Lapua Scenars as a hunting projectile- pros and cons please

[Ogre6br]

Hi
Do you guys think Lapua Scenar projectiles can be used as a hunting projectile?? From rabbits, to hogs and goats maybe even donkeys

I am specifically thinking of the 123 Scenar in my 6.5x55 at somewhere around the 2850 to 3000 FPS mark.
Modern action, Lapua brass, projectile seated into neck only not taking up any powder space

The animals on the list will be weight range of 10 lbs to 400 lbs- not including deer as I don't hunt them- donkeys, horses etc in the possible animal list as well.

I have run out of my bulk box of Rem 120 grain core Lokt projectiles and I'm considering a change to something with a higher BC and more modern design.

Projectiles for consideration are 123 Scenar, 125 Partition, 129 SST and the new 130 Accubond. Maybe but maybe not the 120 NBT

I want a projectile with a BC of .45 or higher and 120 grain or greater that can be pushed over 2700 FPS

Of the projectiles under consideration the Scenar has the highest listed BC- but will it work as a hunting projectile?

I am looking for a do all load like the 120 Core-Lokt was.

Thanks
later
p

 

[Spotcheck_Billy]

You're talking a pretty wide range of game!

I shoot nothing but the 123 Scenar in my 6.5x47 Lapua but have never tried one on any kind of game. I once read where Lapua does not reccomend them for hunting and suspect that they might perform like SMK's.

The 125 Nosler Partition is pretty heavily constructed and might not be so good for the smaller species that you mentioned.

The 129 SST is a great deer and antelope bullet. I've taken several with this bullet in a .260 Rem. Never tried it on anything smaller than a pronghorn.

The 130 accubond is supposed to be a tough bullet, more suitable for the larger species, but I haven't had the opportunity to try them yet.

Here's a suggestion for a bullet that you havent mentioned in your post. Eric Stecker,Berger Bullets) says that the 6.5mm 120 and 130 grain VLD Bergers perform great for both hunting and target shooting. As I'm sure you're aware, these VLD Bergers have very high BC's. They just might be what you're looking for!

 

[M700]

Bullets that I've shot big game with - like your 400 pound figure - haven't done particularly well on varmints. Insufficient expansion on little critters.

Like many, I'm new to using Berger VLD's on game and maybe I'll have different results. Haven't tried the Lapua bullets. Wasn't impressed with the complete lack of expansion when I tried some Sierra Matchkings on varmints some years ago. Their varmint bullets though, worked very well.

Regards, Guy

 

[DesertLefty]

130 gr. Swift Scirroco II has a nominal BC of 0.57, might be good for hogs and donkeys.

6.5x55 has plenty of capacity to push any of these bullets.

 

[Ogre6br]

130 gr. Swift Scirroco II has a nominal BC of 0.57, might be good for hogs and donkeys.

6.5x55 has plenty of capacity to push any of these bullets.

oh
how I wish we could get them in Australia

I have just tracked down some Berger 130 VLDs- $75/100 he wants for them.
crazy- maybe if I hit the pick 6 I'll give them a go- not spending a days wages on 1 packet of projectiles

later
p

 

[PeterPHWS]

Hi P,

The 123 Lapua will work on rabbits and anything small but a head shot is needed to enable the meat to be eaten. Mostly they will blow up the rabbit if hit in the body.

On goats I would neck them or pin them through the shoulder. A high heart shot would drop them but these bullets tend to stay together so a general "engine room" shot will not be as effective as a BT.

Hogs are a different matter - species wise these vary a bit on knock down ease - personally I would go for a shoulder or spinal shot to ensure they are down. Neck shots as well but there is not much neck. In Australia they do Hogs with .243's so a 123g 6.5 is well up there but you need to hit it right to drop them.

They may not exit on a Hog if you pin them. Engine room shots should exit but the wound channel will not be quite as effective as a designed hunting bullet so they might travel further before bleeding out.

Donkeys? An unknown for me. They will present an easy neck shot being quite big in the neck so I would have thought no problem there.

I have a 6.5 x 55 Sauer takedown now but have had 2 other rifles in the same calibre - a 6.5 x 55 Sako Varmint was my first rifle then a Tikka T3 - and have used the 123 g,and the 139g) Scenar on everything from Rabbits, Hares, Foxes, Muntjac, Roe, Fallow, French Boar, Chamois etc. The accuracy of the bullet - being fast and flat - gives tremendous confidence. I also shot it for a great deal of target use and found that the combination you shoot the most always works the best.

Peter Wilson.

 

[rem40xb1]

I have shot ELK Antelope and horses with Berger bullets and had no problems. I have used 6mm 105 VLD and 30cal 190 VLD with the same results. Many animals were shot over 500 yrds and one antelope at 1285. Ross

 

[65BR]

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

This site, albeit for a slower round may give you info you find helpful with the bullet tests in the link.

Also, 40x, a buddy spoke about someone he heard did an elk around 750 yds with a 6BR and I believe a 105 amax, possibly a berger or other vld of same/close weight. Was that you? I can imagine a head/neck or lung shot could but I don't shoot that far myself. It's interesting to know what 'can be done'