California (Copper/Non-Lead) Smaller Caliber Build - 6mm or 6.5PRC

[jzeblaz]

DRT won’t ship to California.

They do. You just have to have an FFL receive it to transfer it to you. Good times.

 

[flyboy214]

As another fellow stuck in Cali who worked through the same problem set, here are some of the resources and conclusions I came to. https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase.html

-Copper bullets don't shed weight the same way as lead.
-Copper does not produce wide wounding below ~2400 fps
-Until newer bullet designs like the CX, some copper bullets failed to expand under 2200 fps
-In calibers like 6mm and .257, you can find mixed reports of bullets not expanding even at close range. I could not find the same failure rate in 6.5mm bullets.
-100% weight retention is the norm-which negates the need for a heavy-for-caliber bullet to increase penetration.
-If you can put a copper bullet through bone like the scapula at high velocity, it will cause additional wounding as the bone fragments shatter and spread out. -first-hand experience. (downward angle canyon shot)

What it means
-Light and fast for caliber bullets are ideal.
-Determine how far you want to shoot and ensure you will be within the velocity envelope of your bullet.
-Recommended to shift the aimpoint just forward of the shoulder crease and on the lower half of the body. Firmer tissue can help initiate expansion. Exit holes lower on the body leave better blood.

What I came up with as my ideal setup
-for low recoil - 6.5 Creed with 120 gr CX bullet should hit 2200 fps at roughly 400 yards, depending on barrel length. (I should have gone with this setup)

-For a true long-range setup with Copper, I went with a 6.5 Wby RPM -that hits that same 2200 fps threshold out at 525 yards. But I spent more than I needed to.