6.5mm hunting bullet

[olympian]

Gents,
I have a Surgeon chambered in 6.5x47L with a 1-8" barrel I use for everything including paper punching, varmints, silhouette, and hopefully whitetails. It shoots Sierra 120gr. MatchKings very well and to date, has done everything I have needed. I am wondering if anyone has any recommendations about a good whitetail bullet that does not have too much of a reduction in B.C. and performs well.

There are several 120-130gr. class hunting bullets, but I know it does not like the Speer 120gr. Anyone had success with other 120s? I am leaning towards a 130gr. Berger VLD or 120gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, but I have not tried them yet. A 130gr. is as heavy as I want to use.

A second thought, anyone used 130gr Berger VLD on varmints,groundhogs, crows, coyotes)?

 

[spclark]

You can use target bullets for hunting, but you may not get as clean a kill as with something more specific to the task at hand. Whitetails with match bullets are apt to give you some exercise....

If you're interested in trying the Nosler 120 BT, I have a few hundred,New In Box) I could see parting with for not much money. Found them to be very accurate in a 26" Walther-barreled 6.5 Grendel match upper I don't use much any more.

Midway has 'em for $14.99 / 50, I'd take $12 for mine if you pick up the freight.

Contact me off-list if you're interested; let me know your ZIP code so I can tell you what the shipping will be.

 

[Rustystud]

You might seriously consider trying a 130 Swift Scirocco. High BC, bonded bullet with solid base. Vastly superior in design than Nosler Balistic Tip. They are made for controlled expansion and have a polymer tip.

Rustystud

 

[rstreich]

Ditto to what Rustystud said. I've been really happy with the Swift 6 and 6.5 Scirocco IIs.

 

[Nucum]

Two weeks ago I killed a whitetail buck using a 130 Berger VLD, fired from a .260 Rem. at a M.V. of 2,970 fps. The shot was fired from 130yds. The bullet hit above his shoulder going through the center of the vertebrae, leaving just an average size exit wound.

 

[2506]

It all depends on how far away you are planing on shooting a deer. Most deer are killed inside 100 yards. I have killed deer out to a little over 300 yards with my 6.5X55 sporter 96 Swede Mauser and never needed anything but a Sierra 120 Pro Hunter right at 3000 fps. Sight in 3 inches high at 100 and at 300 you are only 1 inch low. Hold dead on front shoulder squeeze trigger deer goes plop on the ground then the work starts.

 

[Jacob]

I am currently having a 6.5x47L built and I plan on using the Berger 120's for whitetail. That is until they show they are not adequate. I suspect they are up to the task of making clean kills on whitetail.

 

[65BR]

http://www.65grendel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=840&page=1&pp=25

There is some neat info in the thread above on 6.5 bullet performance, on broadside shots ANY bullet will do well, the Sierra 123 would be great as the time proven 120 ballistic tip, other angles the 123 may not penetrate like you want, but I have heard success with most all 6.5 bullets, when used on deer, hard to pick anything bad, even 100gr get used with great success, but for an all around load I'd pick a 120-130gr that is designed for hunting, and not worry as your velocity will not create issues even at close shots like the higher mv larger rounds might with bullet integrity.

 

[olympian]

Thanks for the information and suggestions. For now, I am going to stick with the 120gr. MatchKing for this season since it is only a couple of weeks anyway. My shots on deer can be anywhere from 15 to 500yds.+ and the same goes for everything else. The rifle I originally planned to use this year just did not work out and I really want to have this rifle as my "go anywhere, do anything" multi-purpose rifle for now.

 

[HTSmith]

I am entirely pleased with the Nosler 120's in my 260 rem. Extremely accurate and they put deer down fast. I wouldn't take a raking shot from the rear with them, because they do expand pretty fast. I'm shooting them at 3000 fps at the muzzle. The bonded bullets in theory should work better, but......

 

[vpexp]

I really like the 130 grain Berger VLD for whitetails and hogs. I have shot 2 of each this season at ranges from 60 to 240 yards. Nothing has gone more than 20 yards and I have had complete penetration, each of these has hit at least one shoulder. Check out Bergers website and search "ask the gun writers" on 24hourcampfire.

 

[rhino]

I would have to go with the Barnes TSX if you want to see deer die quickly and have it still exit.

The 139 scenars are not very good hunting bullets. My Master Sporter can't take the Bergers...they have to be seated too long.

 

[shcal]

I just took delivery on the 130gr TSX for my 6.5 X 47. Rhino, do you have any experience with the 130 TSX and the 6.5X47? I thought this would make a good Hog round since they have that gristle plate that is sometimes hard to penetrate.

I've downed coyote with the Nosler 120 BT, they are real nice and accurate. I have also done load development for the 120 and 130 Bergers. The 130 Berger also might be a good hog bullet.

 

[treeman]

i've used the barns 120gr xlc in my 6.5-284 they work real as the three deer i shot with it didn't take a step. the nosler balistic tip work well too but the deer will/may run 30 or 40 yrds. if you place your shot any bullet will do the job though.LOL treeman

 

[SongdogHunter]

I just received a Jim Borden built 6.5 x 47 Lapua on an alpine action, Jewell HVR, Rimrock action, Lilja #3 barrel with Talley LW and a Luepold 2.5-8 x 36. It was my sole intention to build it as a hunting rifle. I was not able to get load development dowen before I leave for whitetail hunting, but I intend to shoot 130 Grain Nosler Accubonds in it. The 100 grain Nosler BT I shot in my .257Ai last year were too destructive.

SDH

 

[3sixbits]

Woodleigh 140, 160 grain are my first choice for anything that is tough to kill. If you are only after deer or elk, Then go with the 120 grain Remington Core-Loc's. They work just fine for anyone that knows where to put the bullet. If you are messing around with the tough stuff, then it's Woodleigh all the way for me.

Remember the .264 is finicky with twist rates, be careful.

 

[Macs]

I shoot a 6.5-06 & a 264Win. Mag with 130 Berger VLD's or 140 Nosler partitions both kill every thing from prarie dogs to elk and have never had anything getaway.I think they are both great bullets.
Best of luck, & happy hunting!

 

[chomondely]

I use Sierra 120 Pro hunter out o my 6.5x284. Very accurate and works fine on white tails and wild pigs.

 

[Sako6555]

I shoot a 6.5x55 and have had 120gr bullets stopped by Bambi. I now use Norma Oryx 156gr, when I know I'm stalking any of the UK's larger deer. It's a brilliant bullet for woodland stalking, and I would be loathed to swap it.

 

[FryeGuy]

i have always liked the 120 spt sierra bullets to hunt deer with. it seems to be the perfect bullet for this. i seem to always get pass thru's with plenty of damage so they don't go far if anywhere. i also like the 100 hp sierra's, as long as you keep them slower. they were really good in my 6.5/284. i have used the 100 hp in a .264 win mag, and they really open up when are fast. i guess this doesn't matter unless you want something to eat on later.