Terminal Performance of Speer Gold Dot 140 6.5mm

[Monttrap04]

Had a rifle put together that seems pretty fussy on what it will shoot. Doesn't seem to like VLDs or heavy boattails. Seems to love the 140 Speer Hot-Cor so thought about trying these from Speer. The B.C. seems optimistic but probably better than the 140 HC.

Anybody used these on game yet? What kind of results? Intended use is deer/antelope and boiler room shots on elk.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/3...iameter-140-grain-bonded-soft-point-box-of-50

 

[Korhil78]

I have shot the 64 Gr gold dot bullet out of a 223. They are a really soft bullet. Depends on what you are wanting to hunt. Should do well on deer sized game.

 

[Deputy819]

I don't have any experience with the 140's, but I have shot the Speer 200 gr Hot Cor .338 caliber bullet with good results. Has accounted for several deer and a coyote at 248 yards. So far, nothing that's been hit with that bullet has gone anywhere except straight down. Good performance from a very inexpensive bullet.

 

[lancetkenyon]

What about going to a 130 of some sort? Or a 127 Barnes LRX?

 

[Monttrap04]

We have tried the 130 and 140 berger, 130 and 140 accubond, 140 hornady flat base, 125 partition, 135 berger, 120 ballistic tip, 129 and 142 LRAB, and 120 TSX. It shot the 120 Ballistic tip pretty well but all the others were 1.5-2".

All it seems to shoot consistently is the 140 speer hot-cor. During testing it shot multiple consecutive groups sub 1/2 MOA. Thinking it may have a jacket preference we are going to stick to the Speer family and see if there is anything consistent.

Truth is, the 140 speer will do 99% of what I want the rifle to do but shooting a flat base in a 6.5x280AI kinda feels like grandpa driving a Corvette to church.

 

[Deputy819]

We have tried the 130 and 140 berger, 130 and 140 accubond, 140 hornady flat base, 125 partition, 135 berger, 120 ballistic tip, 129 and 142 LRAB, and 120 TSX. It shot the 120 Ballistic tip pretty well but all the others were 1.5-2".

Man, that almost sounds like you've got some other issue going on. That's a lot of "disliked" quality bullets.

 

[Monttrap04]

Yep, the gunsmith that put it together and did most of the initial testing said it was one of the most finicky he has ever put together after over 1800+ barrel installs. He has had a few that would only shoot flat base bullets but this is the only one that would only shoot one specific flat base bullet. Its always nice to be #1 at something I guess

Fully blueprinted model 70 push feed, pillar bedded with a new Brux 1:8 #2. We may very well start over with a new tube.

 

[257Tony]

I once had a 257 Roy that as it going farther into it's lifespan would only shoot Speer 120 hot cors, everything else was 2"+. Strange indeed, luckily they killed deer just as good as anything else.

 

[lancetkenyon]

I would have the smith rebarrel. A custom rifle should not be that finicky. Every maker has a bad barrel from time to time. I think you got one.

 

[Monttrap04]

Definitely leaning that way.

 

[Monttrap04]

Update...

Tried a few more bullets including the 140 Speer Gold Dot. I even tried a different bolt (properly headspaced) because it felt like there was a little sloppiness in the original bolt even when closed. The new bolt was definitely tighter in the action. Identical results. There is a flier in every group whether I shoot 3 shot or 4 shot groups. No rhyme or reason to which shot it would be.

I talked to Brux and they were awesome. Said to send it back with a brief description of what it was doing and instructions on what I want my new barrel to be. Can't beat that for Customer Service!

I am going to order another barrel from them at the same time for another project.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

Our bullet will shoot to your expectation or we will buy them back.

Steve

 

[Deputy819]

Sounds good. Let us know how the new barrel performs and what bullet(s) it likes.

 

[Hatrick]

[Our bullet will shoot to your expectation or we will buy them back.

Steve[/QUOTE]
THIS^^^^