What 6.5 bullet?

[jthyttin]

That much temperature drop will lower velocity I’d have thought and consequently less gyroscopic stability?

I've tested with warm rifle/ammo and ambient temperature rifle/ammo. While MV has some effect on stability, it's basic knowledge that bullets stabilize easier in "thinner air". Or in this case stabilize poorly in "thicker air".

 

[maximus otter]

Thanks! I’m very torn between the 140 accubonds and the normas.

Accubonds give a lovely , minimal bruising carcass from the .270.

Slightly concerned the slower 6.5 home loaded may be more of a pass through.

Did wonder if the accubond long range would open up better (inside normal distances, sub 200).

The 120 prohunters didn’t shoot amazingly. Sub 1” as opposed to thumbhole with the 140’s. But the normas appeal from a dump of energy point of view.

I take it the Norma’s still give a reasonable, non bruised carcass and an exit trail?

maximus otter

 

[wildfowler.250]

View attachment 382903

maximus otter

Looks a fair hole at that exit!

 

[Utectok]

I've tested with warm rifle/ammo and ambient temperature rifle/ammo. While MV has some effect on stability, it's basic knowledge that bullets stabilize easier in "thinner air". Or in this case stabilize poorly in "thicker air".

You’d be surprised how much slower rounds go in the cold, chrono them at -20 and I bet you’ve lost a lot of velocity.
“A marginally stabilized bullet at lower velocities can be comfortably stabilized at higher velocities. Longer bullets need faster spin rates.” I’m sure you know this though

 

[Edinburgh Rifles]

Folks, I’m sure I’ve asked a similar thread before but what is your favourite (lead) 6.5 bullet?

My rifle seemed to shoot 140 grain much better than 120 grain,(prohunters).

I was using 143 eldx . I’m getting low on numbers now and have had to change primer to RWS,(from CCI) so I thought it was a reasonable time to change bullets.

The eldx shot very well. Killed well enough. But were fairly messy/bruising.

I love the carcasses I get with accubonds in the .270. Maybe don’t group the best in the .270,(sub 1” just) but a nice golf ball shaped hole.

I’m tempted to try accubonds but the 130’s seem largely out of stock and the 140’s in stock seem to be ‘long range’ (to me that just means opens up easier at slower speeds / more bruising).


So what do you like and what is actually available in stock these days - another issue!


Thanks!

No one ever indicates what quarry or at what range they are shooting
Primary considerations to begin to choose a bullet

I moved from 143gr eldx to 147gr eldm for the same reason as you
So far so good

Non lead I use 124gr Peregrine but they require a true 1:8” and decent velocity to be stable out to the target
Continental 1:210mm barrels need not apply

Sierra seem far to erratic in supply to recommend at the moment

 

[CastleStalker]

120gr pro hunter driven fast is a great choice from the 6.5x55, I also found 140gr Nosler partitions performed very well. Currently on 130gr Gamechangers but that’s out of the 6.5CM, I’ve had really good performance so far, a clean killing bullet that doesn’t make a mess.

 

[25 Sharps]

Folks, I’m sure I’ve asked a similar thread before but what is your favourite (lead) 6.5 bullet?

My rifle seemed to shoot 140 grain much better than 120 grain,(prohunters).

I was using 143 eldx . I’m getting low on numbers now and have had to change primer to RWS,(from CCI) so I thought it was a reasonable time to change bullets.

The eldx shot very well. Killed well enough. But were fairly messy/bruising.

I love the carcasses I get with accubonds in the .270. Maybe don’t group the best in the .270,(sub 1” just) but a nice golf ball shaped hole.

I’m tempted to try accubonds but the 130’s seem largely out of stock and the 140’s in stock seem to be ‘long range’ (to me that just means opens up easier at slower speeds / more bruising).


So what do you like and what is actually available in stock these days - another issue!


Thanks!

129 gr accubond long range if you’re sticking with lead.

114 yew tree TLR if you fancy giving copper a go

 

[wildfowler.250]

No one ever indicates what quarry or at what range they are shooting
Primary considerations to begin to choose a bullet

I moved from 143gr eldx to 147gr eldm for the same reason as you
So far so good

Non lead I use 124gr Peregrine but they require a true 1:8” and decent velocity to be stable out to the target
Continental 1:210mm barrels need not apply

Sierra seem far to erratic in supply to recommend at the moment

Fair points!

Mostly sika and roe,(very occasional red deer). Appreciate sika and roe are at opposite ends of the spectrum but I largely use the .222 for the roe unless the wind is howling.

Very helpful to know about Sierra and supply. Nosler also seem to be quite patchy as well but I’ve always found them to make a decent bullet.

I’ve slight concerns using the ELDM, are they not a Match bullet?

Holding off on copper for until I have to. Even on rare estate days it’s easier to use a hire rifle. I’ve tried a few boxes of copper to see what shoots well as a one off and financially it was a daft call.

 

[wildfowler.250]

129 gr accubond long range if you’re sticking with lead.

114 yew tree TLR if you fancy giving copper a go

Do you find the 129 ABLR a sweet spot over the 142?

I was looking into the ABLR and the rear does seem solid like the accubond but the front a lot more explosive/softer. One chap at Nosler compared it to a btip . Sub 200 / 250 yards I suspect it won’t help. Maybe if I was stretching the legs on the 6.5?

 

[wildfowler.250]

120gr pro hunter driven fast is a great choice from the 6.5x55, I also found 140gr Nosler partitions performed very well. Currently on 130gr Gamechangers but that’s out of the 6.5CM, I’ve had really good performance so far, a clean killing bullet that doesn’t make a mess.

I’ve always been amazed at the cost of partitions. Even with other excellent bonded bullets they still charge high on the partitions.

Did not get brill results with the 120 prohunters. Does make me wonder if the 120 noslers would shoot. Maybe they will as it’s a completely different bullet

 

[Foxyboy43]

Hmmm.
Funny old things bullets.
130 gns Sierra Gamechangers…

And 120gns Sierra Prohunter. This roe was shot top of lhs shoulder but bullet decided to take it’s own path - rather haphazardly and with some destruction resulting. Dropped stone dead to the shot leaving a corona of red mist hanging in the air. Never had this happen before with Prohunters.

 

[wildfowler.250]

Hmmm.
Funny old things bullets.
130 gns Sierra Gamechangers…
View attachment 383028 View attachment 383031 View attachment 383030
And 120gns Sierra Prohunter. This roe was shot top of lhs shoulder but bullet decided to take it’s own path - rather haphazardly and with some destruction resulting. Dropped stone dead to the shot leaving a corona of red mist hanging in the air. Never had this happen before with Prohunters.
View attachment 383029

I have heard of the gamechangers doing funny things. I suspect if it was more common people on here would be flagging it regularly but interesting you said that

 

[25 Sharps]

Do you find the 129 ABLR a sweet spot over the 142?

I was looking into the ABLR and the rear does seem solid like the accubond but the front a lot more explosive/softer. One chap at Nosler compared it to a btip . Sub 200 / 250 yards I suspect it won’t help. Maybe if I was stretching the legs on the 6.5?

They are harder than ballistic tip including the hunting version. I have not used the 142s so I can’t comment but I got on really well with the 129s on roe and fallow.

In all honesty I think you’d be better off going with copper for what you are asking if a bullet.

 

[Rutland lad]

Nobody but a man is only as good as his word and if you promise to use lead free to keep a permission you should.

Agree totally - plus the carcass’s go to a butcher who doesn’t want lead in them.

 

[wildfowler.250]

They are harder than ballistic tip including the hunting version. I have not used the 142s so I can’t comment but I got on really well with the 129s on roe and fallow.

In all honesty I think you’d be better off going with copper for what you are asking if a bullet.

Perfect, sounds ideal!

Agree totally - plus the carcass’s go to a butcher who doesn’t want lead in them.

I’m guessing that’s directed at someone else? Must have missed one in the chain I think. I’m only shooting for myself so still lead for the foreseeable

 

[Rutland lad]

Apologies - see below post.

Perfect, sounds ideal!


I’m guessing that’s directed at someone else? Must have missed one in the chain I think. I’m only shooting for myself so still lead for the foreseeable

 

[Rutland lad]

The reply should’ve gone to Pete 6.5. But I’m currently abroad and the IT is not as good as it could be.

 

[gixer1]

If in the U.K. and shooting any of the deer species - I don’t see a huge difference between similar design bullets (I.e.- 100gr SP’s vs 150gr SP’s)…I’ve shot with 30-06 down to .223….and from munties to reds…

Shot placement - yes, and if you use ballistic tip type bullets yes (not for me on deer), but between say 100-150sp’s…both will drop deer and damage is about the same when comparing same shot placement.

There are too many variables in placement, path of the bullet etc and this can be the difference observed for me.

It’s absolutely possible to shoot munties with .30cal chamberings and a lot of reds have dropped to 243 and smaller.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[South of the M4]

Have you tried Swift Scirocco ll 130g?
They shot fabulously in my 6.5x55, always expanded but not hugely - perfect Goldilocks bullet in my opinion!
I went through the usual Nosler BT 120g (quite a lot of damage), SSTs 129g (very accurate but huge holes) Normas Oryx 156g (pencilled straight through) etc but none had the right balance of accuracy and terminal performance.
I've taken around 1200 deer with these over 20 years, muntjac, roe and fallow, so not a one off opinion.
I've gone over to Fox Classics now (123g) as my dealer wants copper. I rate these highly as well.

Thanks! I’m very torn between the 140 accubonds and the normas.

Accubonds give a lovely , minimal bruising carcass from the .270.

Slightly concerned the slower 6.5 home loaded may be more of a pass through.

Did wonder if the accubond long range would open up better (inside normal distances, sub 200).

The 120 prohunters didn’t shoot amazingly. Sub 1” as opposed to thumbhole with the 140’s. But the normas appeal from a dump of energy point of view.

I take it the Norma’s still give a reasonable, non bruised carcass and an exit trail?