6.5 CM 130gr bullet test, Part 5 - Conclusion

[bdbrown66]

Based on the results I saw today, I am going to make the 129gr Hornady SST my primary load for this fall. The accuracy with that bullet in my rifle is exceptional, and I saw nothing in the test today to indicate that it would not perform at least as adequately as a similar cup-and-core bullet, such as the TGK. The fact that it retained more weight than the TGK is also a plus in my book.

However...there is a part of me that really wants to see how those 130gr GKHP's would perform on game. If the test was any indication, I would expect massive internal damage, maybe knocking the deer right off its feet. The downside would be a very real possibility of a mess to clean up on the inside, bloodshot meat, and shrapnel around the wound channel. Maybe if I'm doing a late season doe patrol and my buck tag has already been filled, I'll try it just to satisfy my curiosity. We'll see.

I might do some further experimentation with the TGK and another powder to see if that makes a difference. Probably won't be until next year, maybe do that along with load development on the 129gr ABLR.

Now on to other things...

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

The SST is a pretty good bullet for as cheap as they are. They typically hold up quite well in my testing.

I'll probably go to the 7mm 154g SST in the wife's Kimber 7/08 after the 150g NBTs are gone.

 

[ReloadKy]

Brian, my brother and I have had some decent results with the SST. My wife killed a buck with a neck shot out of 243 using 95gr SST. My brother tried the 130 SST in my nephew's 270. Ended up taking two bucks with the load. One buck ran 30 yards and died and the other ran about 75 yards with an excellent blood trail.

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Not the 6.5cm but close, I have used the 129 SSt in my 6.5x55 with very good results from 40yds to 140yds and there wasn't any over destructive damage I thought. Was similar to the Nosler 120gr BT or Sierra 120gr Pro Hunter. Good bullet far as I'm concerned.

 

[rjm158]

I know it's not the exact same thing, but I used the 165 GK from a 308 to take a doe last year. Like you, I was curious to see how it performed compared to other bullets.

The shot was 88 yds and she was relaxed. She hit the ground at the shot and never moved except for kicking her hind legs a few times.

The wound track was impressive as was the exit. I obviously didn't have to track her but I feel certain there would have been a decent blood trail if I'd needed to.

I didn't encounter any accuracy issues in load development. My Tikka was sub-MOA from the start and groups were .5-75.


Buddy (the Lab) came along later to supervise and he agreed the combination did well.

Ron

 

[bdbrown66]

Good to hear the on-game reports on the SST. Should be a winner.

 

[JD338]

Thank you for your time and efforts. A lot of work went into your bullet testing. Any one of those loads should dump deer where they stand. The Hornady SST is definitely a solid pick.
My wife shoots the 129 ABLR in her 6.5 CM and has had impressive DRT results on deer.

JD338

 

[Backcast88]

Dad and I have killed a pile of deer with a 130 and 140 SST in our 270's. I am sure the 129 will be a good choice in the 6.5 CM.

I've only killed a couple deer with a 6.5, granted it was a PRC. The 140 TGK is stellar on game from my experience with them.

 

[Hunter26]

Thank you for doing that testing. Any of your loads will work for deer but of the ones you shot, I like how the SST looked. I've only ever shot one deer with a 130gr SST in a 270 on a large doe. DRT and only found the jacket under the skin. I think the 129gr ABLR would be perfect for the Creed. Still would hold together but violently expand.