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Best 6.5 all around projectile?

libertyman777

Are you gonna eat that....
Full Member
Minuteman
Nov 26, 2007
849
11
57
Heflin, Alabama
As posted below my build will be here shortly. It's in 6.5 Creedmoor. Currently I have 100 pieces of brass, dies (of course), a fair powder selection (4350, RL15, 4227, Varget and probably a few more suitable powders), and some 140 grain A-Max.

I plan to hunt with this rifle. I'd also like to get some additional training and even shoot a few LR matches. I've read that the Berger bullets are very good on game. Sierra has the Game King. And there are lots of shooters hunting with match bullets. I could see a 400 yard shot but most will be under 200 yards. What say you guys?
 
Re: Best 6.5 all around projectile?

I love 130 Accubonds for deer hunting, I have had fantastic performance with those and the deer have all been impressed also. For target shooting in my 6.5 x 47 L I use 130 g Berger VLDs, for targets in my 6.5 x 55 Imp I love 139 g Scenars.

Your reamer and barrel may tell you something different if it is the first time with this combination it is difficult to predetermine what it likes.

Just my 2 cents,
wade
 
Re: Best 6.5 all around projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TOP PREDATOR</div><div class="ubbcode-body">how many sections are you going to post the same question / topic? </div></div>

As many as I need to in order to get replies.

Do you have anything meaningful to contribute?

Don't pad your post count on me.
 
Re: Best 6.5 all around projectile?

as in your other identical post, not padding just pointing out that it's pretty silly playing topic tennis.

BTW, if you mentioned a twist rate (very important) perhaps i'd have something to contribute.

as the 6.5 is sensitive on bullet weight / length, that would tend to be an important factor to include.

who's padding what again?
 
Re: Best 6.5 all around projectile?

If you have an 8.5 or faster twist, I would recommend Barnes Triple shocks, Accubonds, Partitions or SST's for hunting. Anything from 125 to 140 grains will work fine for deer. I like to use hunting bullets for game and target bullets for paper or steel. I know for sure that all of those will work and the trajectory to 400 yards won't be enough different from the match bullets to matter.
 
Re: Best 6.5 all around projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: khallmark</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you have an 8.5 or faster twist, I would recommend Barnes Triple shocks, Accubonds, Partitions or SST's for hunting. Anything from 125 to 140 grains will work fine for deer. I like to use hunting bullets for game and target bullets for paper or steel. I know for sure that all of those will work and the trajectory to 400 yards won't be enough different from the match bullets to matter. </div></div>

Okay. I can't imagine a longer shot around here. I'm building two shooting houses down on our farm and one overlooks my cousin's place which is a slough that holds beau coup deer. It's a fairly large area, 2 acres wide by 6 acres deep. Backed by a river. We'll plant green fields to keep the deer interested (and pigs) but well be able to glass that area for bedded bucks, etc.
 
Re: Best 6.5 all around projectile?

I've heard some bad stories from guys who used a match bullet on game. I would stay with a bullet design that was suited for hunting. There are quite a few available.
 
Re: Best 6.5 all around projectile?

Berger 130 or 140 VLD hunting, excellent on game and exceeds most other's match grade equivalent. The down side is they can be tricky to get the right load/seating depth. My 260 loves them anywhere from .010-.030 from the lands with 46.4 gr RL22. Getting 2727 MV, 34 ES, and 8 SD. Had it out to 350 so far and averaging .350 MOA.
 
Re: Best 6.5 all around projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dk-1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Berger 130 or 140 VLD hunting, excellent on game and exceeds most other's match grade equivalent. The down side is they can be tricky to get the right load/seating depth. My 260 loves them anywhere from .010-.030 from the lands with 46.4 gr RL22. Getting 2727 MV, 34 ES, and 8 SD. Had it out to 350 so far and averaging .350 MOA. </div></div>

Yeah, that's what I've read about the Bergers. Very impressive exit wounds but it's good to hear separate from their website.

I wonder what the difference between the VLD Hunting and VLD Match.
 
Re: Best 6.5 all around projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ShtrRdy</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've heard some bad stories from guys who used a match bullet on game. I would stay with a bullet design that was suited for hunting. There are quite a few available. </div></div> if your subscribed to the online traing you should try and read the thread by Jacob over at Rifles Only on hunting bullets it a great read, very informative, and challenges some commonly held beliefs on match/hunting bullets
 
Re: Best 6.5 all around projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kyyotestalker</div><div class="ubbcode-body">[/quote]
I wonder what the difference between the VLD Hunting and VLD Match. </div></div>

If im not mistaken only differance is jacket thickness. lighter jacket on hunting thicker jacket on target. [/quote]

^^yep
 
Re: Best 6.5 all around projectile?

If you like a bullet to do a lot of internal damage, I've had great results from Berger VLDs. Animals I shoot with them just seem to make fewer tracks after being shot than with other bullets. Personally, I would avoid very hard quartering or rear end shots, but I tend to avoid those anyway.

I've also had very good luck with 129gr Hornady Interlocks and 130 gr Nosler Accubonds.

John
 
Re: Best 6.5 all around projectile?

The only Berger's I have tried in my sons Creedmoor is the 140 VLD hunting. I have some experience with Berger's and know that the seating depth really depends on the gun/load (like every other bullet!), but got lucky by loading them to max box mag length, and what do you know, a home run from the start. FWIW, I am jumping them .054", and pushing them around 2775 fps. So much for having to jam these in this rifle.

I would like to try the 130 VLD's, but I doubt I will see anything better than I am already getting.

The deer do not approve of this bullet one bit! I have killed more than a few and have not seen any to die any quicker no matter the caliber/weight/speed. It does tend to destroy more meat than a Sierra GK, but you know that this bullet will fly where you point it with no surprises.

They ain't cheap, but I guess I am not in this to save money!
 
Re: Best 6.5 all around projectile?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: libertyman777</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wonder what the difference between the VLD Hunting and VLD Match. </div></div>
I copied this from another site..............


Originally Posted by Eric Stecker

I've read several comments and questions about the difference in the thickness of the jackets. Let me provide those reading this thread with some information that may be helpful.

The only reason the thicker jacket was produced was to eliminate a problem that competition target shooters were having with bullets failing to make it to the target during a match. Competition target shooters tend to use long barrels, hot loads, and will shoot several shots (20 or more) quickly in a race against changing conditions.

Also, during a match, these shooters will put over 100 rounds down range without cleaning the barrel and they frequently do it during hot days with their gear out in the bright sun. These conditions produce a situation where the friction and heat inside the barrel increases.

This increased friction can reach a point where it actually melts the core inside the jacket. Once any portion of the core becomes liquid, this dense material will actually tear the jacket off the bullet. When this happens the bullet can't maintain its trajectory resulting in a miss.

This is a condition we had to resolve. We found that making the jacket slightly thicker produced an interesting result. It didn't make the jacket stronger (to contain the molten lead) but it actually moves the lead further away from the source of heat (rifling) preventing the core from melting in the first place.

We solved this particular situation after we came to understand that our bullets are very effective on game. So once the issue was solved for the competition target shooters we had another question to answer. How will this slightly thicker jacket work on game? The more important question we needed to resolve is; do we have to make two different bullets? Frankly, it would be easier on us (and our customers) if we didn't have to make two different bullets because this does create confusion.

We went to work on testing the two jacket thicknesses using the same bullet. For our testing we used the Bullet Test Tube which is a wax media that we use regularly due to the fact that it holds the wound cavity rather than collapsing like ballistic gelatin.

In every comparison test, the thicker jacket produced a smaller wound channel (in volume measured by putting water into the cavity and measuring the amount). Since our bullet works so well due to the size of the wound cavity it creates it was decided that we are compelled to make both bullets.

It is accurate to say that the difference is small but we come from the world of benchrest shooting where every .001 matters. If the thinner jacket is slightly better at creating a larger wound channel than the thicker jacket then it is better. The question is answered in our minds.
 
Re: Best 6.5 all around projectile?

I'd really like to see Berger come out with a 6.5 hunting hybrid in 130/140. This would be the ultimate all around bullet in my opinion. No jump/seating depth issues, excellent bc, could hunt and shoot targets. I've emailed and expressed interest in this to Berger and they said it was in the works but no time frame given.

Even a 6.5 in the classic hunting hybrid line te have for 6mm, 7mm, 270 and 308 would be nice as a bit shorter for those limited by aics mags.
 
Re: Best 6.5 all around projectile?

Just got this email from Berger:

Thank you for your interest in our bullets. To answer your question
regarding a 6.5mm Hybrid Hunting bullet, we have a 6.5mm 130gr and 145gr
Elite Hunter in development, however at this time they are on hold as we
focus on addressing our large backorder. I have provided you with a
description of the two new lines of bullets that are currently available. We
will be adding more bullets to each line as we move forward. Please let us
know if you need anything further. Have a great day!

Classic Hunter bullets –The Classic Hunter bullets are designed for hunters
who shoot factory rifles and/or feed their ammo through a magazine. The
Hybrid noses are short enough to comply with SAAMI spec ammo configurations.

Now Available:
- 6mm 95 gr Classic Hunter
- 270 cal 130gr Classic Hunter
- 7mm 168gr Classic Hunter
- 30 cal 168gr Classic Hunter
- 30 cal 185gr Classic Hunter

Elite Hunter bullets – The Elite Hunter bullets are made with the longest
Hybrid nose possible for the highest possible BC. These bullets are
designed for hunters who use custom rifles that either have an extended
magazine box or they single feed their ammo.
Now Available:
- 338 cal 250 gr Elite Hunter
- 338 cal 300 gr Elite Hunter