Norma 6.5 PRC 143gr Bondstrike

[nebhunt]

Looking for opinions on the Norma 143gr Bondstrike for use elk hunting. Has anyone used them on elk or other like size game animals? If you have please share your thoughts.

 

[sniper20]

I would think you would be perfectly fine. They seem to perform the same as Accubond or Interbond bullets. I have a buddy who uses Tip Strikes on Whitetail, they are impressive. Norma makes pretty good stuff, I would sling it if I could find them to reload...

 

[Novahunter]

I have not used the 143gr. I have used the 180gr in 300 RUM on deer and a moose. It did it's job on the moose very well, and that was at a muzzle velocity of 3300+ fps.

Assuming the same construction, I would be comfortable using the 143 for elk.

Bullet placement matters most.

If you look in my thread history, you'll find the post about my 2022 moose hunt and how the bullet did.

 

[parshal]

I used the 143 Bondstrike in a 6.5 PRC in Africa. Took a Waterbuck, Sable and Kudu along with a couple smaller animals. Bullet worked but I had no pass throughs on anything which I expected with a bonded bullet. I always had pass throughs with the 130 Scirocco.

 

[Balderdash]

Own a pile of them because my 6.5 PRC absolutely loves them, but have only taken one WT with them, which isn't the best test. Haven't been ultra thrilled with 143 ELD-X on deer or elk, so wanted to try something different. The 143 ELD-X, while a perfect bullet in the CM for which it was designed, is maybe a little lightly constructed for 6.5PRC, IME. Still effective by the animal-is-dead measure, just not as much penetration as I'd like to see on broadside chest shots without any major bone contact.

 

[Rowanarchery92]

Shot 4 whitetails with them this year at ranges from 75-250yds and none of them took a step.

 

[parshal]

I should mentioned that I was using the Bondstrike in Africa but my buddy was using the 147 ELD-M. His animals died much faster than mine and he shot a few more large animals than I did.

 

[nebhunt]

I am a fan of bonded bullets if they shoot good. I just want to be able to trust a bullet to get to the heart lung area if I have to take a shot that might hit heavy bones on the way to them. Not sure I trust the cup and core type, ( ELD-X and ELD-M), to do that. I have never used the ELD line on anything elk size, but if you hit the animal broadside in the ribs with one they are impressive according to reviews.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Killed a Nilgai bull with my 6.5 PRC using Bondstrike, it did well. I also used a 147gr ELD-M on a large cow elk which worked great too.

 

[Ozzy208]

I should mentioned that I was using the Bondstrike in Africa but my buddy was using the 147 ELD-M. His animals died much faster than mine and he shot a few more large animals than I did.

Love to hear this, because I get dirty looks when I tell people I hunt with ELDMs!

 

[bojangles808]

I should mentioned that I was using the Bondstrike in Africa but my buddy was using the 147 ELD-M. His animals died much faster than mine and he shot a few more large animals than I did.

lost one of the biggest bucks I've shot with that 143 bondstrike bullet. the ones that I did recover the blood trails were poor. would not recommend. much prefer eldm. everything i've shot with eldms hasn't gone more than 50 yards

 

[nebhunt]

Would the Berger 156 gr EOL ammunition make a better bullet for elk hunting?

 

[sniper20]

Would the Berger 156 gr EOL ammunition make a better bullet for elk hunting?

I plan on using the 153.5's when I get a tag... My rifle shoots them awesome and I just used them on a whitetail hunt this year. Shot a good size doe at 100-125 yards, nice broadside. It was a higher shot, but didn't take out the backstrap. Exit was the size of a baseball... I'm guessing if the bullet can do that on a whitetail after 16" of penetration... should be good enough for elk.

 

[ELKMO]

Tried them in my tikka t3x 24”, only got 2775 velocity vs box 2950 fps. Thats a hard pass!!

Nosler AB and BT are within 25 fps short of box velocity.

 

[Sako76]

Would the Berger 156 gr EOL ammunition make a better bullet for elk hunting?

I’ve shot two bull elk with the 156 Berger out of a 6.5 Gap 4S at 2850 fps, both DRT! Ranges were short, 150 and 250 yards. Worked well.

 

[nebhunt]

Now I need to find a couple boxes of the Berger 156 to try out. The places I have checked are sold out.

 

[uthuntr]

If you’re married to the 6.5, shoot closer than you think you should to keep it in the boiler room. That rules all and any bullet will work fine if you do. If you keep it sub 300-350 yards you probably don’t need the extra velo from the Norma 143. Take the extra umph from the Berger, just know you’re not gonna be a long range killer. Which I wouldn’t recommend anyway with a 6.5

 

[Balderdash]

If you’re married to the 6.5, shoot closer than you think you should to keep it in the boiler room. That rules all and any bullet will work fine if you do. If you keep it sub 300-350 yards you probably don’t need the extra velo from the Norma 143. Take the extra umph from the Berger, just know you’re not gonna be a long range killer. Which I wouldn’t recommend anyway with a 6.5

Nice cast. We'll see if anyone takes the bobber down.

 

[nebhunt]

After reading most of the .223 thread I feel confident that the 6.5 should be good out to around 800 yards. I can easily hit a pie plate at 100 yards 8 out of 10 times too. Now I just need to get my elk tag. I think the results will be up in the next 30 days.

 

[TaylorC]

Tried them in my tikka t3x 24”, only got 2775 velocity vs box 2950 fps. Thats a hard pass!!

Nosler AB and BT are within 25 fps short of box velocity.

My Franchi nailed the box numbers weirdly close. ELD-M & ELD-X were both a good 30fps slower if I recall.
I don't own a Tikka but I'm hearing a lot of reports of slow barrels in various chambers. Curious if true. It's possible the owner hasn't found the right cartridge, like you did, or that some barrels are oversized, or...?
Internet anecdotes are what they are though.
Those Normas are certainly priced right. I'm happy my rifle likes them.