6.5(x55) ECX in a sauer 202

[pj1]

Evening all. I’m using 112 gn yewtrees in my 6.5x55. They work very well but I would like to try the 140 gn ecx from hornady.
My hesitation is that Ive struggled to get the heavier copper bullets to stabilise in my rifle.
It has a 1:8.7 twist.
Some manufacturers suggest a 1:8 twist for the 140gn copper bullets.
I have used the 156 gn round nose lead bullets in my rifle. They dropped like a stone over range but so did any deer I shot with them. Would love to replicate this with copper bullets.
Hornadys sales pitch is that the ecx is very forgiving over a wide range of chamberings and twist rate and designed for traditional European chamberings. But I can’t find any load data that shows a required twist rate. Just wondering if any folks have any experience with them and what twist rates your rifles have to stabilise them please.

Cheers Pete

 

[Selous]

There is only one way to find out unfortunately….. from memory the tip on the ECX is flat rather than pointed which will be in your favour.

 

[Selous]

Using the Berger bullets stability program it gives marginal stability with a 1:8.7 twist at 2500fps.
I’m not sure what advantage you will get from this bullet over a lighter mono metal projectile. All I can see is disadvantages in stability, velocity, trajectory, ability to expand on impact and degree of tissue damage - speed of killing. The Yew Tree that you are using seem much more appropriate for UK use. If you were hunting moose in dense forest, sure I can see the advantage over your current bullet but for red deer and below much less so.

 

[Utectok]

I did and do fine with tlr 114gn yewtree in a Sauer with the same calibre and twist. You won’t need more bullet her is one I shot last night at 350m with that combo

 

[Selous]

I did and do fine with tlr 114gn yewtree in a Sauer with the same calibre and twist. You won’t need more bullet her is one I shot last night at 350m with that combo
View attachment 406283

He looks like an old boy!!

 

[Utectok]

He looks like an old boy!!

Not getting any older lol

 

[Utectok]

Would have liked to get closer tbh but it really was last light

 

[pj1]

Thank you for your responses.
Utectok. Have you tried the non tipped offerings from yewtree? If so did you find any difference in their expansion. What sort of exits are you getting.

 

[pj1]

In 308 and 126.5 gn I regularly get three of four exit wounds where petals are breaking off. Thus was a fallow at about 130 yards

 

[Utectok]

Thank you for your responses.
Utectok. Have you tried the non tipped offerings from yewtree? If so did you find any difference in their expansion. What sort of exits are you getting.

I haven’t but was advised by yew tree that if I shoot the odd long one the tlr was the bussines he said they will be fine to 500m not that I shoot that far but I do shoot a few out there. Exit wounds vary as they do with most bullets but they usually prove fatal and that suits me.

 

[remmy243]

I haven’t but was advised by yew tree that if I shoot the odd long one the tlr was the bussines he said they will be fine to 500m not that I shoot that far but I do shoot a few out there. Exit wounds vary as they do with most bullets but they usually prove fatal and that suits me.

Was that in a 6-5x55
And what load did you end up going with and what sort of speed
Thanks

 

[Bowland blades]

Evening all. I’m using 112 gn yewtrees in my 6.5x55. They work very well but I would like to try the 140 gn ecx from hornady.
My hesitation is that Ive struggled to get the heavier copper bullets to stabilise in my rifle.
It has a 1:8.7 twist.
Some manufacturers suggest a 1:8 twist for the 140gn copper bullets.
I have used the 156 gn round nose lead bullets in my rifle. They dropped like a stone over range but so did any deer I shot with them. Would love to replicate this with copper bullets.
Hornadys sales pitch is that the ecx is very forgiving over a wide range of chamberings and twist rate and designed for traditional European chamberings. But I can’t find any load data that shows a required twist rate. Just wondering if any folks have any experience with them and what twist rates your rifles have to stabilise them please.

Cheers Pete

Instead get the lighter copper bullets like the 100 grain tTSX , Weight is no longer very meaningful when talking copper . Not sure what sizes Ecx comes in ( I have only used them in the .223 at 50 grains ) They certainly killed Muntjac and CWD
I have never had a 100 grain tTSX from Barnes fail on any deer and i include a goodly amount of big Reds and longer ranges . Also with the 120 grain version but they can struggle to expand as good , I try and keep the ranges just a tad less with them (less speed and more bullet mass i feel is the issue )
Never used Yew Tree bullets but can't think they would work the opposite way around

 

[Bowland blades]

In 308 and 126.5 gn I regularly get three of four exit wounds where petals are breaking off. Thus was a fallow at about 130 yards
View attachment 406290

I see those petals / bits of copper etc ? I don't really get Barnes doing that ( mainly in 100 grain ) well unless i smash into major bone , that turn into extra projectiles.
End of the day though we do damage so the beast drops fast . Bullets that did not open up would have us in a worst situation of maybe not recurving the beast

 

[quis1]

Instead get the lighter copper bullets like the 100 grain tTSX , Weight is no longer very meaningful when talking copper . Not sure what sizes Ecx comes in ( I have only used them in the .223 at 50 grains ) They certainly killed Muntjac and CWD
I have never had a 100 grain tTSX from Barnes fail on any deer and i include a goodly amount of big Reds and longer ranges . Also with the 120 grain version but they can struggle to expand as good , I try and keep the ranges just a tad less with them (less speed and more bullet mass i feel is the issue )
Never used Yew Tree bullets but can't think they would work the opposite way around

What was you ammo mix (powder, primers,) for the 100 grain and the 120grain as I am looking to load some lead free.

 

[Tralle]

Be careful when reloading the ECX!

It apparently produces a lot of pressure compared to other copper projectiles.

Load data found here

https://static.hornady.media/site/hornady/files/load-data/ECX-reloading-data.pdf

6.5x55
Hornady data
ECX 140gr, max load of 32.1 gr N-160 ~ 2200 fps

Vihtavouri data
Lapua naturalis 140 gr, max load 41.1 gr N-160 ~ 2500 fps

A guy on a Danish reloading page stuck a case in his rifle with ecx, of course it was a Facebook post and is gone now.
Irrc he used 40 gr n160 and believed he were well below max...

 

[3595wilk]

..... Found the 120 TTSX best in my Sauer 404 6.5x55... better than the 100s from my subjective view.

GMX 140s we're terrible.....not sure of the ECX. Thought about trying them but apart from Vmax in my .222, not had massive success with Hornady products.

139 Fox not brilliant either in my Swede - and Im a fox fanboi..... use fox in .308 and previously in .243.

Yewtree 112(?) were a bit too explosive over the relatively short distances I shoot (175 and in), so settled on the 120's.

Nothing is perfect, but the 120s offered the best solution for my needs.

 

[quis1]

..... Found the 120 TTSX best in my Sauer 404 6.5x55... better than the 100s from my subjective view.

GMX 140s we're terrible.....not sure of the ECX. Thought about trying them but apart from Vmax in my .222, not had massive success with Hornady products.

139 Fox not brilliant either in my Swede - and Im a fox fanboi..... use fox in .308 and previously in .243.

Yewtree 112(?) were a bit too explosive over the relatively short distances I shoot (175 and in), so settled on the 120's.

Nothing is perfect, but the 120s offered the best solution for my needs.

Thanks been reading lots at the moment as been using factory, reluctant to load lead free found it is time to load some lead free up but the big question is what do I load.

Any experiance with 140 grain heads, wanted to know how they perform and how much drop as got some hill stalking coming up and been suggested I get heavier rounds.

 

[remmy243]

Be careful when reloading the ECX!

It apparently produces a lot of pressure compared to other copper projectiles.

Load data found here

https://static.hornady.media/site/hornady/files/load-data/ECX-reloading-data.pdf

6.5x55
Hornady data
ECX 140gr, max load of 32.1 gr N-160 ~ 2200 fps

Vihtavouri data
Lapua naturalis 140 gr, max load 41.1 gr N-160 ~ 2500 fps

A guy on a Danish reloading page stuck a case in his rifle with ecx, of course it was a Facebook post and is gone now.
Irrc he used 40 gr n160 and believed he were well below max...

Loaded up a ladder test with 120 cx for my 6.5x55 using n160 well below max
First shot popped primer sticky bolt
Did not carry on with the rest