6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game

[Foster_65]

@Formidilosus or anyone have any experience with the 6mm 95 HPBT matching on game. Just found a promising load in 6 arc. Calling them hollow point is even a bit of a stretch as the meplat pretty much comes to a point. Have to file flat before a guy can even open them up. There is a pretty large cavity under the point but not sure if it will fragment like I would like. Wish I could find the tmk but no luck. Anyone shot a critter?

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Man I bet that buck was a stunner when he had both antlers! Looks like he had a bit of a tumble.

Just hidden. He did tumble quite a ways but no damage occurred. But check out those growths on the velvet.

 

[Formidilosus]

@Formidilosus or anyone have any experience with the 6mm 95 HPBT matching on game. Just found a promising load in 6 arc. Calling them hollow point is even a bit of a stretch as the meplat pretty much comes to a point. Have to file flat before a guy can even open them up. There is a pretty large cavity under the point but not sure if it will fragment like I would like. Wish I could find the tmk but no luck. Anyone shot a critter?

If you mean the Sierra Matchking HPBT, I would not suggest that bullet for hunting. It is a “closed nose” design and is sometimes extremely variable in how it performs in tissue. The 95gr Berger VLD and Hybrud Hunter, 105gr and 112gr Barnes MatchBurner, ELD-M and X’s, etc are all much better/more consistent in tissue

 

[Hoggetter]

I shot a mid sized hog at 610 yards this morning with a 6CM, 108-elite hunter hand loads pumped up pretty hot H4350, Hornady brass, Win large rifle primer, .012 off Lands
150 lb hog @ 610yds, bang flop
Muzzle velocity 3150 fps
Impact velocity 2196 fps
Impact energy 1157 ft lbs
MOA dial 8.75 moa
Sig Kilo 10k Gen2 bino’s
Tikka/Proof 24” with NX8

 

[Foster_65]

If you mean the Sierra Matchking HPBT, I would not suggest that bullet for hunting. It is a “closed nose” design and is sometimes extremely variable in how it performs in tissue. The 95gr Berger VLD and Hybrud Hunter, 105gr and 112gr Barnes MatchBurner, ELD-M and X’s, etc are all much better/more consistent in tissue

Yep that’s the one. Thank you. What I needed to know

 

[B_Reynolds_AK]

Bottle fed squirrel = marten food

Possibly, but we gave him a chance in any case, when he would have starved. Nature will take its course in one way or another, but for now he loves life and to play.

 

[mustelid_master]

Possibly, but we gave him a chance in any case, when he would have starved. Nature will take its course in one way or another, but for now he loves life and to play.

Indeed that is all you can do

 

[JBradley500]

Grabbed a couple of boxes of 95 NBTs. Still need to find LRPs though.

 

[Ringbill27]

So I picked up a compact 243 new for a steal. Such a steal my wife also picked up the last one. What’s everyone’s thoughts on 80ish weight coppers? 1:10s I think.

 

[mustelid_master]

So I picked up a compact 243 new for a steal. Such a steal my wife also picked up the last one. What’s everyone’s thoughts on 80ish weight coppers? 1:10s I think.

I think the general consensus is don't shoot copper unless you have to.

 

[Ringbill27]

6mm or everything? Cuz I’m using copper for all things these days. Don’t have to just do.

 

[mustelid_master]

6mm or everything? Cuz I’m using copper for all things these days. Don’t have to just do.

I have had better luck with the terminal performance of traditiona lead bullets. If you want a not-so-brief synopsis, the 223 thread is a good place to start

 

[HighUintas]

6mm or everything? Cuz I’m using copper for all things these days. Don’t have to just do.

Did you put them in a stabilization calculator? It sounds like it could be borderline.

 

[HighUintas]

6mm or everything? Cuz I’m using copper for all things these days. Don’t have to just do.

I ran some fake numbers through a couple calculators. At about 200ft elevation and 32F, a 20" barrel with Hornady factory 80gr cx (assume 3000fps) would be marginal stability or not stable, I think. It's weird they don't give a min twist for either of their copper 243 bullets or for their loaded factory ammo for those two bullets in 243 win.

 

[Ringbill27]

Did you put them in a stabilization calculator? It sounds like it could be borderline.

calculators I’ve tried using ask for the bullet length and most manufacturers don’t list that in the specs. So without the bullet in hand how do you use the calculator accurately. Edit: more list lengths then I thought.

I ran some fake numbers through a couple calculators. At about 200ft elevation and 32F, a 20" barrel with Hornady factory 80gr cx (assume 3000fps) would be marginal stability or not stable, I think. It's weird they don't give a min twist for either of their copper 243 bullets or for their loaded factory ammo for those two bullets in 243 win.

Barnes’s 80gr 243win load is rated to 1:10 and faster. They seem to be the only manufacturer that does or at l at I’ve found so far.

 

[The Guide]

calculators I’ve tried using ask for the bullet length and most manufacturers don’t list that in the specs. So without the bullet in hand how do you use the calculator accurately. Edit: more list lengths then I thought.

Barnes’s 80gr 243win load is rated to 1:10 and faster. They seem to be the only manufacturer that does or at l at I’ve found so far.

This has most of the bullet lengths.

JBM - Bullet Length List

jbmballistics.com

Jay

 

[Ringbill27]

This has most of the bullet lengths.

JBM - Bullet Length List

jbmballistics.com

Jay

Interesting didn’t know this existed. So if a bullet were marginally stable what would I expect to see? Keyholing at 25yds or weird things are longer ranges?

 

[The Guide]

Interesting didn’t know this existed. So if a bullet were marginally stable what would I expect to see? Keyholing at 25yds or weird things are longer ranges?

My experience with marginal stability has shown up by 100 yards when supersonic and by 50 yards when subsonic.

Jay

 

[Big_wals]

So I picked up a compact 243 new for a steal. Such a steal my wife also picked up the last one. What’s everyone’s thoughts on 80ish weight coppers? 1:10s I think.

Ive shot 80 grain barnes out of a 1:10, they shot fine. Killed three deer with that load and was underwhelmed with the performance. All three died, but traveled around 100 to 125 yards. The wound channel reminded of the damage you would expect from a broadhead. Very minimal meat loss though, and I was killing does in crop fields with depredation permits so long blood trails weren’t a problem, just shoot and watch em run till they tipped over.

 

[wind gypsy]

Interesting didn’t know this existed. So if a bullet were marginally stable what would I expect to see? Keyholing at 25yds or weird things are longer ranges?

Depends on what one considers "marginal". The berger calculator calls a lot situations where nothing might seem amiss to a shooter marginally stable because they believe at those twist rates there would be a slight loss of BC.