6mm 105 Hornady BTHP--low impact bullet test

[T-Stick]

Rifle: 243 Savage Edge (accurized)
Barrel: 22" with 1/9.25 twist
Bullet: 105 Hornady BTHP
Range of test: 10 yards
Powder: Blue Dot reduced loads to simulate long range impacts
Media: one gallon water jug--5/8" OSB--2) one gallons water jugs--5/8" OSB stopped all recovered bullets

Hello everyone. Been an occasional lurker here till the "6mm hunting success" thread sucked me in to join . I recently tested this rifle and bullet at 2850 fps at 620 yards to confirm BC and true scope data. I have shot one deer with this bullet at around 60 yards and was impressed with the terminal results. I noted a few positive posts for this bullet on the 6mm hunting success" thread but the ranges were all under 300 yards. Then I decided to test and see what this bullet was doing from 1700 fps to 2030 fps. It looks to me like this bullet may tumble quickly and sheer off the front nose. If it does this reliably it could be a reliable long range killer without needing to fragment or open. Pics attached showing results and tumbling evidence going through the 5/8" OSB board.

 

[T-Stick]

I'm not seeing where I can edit my post. I meant to add/ask if anyone here hunts with match bullets depending on them to tumble instead of expanding and what their experiences are ...

 

[Mrwoodard]

My first "long range" deer back in 2014 was with a 243 shooting 105 bthps at 3050. 525 yards, impact velocity would have been around 2100 fps. It was a double lung shot and she ran about 60 yards. I don't remember what the lungs looked like, but I killed a bunch of deer with that combo.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I like those bullets. Cheap and accurate. There are far better ones out there, if you are dropping down to those velocities.

anyone here hunts with match bullets

Yes

depending on them to tumble instead of expanding and what their experiences are ...

Yea, no

 

[T-Stick]

The 105 Hornady is about the highest BC bullet that I can accurately shoot in my 1/9.25 twist. If I had a 1/8 twist I would use the 108 ELDM and look no further. The Sierra 95 Tipped Matchking and the 103 ELDX are erratic at 300 yds. The 90 ELDX and and 95 Berger Hybrid Hunter shoot well but with much less BC. Most of my longer distance deer were taken with a 7mm-08 so I am still experimenting with the 243.

 

[T-Stick]

My first "long range" deer back in 2014 was with a 243 shooting 105 bthps at 3050. 525 yards, impact velocity would have been around 2100 fps. It was a double lung shot and she ran about 60 yards. I don't remember what the lungs looked like, but I killed a bunch of deer with that combo.
View attachment 994898

Even though many people think the Berger and ELDM are much better I still read of some less than optimum results with them. I have not read any negative terminal results of the 105 Hornady BTHP on game. Were you able to tell if the bullet was expanding or tumbling at further ranges?

 

[Mrwoodard]

Even though many people think the Berger and ELDM are much better I still read of some less than optimum results with them. I have not read any negative terminal results of the 105 Hornady BTHP on game. Were you able to tell if the bullet was expanding or tumbling at further ranges?

I really couldn't tell you because back then I didn't pay attention or know what to look for. The majority of my shots were less than 300 yards and it killed everything that I pointed it at with no issues. Back then they had a pretty good size hollow point, but I haven't seen any recent production bullets.

 

[ddowning]

I have shot several does between 600 and 670 yards with them in a 243 AI. Also several in the 300s and 400s. The place I hunt doesn't tend to have shot opportunities in the 500s due to terrain. I don't remember a deer that didn't drop at the shot past 300 yards. Inside 300 I tend to have them run, bit they are down within 50-100 yards. It is the normal mpbr reaction. I aim center lungs and don't try to break them down.

I cannot explain why they have dropped at the longer shots other than the bullet performance at those particular velocities. I see the same thing with 140 bthp in 6.5 creed.

 

[BLJ]

The Sierra 95 Tipped Matchking and the 103 ELDX are erratic at 300 yds.

What issues did you notice? Specifically with the 95 TMK.