Monolithic vs bonded hunting bullets in 6mm / .243 caliber

[SD guy]

I like projectiles that retain 60% of the original weight or better for hunting. My application is working with muzzle velocity from 2700 fps up to 3000 ish FPS. I seem to lean on projectiles ranging from 85 grains up to 108 grains. I do not mean much about the experience folks have had with 6mm bonded bullets, nor do I see much relating to the monolithic use on game. My experience has primarily been with the 90 grain monolithic offerings.

With the 90 gr monolithic offerings my velocity has been running a bit over 2900 FPS. Ranges of shots thus far have not exceeded 100 yards by much as of yet. Performance on game has been very satisfactory. If I were to try a bonded bullet, May I experience any more satisfactory results over the monolithic offerings?

 

[dk17hmr]

Assuming you are talking about whitetail deer...At 100 ish yards it doesn't really matter. Solid copper bullets need all the speed. Bonded lead core might work/expand better for lower impact velocity from my experience.

I like shooting copper solids for hunting in my fast rounds like my 25-06AI and 6.5 short mags. If it's going 3400+ fps I like to have a copper load. But I have used 110gr Barnes in 300blk and 6.8spc with great results on game as well

 

[Gary in MD]

My experience has been with the 95 grain ballistic tips and the 80 TTSX.
The 95 BT out of a 243 win and a 240 wby, has worked very well with good expansion and exit wounds, it is a tougher bullet than people think and is very accurate.
The 80 grain TTSX has been like a lazer out of the 240 wby, pushed fast. Shoots accurately and has dropped them in their tracks.
Also killed a few with the 95 grain Nosler partition years ago with no complaints.

 

[SD guy]

Whitetail & perhaps Mule deer, may be on the menu. Bolt action 6MM ARC w 22" barrel is the launching platform. Suppose I may be asking myself if a 90 gr Accubond may out perform the Hornady CX at longer ranges. (more reliable expansion) Suppose I am anticipating limiting shot distances to something near 300 yards. In cases where I feel comfortable closing the distance to something considerably closer, that would be the goal more often than not.

Of course I would still need to see if I could find a load that will shoot reliable small groups.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Likely the velocity will be under 1900 fps @ 400 yards, I don't trust copper solid expansion under 2000 fps. That would seem to be your limiting factor, the lead core would still have working velocity. Although a "softer" deer bullet (SST) would work better at long range.

 

[Jack O'Connor]

Whitetails and mulies have the same chest wall thickness and it does not require a Premium bullet to smash through and produce ghastly wound channels. Badly damaged chest organs always translate to quick and humane kills. My .243 rifle shoots into tiny clusters with Winchester Deer Season 95 grain ammo. Deadly performance with light recoil. Jack

 

[SD guy]

Likely the velocity will be under 1900 fps @ 400 yards, I don't trust copper solid expansion under 2000 fps. That would seem to be your limiting factor, the lead core would still have working velocity. Although a "softer" deer bullet (SST) would work better at long range.

How about the Accubond at longer ranges 400 perhaps 500 yards?

 

[Tommie]

The Swift A-Frame is a bonded partition style bullet. Kinda the best of both worlds (if your gun will group with them).