6.5x284 bullet choice for deer

[JRS]

Between the two bullets Dusty is considering, the Scirocco ll has a reputation for being the more reliable of those two. I have friends in Southeast Arizona using the Scirocco exclusively.

 

[284winner]

Between the two bullets Dusty is considering, the Scirocco ll has a reputation for being the more reliable of those two. I have friends in Southeast Arizona using the Scirocco exclusively.

Never killed anything with the scirocco II but I've shot them and they do shoot very well in my 6.5 guns. At least the 130s do.

 

[timeout]

I probably haven't kill as many deer as the OP, but I've killed quite a few. Killed several with neck shots and never had to track one. Fire, walk to where he was standing, look down, deer laying right there has been my experience in all cases. Many of these with a .223. Flame away. OTOH, none of these deer were shot at the extended ranges the OP is shooting. I have used Partitions for years but switched to Berger HVLD's a couple years ago. They are much more accurate with better ballistics and leave a path of devastation inside.

 

[284winner]

help me decide between the accubond 140 or the swift scirocco 130 for deer. Ive tried every other bullet out there i think with less than stellar results out past 400yds. If it was closer id be using a partition but out that far they shoot like a brick in my other calibers

I think 200-300 yards is about max range with the partitions. At least in my 308 and 284. I use the partitions for woods hunts where shots are not beyond 250 yards. Performance is outstanding inside 300 yards

 

[fyrewall]

Shooting deers should not be such a big deal. I avoid using varmint bullets on because it makes for a mess. I have a Barnes TSX bullet recovered from a deer hit at just under 400 yards that shows perfect expansion. Like wise from a Hornady Inter Lock. Not to condemn use of common cup and core bullets having plastic tips or hollow point match type bullets, I would like to see how they work on stuff before shooting deer with them.

 

[JRS]

I have a few boxes of the original TBBC bullets made by Jack Carter, Dusty.

 

[284winner]

I have a few boxes of the original TBBC bullets made by Jack Carter, Dusty.

How was your luck shooting those Bear Claws ? I'm sure they perform well but just never could get them to shoot. Always went back to the partitions or the game kings. They were for sure minute of whitetail but just never felt good shooting 1.5-2" groups at any target.

 

[284winner]

Not sure if the grand slam bullets replaced them but they never shot good for me either.

 

[JRS]

How was your luck shooting those Bear Claws ? I'm sure they perform well but just never could get them to shoot. Always went back to the partitions or the game kings. They were for sure minute of whitetail but just never felt good shooting 1.5-2" groups at any target.

They shot just fine for me, along with other hunters the world over. They were never meant to be a target bullet producing tight groups. The design was intended for hunting.

 

[hawkeyeshoooer]

I have killed deer with both the 130 and the 140 and of five, none have taken another step. they all fell dead in their tracks. Like I said my longest shot was 320 yards but that was with the 130 and I still had a complete pass through.withsignificant energy dumped into the animal. the closer they are the larger the exit wound, so I would suggest rib cage shots. They have worked very well for me. You just can't beat 6.5s in general for deer. And yes, I do agree that the advantage of the 140 will show at past 600 yards.

 

[284winner]

They shot just fine for me, along with other hunters the world over. They were never meant to be a target bullet producing tight groups. The design was intended for hunting.

Yep I understand. Just never shot as well as most other bonded type bullets for me. Definitely would have been good enough for any deer size game animal though
.

 

[BronzeArcher]

I'd probably use the 147 ELD-M. Deer are not tough critters. This bullet will expand. High sectional density ensures adequate penetration. High BC ensures low wind drift and high retained energy. No need to work up something different from my F-Class load.

 

[284winner]

I'd probably use the 147 ELD-M. Deer are not tough critters. This bullet will expand. High sectional density ensures adequate penetration. High BC ensures low wind drift and high retained energy. No need to work up something different from my F-Class load.

Never had a match bullet fail at anchoring a deer. Not trailing one but anchoring one. Many do not share that experience nor that decision to use match bullets. As said in this post many times. It's where you hit the animal.

 

[JRS]

Yep I understand. Just never shot as well as most other bonded type bullets for me. Definitely would have been good enough for any deer size game animal though
.

If you look at the difference in the design of the original TBBC as compared to the modern bonded bullets, you'll quickly realize why they are not as accurate. The TBBC is not nearly as streamlined as the partition, accubond, scirocco, and such. The TBBC has killed everything from antelope, to DG on the Dark Continent. The Federal offering now is more streamlined with the addition of a plastic tip. Personally, I would opt for the scirocco over the accubond.

 

[Kermit in Va.]

Another vote for the 130 accubonds...


Kermit

 

[284winner]

If you look at the difference in the design of the original TBBC as compared to the modern bonded bullets, you'll quickly realize why they are not as accurate. The TBBC is not nearly as streamlined as the partition, accubond, scirocco, and such. The TBBC has killed everything from antelope, to DG on the Dark Continent. The Federal offering now is more streamlined with the addition of a plastic tip. Personally, I would opt for the scirocco over the accubond.

Good to know thanks. Never compared all the profiles.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The reason we shoot deer in the neck is because they usually lay down in their tracks. We switched to 6.5x284 to be able to hit them in the neck reliably. Yall may not have read the entire thread but we DO find the deer, they are hit in the neck exactly where we aim, they run 150-200yds and do not bleed a drop until they lay down. The entry and exit wound are the same size. This is not a new game to us but it is new not having a bullet kill a deer with a perfect shot. And if the deer bled it wouldnt be a big deal to find but the way it is you could walk 15ft from one and not see it.

 

[rebel]

I have similar hunting grounds, albeit not as long a range. In the South, it's a damn jungle, even in winter. I can track a black snake over 100 ft. of flat rock but don't enjoy it when it's MY deer. I want it down, within 20 yards. I have really had luck with the ELDX bullet, there again, only killed one deer with it. As far as neck shots and ethics, I guess some guys think behind the shoulder is THE only ethical shot and will judge anyone that does it different. I guess if said deer is standing in the middle of a 400 acre field that is fine. Wonder what shot they would take if the deer was 20 yards from a jacked up briar thicket with Kudzu growing in it? Hope you got good lights and a tracking dog.

 

[akajiggs]

The tsx and ttsx seem to not expand at all at the long distances. The exit wound is the same as the entry wound and they do not bleed one drop

Sierra hpbt 130 gr. Best made deer bullet for deer ever made in the 6.5. Goes in one side destroys and mangles the lungs expands and goes out the other side. Leaves a blood trail too.Most of the time he is DRT.Good on hogs too.

Jim

 

[Drop Port]

The reason we shoot deer in the neck is because they usually lay down in their tracks. We switched to 6.5x284 to be able to hit them in the neck reliably. Yall may not have read the entire thread but we DO find the deer, they are hit in the neck exactly where we aim, they run 150-200yds and do not bleed a drop until they lay down. The entry and exit wound are the same size. This is not a new game to us but it is new not having a bullet kill a deer with a perfect shot. And if the deer bled it wouldnt be a big deal to find but the way it is you could walk 15ft from one and not see it.

I'm trying to understand this, a neck shot is a CNS shot resulting trowing the light switch. They should go 3' straight down. Why would a deer run with a damaged spine? Where on the neck are you shooting them?

I Culled with a 6.5-284, now a 6.5x47L or 6BR. NBT's, Bergers, SMK's accuracy kills angle is as important as bullet selection. I need them dead on the spot not out in the beans. I would say pick a new angle with the spine in the way.