6.5 100gr BT

[Rflshootr]

Is the 6.5 100gr BT bullet substantial enough for shoulder shots on whitetail at a muzzle velocity of 3400-3500 fps? Or Should I be concerned with break-up?

 

[Husky6.5]

Rflshootr,

The velocity sounds good, I'd worry about that 100gr. bullet having too thin of a jacket and fragmenting. I'm sure a well placed shot would dispatch the animal; but if it hits bone, that might wound him.
What ya shooting?
In the 6.5 Swedish Mauser I have used 129gr & 140gr. with very good luck. Check your bullet manufacture for recommendations. A 120gr. would be the lightest I would use...in open country.

Good Luck,
Scott

 

[LoneStar]

That is too much speed for a BTip at closer ranges into shoulder bones. This bullet will damage a lot of meat with such a hit IME. I use the 100BTip as a varmint bullet in my .260. For deer at max velocity use the 125 Partition, you'll be much happier.

 

[tsr1965]

Stick with the 120 BT, and you will be happy. It has a BC that is high enough where at 260 Rem. velocities, it has a flatter trajectory than a 270. Win, and hits harder. I have shot several whitetails from ranges of 40-350 yards, including close in shoulder shots, and heavy bone. I have yet to see no exit wound, and a recovered bullet. I have also killed one Black Bear with the same results. As an added bonus, they are extremely accurate! What are you shooting for a cartrige that has a 6.5 bore, if I might ask?

 

[Rflshootr]

It's a 6.5x284 Win. Douglas premium on a Savage action and laminated stock. Working up a load right now. Shooting in the mid to high .3's. Trying to get it a little better.

 

[JD338]

Rflshootr,

The BT's are designed to open up at or below 3000 fps impact velocity. Shoulder bones on deer at the upper limitations of the BT bullet could end up with disappointment.
You may want to consider the 100 gr PT for shoulder shots and the higher velocities you are generating. It will give you the performance you are looking for. The PT's are also very accurate. My 257 Roberts, 280 Rem, and 338 RUM all shoot the PT's under .5 MOA.

Regards,

JD338

 

[Luns4d]

If you haven't tried them yet and you still want the velocity without the fear of break up, try the 100 grain Partitions. They were very accurte in my gun and very effective on Texas WT's from 40 to 300+ yards out of a 260. They'll probalby never quite match the accuracy of the BT's but the terminal balistics are impressive.

 

[mt-hunter]

We dont have any whitetail in aus but I have shot my fair share of goats and dingoes with them....Kill spectacularly in the lung heart region, shreading most of it, but seriously lacking penatration on good size bone.
I have found that they seem to hold better at distance than at short range.
Mine are being launched by the 6.5x55 at about 3000fps.