The Right Bullet for 6.5-300 Weatherby Mag

[bsnyder]

I'm pushing the 123 AH right at 3,500 & 1/2 MOA out of a 24" 6.5 Sherman Max. Pretty potent combo. Gives me a psychological boost whenever I got a Hammer in the chamber because I know I can pretty much take on any shot scenario and expect good results.

(not a shabby high-speed entrance hole here from a 123 AH that ran through a large WT doe almost end for end starting in the driver's side rear ham )

That will leave a mark!

 

[Creoleboy]

I would load the 124g Hammer Hunter. About 3600 fps makes this very serious pretty far.

I just ran JBM at 3000' elev. Impact velocity at 600y is 2500 fps. Still holds almost 1900 fps at 1000y.

"3077.0"
https://www.jbmballistics.com/cgi-bin/jbmtraj-5.1.cgi#:~:text=1.1-,3077.0,-2.785

Just tried 124 HH , shot 3432 avg fps Lil over inch group will try different seating depth

 

[Northkill]

Just tried 124 HH , shot 3432 avg fps Lil over inch group will try different seating depth

What powder?

 

[Mike D Texas]

As fast as that cartridge is capable of running, I'd probably stick with a mono bullet.

I'm surprised you aren't getting more velocity with the 124 Hammer. I'm getting just under 3300fps with a 264 Win Mag Improved with a 156 Berger EOL in a 28" barrel.

 

[sable tireur]

I doubt his rifle has enough twist for the 135 SBD-2. He could try the 125 BD-2, but they'll launch a bit slower than the 124 HH and won't hold together quite as well at closer ranges/higher velocity.

Probably not, that's why I made the statements I did:

The best performance I've managed so far is from the Badlands 135 grain SBZ-2. Lots of legs for those potentially longer shots and remaining energy for those bigger bodied elk hunts.

Simply a statement of my selection not necessarily for his use in an existing rifle.

This doesn't push away the Hammer bullets at all,

I specifically stayed away from the 125 due to previous tests.

Enjoy!

 

[Northkill]

I have a feeling @ButterBean could get you goin faster with that 124HH

 

[Creoleboy]

What powder?

Us869

 

[338 dude]

Us869

Maybe you need something just ever so slightly faster

 

[AZ Patriot 17]

Not a thing wrong with running the 156 EOL. It comes as a factory option. I've worked up a hand load with it, as well. Slightly faster than factory with VV N570, and better groups.

When I get some time, I've got a couple boxes of 150 ABLR's to try out. The 142 was reasonably impressive, too. I know the ABLR isn't for everyone, but I've had good luck with them.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

Just tried 124 HH , shot 3432 avg fps Lil over inch group will try different seating depth

Are you hitting pressure at all? If not it may tighten up with a bit more push. If you are hitting pressure you may want to look at a slower powder.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

Just saw you are running 869. Not too fast. You may have room to push a bit more. I will say I have not been a fan of it when pushing the pressure. I think guys have done well with Ramshot lrt.

 

[Creoleboy]

The 156 is a harder bullet. I wouldn't hesitate to run it. In my 6.5-300. I run the 124 hammers. It has been a lot of fun. Before hammers was the 127 lrx. Attached are pictures of the animals I took from 157 yards to 683. The antelope was at 683. The white tail buck was at 397, the elk was at 157. None of them took a step. I switched to hammers because Barnes didn't wanna take care of the customer and I wanted a bullet that shed fragmented and made some different wound channels. I will sash I'm not running the 124's at 3600. Im running them at 3400 which is still no slouch. I had them up over 3500 but es was ulgy and over 600 my accuracy was horrible.

Thanks for your input

 

[Creoleboy]

Are you hitting pressure at all? If not it may tighten up with a bit more push. If you are hitting pressure you may want to look at a slower powder.

No pressure sign at 93.0 Us869 3.590 ocl

 

[RockyMtnMT]

No pressure sign at 93.0 Us869 3.590 ocl

I have a feeling your accuracy will improve if you start getting some pressure. Often we will see rifles tighten up when you start to push. Work up carefully.

Rl33 or n570 could be good too.