Velocity and tight groups

[Allen Roberts]

My friend tells me that the 6.5 cm bullet needs to achieve 2750 fps. to accurately shoot out to 1000 yds. If my loads are around 2600 fps., but with 1/2 inch 100 yard groupings, can I expect to accurately shoot out to 300 yards deer hunting? I haven’t tried shooting groups that far.

 

[PatMiles]

There are SOOOO many variables involved here that the ONLY thing you should be paying attention to is what the TARGET tells you. There are shortcuts but probably 70% of them are going to lead you to frustration.
GO SHOOT GROUPS!

 

[kenhwind]

I can't answer your question, what I do know is that I duplicated the US .7.62 x 51 match load and as I worked up the load the groups shrunk, but when I passed the recommended load, the group opened up.

Rifle was a Savage Model 10 Police Rifle, 200 yards

So there seems to be a compromise between velocity and accuracy.

 

[Webster]

My friend tells me that the 6.5 cm bullet needs to achieve 2750 fps. to accurately shoot out to 1000 yds. If my loads are around 2600 fps., but with 1/2 inch 100 yard groupings, can I expect to accurately shoot out to 300 yards deer hunting? I haven’t tried shooting groups that far.

You should be good at 300 yards. Shooting a nice group off a bench is a lot different than shooting from a standing position at a deer that may be moving.

 

[Bill Norris]

The guys in the know say consistent velocity trumps higher velocity.

 

[Screamer]

The guys in the know say consistent velocity trumps higher velocity.

And the right seating depth.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

No, you can't expect to hold .5 moa to 300 yds. Move back and test.

 

[charlie b]

If you have a 300yd range go out there and shoot it. Use the same setup you would for hunting: bag, tripod, bipod, whatever. If you can shoot into the vital zone with a cold shot every time you are good. Check to see where the second and third shot go just in case.

Do the test with gun in same condition as hunt. I liked to carry a clean gun, others like to foul the bore before the season starts.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Several years ago I was shooting a 260 Rem, (6.5mm), with a 140 grain bullet at around 2750 fps and not having any trouble hitting a steel target at 1000 yards.

 

[Allen Roberts]

My friend tells me that the 6.5 cm bullet needs to achieve 2750 fps. to accurately shoot out to 1000 yds. If my loads are around 2600 fps., but with 1/2 inch 100 yard groupings, can I expect to accurately shoot out to 300 yards deer hunting? I haven’t tried shooting groups that far.

Thanks for everyone’s help.

 

[Steve Donlon]

My 300 BLK will shoot 1" groups at 300 yards with the right bullet. But only if everything goes right. The slower you go, the more the wind will move the bullet. So, anything is possible, more so with a good 6.5 bullet. 300 yards is nothing with the right 6.5 bullet @ 2600 fps.

 

[ELR LVR]

My friend tells me that the 6.5 cm bullet needs to achieve 2750 fps. to accurately shoot out to 1000 yds. If my loads are around 2600 fps., but with 1/2 inch 100 yard groupings, can I expect to accurately shoot out to 300 yards deer hunting? I haven’t tried shooting groups that far.

Don't know where your friend is getting his information but he is incorrect,
unless he is thinking you must remain Supersonic, which has also been proven incorrect - simply put
it has more to do with Good Load Development and consistency of your round from shot to shot.
A simple look at the velocity of 308's at 1000 yds should be proof of that alone
since many of those are 2400-2500 fps starting off from the muzzle
not to mention accurate shots made with Muzzle loaders and Old Sharps rifles at 1000 yds.
--------------------------
Your challenge is accurately calculating your bullet's trajectory ( the drop) at the range you wish to shoot
(often approx 4-6 inches for 300 yds) - Depending on the cartridge
for hunting purposes,--- it will be different for every 100 yds further out
For more surgical work, make a drop chart per every 50 yds
Shooters Calculator FREE - online will help you make such a drop chart

 

[charlie b]

FWIW, there are some bullets that do not like the transonic range. But, as you pointed out, the more rounded noses or 'blunt' points seem to do well. I've had problems with larger meplats and truncated cone shapes.

 

[M-61]

that the 6.5 cm bullet

Wow. 6.5 cm Quite the recoil

 

[cem]

can I expect to accurately shoot out to 300 yards deer hunting?

As noted, I have no knowledge as to your ability to shoot minute of deer out to 300 yards. I expect you will do just fine. Minute of deer is less demanding than 1/2 minute of angle but more accuracy never hurts and sometimes helps. I suggest trying it on paper with wind flags for the experience.

I can say with certainty that you will not be limited by the given load at any reasonable deer shooting distance.

Time was the 6.5 Swede - which gives 140 grain bullets about 2600 fps - was a popular cartridge for target work including Olympic Free Rifle out to 300 meters. The traditional 160 grain bullet has a fine fine record on game and doesn't reach 2600 fps. Hodgdon shows for the 140 GR. BER VLD max loads around 2600 fps which would be a good choice for long range target plinking steel gong work.

 

[Allen Roberts]

Don't know where your friend is getting his information but he is incorrect,
unless he is thinking you must remain Supersonic, which has also been proven incorrect - simply put
it has more to do with Good Load Development and consistency of your round from shot to shot.
A simple look at the velocity of 308's at 1000 yds should be proof of that alone
since many of those are 2400-2500 fps starting off from the muzzle
not to mention accurate shots made with Muzzle loaders and Old Sharps rifles at 1000 yds.
--------------------------
Your challenge is accurately calculating your bullet's trajectory ( the drop) at the range you wish to shoot
(often approx 4-6 inches for 300 yds) - Depending on the cartridge
for hunting purposes,--- it will be different for every 100 yds further out
For more surgical work, make a drop chart per every 50 yds
Shooters Calculator FREE - online will help you make such a drop chart

I am getting good groups at 100 yards. I will move out to 200-300 and chart my progress. Thanks

 

[DShortt]

The only way you'll know for sure is to test at that distance with a cold bore shot over several days.
Probably not what you want to hear, but that's the situation you are asking about.
I don't subscribe to theory. I subscribe to reality.
Then again, you could just lob a shot out there and pat yourself on the back if the stars align.

 

[searcher]

So, the SIMPLE question is whether a 6.5 CR, shooting 1/2 MOA @ 100 Yards will be accurate enough at 300 yards for deer? I'll say that is more accurate than the vast majority of folks out there chasing deer around. That 1 1/2" MOA @300 yards on a 6" vital zone leaves you a nice bit of margin for shooter error, a bit of a breeze, etc. Most hunters would be quite please to get that. Now - it is just a matter of whether you are up to it with your shooting skills. Seeing you haven't shot that far yet, I'd do some practice, eventually taking that practice out even further so you get used to what you encounter at distance. That practice will help you to define what you know you can feel comfortable with. I say that, because some folks after a bit of practice are good to go at 300, while others never progress well enough to shoot much past 150 effectively. Practice and familiarization of your rifle and load is key.

 

[jelenko]

MOA

Just to clarify - that's inches at 300 yards, yes?

 

[searcher]

Just to clarify - that's inches at 300 yards, yes?

Yes - he said he's shooting 1/2" groups at 100 yards - so 1/2 moa @300 brings us to around 1 1/2". Did I miss anything? It is still 1/2 moa at 300, so I guess I should have left it at that.