Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: gadwall on February 29, 2012, 09:04:07 PM

Title: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: gadwall on February 29, 2012, 09:04:07 PM: What are your favorite 6.5 mm bullets for deer? I am thinking about trying the 100 Gr. Barnes TTSX.

Thanks,

Gadwall.
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 29, 2012, 09:09:53 PM: I will be running a lot of the nosler b-tips in the 120 and they also put out the 140 this year as well. Not the best for deer but they still work well. I have been around more then a few deer killed with them and they shoot good for me. The 6.5 grendel is almost done just waiting on a upper now :'( I am sure I will run some amax bullets as well not for hunting unless it for yotes.
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: coachcw on February 29, 2012, 09:15:55 PM: I'm pretty sure im gonna use 140 accubonds , I think the berger vlds would be ok aswell aslong as you break the front shoulder down .
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 29, 2012, 09:17:08 PM: Yeah for big game hunting the 140 accubond will be hard to beat!
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: coachcw on February 29, 2012, 09:20:15 PM: Quote from: carpsniperg2 on February 29, 2012, 09:17:08 PM
Yeah for big game hunting the 140 accubond will be hard to beat!
thanks I repect your oppinions . I really like what i see for the Accubonds and i've heard the vlds don't perform well at close range.
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 29, 2012, 09:31:45 PM: I also like the etips! I took 6 big game animals with the 140g 7mm accubonds last year. I took 2 bigger/dangerous animals with the e tip last year out of my 300 win mag in 180g. Both shot very well in many of my guns. The accubonds tack in the 270wsm and work well at any range and will expand better at the longer ranges. For closer ranges and tuff animals I really like that new etip. Its a lot like the barnes bullets. They have shot very well for me in my magnums. I shot animals with the accubonds from 100 yards to 400+ yards. The one thing to note is they do tend to produce a lot of blood shot. If its just on the ribs you are o.k. If you hit the shoulders with the accubonds they will still go threw well but mess some meat up. Exit wounds are monstrous!Most the size of a golf ball to base ball.
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: coachcw on February 29, 2012, 09:36:57 PM: I rather anchor an animal than save a shoulder when it comes down to it , I'm gonna stick with the accubonds and not look back.ty
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: Miles on February 29, 2012, 09:57:52 PM: I used the Hornady 140 grain SP for a few years and liked the results. They stopped making the factory loaded ammo tough, so I was forced to switch over to the 140 SST's. I'm not so sure about those things.... They tend to explode and not stay together well. They have dropped everything they've been shot at, but the bullet does come apart fairly easy IMO.

This is all out of my 6.5 x 55, and running 2,550 - 2,735 fps. If I reloaded, I would switch back to the SP. They worked great and never had any separation issues.
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on February 29, 2012, 10:23:33 PM: I get very good groups out of the 140 gr accubonds in my 264 mag. Didn't have good performance out of the hornady's .
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: Jim the Plumber on February 29, 2012, 11:07:01 PM: It would depend, what cartridge and game you are shooting?
In my 6.5x47Lapua, I like the 123-130 grain bullets. A great balance between speed, higher B.C., and sufficient down range energy.
I use the 123 A-Max for varmints and the 129 SST/ Interbond and 130 Accubond for big game hunting.
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: high country on March 01, 2012, 07:39:04 AM: how far you going to shoot and how fast you plan on pushing them?
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: coachcw on March 01, 2012, 09:15:01 AM: arround 3000 As far as possible 800-1k
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: buckfvr on March 01, 2012, 09:24:13 AM: Quote from: gadwall on February 29, 2012, 09:04:07 PM
What are your favorite 6.5 mm bullets for deer? I am thinking about trying the 100 Gr. Barnes TTSX.

Thanks,

Gadwall.

Look at ballistic coefficient numbers and down range energy and give that as much consideration as fast and flat.....find a compromise.
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: BULLBLASTER on March 01, 2012, 09:32:27 AM: Try them all! For long range it is smart to stick with heavy for caliber bullets because of BC and energy. I am sold on berger. And they do.work well at closer ranges. I killed a 6 point bull elk inside 100 yards last year as well as a muley buck at 80 with vlds.
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: high country on March 01, 2012, 10:52:42 AM: I like the mk and vld for beyond 600ish stuff, but they require discipline in shot choices. It takes at least 8.5 twist to stabilize a 140vld at 3000 reliably....keep that in mind.
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: coachcw on March 01, 2012, 11:43:20 AM: i'm running a hart 8.5 with a 26 inch and a break , How do the accubonds work with that twist rate?
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: high country on March 02, 2012, 08:35:22 AM: I have not had a bullet that was not sub .5 moa including the lowly corelokt. Accubonds will be awesome if you can push them around 3k
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: TwoSixFourWins on March 02, 2012, 09:00:40 AM: For deer....? Two words.......BALLISTIC TIPS!!!!! :tup:
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: TwoSixFourWins on March 02, 2012, 09:04:58 AM: Quote from: coachcw on March 01, 2012, 11:43:20 AM
i'm running a hart 8.5 with a 26 inch and a break , How do the accubonds work with that twist rate?

I assume by 8.5 you are referring to the rate of twist? Also perhaps i missed it reading through the posts but what cartridge is this?
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: coachcw on March 02, 2012, 10:16:21 AM: It's a 6.5x.284 in 1in 8.5 twist .
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: TwoSixFourWins on March 02, 2012, 06:29:10 PM: I shoot a couple 264s and there are many guys loading the accubonds in 1 in 9 twists and doing well. Your cartridge is ballistically really close to the 264 so i would assume with a proper handloaded diet they should stabilize fine. Just have to try it and see. Good rule of thumb is the faster the twist the heavier (for caliber) bullet it likes
Title: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: Worldhunter on March 05, 2012, 04:58:14 PM: 140 gr AMAX
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: gadwall on March 16, 2012, 01:24:34 PM: Quote from: Miles on February 29, 2012, 09:57:52 PM
I used the Hornady 140 grain SP for a few years and liked the results. They stopped making the factory loaded ammo tough, so I was forced to switch over to the 140 SST's. I'm not so sure about those things.... They tend to explode and not stay together well. They have dropped everything they've been shot at, but the bullet does come apart fairly easy IMO.

This is all out of my 6.5 x 55, and running 2,550 - 2,735 fps. If I reloaded, I would switch back to the SP. They worked great and never had any separation issues.

Miles,
If your guns like Hornady bullets, try to find factory ammo loaded with the new GMX bullet. A buddy of mine switched to them last season and shot 2 nice bull elk with excellent results.
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on June 11, 2012, 12:37:56 PM: Guys, what are your thoughts in using a 264 win mag as an all around gun? I haven't taken it elk hunting yet, but I know guys use them. There are more bullets these days, and I shoot it a lot better than my 338 rum. Thinking about dumping the ultra mag and investing in a nice scope for the 264. Thoughts?
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: high country on June 11, 2012, 06:06:58 PM: Quote from: elkinrutdrivemenuts on June 11, 2012, 12:37:56 PM
Guys, what are your thoughts in using a 264 win mag as an all around gun? I haven't taken it elk hunting yet, but I know guys use them. There are more bullets these days, and I shoot it a lot better than my 338 rum. Thinking about dumping the ultra mag and investing in a nice scope for the 264. Thoughts?

I can tell you with certainty that it will work more than fine.
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: Jim the Plumber on June 11, 2012, 06:08:51 PM: 129 SST's in the 6.5X47 Lapua. Good out to at least 675 yards. I've also used the 130 AB's, 140 PT's and 140A-Max.
This year I'll be using the 129 interbond out of the 6.5 Lapua and won't hesitate to poke an elk with the same load.
For elk in the 264, I'd look at the 140PT or 140AB. The 264WM will slay elk.
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: elkinrutdrivemenuts on June 11, 2012, 09:01:33 PM: That's what I figured. It's much nicer to shoot too!
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: Biggerhammer on June 11, 2012, 11:02:49 PM: Quote from: coachcw on February 29, 2012, 09:36:57 PM
I rather anchor an animal than save a shoulder when it comes down to it , I'm gonna stick with the accubonds and not look back.ty
:yeah:

I've really liked the 130 Accubond, I'm sure the 140 Accubond will just be a little more of a good thing to start with. It's arrival is to early to tell when it comes to big game. The 123 A-Max performs excellent on deer at Grendel velocities.
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: MDGrand on June 12, 2012, 11:40:22 AM: :)
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: h20hunter on June 12, 2012, 11:55:40 AM: Hell of a nice group.
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: Biggerhammer on June 13, 2012, 01:54:46 PM: Quote from: coachcw on March 01, 2012, 11:43:20 AM
i'm running a hart 8.5 with a 26 inch and a break , How do the accubonds work with that twist rate?

8.5 is the perfect twist rate for your 6.5-284. I have had them in 8, 8.5 and 9 twist. I prefer the 8.5 twist cut rifle barrels.
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: ducksoup on June 16, 2012, 07:33:30 PM: Wow, I'm surprised, no votes for either the 120 grain TTSX or the 125 grain Partition. I had a .260 Rem built on my old 700 ADL action. I used a 1-8"twist Shilan stainless Select Match barrel and had the action fully blueprinted. Neal Jones did a great job on the trigger getting it to 2-1/2 pounds and breaks like glass with zero creep. I was planning on using either the 120 TTSX or the 125 NP to hunt with depending on which was most accurate. Anyone using either of these?
Title: Re: 6.5 mm bullets
Post by: Biggerhammer on June 16, 2012, 08:02:04 PM: Quote from: ducksoup on June 16, 2012, 07:33:30 PM
Wow, I'm surprised, no votes for either the 120 grain TTSX or the 125 grain Partition. I had a .260 Rem built on my old 700 ADL action. I used a 1-8"twist Shilan stainless Select Match barrel and had the action fully blueprinted. Neal Jones did a great job on the trigger getting it to 2-1/2 pounds and breaks like glass with zero creep. I was planning on using either the 120 TTSX or the 125 NP to hunt with depending on which was most accurate. Anyone using either of these?

:puke: 120 TTSX and the Nosler Partitions BC sucks. The 130 and 140 Accubond trump the 125 NP and terminal performance almost mimics the NP, being a bonded core bullet.

I'll slum a Hornady Interlock day in and day out before I'll even look the TTSX's way over a gun counter, but that's just me. I spent time killing chit for 20 plus years with Noslers and Hornadys, instead of reading advertisements about TTSX's.

Don't think I just dislike the TTSX's, I feel all Barnes bullets are equally worthless. :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:

Heck, I'd hunt deer with a 95 gr V-Max out of a .260 or 6.5-284. All personal preference.