6mm /.243 hunting success on Big Game

[Formidilosus]

So what was the bit about running a mile, was that you?

No. The bull was spotted 1,200 to 1,400 yards out running in our direction. We found out later he was pushed by another group, from another drainage.

 

[eoperator]

A 107 or 115 tmk would be a nice option if sierra would make enough to actually be available.

 

[Marshfly]

Pulled the other half of that bullet out of the muley. Man these ELD-Ms get gnarly.

 

[Trapperkid]

Here’s my first test with a whitetail using the 95 ballistic silver tips. About 35 yards. He piled up within 20 yards of where he was shot with a pretty nice blood trail

 

[The Guide]

Deer hunting with suppressed 243. Buck down. https://youtube.com/shorts/Owukq0pHcGU?feature=share
Here’s my first test with a whitetail using the 95 ballistic silver tips. About 35 yards. He piled up within 20 yards of where he was shot with a pretty nice blood trail

Link is broken

Jay

 

[Trapperkid]

I think it’s working now.

 

[longrangelead]

20+ years ago I had a 243 I used for coyotes shooting 55gr nbt's @ 4000fps. the aftermath was just gross. bang flop is an understatement.
That got me thinking about deer though. I loaded 95gr Partitions 'cuz that's what you did back then. it killed a couple muley bucks like you'd expect.
In 2015 my wife was struggling to find a deer/antelope rifle. I built a pair of AR-15's in 6x45 shooting 85gr TSX BT's @ 2700 mv.
We killed a PILE of antelope and deer that year between 100 and 420 yds. typical Barnes performance but they all died quick. I was very impressed with the cartridge though.

The next year I killed a big Roosevelt cow from a tree stand. She came right under the stand so it was only about 20 feet. Hit behind the left scapula, the bullet went straight through the heart and exited right lower brisket. she went 40 yds and tipped over.

I'd like to re-visit the 6x45 with Eldm's from a bolt gun.

maybe a 6-204 +P?

pics won't attach...

 

[khuber84]

@Trapperkid 6arc holds 34gr powder, 204 holds 33. 6 arc is easy button......

 

[mtnbound]

Exit side scapula continued:
View attachment 789768







After the second chest shot, I put the next one in the neck to stop the bull- he did the rhino slide at that.

Exit:
View attachment 789770

View attachment 789771



Conclusion:


In one bull elk, there is medium, low, and high impact velocity results. One poor “worst case” placement, one “acceptable but not ideal” placement, two “perfect” placements, and one anchor shot. Other than the stomach raking shot, all bullets exited.


Later we found out that this bull had been with a group that had been shot at, and hunters had chased this one, which is why he was running. Heavily stressed animals often take an incredible amount of damage without much sign of injury- and this one did exactly that.


Bullet performance:

6mm 95gr TMK’s cause horrific wounds. The first shot was at medium impact velocity yet caused a massive wound channel and more damage to the stomach than any other bullet or caliber that I have seen- from .22cal to very large .338’s.

The second shot was at the lower side of impact velocity, struck no bone at the very back of the lungs, and created a 2.5 to 3 inch wide hole the entire way through.


The two shots at high impact velocity to both scapulas caused extreme tissue damage and the total destruction of both scapulas. While close examination could distinguish the general outline/separation of each respective bullet path, the wounds were 5-6” wide each.

It is hard to describe the damage caused by the stomach impact and the two scapula shots- pictures in no way show the true measure.

Were you surprised to get bullet exits with those 95 grainers?

 

[Formidilosus]

Were you surprised to get bullet exits with those 95 grainers?

No, not really. Most of my relatively limited experience with the 95gr has been on deer; however in elk the 77gr .224’s sometimes exit, and the 130gr 6.5mm frequently do.

 

[TNKnoxville]

I've read all these posts until my eyes are bleeding
. I want a 6 mm CM but what is the real barrel life? I found one in a Benelli Lupo but found nothing on barrel replacement for one. This will be for hunting and my practice gun. Shooting my 300 win mag is no longer fun for practice.

 

[BasicUtahrd95]

I've read all these posts until my eyes are bleeding
. I want a 6 mm CM but what is the real barrel life? I found one in a Benelli Lupo but found nothing on barrel replacement for one. This will be for hunting and my practice gun. Shooting my 300 win mag is no longer fun for practice.

If barrel life is concern, have you looked into a 6 ARC? Its has a longer barrel life, much cheaper ammo ($1.70/round vs $2.34/round for factory 108 ELDM on Midway), and stays above 1800 fps out to 600+ yards with factory ammo.

Edit: The 6 ARC recoils less as well.

 

[RyanT26]

I've read all these posts until my eyes are bleeding
. I want a 6 mm CM but what is the real barrel life? I found one in a Benelli Lupo but found nothing on barrel replacement for one. This will be for hunting and my practice gun. Shooting my 300 win mag is no longer fun for practice.

I don’t actually know anyone that has shot one out but seems like most things point to around 1500 to 2000 rounds. Remember barrels are threaded for a reason, so they can be changed.