6.5 - 139gr Lapua Scenar for Varmint hunting

[Fore300]

Wondering if anyone has done any Varmint hunting with a 139 Lapua Scenar? Will this bullet expand enough to quickly dispatch a Coyote etc?

I typically use my 22-250 but have built a long range rifle in a 260 and was wondering if using my target rounds would work on Coyotes

Thanks for your input

 

[Alpheus]

Target bullets generally have thicker jackets then hunting or varmint bullets. And while most modern target bullets are hollowpoint boat-tails, they are designed for ballistic performance, not terminal effects.
I would not count on a Scenar expanding properly.

 

[mflavel]

I agree with Alpheus, the Scenar are not designed to expand. I've used 95g Hornadys and 100g Sierras. in my 6.5 rifle.

 

[pzkw108]

I can tell you 140g Berger VLD's do pretty good on cayotes !!

 

[bigedp51]

I was out groundhog hunting with a friend in the late 1970s who was trying out a new custom 7mm Rem Mag with Sierra 140 grain HPBT hand loads.

He hit a hog at over 175 yards and using binoculars all I saw was a pink cloud and the ground hog was completely disemboweled.

Bottom line, they sell FMJ bullets for pelt hunters and explosive soft point bullet that expload and eviscerate what you hit.

The main thing I would think about with larger heavy bullets is what is behind your target and ricochets.

 

[tigrr]

The hollow point makes a great pink mist if you hit it right. Think 6.5 mm entrance and 20 mm exit on a coyote. Mine were travelling at 3050 fps. 6.5-284.

 

[Ganderite]

The 140 Amax will expand. But I would buy a box of hunting bullets or varmint bullets.

 

[bearhunter]

Scenars are expensive in comparison to Hornady 95grn V max, which will shoot just as well or maybe even better, with less felt recoil.

If all you have on hand and don't want to purchase anything else, I'm sure there isn't a coyote in existence that would be able to tell the difference.

 

[Brodygil]

I've used 139gr scenar in 260 rem on yotes and other varmint. They worked very well at close and extended distances. Use them with confidence.

 

[Fore300]

Thanks guys, I definitely think there are better bullets for Coyotes, what I was hoping was to use match loads I have already and zeroed in for. I might try a couple close in weight and see how it goes. Although I like the pink mist comments

 

[dero338]

I dont know if it will help, but I have recovered scenar bullets in sand @ 400 yards almost complete, but never found a SMK. Shot from 6,5X55

 

[Fore300]

I ended up trying one of the scenars on a coyote and was stunned by the exit wound. Coyote stopped dead in it's tracks. As I walked over and flipped it over I found an exit hole I could put my fist in. Was not expecting that

 

[titch--]

Hitting bone will cause a nice sized hole