Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Less is more

Its said all the time, nothing new here, but sometimes its good to see.

Data is at 600 - 800 yards. Doubt I ever shoot game over 800 yards, probably much, much less, and under 600 it doesnt much matter among any of the projectiles considered long range.

In the charts:

6.5x47 Lapua and the 147 ELD at 2700 fps (conservative). Approximately 40 grains of powder.

280 Rem and the new 180 ELD at 2700 fps. Approximately 55 grains of powder.

300 Win Mag and the 208 Amax at 2950 fps (ouch). Approximately 75 grains of powder.


In summary, all have plenty of killing velocity at 800 yards. Windage at 800:

147 ELD 1.2 mils 35"
180 ELD 1.1 mils 30"
208 AMAX 1.2 mils 33"


147 and 40 grains of powder is most appealing to me. I believe we get hung up on extended range data, 1000+ yards, where more powder does matter, but in reality none of us will ever shoot at a big game critter at that distance.

Stunt shooter, with plastic bullets to boot...

What is the world coming to...Grin...

Why use 40/147.....
When you can use 105/28.5 ?

JS my longest deer was killed at 400 LRF using a 6BR.

No doubt BC matters. Yes the 6.5's are very effective and many are low recoil. A recipe that's worked since the 1890's.

Not sure what barrel length is needed to comfortably drive 147's in a 47, but I am very happy with what the round does with 120-130s for my needs.

The American shooting public is finally coming around realizing our #1 big game animal does not need a 300 Win or Jarrett with muzzle brakes and Hubble scopes. Most of the shooting I've done over the past 25 years has been 6 and 6.5's in BR and 308 cases rounds. A 338-06 and 350RM for the purpose of Elk hunts. Started with a 7RM as my first and realized quickly indeed less powder is more fun still getting the job done.

It sure is nice to enjoy a day at the range shooting dozens of rounds learning your gear without beating your ears or shoulder up. And self-spot hits and misses. The 270 was close, the 243 closer but alas it would not be Winchester to bring out a new 6.5, now being recognized by many as a Sweet spot.

No doubt most common rounds will get the job done well with well placed shots. But there are no flies on an accurate 6.5

tinfoil bullets....

Who woulda guessed.

YOu are so right, I"ll never shoot at big game animal at 1000 yards or beyond.

But I may one day shoot one at 1000 or beyond....

Wind drift is always an issue, drop is always workable.

OTOH, 6.5x47 is on my build list...

But having killed deer to almost 600 with a 223 non AI...horror, i'm not sure why.

Of course one could say why own a BMG too... and heck we've never even shot it past almost 1900 yards yet.... no fun there.

It's bench racing like that which had me order my fourth 6.5x47 barrel for my hunting rig. That 147 looks like cheating on paper, and seems to fly pretty good in the Montana air on steel.

Rost what bullets are you using in the 223?

Hard to beat a 6.5. I have 6.5 Creedmoor's, 264 Win mags, and a 26 Nosler. The Creedmoor's are fun to shoot stuff up with.

They do sit in a pretty sweet spot, as do the 6mm's of modest capacity. My 22" 6.5x47 shoots sleek 129/130's at 2,900 with no problems, burning about 42gr of powder. A lot to like there. In the deer hunting field, it catches up reasonably quickly to the old 270win/3,100fps/130spitzer/60gr powder combo, which is not a bad place to be.

Are we in competition here? My .270 Winchester has a 24" barrel. It runs 110 grain bullets with a BC of .377 at 3,500 feet per second. How far will both bullets travel before the sleek 129/130's at 2,900 catch it?

Doesn't matter because you'll need a 37x scope

Can I cheat with a 30X?

The 130 6.5 is going faster by time both bullets get just passed the 500 meter mark. The 130 drifts less in the wind right out the gate...

Just give him a bit Jordan....Grin.

Once again less is more. 130 at 2900 wins. At 700 yards the 130 has 25% less drift (very significant), slightly more velocity, and more energy (if you're into that). The 130 starts walking away with it past 700.

Comparing maximum point blank range with a 6" vital, the 270/110/3500 is 340 yards and the 264/130/2900 is 300 yards. 40 yards difference in when dialing is required is virtually meaningless.

As Jordan pointed out, the 264/130 is ahead out of the gate with the most significant factor in long range; windage.

Things only get worse for the .270 when comparing to the 130gr JLK, as I did.

The 110gr TTSX at 3500fps is an awesome load in the .270, but it's not a LR load.

I agree completely. I figure max to keep velocity where I want would limit it to about 400 - 500 yards. Fortunately for me I got my 6.5SLR back yesterday. It hold two grains of water more than a .264 Win Mag and has a 27" 8 twist barrel. It should easily get me at least 50% farther.