12 twist 6mm AI w/ 85 grain Barnes

[Bulseyetom]

Am contemplating buying a 6mm AI with a 12 twist barrel and am wondering if anybody has shot the 85 grain Barnes Triple Shock in a similiar barrel. What other bullets would you recommend for the occasional deer or antelope hunt. Primarily I will be shooting paper so I know there are a million good bullets for a 1;12 twist but am wondering what hunting bullets will stabilize. Thanks. Tom

 

[gwomack]

Tom: I read this forum often, don't get on much, but thought this might help: I shoot 75 g. V-Max's,coyotes) out of my 1-12 twist 6AI. I am fire-forming with Hornady's 87 gr. SP. They definitely do not group as well as my finished coyote loads, but I'm getting pretty consistent 1-inch 5 shot groups. I figure that's accurate enough for hogs and deer. I have not shot a deer with them, but have killed 7 pigs in the last 3 weeks, the largest pushing 400 lbs., most around 150 lbs., all one-shot kills, the longest shot about 150 yds. None made it over about 75 yds before piling up. I am confident they will be OK on deer. I will add that all shots were put in behind the shoulder, so don't know what would happen if I had to go through much bone. Hope this helps, would like to hear what others have to say. Gary

 

[Bulseyetom]

Gary, were the hogs shot with the Hornady 87 grain? 1" groups are definitely "minute of deer". Thanks for the help. Tom

 

[gwomack]

Yes, sorry I was not clear. I have not shot any of the 87 gr. SPs after fireforming, I am doing my fireforming on the hogs! The 75 gr. V-max's,A-max's?) definitely would not work as I am not getting pass-throughs on broadside or frontal coyote shots, or even broadside smaller bobcats. That really surprised me, but I really like it. Minimal pelt damage and dead in their tracks!

 

[AckleymanII]

bulseyetom, I do believe that the Barnes Tripple shock is so long that it will demand a 1-11 twist at the slowest, 1-12 will probably be to slow.

You have several good options, the Speer 90g Sp is a wonderful bullet for the 1-12twist, and I killed a lot of antelope and deer with it in a 6 Rem loaded with 46.0g of IMR 4350. This bullet never caught on, and for the life of me, I never knew why because it is very accurate and great on deer and antelope from my experience.

Also, the Speer 85g BTSP is a deer bullet, not a varmint bullet, I have killed deer with it also.

Many folks swear by the Sierra 85g BTHP for deer, I shot one deer with it and it died after running 50 yards, with no shoulders broke. I liked the penetration of the Speer 90g SP much better. No doubt that the 90g Speer will break both shoulders if you need to.

If you by chance can find them, a 1-12 twist will stabalize the Sierra 100g SEMI point bullet flat base that was made for the 1-12 twists, I shot them also in a 6 Rem with a 1-12 twist.

Good luck!

 

[gwomack]

Keith, were you shooting a standard 6mm, or AI? And do you think the difference in velocity will matter? I also am using a 6mm AI as dual purpose, altho primarily for coyotes, but want the best hog/deer bullet it will shoot decently. Tom, I've shot one more hog with the Hornady 87 gr. SP since I posted last. About 150 lbs., 225 yards. He went about 50 yards. Did you get your 6mm AI?