6.5 SS/160 Matrix Perform on ELK

[elkaholic]

I loaned my 6.5 SS to my buddy to hunt elk this fall as I wanted to test out the chambering with the 160 Matrix. I loaded up some annealed tipped versions (see 160 Matrix) at a fairly mild mv of 2936'. The elk was quartering away so the bullet entered a ways back in the rib cage taking out the front of the liver before taking out both lungs and lodging in the off shoulder. It appears that the bullet penetrated a ways into the vitals before blowing a large hole in the second lung. He said the elk tool two steps and collapsed! I don't have the bullet in hand yet, but he said it had a perfect mushroom shape and probably weighed about 90 grains. In my H2o tests, it appeared that the softening (annealing) of the nose caused this same affect rather than the typical blowing up completly.

 

[CliffM]

What was the range
Cliff

 

[elkaholic]

He said 160 yards. The velocity would be closer to 2730', not 2780'......Rich

 

[elkaholic]

Here is a pic of the bullet path. It was embedded in the shoulder/top.......rich

 

[elkaholic]

Pic of expanded bullet......

 

[MudRunner2005]

That's some good pics, and some good info, Rich. How fast have you loaded the 160's out of it before, since you said right @ 3K was mild?

 

[elkaholic]

2936' is mild but I have shot it over 3050' in a 26" barrel......Rich

 

[royinidaho]

How much velocity do you think that bullet could take?

Marshall (Matrix bullets) indicated that his bullets would be a no go in my 3 groove 8 twist bbl @ 270 AM velocities.

I'd like someone else to confirm that for me. I'm getting a little tired after messing with the LRABs.

 

[Pdvdh]

In my H20 tests, it appeared that the softening (annealing) of the nose caused this same affect rather than the typical blowing up completely.

The softer hollow jacket tip stretching more prior to tearing/shredding? Is that the suspicion?

If so, then annealing the void jacket tips down a little further prior to seating the lead core in your custom SXR bullets would assist in further bullet mass retention.

 

[bigngreen]

Roy, this is a 6.5 160 gr bullet, it has taken some serious velocity but it's overly rugged. The 165 .277 bullet won't hack it in the AM I think I somehow deleted your address if you pm it to me again I will send you a rugged 170 gr matrix that should do well in you AM.

 

[elkaholic]

How much velocity do you think that bullet could take?

Marshall (Matrix bullets) indicated that his bullets would be a no go in my 3 groove 8 twist bbl @ 270 AM velocities.

I'd like someone else to confirm that for me. I'm getting a little tired after messing with the LRABs.

Looks like Rhian has you covered. I do think the 6.5 will take more though......Rich

 

[elkaholic]

The softer hollow jacket tip stretching more prior to tearing/shredding? Is that the suspicion?

If so, then annealing the void jacket tips down a little further prior to seating the lead core in your custom SXR bullets would assist in further bullet mass retention.

I think this holds true for the hollow points but is different with my bullets because the lead is flush with the tip. I think the softer tip on the HP makes it more malleable and doesn't have a feast or famine affect. Whether this is good or bad probably depends on who you talk to and what game you are shooting, but I think it does make the bullet less explosive, even though it expands a little easier. This may be more important for the smaller diameters than the larger ones?......Rich

 

[MontanaRifleman]

How much velocity do you think that bullet could take?

Marshall (Matrix bullets) indicated that his bullets would be a no go in my 3 groove 8 twist bbl @ 270 AM velocities.

I'd like someone else to confirm that for me. I'm getting a little tired after messing with the LRABs.

Sin Arms says he is pushing them @ 3550 in the 6.5 Sin