Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska Which 6.5mm bullet for bear?

Well I have yet to shoot a black bear and in this lifetime will probably never shoot a brown bear but for elk and deer, easily hunted on the same day here, it has always been a 140 gr. Nosler Partition. They always work!

Of the two you mention, those Deerheads look very promising:

http://www.sako.fi/cartridges/sako-cartridges/deerhead

….regardless who makes them.

I'd consider the 160 grain Woodleigh in this mix. They shoot great in my 6.5-06. Keep using 140 vlds as they work great but for up close stuff, I'd probably still feel better with the Woodleigh bullet.

Nice thing is they both shoot to same point of impact at 100 yards for me.

I agree Klik, might hafta pick up a box or two and see how they shoot.

How about a 130gr Swift Scirocco?

something in 155's...........

or plain jane 140 Nozler PT's

I don't recall. Pat, is that your's or George's?

Alan

Either 140 Partitions or 140 TBBC. I will be carrying my 260AI on Kodiak in October. Will be using one of these two. I haven't been able to catch a 140 AB either but I know the other two are tough.

Mmm....never heard of them. They look kinda like a Bitterroot in cross section and expansion.

Dennis,

I didn't know a 140 TBBC existed.

Alan

I believe they are discontinued now.

The 130 gr Scirocco mentioned earlier is a great bullet along with the Partitions and Accubonds. I had good success with the 130 gr TSX but think the 120 gr TTSX is better than the TSX.

Gerry,

Why do you think the 120 gr TTSX is better than the 130 TSX? What about the 127 LRX?

Alan

I have 3 boxes of 140 TBBC. That is why I would use them. I have put one length-wise through a decent black bear. Not as accurate as the partition, however.

I'd Trust The Partion..I Run This One Through a 407 Pound Black Bear. Broke Both Shoulders. Never Seen One Die Quicker. He Never Made Sound. I Touched The Trigger And His Left Back Leg Switched Twice And He Was Dead.. 100 Gr Nosler Partion, Out Of 6.5-250AI. Shot Was At 31 Yds. 2889FPS.

Although I have had no problems with the 130 gr TSX the bigger hollow point of the TTSX is more reliable when it comes to expansion in my opinion. Haven't tried the LRX yet but I would think they would at least be as good as the TTSX.

That pic is absolutely full of awesome!

I have 2 kills with the 127 LRX thus my thinking it might be a good one to use. All from my light 6.5x47. A 3x4 mulie @ 500 and a very large cow elk @ 450. Both pass through, broadside shots that caused short 20 yds runs.

I've got another kill with the 142 gr Matrix VLD on a spike elk last Fall but that's not a bullet I would consider for this purpose.

Alan

What caliber rifle & bullet did you use on this bruin? Hes a nice looking brownie.

If you look on their web site they are listing it once again...

The TSX (140) or the 160 RN? (The 160 RN demise was nothing but a rumor.)