do lapua scenars expand
- Thread starter grizzly416
- Start date
Scenars are match bullets and as such should not be used on game regardless of the fact that they will kill. My experience with Sierra Matchkings in 155, 168, and 175 grain shows that they generally break across the ogive and probably tumble after that. Undoubtedly they have the potential to kill but I suspect a fair amount of meat will be ruined and some game can be wounded by a bullet not designed to expand in soft tissue.
I don't know about lapuas, but I have seen SMK tips compress longitudinally, or bend slightly as well. Certainly not a game hunting round.
See what the guys on longrangehunting say. I know that guys have given the A max good reviews for hunting at extended ranges. Guys down south have come back with mixed results on the expansion of the smk, but not the killing power. Put the bullet in the right spot and any animal will anchor.
- Location
- Halifax, NS
I had to buy a new box of bullets (Sierra game kings) when I decided to hunt with my 223 target rifle, even though I had 600 bullets, including some 77gn scenars.
bulldog284
CGN Regular
- Location
- pigeon hill
i know this was not an animal but it gives you an idea of expansion,shot a 8 inch white birch with them to see what they would do tiny hole going in and a tiny hole coming out..i would not use them for hunting,for the money buy yourself a box of bullets desined for hunting
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I've shot a few .243/95 gr Scenars, but never at game, and I don't think I've recovered any to compare to other match bullets. Even the highly touted Berger game bullets don't behave on game he way I expect a game bullet to. I went through a period where I used MKs and Hornady HPBT match bullets for seal hunting on the sea ice as most of the shots you get are head shots, but I was never able to anchor a seal with a body shot using them, and if they can move once hit, they're down the hole and lost. MKs either grenade or pencil through, and there seems to be no rhyme or reason for the terminal performance, or lack of if, that you'll get with them.
There are so many good game bullets to choose from, that unless you are one of those few half mile game shooters with talent enough to make those shots on demand, there is no reason to shoot match bullets at live targets across normal hunting ranges. Just load up some 6.5/120 gr Ballistic Tips or 6.5/130 gr Accubonds and go get your deer. Either of these bullets will shoot more accurately in your rifle than you can hold in the field, and either will perform much better on live targets than a match bullet.
There are so many good game bullets to choose from, that unless you are one of those few half mile game shooters with talent enough to make those shots on demand, there is no reason to shoot match bullets at live targets across normal hunting ranges. Just load up some 6.5/120 gr Ballistic Tips or 6.5/130 gr Accubonds and go get your deer. Either of these bullets will shoot more accurately in your rifle than you can hold in the field, and either will perform much better on live targets than a match bullet.
stevesummit
CGN Regular
- Location
- spruce grove
I did an inform test on a 6 lb rpork roast and after about 5-6 inches through the roast it blew up the last 1 1/2" on the second shot it took another inch off the back of the roast. I shot one deer with the 139 Scenar this year and it went no further then where is stood. Hit was in the spine and the damage was very close to that of a ballistic tip at the same speed . They do expand and will work but ymmv
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- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
I used to think that way too, then I began to see bullet failures and wounded game from thin skinned high velocity bullets, from match bullets that either penciled through or grenaded, and from game bullets that had too hard or too soft a core. Next to your rifle, the choice of bullet is the most important decision you make prior to making a shot on a live target, particularly if you're shooting with a marginal cartridge. I hope you catch on quicker than I did.
I once shot a very large black bear with a 250 Scenar out of 338 Lapua from about 300 yards out. It was facing me and the bullet struck him under the chin and traversed the entire length of his body lodging in his rear quarter almost to the skin...
He died...I was surprised at the penetration of the bullet. As an aside while skinning it I found he had been recently shot by somebody else as well and recovered a bullet that appeared to be from a 30-30.
He died...I was surprised at the penetration of the bullet. As an aside while skinning it I found he had been recently shot by somebody else as well and recovered a bullet that appeared to be from a 30-30.
