Which bullet for deer for 6.5CM inside 400 yards?

[hunter67wa]

140 accubond

 

[snox801]

Big and green I thought the same thing with the x. I went to the 147 because of the thicker jacket. Not sure if it's better but it worked on my oryx.

 

[bigngreen]

Big and green I thought the same thing with the x. I went to the 147 because of the thicker jacket. Not sure if it's better but it worked on my oryx.

Ya, the slower speed and heavier bullet may work well. I'm confident in the Hammers on an elk, my daughter shoots well but those first few elk can be kinda nerve racking.

 

[Kimber7man]

139 Lapua Scenar first.
Or 120 Nosler ballistic tip or e-tip, 130/140 Berger VLD, 135 Berger classic hunter

 

[RockyMtnMT]

Gotta agree with the radius drive bands showing less pressure.
RockyMtMT, have you ever done a modeling comparison on your bullets vs say a Barnes to see the difference in the amount of material displaced by the rifling?
OP, I haven't shot hammers through any of my rifles yet, but I won't hesitate to try some once I get off my lazy --- and chamber my barrel blank. I've heard nothing but good things about the hammers.

In all honesty never thought about it. We designed our bullet to solve the problem that monos have regarding pressure. Monos by nature do not obturate with pressure like a lead core bullet to seal the bore. There is tolerance in barrels so the question with pure copper bullets is what dia to make them in order to seal the bore and not create pressure spikes. Tight bores will over pressure and loose bores will be inaccurate. Our radius drive bands allow our bullets to seal the bore without spikes in pressure regardless of the bore tolerance. It is a superior design to a grooved bullet.

 

[WildRose]

I know this is a long range forum but the advice you all give here has been great so I continue to ask my questions here. Which bullet would you use for reloads on deer and smaller critters inside 400 yards? Im thinking something in the 120-140grain range (highly considering the 117gr Hammer sledgehammers and the 130 grain accubond). The 117gr sledgehammers should provide a flat trajectory so I'm leaning towards those but I'm not sure how they perform on game yet.

If you want to go with a traditional bullet you can't beat the 129gr Hornady Interbond for that application. The 123gr Peregrine has been an awesome performer for me in the 260's for both deer and hogs.

 

[WildRose]

In all honesty never thought about it. We designed our bullet to solve the problem that monos have regarding pressure. Monos by nature do not obturate with pressure like a lead core bullet to seal the bore. There is tolerance in barrels so the question with pure copper bullets is what dia to make them in order to seal the bore and not create pressure spikes. Tight bores will over pressure and loose bores will be inaccurate. Our radius drive bands allow our bullets to seal the bore without spikes in pressure regardless of the bore tolerance. It is a superior design to a grooved bullet.

I'd say it's even simpler than that. Drive bands equal less surface contact with the lands and grooves compared to a traditional lead core bullet absent same producing higher velocities with lower chamber pressures.

 

[mtank]

The 142 Winchester ablr shot well in my creed as well as the 143 eld-x. I haven't loaded for this gun ever because it shoots factory loads very well. I've not taken any game yet with my creed though. My go to deer rifle & load the last two years has been a model 70 264 win shooting nosler 130 accubonds. Not exactly apples to apples there but I bought some 130s to load up & try in the creed. Also thinking about the 130 sciroccos.

 

[WildRose]

The 142 Winchester ablr shot well in my creed as well as the 143 eld-x. I haven't loaded for this gun ever because it shoots factory loads very well. I've not taken any game yet with my creed though. My go to deer rifle & load the last two years has been a model 70 264 win shooting nosler 130 accubonds. Not exactly apples to apples there but I bought some 130s to load up & try in the creed. Also thinking about the 130 sciroccos.

Skip the Siroccos' in favor of the Hornady interbond and I think you'll quickly find yourself in a very "happy place". Easy to lod for and devastating terminal ballistics.

 

[mtank]

Skip the Siroccos' in favor of the Hornady interbond and I think you'll quickly find yourself in a very "happy place". Easy to lod for and devastating terminal ballistics.

I noticed that the Hornady I believe has a 160 interbond for the 6.5s now. I know it's a 160 but thought it was a internond.

 

[wwbrown]

I have taken probably a dozen whitetails with 130 Accubond at ranges out to 300 yards and all but one have been one shot kills. I have recovered two bullets on the offise skin and weight retention was 80%+ and the expansion was beautiful. These out of my 100+ Swedish 96 so the pressure is limited, so the results from a modern gun should easily do the same out to your desired range.
By the way the 130 ABs are very accurate in the two guns I have tested them in.

Good luck,
wade

 

[Deviant]

I know this is a long range forum but the advice you all give here has been great so I continue to ask my questions here. Which bullet would you use for reloads on deer and smaller critters inside 400 yards? Im thinking something in the 120-140grain range (highly considering the 117gr Hammer sledgehammers and the 130 grain accubond). The 117gr sledgehammers should provide a flat trajectory so I'm leaning towards those but I'm not sure how they perform on game yet.

I don't hunt with my creedmoor as its just a bench gun for me but Im running the 130 Berger Hunting VLD at 3000 fps with no pressure signs and great accuracy at .010 off the lands.

 

[TXAoudadKlr]

143Gr ELD-X, 124HH 130gr SH, 160 Hornady RN, 140gr accubond

 

[Tex_Hunter]

Inside of 600 the 120gr class of bullets is going to have a better trajectory, outside of 600 the 140s are better as wind becomes a bigger factor.

Since you said 400 or less with deer being the primary target, go with a 120gr bullet from whatever maker you prefer, (NBT/Berger/Amax/etc). I personally run a 120gr Nosler ballistic tip in my lighweight hunting rig, its loaded very light (2800 fps MV from H4350, single digit SD) and it has been 100% 1 shot kills on whitetail for me with 375 being the furthest, and all but one were bang-flops. You dont need more than a 120 over the range you mention unless you think you might go after something heavier than deer/antelope.