Perfect Roe Caliber

[User00044]

I'm a little confused as to how the 6.5 Lapua wouldn't be large deer legal or suitable?
According to Sierra's load data max load for 140 sbt will see 2670 fps , which equates to 2216 ft/lbs of energy from a 24" barrel . Max load with the same bullet in 6.5x55 gives identical velocity all be it from a 27 1/2" barrel using more powder . Presuming that the data is accurate.
However ,I don't wish to enter into an online argument , especially since I asked for thoughts and opinions but the ballistics appear to add up.
Thanks to all for your replies and any others that may follow .
FT

 

[swatty]

It’s as simple as this all deer legal calibres will get the job done on all uk species with the right bullet combination I’m running 123 grain bullets that are supposed to be non expanding and 70 plus reds this season haven’t had any complaints with not one running more than 30 yards yet the same bullet with engine room shots on roe makes a right mess . If England and Scotland had the same rules and all I shot was roe I’d have a 22 centre fire most probably 223

 

[NigelM]

I run a 6.5 Lapua shooting 129g bullets. It works for Roe, works for Red. It's a good one gun solution. I've had it for 6 or 7 years and given my time again I would probably go Creedmoor as you can get factory hunting ammo for it. I reload but it makes the resale much easier if you do decide to get rid of it. Not much between the two of them.

The Lapua is exceptionally accurate. If a load isn't shooting sub 0.5 MOA you're doing something wrong. They are real scalpels.

If the question is what is the perfect calibre for Roe I would probably say the Scots have got it right and go for a 223. Roe don't need a 130 grain bullet and it does more damage than is necessary. Unfortunately it would be illegal in England.

 

[Border]

6mmBR, almost a 243 but running 10 grains less powder for nearly same velocity.

 

[Howzat]

6.5X55 NO MORE TO BE SAID

 

[kenbro]

You might consider the 6x47

Or, 6x45?
Ken.

 

[kenbro]

Or, 6x45?
Time to chime in, takbok?
Ken.

 

[User00025]

7 x 57 With a moderator. 140 gr bullet perfect for anything. Low recoil with mod, my great granddaughter 6yrs old could handle it. If only for Roe the other side of the wall .222 with mod.

 

[J111]

After suffering a perforated ear drum , my under used 270 has become uncomfortable to use . Don't know why it should be different to any other moderated rifle ,
Having spent too much time mulling over the options and since I primarily shoot Roe , I have decided on a 6.5x47 Lapua. Ample knock down , accurate , mild recoil and easy to moderate. Seems perfect!
Thoughts would appreciated ...

FT

I was just wondering if you considered a reduced recoil round in your 270? Or if you homeland you could load them (you must homeland if you are considering 6.5x47)

 

[User00044]

I was just wondering if you considered a reduced recoil round in your 270? Or if you homeland you could load them (you must homeland if you are considering 6.5x47)

I did consider this as an option but in all honesty the discomfort I encountered simply turned me off the rifle . Which is a shame as it shoots well and has a very low round count .
It isn't only my 270 , also 2 friends rifles , all different set ups . They all make me wince.
??? Some of this maybe psychological I admit .
Cheers

 

[monarman]

Im Assuming you don't intend to shoot on FC land as they don't allow home loaded ammo?.....
I find 7x57 perfect after having my 270 rebarrelled. ... low recoil and with a dpt magnum over barrel it's as quiet as my 243....

 

[Muir]

Why would you want to shoot fish eggs??~Muir

 

[Selous]

6.5x47 is a great calibre. If you want you can almost duplicate 270 ballistics. We chrono'd a 123 g bullet at 3025 fps last weekend which is shifting for a little case. No pressure signs either. This was with RS 60

 

[20-250]

I run a 6.5 Lapua shooting 129g bullets. It works for Roe, works for Red. It's a good one gun solution.

Would you mind sharing your load data?

 

[20-250]

6.5x47 is a great calibre. If you want you can almost duplicate 270 ballistics. We chrono'd a 123 g bullet at 3025 fps last weekend which is shifting for a little case. No pressure signs either. This was with RS 60

Wow, that’s in excess of what Reload Swiss achieve in their published data. Care to share some details?

 

[NigelM]

6.5x47 is a great calibre. If you want you can almost duplicate 270 ballistics. We chrono'd a 123 g bullet at 3025 fps last weekend which is shifting for a little case. No pressure signs either. This was with RS 60

I did similar with 123 Scenars and RL15 - 3018 fps with a 5 shot ES of 9. No pressure signs. However, it groups better at 2990 fps so I have come off a bit.

 

[User00033]

All the suggestions so far have merit, I guess. I'm sitting here next to my mate Phil who is on the 6.5x47 Lapua road, but for long range, and he loves it. So do I. However...

Having recovered four reds and a half dozen fallow shot with this cartridge in the past 5 weeks, I sure as hell wouldn't want to be using it on Roe at the typical English ranges. Its a fast, power packed cartridge that punches well above its weight, and you'd have to down load it for it to be a good option on Bambi. The recent deer have been shot with two different bullets, 130gr Sierra TMK and 129gr Nosler ABLR. The ABLR on the fallow was the better the two, with less bruising on the offside, but still it blew a fairly big hole on exit. Slightly slower killing, but less meat lost.

Billy goats are a reasonable proxy for Roe deer, weight wise, usually a bit heavier, and the 6.5x47 Lapua just obliterates them out past 700m.

In today's world of 3000fps, polymer tipped 6.5mm 130gr+ bullets, insane ranges and YouTube videos, its hard to find a sensible option for Roe. A downloaded .243 or 308 with a traditional soft point would be my pick. A slow 6.5x55 would be ok too. Anything that will send a traditional soft point at 2600-2800fps max. A 30/30 with a 2100fps 150gr would be perfect but your silly laws probably preclude that!

6.5x47 is way too much for Roe deer unless you're shooting them at 500m. Its an excellent long range cartridge but overpowered for short range stuff. @NigelM is right, a .223 used with a medium paced 50-55gr SP would be spot on, but you can't do that due to aforementioned silly laws.

It really is a perfect case of needing to select the right amount of gun for the intended game weight. Roe are little deer.

 

[andychas]

In today's world of 3000fps, polymer tipped 6.5mm 130gr+ bullets, insane ranges and YouTube videos, its hard to find a sensible option for Roe. A downloaded .243 or 308 with a traditional soft point would be my pick. A slow 6.5x55 would be ok too. Anything that will send a traditional soft point at 2600-2800fps max.

nailed it imo, appropriate bullet design for the intended quarry and sensible velocity are the key to having a humane quick kill without destroying the carcass. Personally I use a 30-06 with 180gn game kings and a 6.5x55 with 140gn game kings, both trundling along around the 2600fps mark, quick effective kills and little damage

 

[big ears]

nailed it imo, appropriate bullet design for the intended quarry and sensible velocity are the key to having a humane quick kill without destroying the carcass. Personally I use a 30-06 with 180gn game kings and a 6.5x55 with 140gn game kings, both trundling along around the 2600fps mark, quick effective kills and little damage

Spot on on all accounts

 

[jimbo1984]

I push a 7 mm 139gr soft point at 2750 for roe in England , if in Scotland it’s usually the .222