6ARC and 6.5 Grendel 105 and 123 gr, Hornady BTHP for deer

[FredH]

Have a bunch of both loaded already so I may try them on deer. 2600 fps for the ARC and 2530 fps for the Grendel.

 

[FredH]

I know the 105 has had some use on deer but wondering if the 123 will do about the same.

 

[goalie]

That bullet worked in the Grendel this year for my son out of a 12" barrel.

 

[Mike D Texas]

123 ELDM in a 6.5 Grendel is a slammer on deer.

Not sure about the BTHP.


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[FredH]

That bullet worked in the Grendel this year for my son out of a 12" barrel.

View attachment 787811

How did it expand/penetrate?

 

[mtluckydan]

Shot a doe...with 6.5 grendel this year with Hornady 123 eldm. Had to shoot her twice...shredded liver with 1st shot & through the lungs 2nd shot. She still traveled 50 yards after 2nd hit & I was unimpressed. I intentionally avoided shoulder but my usual calibers would have been one & done. A sample of one doesn't make any conclusions & I want to try 120 noslers. It was a larger muley doe but still not impressed.

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[Mike D Texas]

Shot a doe...with 6.5 grendel this year with Hornady 123 eldm. Had to shoot her twice...shredded liver with 1st shot & through the lungs 2nd shot. She still traveled 50 yards after 2nd hit & I was unimpressed. I intentionally avoided shoulder but my usual calibers would have been one & done. A sample of one doesn't make any conclusions & I want to try 120 noslers. It was a larger muley doe but still not impressed.

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You hit it back on the first shot and straight through the lungs on the 2nd one and it didn’t drop so you are unimpressed?

Not sure what you were expecting. I’ve shot deer through the lungs with a 300WM and they ran 50-100 yards, should I be unimpressed?

Not sure what outcome you were expecting.


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[sierracharlie338]

In my research the bthp from Hornady perform better than the traditional Sierra Match Kings but not as good as tipped bullets. I have seen more positive reports about the bthp being used than negative but this is anecdotal and third hand info at best.

 

[Ferrulewax]

Form recommended the 123SST over the 123 eldm due to expansion issues on the 123eldm.

 

[FredH]

Well I have 500 of the 123 grain Hornady BTHP bullets. Also some Barnes matchburners in 120 grain. Those definitely are going to open quickly. destroyed first two gallon jugs, hole through the third and found in 4th. Shot into water filled gallon jugs at 100 yards. Muzzle velocity 2430 fps.

 

[mtluckydan]

MikeD Texas....the OP wanted opinion on bullet performance results. I've shot hundreds of does with the same shot placement. Doesn't make sense to shoot a meat deer through both shoulders to anchor. I use accubonds & ttsx's in 243,708, 308, 284,,, one shot kills drt mostly. With 6,5 grendel and 123 eldm on close range broadside shot deer didn't even appear to be hit. I'm not sure if it's a difference in velocity, bullet or what but unimpressed is the only thing I can say. Yes the deer is dead but had better results in the past with an arrow and broadhead. I'll try 120 noslers next time as a comparison but will save the Hornady for coyotes and wolves.

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[FredH]

Well I did a jug test with the Hornady 123 gr. BTHP. Absolutely destroyed the first two jugs and shredded the third with a piece of jacket going through the 4th jug. This from a 16 inch barreled Grendel, velocity at the muzzle 2430 fps. The jugs were set up in front of my target frame at 100 yards. The first gallon milk jug was hit right at the upper edge of the label. It seems the third jug was shredded by fragments and found the jacket base in the bottom of what was left. I only found the two pieces of jacket and no small pieces of lead. I think to would work pretty good on deer if a bit messy.

 

[goalie]

How did it expand/penetrate?

Neck shot, went through, exit bigger than entrance.

 

[timekiller13]

6.5 grendel 123 BTHP exit hole.
Shot by my 8 yr old

 

[FredH]

6.5 grendel 123 BTHP exit hole.
Shot by my 8 yr old View attachment 790461

That appears adequate.

 

[dallas.kc]

I’m not a super technical rifle guy so maybe take what I say with a grain of salt. When I built my Grendel I shot my first couple with the SSTs and was shocked at how well they put an exit hole. Then they became scarce in my area for some reason and I bought 500 rounds of the bthp. My results with them have been hit or miss. I shot a doe at 20 yards with one and there was blood everywhere, but the other animals I’ve shot have had minimal blood if any including an antelope and the buck I just shot. They never go far, but there’s never much blood. I just shot a buck with them through the top of the heart and other than where he died 50 yards away there was no blood to be found.

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[FredH]

I’m not a super technical rifle guy so maybe take what I say with a grain of salt. When I built my Grendel I shot my first couple with the SSTs and was shocked at how well they put an exit hole. Then they became scarce in my area for some reason and I bought 500 rounds of the bthp. My results with them have been hit or miss. I shot a doe at 20 yards with one and there was blood everywhere, but the other animals I’ve shot have had minimal blood if any including an antelope and the buck I just shot. They never go far, but there’s never much blood. I just shot a buck with them through the top of the heart and other than where he died 50 yards away there was no blood to be found.

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I typically load 120 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips which so far have been good in every respect. I picked up a bunch of 123 gr. Hornady BTHP on sale and planned on using them for general purpose truck gun and plinking. They shoot pretty good in my rifle and I expect them to kill hogs or coyotes I might come across out working on the property. My magazine right now is full of the Ballistic Tips. I have noticed heart shots sometimes cause very little external bleeding, I guess without the pump blood doesn't travel well. I shot a big hog in the heart with a Nosler Partition from a 308, he dropped but the mass of blood underneath him was impressive. Gravity I guess.

 

[Unckebob]

I didn't think I could legally have my daughter shoot until immediately before the hunt. I had her use my 18" 6ARC sited in with Hornady's 108g Eldm Match ammo.

Distance: about 80 yards
Result: her 1st dead deer. It ran about 20 yards.

 

[FredH]

I didn't think I could legally have my daughter shoot until immediately before the hunt. I had her use my 18" 6ARC sited in with Hornady's 108g Eldm Match ammo.

Distance: about 80 yards
Result: her 1st dead deer. It ran about 20 yards.

My 6 is a straight necked down Grendel case so no factory ammo. The only thing I have shot with it are one coyote and a number of raccoons. 58 gr. Vmax going 3200 fps. My fun practice load is the 105 gr. Hornady BTHP going right at 2600 fps. They hit so close together I don't have to resight in to use both loads. Might use a 105 on a deer or a hog maybe this year but more likely a 87 gr. Hornady BTHP pushing 2800 fps.

 

[Unckebob]

My 6 is a straight necked down Grendel case so no factory ammo. The only thing I have shot with it are one coyote and a number of raccoons. 58 gr. Vmax going 3200 fps. My fun practice load is the 105 gr. Hornady BTHP going right at 2600 fps. They hit so close together I don't have to resight in to use both loads. Might use a 105 on a deer or a hog maybe this year but more likely a 87 gr. Hornady BTHP pushing 2800 fps.

I have generally been on the side that thinks more powerful cartridges are needed. This hunt made it abundantly clear that the 6 ARC is more than an adequate round for deer at tradition distances.

The huge advantage is the ease at which we can shoot the ARC accurately. Light bolt action rifle, accurate, and no recoil.