Best hammer bullet for 6.5 PRC

Thebear_78

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Aug 28, 2003
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I just picked up another Seekins havak. This one is 6.5 PRC, it should make a good companion to my 300 win mag.

I'd like to use this for black bear, deer, and caribou. While the 300 will get the nod when chasing moose I'd like to have a bullet up to the job if I happen to have the 6.5 when the opportunity arises.

I was thinking this would be a good time to try out one of the hammer bullets. since I have a 1-8 barrel I was thinking one of the 130, 134, or 139 shock hammers would be best. I was leaning towards the 139 thinking bigger is always better.

Anyone have any experience with the heavier hammers in the 6.5 PRC? Where is a good place to start for load data.

thanks
 

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I use the 124 HH in my 6.5x47. Not sure about bears. Kills deer with authority and I'm sure caribou would not be a problem. One of those heavier shock hammers should work very good for your application. What would be the maximum range For shots?
 
I don't see shooting farther than 500 yards. I've only ever shot two caribou on the far side of 500 yards. One at 519 yards on a nice bull across a canyon and yet other a wounded bull at 657.
 
Steve will likely recommend the 124. That's what he did for me. They shoot very, very good from mine. Reloader 26 is what I'm using at a little over 3,250 fps.
 
I agree with the 124HH, even for black bears out to 500. Now if you are talking griz/brown/polar.....leave the 6.5 in the safe.
The 124 shoots amazingly in my daughter's 6.5SLR 22" 1:8" @ 3004fps.
Also shoots like a laser beam in a buddy's 6.5SS w. 24" 1:8" @ 3280fps. Kills on contact, he has even taken elk with them past 600, even when I told him it seemed a little light to me.
 
No chance of taking a polar bear with it. I have many bigger guns for brown bear. An interior grip isn't all that much bigger than a black bear albeit with a touch more attitude.

I do know an Inuit guy who has killed 3 polar bears with a 22-250 so I don't doubt the PRC could get the job done in a pinch
 
Your twist rate will dictate what bullet to use, thus the 124HH is the only one you can use. I would like to use a heavier one in mine, I have a 1 in 7 so the 131 will work, but not the 139. Not many 1 in 6.5" out there. The 125 will be fine and is easy to load for. Have fun!
 
I run the 131 HH in a Proof 7.5 twist 22" barrel. 58 Gr of RL26 just under 3200 FPS, 1/2 moa, single digit SD/ES. start lower and work up. If your barrel is a 8 twist you need the lighter bullet in the HH.
 
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