Shot these baby before Christmas

[Big Dog]

Shot with a 6.5x55 fed with a 155g Lapua sp. The 155g was overkill and both had not expansion but didn't need it as the first through the brain ant the 2nd through the heart.

 

 

She was lying in the heather side on. Through the brain 130yrds. Weather gales, heavy, heavy rain and fog at times. Started at 0630hrs and shot her at 1530hrs. A long hard, and very wet day. The final stalk was 1/2 miles. Used the fog for cover as it blew through.

 

 

Next day. 1/2 mils stalk 150yrds heart shot. Ran 40yrds, turned and returned back, dropped. Freezer full.

 

The 155g Lapua went straight through no expansion.

 

Here is a question. Recommended to use 140g ballistic tip. What you guys think and use. My thinking brain or neck shot OK shoulder blade/heart shot bin half the meat :blink: .

[Oly]

I certainly wouldn't use any rounds without expansion on live stuff When it comes to the BTips, I think you should be fine, I know the expansion is rapid but it will primarily be in the body cavity (can even turn the whole inner'ards into liquid - makes gutting easy! ) with a lot less energy after impact, so overall I expect you will have much less meat damage than your current exiting no-expanding ammo. :blink:

 

Whichever you choose, stay off the non-expanding ammo on live quarry :blink:

 

Another good brief, but succinct, write up :blink:

Edited February 2, 2008 by Oly

[Big Dog]

The ammo was sp (soft points - expansion) the problem was it was to heavy. Neither shot had enough resistance to stimulate the expansion. (the head is what 6" and the big calf not much resistance there either. No internal brusing at all.

[Oly]

The ammo was sp (soft points - expansion) the problem was it was to heavy. Neither shot had enough resistance to stimulate the expansion. (the head is what 6" and the big calf not much resistance there either. No internal brusing at all.

 

Sorry, missed the 'sp' bit. :blink: Bet the exit wound was reasonable though on the body shot? I know quite a few who have gone over to BTips for deer and so long as your only having the meat for yourself they find it much better & more humane as 95% of the time they simply drop on the spot with heart/lung shots. Partitions are still the dogs in my eyes for meat retention, but only if it's going to a dealer, otherwise use BTips is my advice :blink:

[dazza]

well done :blink:

[Big Dog]

Funny thing Oly the exit wound on both was the same size as the entry. The only way you would have know on the head was when I first arrive there was a littler spot of blood on the exit side. The photo shows the entry side, bled once I pick her up.

 

The heart shot when through and half hit a rip on exit. No brusing at all :blink: Both animal very clean shots and perfect for meat. That said, the rest of the 155g are enjoying hitting the sand bank at the range, lots of time to expand there :blink:

[SPEEDY]

I love any .264 cal rifle and have used many over the years, I had great success with the 156gn lapua mega on Scrub Bulls but much like most 140gn pills they would over penetrate on small/medium game.

My favorite pills for that size game are the 130gn Nosler Accubond, 129gn Hornady SST and the 120gn & 100gn Nosler BT, the Accubond is IMO the most reliable and accurate.

[Big Dog]

SPEEDY when you say 120g & 100g BT do you mean BT boat tail or ballistic tip???

 

Some guys here use those weight on deer. Some feel Sika deer are tuffer and need a heavier pill. Personally I feel if you place the bullet corrently anything from 100 to 140g will do the job well. But deer stalking is something I just took up 2 years ago although shooting for over 30 years.

[henry d]

I use 140gn sp`s and they do the biz on Roe and Fallow Bucks with boilerhouse shots, however I prefer the .222 on Roe as there is a lack of "over-penetration"

[SPEEDY]

SPEEDY when you say 120g & 100g BT do you mean BT boat tail or ballistic tip???

 

Some guys here use those weight on deer. Some feel Sika deer are tuffer and need a heavier pill. Personally I feel if you place the bullet corrently anything from 100 to 140g will do the job well. But deer stalking is something I just took up 2 years ago although shooting for over 30 years.

 

I'm referring to the ballistic tip although the Nosler is also a boat tail anyway. I use the 120gn on Fallow and would use the 100gn on young Does for meat and for Goats but the 130gn Accubond is the best Deer pill for a .264 cal IMO.

[Dunkield]

I use 140gn sp`s and they do the biz on Roe and Fallow Bucks with boilerhouse shots, however I prefer the .222 on Roe as there is a lack of "over-penetration"

another vote for 140's here, perfect for hinds.

Either Federal factory rounds or I hear Sierra Game Kings are very good if your loading your own.

 

Both soft points.

[ogre6br]

Remington core-lokt 120's work very well in a 6.5x55- they seemed to have stopped making them

 

so you might want to try the Hornady 100 or 129 SP hunting projectile

 

you are much closer to the home of the 6.5x55 that me here in Australia

 

surely the skandinavians have a small deer load as a factory round

 

LAter

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