZ 550 American, I use Hornady 129 gr Interlocks over 45 grains of H4350. This has proved to be an excellent hunting combination, and is sub MOA in my gun.

John


www.kosaa.co.uk

A clever man knows his strengths, a wise man knows his weaknesses
 
Posts: 275 | Location: Scotland | Registered: 18 July 2002Reply With Quote
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Fjold, nice set up, a buddy of mine had a carbine 22" rifle made in 6.5BR on an MOA single shot pistol action, that gun shot those 100's just like yours if not better. VERY accurate. Although less BC and more explosive, the Sierra's HP might do very well I believe, and Hornady's 100's would be more controlled on game. A less expensive alternative, at least for practice anyway.

Again, nice set up. Given the 6.5/284 being faster than smaller rounds, did you use a 9 twist?
 
Posts: 2898 | Registered: 25 September 2005Reply With Quote
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quote:
Originally posted by larrys:
I would use any 6.5 bullet, at 120 grains and above, that shoots best in your particular rifle. It also depends on the twist rate of the barrel, at least for some. Mine are all 1:9 and I have never had trouble stabilizing any of the bullets.

That being said, I am partial to the 125 Partition and the 129 Hornady. Both do well out of my 6.5-284 as well as my 264WM. My Douglas barrelled Swede likes the 140 grain anythings.

As for the 6.5-284, it is a great round, but if I had it to do again, I would build a plain jane 6.5-06. I also have a 6.5-06AI that I would say the same thing about.

Roger, what twist and velocity were you using to have them come apart, and how long ago was it? Just curious.



with building the 6.5-06AI, would you just simply neck a 270winchester case down? then just fire form it? because itd only be one run through the die...
 
Posts: 735 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 17 August 2006Reply With Quote
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