What is the best hunting bullet 140 grain or heavier you used in your 6.5 caliber rifle

[Majestic 6.5]

Sounds like what your are looking is a hammer bullet or a barnes I would think you will have to shoot a little lighter bullet due to twist rate but you will be at higher velocity, and the hammer bullets kill like crazy and easy for load development.

I have a "few" 6.5mms. From 6.5SLR, building a .260AI now, and 3 6.5SSs, with another 6.5SS being built now too.

For the smaller case capacity cartridges, I actually like 130s. My 6.5SLR and a ton of 6.5CMs I have loaded for shoot the 124 HH, 127 LRX, 130 OTM, 130 VLD, and 130 TMKs. Taken many game animals from 60 to 637, and never had one go more than 30 yards after the hit, and 90% have dropped on the spot. My .260AI will have a 130 load for hunting too.

For the larger case capacity cartridges, a 140+ is the ticket if you have the twist to spin them. 140 Elite, 140 Hyb, 144 LR Hyb, 150 SMK, and 156 Elite. My 6.5SSs run 131 HH @ 3191, 140 Hyb @ 3153, 144 LR Hyb @ 3035 (20"), 150 SMK @ 3113, and 156 Elites @ 2900 (20") or 3015. Never had one "blow up". But animals just drop when hit with one of these.

I have tried so many bullets in 6.5mm it is crazy. Not all for hunting.

Which ones do you recommend for a 1:9 twist for holding together at high velocity and great expansion in low velocity impacts with high BCs ?

 

[lancetkenyon]

Which ones do you recommend for a 1:9 twist for holding together at high velocity and great expansion in low velocity impacts with high BCs ?

Depends on what you consider high and low impact velocities. And what you plan to run them at velocity-wise and bullet use.
Really hard to find a "do-it-all" bullet.

My personal criteria for on-game is 1800fps and 1000ft/lbs minimum for deer-sized game. Or 1800fps and 1500ft/lbs for elk-sized game. Whichever comes first. I actually like 2000fps for monos personally. I think they need a bit more speed to work properly.

Holds together at close range high velocity impacts screams monolithic solid. 117 Cayuga, 124 Hammer Hunter, 127 LRX, 129 Absolute Hunter, 131 Hammer Hunter. But BC suffers some, and low velocity impacts with reliable expansion (down to 2000-1800fps) means keeping shot distances realistic. 600-800ish yards depending on how fast you can start them at. Also, for hinting certain states or units, a mono is a requirement or request at times.

Holding together adequately at close range and high velocity, higher BCs, and still maintain good expansion down to 1800fps +/- means a bonded bullet like the 129 NABLR, 130 NAB, etc. Still limits shots to medium to long range. 800-1000 if you can get them running fast enough.

For lower impact expansion and higher BCs for longer range usage, a high BC 130 or 140+ is realistically a better bet. If you are running them at hypervelocity (3100+) close range shots might be considered by some as iffy. I have never had a problem, but I have heard stories. Placing a shot in the proper place helps limit this. I prefer this type of bullet myself. They hold velocity and energy better downrange. 130 OTM/VLD, 140 VLD/Hyb/SMK/Elite, 142SMK, 144 LR Hyb, 150 SMK, 156 Elite, 160 Matrix. I think the 140+ bullets are better suited to larger case capacity 6.5s too. My personal opinion is shoot the 130 and down in the 6.5x47L, 6.5CM, etc. I want 2800+fps in any hunting round I shoot. If you want to bang steel, 2700 is plenty. So a higher BC bullet can make up for lower velocities if you are shooting 1k+.

For MY 6.5s:
6.5CM 22" 130 OTM @ 2750
6.5SLR 22" 130 OTM @ 2925 or 124 HH @ 2985
.260AI 24" (being built) will run the 140 Hyb, hoping for 2900
6.5SS 20" 144 LR Hyb @ 2991 or 129AH @ 3150
6.5SS 25.5" 150 SMK @ 3073 or 127 LRX @ 3210
6.5SS 26" 140 Hyb @ 3055 or 131 HH @ 3155
6.5SS 26" (being built) will run the 156 Elite, maybe a 130OTM @ lightning speed or 140 Hyb @ 3100-3150+?

 

[SteveBurton]

6.5SS 26" (being built) will run the 156 Elite, maybe a 130OTM @ lightning speed or 140 Hyb @ 3100-3150+?