6.5 deer bullet

140 gn sierra game king.

Stupid accurate - can routinely get 0.75 moa from the bench in my T3. At least, the gun can, not sure I can.

Plenty tough enough for deer at 6.5x55 velocity. Hit one at about 75 yards through the scapula, then went all the way throught the base of the neck/front of chest (i.e. almost all flesh, almost no lung), then went on to break the opposite side shoulder right at the joint. Came to rest just under the skin with about 65% weight retained.

Also shot a doe at 240 yards, went through both sides of the cervical spine.

Fat
 
125 Nosler Partition. Brutally accurate in my T3.
Shot several deer between 50 and 250 yards with complete passthroughs. Most deer drop instantly. Doesn't normally leave a bunch of bloodshot meat either.
That is my favorite deer bullet to load.
 
Shane296 said:
125 Nosler Partition. Brutally accurate in my T3.
Shot several deer between 50 and 250 yards with complete passthroughs. Most deer drop instantly. Doesn't normally leave a bunch of bloodshot meat either.
That is my favorite deer bullet to load.
Click to expand...

This is also my choice!! My 6.5's all shoot this bullet very well.
In a 6.5x55, you can approach 3000 fps with it.
Kills like lightning.
Top choice for deer size game.
Eagleye.
 
peterdobson said:
Lapua Mega, tests show slightly superior performance over Partition at half the cost and very accurate.
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Great bullet, Peter, but....at 156 grains, much heavier than needed for deer, and cannot push it fast enough for flat trajectories in a 260 Rem or 6.5x55.
Also Semi-spitzer design impairs exterior ballistics.
Eagleye.
 
130gr Nosler Accubond or 129 Hornady Interbond work in my 6.5x55 Krico 700. Tried other bullets with less than great results. My opinion is that it depends which firearm you are loading for. The modern rifle can take slightly bigger powder loads than the older milsurp stuff. Bullet shock and fragmentation/weight retention is what I look for in a hunting bullet.
 
I also like using the flat base 129s as a norm, but have tried the 129SSTs with great success. And the higher BC may also provide for some longer range benefit. Going heavier requires more twist. So if you are looking at milsurp no issue as many were made for 160s with I think a 7.5 twist. So I would first determine your twist rate then match the bullet for better success.

You'll never go wrong with partitions or interlocks. In a 6.5 the sectional densities are outstanding so many a hunting grade bullet will provide good deer medicine.

So I would start with load development on the cheaper bullets like Hornadys 129 SP, then if you really think you need it then try a partition. My two cents.
 
Shane296 said:
125 Nosler Partition. Brutally accurate in my T3.
Shot several deer between 50 and 250 yards with complete passthroughs. Most deer drop instantly. Doesn't normally leave a bunch of bloodshot meat either.
That is my favorite deer bullet to load.
Click to expand...


That's a fantastic deer bullet, I've killed probably around 10 deer with that bullet from a couple of 260 Remingtons. I'm not sure any of them ran a step.

Lately I have been killing them with the 129 gr hornady spirepoint from my 6.5x55.
 
I made my choice, I will try the Nosler 130g accubond. I didn't go for the partition cause of the lead tips. not the Berger VLD hunting cause I feel they are varmint bullet.and I got a problem with Hornady.........;)

but I think every hunting bullets should do a good job in 6.5mm cause of that extraordinary SD.

Seb
 
fat but funky said:
140 gn sierra game king.

Stupid accurate - can routinely get 0.75 moa from the bench in my T3. At least, the gun can, not sure I can.

Plenty tough enough for deer at 6.5x55 velocity. Hit one at about 75 yards through the scapula, then went all the way throught the base of the neck/front of chest (i.e. almost all flesh, almost no lung), then went on to break the opposite side shoulder right at the joint. Came to rest just under the skin with about 65% weight retained.

Also shot a doe at 240 yards, went through both sides of the cervical spine.

Fat
Click to expand...
Same for me, they just plain work, be it in my 6.5X55's, or my 6.5WSM wildcat.
Cat
 
I recently ordered a Cooper Model 52 chambered for the 6.5x284 Norma from Prophet River Firearms and two boxes of Nosler 125 grain Partitions. I've also purchased Sierra 123 Match Kings to find the load and once found I will transfer it to the Partitions. I know that there will be a slight difference in pressure and accuracy, however; thats the fun part........... to tinker.
I also contacted Accurate Arms in Montana and they advised me to utilize their Mag Pro Powder where I should find great results.....WOW, a 123 grainer travelling at 3,275 fps. This should be a great load for deer since this is why I purchased this cartridge. The Nosler and Sierra manuals also have great loads for all 6.5's.
 
I've had great success with 120 gr. Speer Spitzers. They've mostly penetrated fully on side shots. The only one that didn't was at about 20 yds and the bullet blew up on the far shoulder. The buck raised up on his hind legs, waved his front legs for a second, then dropped - dead.
Most were "bang flops".

I've used the 140 gr. Speer Spitzer on 1 buck. The bullet broke up in the chest and part of it exited. The buck just leaped sideways and fell over.

I've used the 140 Nosler Partition on 1 large doe. Behind the shoulder shot, doe ran in a circle and dropped. Complete pass through.

For deer I don't think you need "special" bullets or bullets heavier than 120 grs.
 
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