6.5x284 bullet choice for deer

[fredo]

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.

So, you are intentionally MISSING the CNS/vertebrae shot that will DROP the deer literally where it stands, and opt for a jugular/vascular shot so they run off and bleed out?

How can a deer "lay down" anywhere else, than in its track? Does a heart/lung shot deer somehow levitate off into nowhereland?

Forgive me, but I'm totally missing the logic here. If imma shoot a deer, especially at distance, imma aim for the largest vital target area possible. Mainly because, $hit happens, and a larger vital target area allows for 'wiggle room' when $hit does happen. And if $hit has never happened to someone, they prolly haven't done $hit long enough. $hit happening offers wonderful learning experiences...

Everyone can do as they please, of course. But, for the life of me, this is the first time I've ever heard of a hunter justifying a neck shot because the deer "runs in its track". I've always ever heard the neck shot justified for the ability do disrupt the CNS, and DROP it, RIGHT THERE. It certainly isn't always immediately lethal, and ya might wind up having to dispatch it, up close.

Lastly, if I ever begin complain about tracking a deer a few dozen yards, I'll know it's time to quit & take up golf.

Oh yeah, Berger 130HVLD, or 140JLK are both devastating deer bullets. Surely, many of the bullets already mentioned are, as well. But those two I mentioned can really fly and hold a group at distance. If ya hit CNS, they're gonna be 32" below where they were standing. Otherwise, good chance you'll blow two holes thru, and you'll have plenty of drippings to mark "the track"...

Hope ya find what you're looking for. Good luck and be safe!

 

[effendude]

I have used the Berger 140 VLD out of my 6.5-284 on a Sonoran Mule deer and several Minnesota whitetails. Nothing left of the bullet but tiny pieces of lead and copper with the vitals gelatinized. No exits, and absolutely no tracking needed. I have had the same experience the 140 Hybrid.
Scott

 

[284winner]

I have used the Berger 140 VLD out of my 6.5-284 on a Sonoran Mule deer and several Minnesota whitetails. Nothing left of the bullet but tiny pieces of lead and copper with the vitals gelatinized. No exits, and absolutely no tracking needed. I have had the same experience the 140 Hybrid.
Scott

Again slightly off topic as this ISNT a " Neck shooting deer" post. Deer necks come in all sizes from my forearm to my waist in diameter. I don't think it's a recommended aimpoint unless a guy can hit a baseball size target under most circumstances at whatever range he's shooting at. That's probably gonna raise some stink but I'm NOT making this statement to most of the guys here as most can shoot many inches smaller than that. It's the weekend warriors that ONLY shoot a gun during the two week long deer season. No practice, No confidence, No concern of wounding deer. There are many out there. As a salesman of guns and ammo in my upper teens thru early twenties I heard all the stories. Desk jockeys 11 months a year and the "if my gun can hit a pie plate at 50 yards, I'm good" mentality. That mentality is alive and well even today. Many deer are wounded by it.

 

[WV Hitman]

I've taken about 500 whitetails and 20 head of African game with my 6.5/.285 XP-100 handgun. I've experimented with A LOT of bullets. Here's what I found.
Scriccos are too hard. Poor expansion.
Nosler LRAB and Bergers are too soft and don't penetrate well on angled shots.
Sierra 120 Game Kings are a little soft, but do well on broadside shots (out to 400 for me).
Nosler BTs, soft, accurate. Great up to 300 yds., but beyond have limited penetration in bones.
Horn. ELD-X, very soft. Poor past 300 yds. on bone penetration. Recovered on last week on 130# doe on quartering shot under shoulder. Weighed 35 gr. (24% retention!!!!!!!!!!!!!), not the 60% Horn. says.
Horn. SST, Interbond- erratic penetration and damage.
Nosler AB- SUPER. I use 130 gr. Taken around 350 deer with it out to 530 yds., plus a 800# Cape kudu at 201(#2 handgun kudu). Did a rectal shot on a 200#+ whitetail at 389. Found bullet in chest. Accurate, 1 1/2" exits, 2-3" internal damage. Excellent penetration. My #1 bullet in all calibers for most game.

 

[JRS]

Pretty good expansion.

 

[hogpatrol]

I've taken about 500 whitetails and 20 head of African game with my 6.5/.285 XP-100 handgun. I've experimented with A LOT of bullets. Here's what I found.
Scriccos are too hard. Poor expansion.
Nosler LRAB and Bergers are too soft and don't penetrate well on angled shots.
Sierra 120 Game Kings are a little soft, but do well on broadside shots (out to 400 for me).
Nosler BTs, soft, accurate. Great up to 300 yds., but beyond have limited penetration in bones.
Horn. ELD-X, very soft. Poor past 300 yds. on bone penetration. Recovered on last week on 130# doe on quartering shot under shoulder. Weighed 35 gr. (24% retention!!!!!!!!!!!!!), not the 60% Horn. says.
Horn. SST, Interbond- erratic penetration and damage.
Nosler AB- SUPER. I use 130 gr. Taken around 350 deer with it out to 530 yds., plus a 800# Cape kudu at 201(#2 handgun kudu). Did a rectal shot on a 200#+ whitetail at 389. Found bullet in chest. Accurate, 1 1/2" exits, 2-3" internal damage. Excellent penetration. My #1 bullet in all calibers for most game.

Not questioning your data but would the same bullets at faster velocity out of rifle have different results? I use Berger HVLDs and except for one long shot out of a 6.5x47, the animals never took a step.

 

[ratbuster]

Dusty,

Look at Hornady's Interlock. In 6.5 it's 129 grain. Not considered a premium bullet but there are many hunters that bestow positive praise on the killing ability of this bullet design. I've never read anything negative about it other than the fact that it does not have a high BC so it would probably limit your range to 500 or 600 yards. It is generally regarded as a accurate and tough bullet that expands, stays together and penetrates.

Phil

 

[Frankr]

seems interesting. I dont think you can find a better killing bullet than the 6.5 140 HVLD I have shot several.
Actually one was 420 yards on a steep hill facing down hill so I held for between the shoulders center spine and my calculation was off and I dropped a little more and hit right in the neck. dropped in it's tracks never moved. snow on and there was blood sprayed 15 feet up the hill. quite devastating . I would find it hard to believe you would hit a deer in the neck and it move. I had a friend who was a 25/06 fan and he shot a 100 gr at 3,500 FPS and he always shot them in the neck and I dont think one ever moved and I actually witnessed a few of them.

 

[Bulletbob]

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 like the Berger 140 elite hunter, great for long range, and enywhere else. But the 130 Grn Sierra Game king is GRUESOME, and actually very accurate. At least through my 6.5x47 at about 3000 fps. Give it a try.

 

[Huckleberry75]

The new Sierra 130gn Tipped Game king would be worth a look, for sure.

 

[PAshooter20BR]

I have never seen a deer walk away from a correctly placed neck shot. I’ve seen poor hits at all locations on whitetail and have seen them unrecovered. I have seen it from 223 up to 30 caliber reagardless of bullet style. I would put the 140 Berger VLD in a 6.5 as one of the best hunting Bullets I have ever seen. Hunting bullets intent should be to cause severe organ trauma and disruption to the central nervous system. There intent is not to create blood loss. In a self defense situation do you want a bullet that stops a threat immediately or do you want one that leaves a nice blood trail? Chances are if you choose the second you won’t live to change your mind.
Berger Bullets all the way. Get that bullet inside and create as much damage as possible. No exit no problem they won’t be far. If it does exit, which my experience is they do, you may get some blood but in my experience I have never corelated bullet performance to blood trail. Typically a hard pumping heart and a exit in the correct position will result in a blood trail. If you shut the heart down, you won’t get a good blood trail. No pump no discharge. And yes we review every deer we hang for bullet performance, typically removing organs for examination, reviewing Skeleton damage, entrance and exits with hide off, internal blood accumulation etc.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I want a bonded bullet. The bergers were the second worst performers i have ever tried behind barnes tsx. Ballistic tips generally never make an exit wound like the berger. Both work fine for something like a coyote but i need a deer to bleed out both sides and immediately if they move. The eld-x killed 4 last year for me but they didnt bleed a drop until they fell at least 50yds into a thicket i have to crawl into. I dont want them to leave the trail

If you want DRT, learn to use the high shoulder shot. Top of the lungs gone and broken spine. Drop like a 10 ton dump truck landed on top of them. Dead before they even hit the ground.

I've been doing it with Berger bullets ever since they first hit the market many years ago. Works every time. Literally witnessed deer dropping in the scope before the rifle even recoiled. The 201" B&C mule deer in my profile pic being one of them.

 

[hogpatrol]

I have never seen a deer walk away from a correctly placed neck shot. I’ve seen poor hits at all locations on whitetail and have seen them unrecovered. I have seen it from 223 up to 30 caliber reagardless of bullet style. I would put the 140 Berger VLD in a 6.5 as one of the best hunting Bullets I have ever seen. Hunting bullets intent should be to cause severe organ trauma and disruption to the central nervous system. There intent is not to create blood loss. In a self defense situation do you want a bullet that stops a threat immediately or do you want one that leaves a nice blood trail? Chances are if you choose the second you won’t live to change your mind.
Berger Bullets all the way. Get that bullet inside and create as much damage as possible. No exit no problem they won’t be far. If it does exit, which my experience is they do, you may get some blood but in my experience I have never corelated bullet performance to blood trail. Typically a hard pumping heart and a exit in the correct position will result in a blood trail. If you shut the heart down, you won’t get a good blood trail. No pump no discharge. And yes we review every deer we hang for bullet performance, typically removing organs for examination, reviewing Skeleton damage, entrance and exits with hide off, internal blood accumulation etc.

I have never seen a deer walk away from a correctly placed neck shot. I’ve seen poor hits at all locations on whitetail and have seen them unrecovered. I have seen it from 223 up to 30 caliber reagardless of bullet style. I would put the 140 Berger VLD in a 6.5 as one of the best hunting Bullets I have ever seen. Hunting bullets intent should be to cause severe organ trauma and disruption to the central nervous system. There intent is not to create blood loss. In a self defense situation do you want a bullet that stops a threat immediately or do you want one that leaves a nice blood trail? Chances are if you choose the second you won’t live to change your mind.
Berger Bullets all the way. Get that bullet inside and create as much damage as possible. No exit no problem they won’t be far. If it does exit, which my experience is they do, you may get some blood but in my experience I have never corelated bullet performance to blood trail. Typically a hard pumping heart and a exit in the correct position will result in a blood trail. If you shut the heart down, you won’t get a good blood trail. No pump no discharge. And yes we review every deer we hang for bullet performance, typically removing organs for examination, reviewing Skeleton damage, entrance and exits with hide off, internal blood accumulation etc.

Please, you'll upset the partition, bonded and cup & core guys. They seem to like to follow blood trails for a few miles just to make things interesting.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Little bit of "proof in the pudding" for you Dusty.

This is another kill my father in law has chalked up for Berger. He just shot this bull yesterday using his 6.5-300 WSM with 140gr Berger at over 3200 fps. Cant remember if this is his 3rd or 4th bull elk with that rifle and bullet...A perfectly placed shot and down they go. If a bull elk is no match for a properly placed 140gr Berger, a deer sure as heck isn't gonna fare any better

 

[284driver]

If one taps "ignore thread" will the thread still show up under new posts?
Asking for a friend.

 

[GSPV]

Try the Nosler E-Tip. Slightly different design than the Barnes.

 

[timeout]

If one taps "ignore thread" will the thread still show up under new posts?
Asking for a friend.

Tell your friend "No".

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I'll just say this about the neck shot and leave it alone...It ranks right there with the "Texas heart shot" in my choices for shot placement

I will also vouch for the Nosler Accubond and Partition. Great all around hunting bullets.

Swift Scricco jackets are way too thick and they do not expand very well at all. Shot a Black Bear that was loping along at a slow jog, double lung at 100 yards. You could fit a pencil tightly in the entrance and exit holes. Both lungs had the same pin hole. No good for medium size game. Did work well for penetrating heavy elk shoulders and expanded a bit more, but still not to my liking.

 

[rebel]

Any reliable bullet hitting within reasonable velocity hitting here -

Should drop a deer where it stands. There again, as fredo said, sh&t do happen.
Opting for high shock instead of bonded is where I'd lean toward. That is just my experience with a dump truck load of whitetail to my credit, big and small.
I've hit them there with 85 gr 6mm partitions and 300 gr 458 hollow points with the results being close to the same. YMMV

 

[Bamban]

If you want DRT, learn to use the high shoulder shot. Top of the lungs gone and broken spine. Drop like a 10 ton dump truck landed on top of them. Dead before they even hit the ground.

I've been doing it with Berger bullets ever since they first hit the market many years ago. Works every time. Literally witnessed deer dropping in the scope before the rifle even recoiled. The 201" B&C mule deer in my profile pic being one of them.

Like this one? Downloaded this years ago that someone doctored up.