6.5 Hunting bullet choices for mule deer and elk

[ChrisA]

I'm about to take delivery of a light weight 6.5 GAP 4S which is based on the 300 Remington SAUM case. It should drive a 140 grain bullet at a comfortable 3100 fps. I know every gun/barrel has its favorite bullet and load. That said, I was thinking of running a Berger 140 grain hunting VLD bullet if it will shoot well.

Is there any reason, other than rifle preference, to run a 130 Berger Hunting VLD or Barnes 127 LRX?

Any other bullets to look at?

Chris

 

[30338]

If its an 8 or 8.5 twist, I'd get the 140 vld load worked up. The 160 Woodleigh shoots well for me too and has a very good BC. The VLD has done so well though that I have not ever tried the Woodleigh on game.

 

[ChrisA]

Its an 8 twist Mullerworks. I just wanted to make sure it will be effective on elk. I've killed plenty of deer with small calibers. The only elk I've shot was with a 300wsm and 200 AB.

Chris

 

[Shrek]

I am jealous ! I'm plotting my 6.5 saum as I type this and I am wondering if anyone here has tried the 160 matrix bullets in the 6.5 saum and what velocity they have been able to generate in what barrel. I'm surethe OP would be interested also.

Btw , what action did they build it on and what col can you fit in the magazine ?

 

[ChrisA]

It's on a Model Seven action with a Wyatt's box magazine which has an internal length of 2.995". We put it in a B&C stock, barrel is finished at 24". My buddy just fluted the bolt and barrel and it weighs just under 6.5 lbs without glass. I'm topping it with a VX3 3-10x with B&C reticle in talley one piece rings. It's ready for cerracote now. I cant wait to get it in my hands.

Chris

 

[mattm94]

Killed or seen killed over a dozen elk with several different 260 Remingtons and a couple 264 WMs.

Have used 120 and 130 Barnes, 140 SGKs, 140 NABs, 140 SSTs, 140 VLDs... though none were as impressive as a .338/225 NAB launched at sedate velocity, I ain't seen a bullet proof wapiti yet.

Pick your poison, realize it's limitations and yours, and shoot accordingly.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I was happy with the performance of the Berger 140 last year. I shot a bear at close range (70 yds) and a bull elk at 200 yds and both times the bullets performed great. Both were one shot kills and neither went more than a couple steps. I'm shooting them out of a 6.5-06 AI @ 3175 fps.

 

[KMD]

I used GAP's "new" 6.5 4s .2962"nk. reamer for mine.
Runnin' 140 JLKs from 1:8.5tw, 24" Bartlein. Re-chronoed @ 3010, modest speed & super accurate. There's another 200fps on the table, but not sweatin' it. .630 G1 BC is impressive at anything over 3K, and I'm under the speed limit for match shooting. Killed one deer with that 140 JLK, high shoulder bang/flop passthru. When I do a rifle elk hunt, that's what I will carry. Have a bunch of 130VLDs too, need to quit being so happy with the JLKs and work a load up with them, too!

Did you have to modify the feed ramp on that Seven action to get a long c.o.a.l. round to clear up into the chamber, from the Wyatts box?
I'm a huge fan of a Seven action for a hunting rifle, but the shorter action length may become the limiting factor in c.o.a.l., more so than the mag box dimensions.

Check that out...

 

[Cahunter805]

140vld or the 150 matrix

 

[JG358]

My favorite bullet for my 6.5 is a 140 A-frame @3050fps. Not a great BC but they flat out perform. I've only recovered one from a critter, 89% weight retention.

 

[ChrisA]

I used GAP's "new" 6.5 4s .2962"nk. reamer for mine.
Runnin' 140 JLKs from 1:8.5tw, 24" Bartlein. Re-chronoed @ 3010, modest speed & super accurate. There's another 200fps on the table, but not sweatin' it. .630 G1 BC is impressive at anything over 3K, and I'm under the speed limit for match shooting. Killed one deer with that 140 JLK, high shoulder bang/flop passthru. When I do a rifle elk hunt, that's what I will carry. Have a bunch of 130VLDs too, need to quit being so happy with the JLKs and work a load up with them, too!

Did you have to modify the feed ramp on that Seven action to get a long c.o.a.l. round to clear up into the chamber, from the Wyatts box?
I'm a huge fan of a Seven action for a hunting rifle, but the shorter action length may become the limiting factor in c.o.a.l., more so than the mag box dimensions.

Check that out...

Yes my smith had to mill the action to feed properly. Not exactly sure what he had to do but he says it's feeding darn smooth now. He used the same reamer as you.

Chris

 

[Shrek]

ChrisA , thanks a lot ! Your 6.5 saum and Justins 6.5-06 ai build has pushed me over the edge ! I just bought a 300 wsm Winchester classic last week and it looks like I'll never shoot it . McMillan Hunters Edge and a 6.5 barrel is ordered ! Now I have to find the rest of the accouterments and my new custom 7mm wsm will end up the backup rifle. Loosing my mind !

 

[KMD]

OK cool. Just didn't want to see you run into an unforeseen obstacle!

Have fun with your builds, dudes!!!

 

[JustOneMoreShot]

I'm jealous! All of the 6.5 builds! I would love to see pictures.

 

[ChrisA]

My buddy is my gunsmith and is hell on my wallet. He is building a 6.5 SAUM also and just received a Lecia 3-10 with IBS reticle. Now i am second guessing my choice of VX3 3-10 with B&C reticle. I guess I can alway send it in to the custom shop for an M1 turret or dial down the power or actually remove caps and dial.

Hell, the rifle should weigh in at 7.5 lbs all up so might not want to be shooting past 500-600 anyway. Of course this is all just dreaming or I mean planning.

He just text me the cerracote is done and i just ordered Whidden dies. Really need to get it in hand and see what it will do.


Chris

 

[bradb]

Both guns in the links are 6.5-280 ackley's. The wood stocked gun I did the stock myself, the action is from the first gun I ever bought myself. No pictures of my 6.5-284. Couldn't seem to get just one picture to upload so the links were easier

https://picasaweb.google.com/115516601528181241557/20111205?authkey=Gv1sRgCIbxsfOWvMa5IQ

gun on goat hunt is a Pierce action and mc edge naked, fluted brux #3.
https://picasaweb.google.com/115516601528181241557/UtahGoat?authkey=Gv1sRgCOfT-f_23aX2mgE

 

[msalm]

Her's a pic of ChisA's rifle, although he hasn't seen it in the flesh. I ended up fluting the bolt and barrel when the stocked gun came in at 7lbs, with fluting it's a tad under 6.5 and all up w/ scope and rings we're at a bit over 7.25. Feels awesome in the hand and balances great. Still need to shoot it, but Dan Muller is a great personal friend and his barrels never disappoint...truly a talented barrelmaker.

Been trying to convince ChrisA to go with a stout bullet like the LRX, but it would be nice to capitalize on a higher BC bullet. Maybe even the 140 AB, but we'll see how she shoots here this weekend.

Matt

Bradb, that's a beautiful stick on that rifle, hell of a job. I tend to only do the wood for myself as customers wouldn't have enough patience for me to get it done. I have 20 blanks of Turkish laying about that need some 'shaping' up...maybe someday.

 

[Shrek]

I was just over at long range hunting and saw a post about Matrix coming out with a new 150 gr bullet. Sweet ! It may be the perfect bullet in my build and my be a bigger bullet that you could use ChrisA.

 

[Shrek]

I ordered these last Thursday night and they're here today ! From British Columbia to Florida in 4 working days . I opened the 142's first and thought to myself that they were some sleek looking bullets but then I opened the 160's and they are impossibly long and sleek !

 

[Cahunter805]

Shrek
Marshall is a great guy and his bullets are awesome! The 165gr 277cal shoots well in my wsm and my brothers as well. They are very sleek and the results on game have been impressive from what I've been seeing posted.