Range Report 6mm bullet with best terminal performance?

[Lofty]

Im really liking these 6mm pills. My .243 was fast and flat and now that I have a 6 Creedmoor Im wanting to do some long range hog hunting with it.

Ive been shooting 115 DTACs and Berger Hybrids. Both state specifically not to use for hunting....Im sure they mean they will not expand or fragment properly.

What is the best terminal performance 6mm bullet that maintains the weight that Im used to shooting?

 

[Tripwire]

Re: 6mm bullet with best terminal performance?

You probably wouldn't want an 85 grain bullet, but for what I require out of a 6mm bore the 85 grain barnes TSX has the best terminal performance bar none. I wouldn't even think of hunting with anything else in 6mm. Shitloads of deer, coyote, turkey, groundhogs, and one 265 pound russian boar...all slam dunks.

 

[RedGoat]

Re: 6mm bullet with best terminal performance?

Barnes 85gr TSX - It's lighter than what you are used to using but it is longer than other bullets in it's weight class - 100% weight retention.

Other options:
Nosler 100g partition
Nosler 90g accu bond
Hornady 100 interlock

Several guys here on the hide use the 115 Dtac for hunting. I wouldn't hesitate to use it on a soft skinned target. Same with the Berger hunting VLDs. I've seen some pics of deer with fist size exit wounds from the Dtac.

 

[00bullitt]

Re: 6mm bullet with best terminal performance?

The 105gr. Hornady AMAX has excellent performance on light to medium skinned game and it flies extremely efficient so that it can poke out a good ways.

 

[Ronin1973]

Re: 6mm bullet with best terminal performance?

I'd try the Berger 105gr VLD for hunting. I've used the 105 hybrid and it rocks

 

[RedGoat]

Re: 6mm bullet with best terminal performance?

The 105 amax and 105/115 hunting VLD are great hunting rounds, but neither fit the OPs request for weight retention. And he would be better off just using the 115 dtacs he is already throwing since they perform similarly to the hunting VLDs terminally.

 

[Lofty]

Re: 6mm bullet with best terminal performance?

While I have been shooting both the 115s and 105s, now that I have a GAP 10, George had mentioned to me he would be concerned with feeding issues and bullet depth for the 115s.

The Berger Hybrids seem to feed fine but right on the box they say not to use them for hunting. I was assuming because they don't expand well. Im not a hunter but I've wanted to do some hog hunting.

Maybe I'll poke a few piggies with some Bergers and see how that plays out.

 

[RedGoat]

Re: 6mm bullet with best terminal performance?

The Berger hybrids aren't for hunting. Make sure to get the Berger <span style="text-decoration: underline">hunting</span> VLDs

 

[00bullitt]

Re: 6mm bullet with best terminal performance?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RedGoat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The 105 amax and 105/115 hunting VLD are great hunting rounds, but neither fit the OPs request for weight retention. And he would be better off just using the 115 dtacs he is already throwing since they perform similarly to the hunting VLDs terminally. </div></div>

You are correct, the AMAX does not retain but roughly 80% of its weight - which is roughly 80 grains, but it has great terminal performance for long range application due to how efficiently it flies in comparison to bullets designed for hunting. For long range hunting, the hunting bullets do not have sufficient enough BC to support the terminal performance they are capable of at range.

The Barnes LRX bullets are said to have great long range performance on game but they do not offer a 6mm bullet as of yet.

The Berger Hunting VLD bullets work very well but they fragment just like the AMAX.

My personal opinion for hog hunting is that if you shoot them where they need to be shot - in the head - the bullet matters not as they drop DRT. So I would think the 115 DTAC would work awesome.

I've exterminated over 200 hogs in the past 4 years. I quit attempting body shots unless I'm sending a 300gr. pill their way from the 338LM.........then its just minute of piggie.

 

[RedGoat]

Re: 6mm bullet with best terminal performance?

Here are some kills that Sendero_man has made with the 115 Dtac

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Sendero_man</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

507 yard goat... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5Z0c_Ic7G0

</div></div>

 

[MikeeBooshay]

Re: 6mm bullet with best terminal performance?

Yes to the DTAC - I used my 243 to cull a bunch of sheep on our place. They knew the sight of the Death Wagon ( the mule ) an stayed out past 400 yards, like they thought they were safe there.

I outsmarted them, by walking in to the adjacent ridge, making a nice little shady spot to wait. DTAC's at 4-500 yards make a satisfying SPLAT noise on sheep and Sitka deer. DRT too.

Probably not good for tougher critters though. Waiting patiently for Barnes LRX in 6mm too. Have shot and killed well with 85 gr TSX for many years, the kids have used it a bunch too.

 

[lawofsavage]

Re: 6mm bullet with best terminal performance?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 00bullitt</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RedGoat</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The 105 amax and 105/115 hunting VLD are great hunting rounds, but neither fit the OPs request for weight retention. And he would be better off just using the 115 dtacs he is already throwing since they perform similarly to the hunting VLDs terminally. </div></div>

You are correct, the AMAX does not retain but roughly 80% of its weight - which is roughly 80 grains, but it has great terminal performance for long range application due to how efficiently it flies in comparison to bullets designed for hunting. For long range hunting, the hunting bullets do not have sufficient enough BC to support the terminal performance they are capable of at range.

The Barnes LRX bullets are said to have great long range performance on game but they do not offer a 6mm bullet as of yet.

The Berger Hunting VLD bullets work very well but they fragment just like the AMAX.

My personal opinion for hog hunting is that if you shoot them where they need to be shot - in the head - the bullet matters not as they drop DRT. So I would think the 115 DTAC would work awesome.

I've exterminated over 200 hogs in the past 4 years. I quit attempting body shots unless I'm sending a 300gr. pill their way from the 338LM.........then its just minute of piggie. </div></div>

+1

I've killed a few hogs and unless I'm using at least a 300 win mag the best option is either a headshot if you're confident enough or a direct shoulder shot so they can't run then you can easily finish them off. Hogs are really tough animals.

 

[vonbalkenbush]

I will never shoot DTAC's at an animal ever again. I lost a nice 4x4 muley buck last year at 456 yds on the laser. Hit him three times (they were the DTAC's with thee closed nose), all three rounds went right through him (lung area). My spotter watched the bullets kick up dust on the side hill behind him after they went through him just like a drill bit. I wos wondering the same thing as the OP, I was shooting a 6XC with RE 17 at 3100 fps, those bullets went trhough him like at ice pick (7.5 twist Bartlein) and I came in the next morning to finish him with my .270 and another hunter shot him right out from underneath me. I was thinking of never hunting again with a 6mm after this incident, but if I do, I want to make sure I am actually going to use a bullet that expands. Any wisdom to offer for this upcoming season other than what's already been shared?

-VB

 

[T J]

I will never shoot DTAC's at an animal ever again. I lost a nice 4x4 muley buck last year at 456 yds on the laser. Hit him three times (they were the DTAC's with thee closed nose), all three rounds went right through him (lung area). My spotter watched the bullets kick up dust on the side hill behind him after they went through him just like a drill bit. I wos wondering the same thing as the OP, I was shooting a 6XC with RE 17 at 3100 fps, those bullets went trhough him like at ice pick (7.5 twist Bartlein) and I came in the next morning to finish him with my .270 and another hunter shot him right out from underneath me. I was thinking of never hunting again with a 6mm after this incident, but if I do, I want to make sure I am actually going to use a bullet that expands. Any wisdom to offer for this upcoming season other than what's already been shared?

-VB

VB, please don't be offended but I have to ask. What did you expect a pointed HP to do? You are essentially launching a FMJ at your Game. By closing the hollow point on any bullet (especially those not intended for hunting) you remove the ability of fluid to enter the cavity, which is necessary for hydraulic pressure to initiate expansion.

Pointing a bullet does wonders in the target scene but isn't a real good idea in the game fields. Again i'm not trying to be an ass, just wanting to bring that to light.


t

 

[pawprint2]

Most match bullets have a"hard core", some folks say they are not the best for most game, as they tend not to expand, however; Hogs are a different animal (sorry for the pun), those hard bullets work everytime on hogs, including big ones. I haven't shot any with a 243, but I've killed a lot of hogs with 168 (30 cal)SMK's, have no reason at all for thinking about making a change. My hunting buddy loads 150 nosler bt (308), my 168s do almost as much damage, but more importantly they kill as fast or faster. You already have a hog hunting combo, don't waste any time looking for something else, go hunting! (wish I were going with, good luck)

 

[vonbalkenbush]

VB, please don't be offended but I have to ask. What did you expect a pointed HP to do? You are essentially launching a FMJ at your Game. By closing the hollow point on any bullet (especially those not intended for hunting) you remove the ability of fluid to enter the cavity, which is necessary for hydraulic pressure to initiate expansion.

Pointing a bullet does wonders in the target scene but isn't a real good idea in the game fields. Again i'm not trying to be an ass, just wanting to bring that to light.


t

Not offended at all actually. Three months later I now see this LOL. I really wasn't thinking to be perfectly honest. I was just reading too many posts where guys were dropping muley's with DTAC's. Guess I never thought they might not have been the POINTED ones... doh..... While this year it will be the Berger 115 HUNTING VLD, hopefully they will expand and I'll have a nice trophy and faith restored in the 6mm for deer sized game. It was just a poor choice on my part. It was kind of a random thing, I'd been hunting 4 days with my 270 and one night we randomly decided to stake out this canyon until sundown, I took my match rifle because of the larger objective lens on the scope and out walks this nice 4x4, and well you know the rest of the story. Lesson learned, won't hunt with pointed DTACS ever again.

-VB

 

[XTREM HTR16]

It's not been mentioned but the Nosler 95 grain ballistic tip is great bullet for deer.

 

[Nortex]

I have some 90gr Nosler Accubonds ready to try out on game but mine won't be much of an LR round out of a short barreled Rem M600.

 

[MTyotehunter]

Im running hornady 105 Match HPBT, shot a bunch of Coyotes with them from 40-700yd this last winter. I am confedent enough that I would use them on deer and antelope as long as they aren't quartering to hard. If I get bored this summer I will test them at 100 and 500yd and post pics!

 

[user]

85 tsx's are awesome killing tools

 

[Cote0321]

any new opinions here?

 

[M_R_Woodard]

I loaded some Sierra 90 grain gamechangers for my sons 243 this past season. He missed the only deer he shot at but the 130s worked great in my 6.5x47 on the six deer I killed.

 

[bohem]

I know I'm biased here because these are my baby but try these out if you have the twist rate (7tw) for them.

They're a 1 hole accurate solid that retains a lot of weight on animals and the 6.5mm variant has dropped a few elk already.

FLM 6mm 100gr "Cayuga" Hunting Bullets - 50ct

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