Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles 120 Scenar-L vs 123 Scenar on game?

I'm not _quite_ to the point that I'm willing to shoot at medium to large game with a Scenar, but I'm surprisingly close. I know that Scenarshooter, and others, have shot Scenars at a lot of game. I have a large pile of the 120 Scenar-L bullets for my 6.5 Creedmoor and 6.5-284. They're not as slick as the 123s, I realize, but they shoot well for me. My question is, do any of you have experience to tell me whether they behave the same on game (the Scenar-L vs Scenar)? Thanks for any feedback.

Shooting match bullets or big game is hit or miss. I have seen match bullets act like armor-piercing and go straight through without even opening up, I seen them blow up within the first two inches of penetration. That said you have to pick your shots when using match bullets like the 123s, I use them out of my 6.5 Creedmoor and I shoot for the head. They kill just fine, but of course any bullet well when you shoot a deer in the head. And some guys on here will say shooting deer in the head is unethical but when you're using a bullet that doesn't perform well on large game you have to take the best possible kill shot. I wouldn't want to shoot a deer in the shoulders with the 123 or even the lungs as it could go through just like an arrow with no damage at all, pick your shot you'll be fine.

I think Pat (Scenarshooter) likes the 139, which seems to have good terminal performance on most critters.

I tried the 90 gr. Scenar in my .240 Wby. on a WT, chest shot. Was DRT, but a real mess at the skinning shed. I'll not do that again.

Some really like the 105 Scenar in fast twist 6mm's. My 10 twist .240 won't stabilize it.

So, bottom line, I guess it depends on bullet and speed.

Sometimes LR bullets are designed to open at lower velocities than std. bullets. Not sure about the 120L Scenar as it is technically a target bullet. That is the case with NAB's vs. LRAB's.

My 6.5 Creed loves the 123 Scenar over Varget. I've not tried that one on WT's but plan to. Don't think I'll shoot it in my 6.5-284, may be too fast; that one does great with 140 Hunting VLD's, may try the 139 Scenar.

DF

I have some 123s loaded up that shoot stupid good in my 6.5x47L at 2929fps with 3fps es. I will be using them this fall for a northern Canada white tail. Will report back once steaks are in the freezer. I will be shooting for a shoulder shot though as I don't know about lungs at distance with them.

Thanks. My Creedmoor also shoots the 123 just phenomenally well over A-4064.

Coincidentally, my 6.5-284 also shoots some 140 VLD Hybrids my brother gave me, very well.

Perhaps I'll PM Scenarshooter about the Scenar-L series.

Great idea; do it and let us know what he says.

DF