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Great post..lots of info...let your eyes decide...would love to see a 284 caliber post


I don't always venture out into the sub-freezing darkness, but when I do, it is deer hunting season, and I carry a Remington. Stay hungry my friends.
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Looks like in the 6.5x55 you could make a real case for a two bullet combo of the 100 grain X for deer and such, and the 130 grain TSX for anything bigger you want to shoot with a 6.5. Sounds like a great reason to get a 6.5x55 or .260.

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Steve,

You made a real and significant contribution to our body of knowledge concerning the terminal performance of 6.5 bullets. Many thanks.

If you want to continue your experiments, I can contribute some 130 grain Accubonds and SiroccoII bullets. Just let me know, and they will be on the way.

Another Steve

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Thank you.

BMT


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Steve:

Fabulous!! Thank you!

One request, please, if it isn't too much: could you do one more test with a 30-06, shooting factory Remington 180 grain Core-lokt bullets?

This would provide a standard against which your 6.5mm bullet results could be measured. I think a lot of people would be surprised how well the 6.5X55 performs compared to a well-known standard load.

Thanks Again,
Czech1022


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What a great post...Lotsa work!...

Good to see Lapua Naturalis in there as folks seem to think Barnes is the only company that makes all copper bullets...and that's not true...They also make a Naturalis LR which is a spitzer design... There is another copper game in town!...

I bet with the much larger hollowpoint cavity that they are more reliable than Barnes TSX... I see lots of posts online where TSX's fail and it sometimes looks like the hollowpoint clogs or is flattened shut by an obstruction...

Less likely I would think with a bigger hole... Look at the MRX and Noslers E-Tip... They also have bigger holes IIRC... Great Data...Thanks


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I support all the kudos that the others above have given you for your fine work...

To the others, although the generic 140 grain Corelokt wasnt' tested I'd rate it as high, if not higher than the performance of some of the trendy spendy bullets..

however, this testing shows that the Barnes are well worth the money as well as the Noslers for terminal performance!

I have done volumes of testing for Blue Dot loads in all sorts of various calibers... and know the work that goes into this Steve.... those of us that have done this sort of work can really appreciate the hours you spent , gathering this info to share with your fellow forum members...

A big hat's off to you!

cheers
seafire


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Just like my .35 cal bullet test, I lost the links for the pictures for this test. I reloaded all the pictures to Photobucket and re-posted them. Pictures are always great and I put too much work in this test to let them go away. So here they are again.


The line up:
[Linked Image]


- The impact velocity was made to duplicate modern 6.5X55 loads at 100 yds.
- Expansion was measured at the widest part of the bullet. Take a look at the pictures when comparing the expansion of different bullets, sometime a sliver of lead or copper at an odd angle can give deceptive results.
- Test rifle: Winchester Model 70 Featherweight 6.5X55 Swed
- Test media: Wet newspaper....lots of wet newspaper!!
- Disclaimer: I know wet newspaper does not give identical result to flesh and bones, blah, blah, blah....

Speer 90gr TNT
Average Penetration (inches): 10.17
Average Weight Retained (grain): 28.3
Average Weight Retained (%): 31
Average Expansion (inches): 0.549
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Hornady 95gr V-MAX
Average Penetration (inches): 6.25
Average Weight Retained (grain): 34.1
Average Weight Retained (%): 36
Average Expansion (inches): 0.470
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Barnes 100gr X
Average Penetration (inches): 16.67
Average Weight Retained (grain): 83
Average Weight Retained (%): 83
Average Expansion (inches): 0.423
[Linked Image]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...4%20cal%20bullet%20test/Barnes100grX.jpg[/img]

Nosler 120gr Ballistic Tip
Average Penetration (inches): 10.30
Average Weight Retained (grain): 74.4
Average Weight Retained (%): 62
Average Expansion (inches): 0.643
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...0cal%20bullet%20test/120grNoslerBTip.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/.../264%20cal%20bullet%20test/120grBtip.jpg[/img]

Barnes 120gr X
Average Penetration (inches): 14.42
Average Weight Retained (grain): 114.5
Average Weight Retained (%): 95
Average Expansion (inches): 0.586
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...4%20cal%20bullet%20test/Barnes120grX.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...est/264%20cal%20bullet%20test/120grX.jpg[/img]

Barnes 120gr TSX
Average Penetration (inches): 13.67
Average Weight Retained (grain): 120.1
Average Weight Retained (%): 100
Average Expansion (inches): 0.592
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...20cal%20bullet%20test/Barnes120grTSX.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...t/264%20cal%20bullet%20test/120grTSX.jpg[/img]

Alberta Wildcat 120gr HP
Average Penetration (inches): 11.17
Average Weight Retained (grain): 49.2
Average Weight Retained (%): 41
Average Expansion (inches): 0.704
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...264%20cal%20bullet%20test/AWC120grHP.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...t/264%20cal%20bullet%20test/AWC120gr.jpg[/img]

Alberta Wildcat 125gr SP
Average Penetration (inches): 10.17
Average Weight Retained (grain): 73.3
Average Weight Retained (%): 59
Average Expansion (inches): 0.712
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...264%20cal%20bullet%20test/AWC125grSP.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...t/264%20cal%20bullet%20test/AWC125gr.jpg[/img]

Nosler 125gr Partition
Average Penetration (inches): 15
Average Weight Retained (grain): 88.5
Average Weight Retained (%): 71
Average Expansion (inches): 0.614
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...%20cal%20bullet%20test/Nosler125grPT.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...64%20cal%20bullet%20test/Nolser125PT.jpg[/img]

Hornady 129gr SP IL
Average Penetration (inches): 13.08
Average Weight Retained (grain): 90.5
Average Weight Retained (%): 70
Average Expansion (inches): 0.626
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...%20cal%20bullet%20test/Honady129grSP.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...4%20cal%20bullet%20test/Hornady129gr.jpg[/img]

Barnes 130gr TSX
Average Penetration (inches): 18
Average Weight Retained (grain): 129.9
Average Weight Retained (%): 100
Average Expansion (inches): 0.552
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...20cal%20bullet%20test/Barnes130grTSX.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...t/264%20cal%20bullet%20test/130grTSX.jpg[/img]

Lapua 140gr Naturalist
Average Penetration (inches): 16.5
Average Weight Retained (grain): 136.6
Average Weight Retained (%): 98
Average Expansion (inches): 0.556
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...20bullet%20test/Lapua140grNaturalist.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...cal%20bullet%20test/Lapua140grNaturo.jpg[/img]

Hornady 140gr SP IL
Average Penetration (inches): 13.75
Average Weight Retained (grain): 78.7
Average Weight Retained (%): 56
Average Expansion (inches): 0.524
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...20cal%20bullet%20test/Hornady140grSP.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...4%20cal%20bullet%20test/Hornady140SP.jpg[/img]

Hornady 140gr SST
Average Penetration (inches): 13.25
Average Weight Retained (grain): 95.5
Average Weight Retained (%): 68
Average Expansion (inches): 0.695
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...0cal%20bullet%20test/Hornady140grTSS.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...%20cal%20bullet%20test/Hornady140TSS.jpg[/img]

Hornady 140gr A-MAX
Average Penetration (inches): 12.17
Average Weight Retained (grain): 75.9
Average Weight Retained (%): 54
Average Expansion (inches): 0.597
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...al%20bullet%20test/Hornady140grA-Max.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...0cal%20bullet%20test/Hornady140A-Max.jpg[/img]

Nosler 140gr Partition
Average Penetration (inches): 15.17
Average Weight Retained (grain): 108.6
Average Weight Retained (%): 78
Average Expansion (inches): 0.629
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...%20cal%20bullet%20test/Nosler140grPT.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...64%20cal%20bullet%20test/Nosler140PT.jpg[/img]

Sierra 142gr Match King
Average Penetration (inches): 14.25
Average Weight Retained (grain): 40.7
Average Weight Retained (%): 29
Average Expansion (inches): 0.445
** First bullet disintegrated and not significant pieces were recovered.
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...%20cal%20bullet%20test/Sierra142grMK.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...64%20cal%20bullet%20test/Sierra142MK.jpg[/img]

Alberta Wildcat 142.5 VLD
Average Penetration (inches): 12.17
Average Weight Retained (grain): 45.2
Average Weight Retained (%): 32
Average Expansion (inches): 0.598
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...4%20cal%20bullet%20test/AWC1425grVLD.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...264%20cal%20bullet%20test/AWC1425VLD.jpg[/img]

Lapua 156gr Mega
Average Penetration (inches): 14.92
Average Weight Retained (grain): 120.9
Average Weight Retained (%): 78
Average Expansion (inches): 0.629
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...20cal%20bullet%20test/Lapua156grMega.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...264%20cal%20bullet%20test/Norma156RN.jpg[/img]

Norma 156gr RN
Average Penetration (inches): 14.67
Average Weight Retained (grain): 89.6
Average Weight Retained (%): 57
Average Expansion (inches): 0.592
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...4%20cal%20bullet%20test/Norma156grRN.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...4%20cal%20bullet%20test/Norma156RN-1.jpg[/img]

Hornady 160gr RN IL
Average Penetration (inches): 13.92
Average Weight Retained (grain): 117.6
Average Weight Retained (%): 74
Average Expansion (inches): 0.694
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...cal%20bullet%20test/Hornady160grRNSP.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...20cal%20bullet%20test/Hornady160RNSP.jpg[/img]

Sierra 160gr SMP
Average Penetration (inches): 13.17
Average Weight Retained (grain): 76.4
Average Weight Retained (%): 48
Average Expansion (inches): 0.539
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...20cal%20bullet%20test/Sierra160grSMP.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...4%20cal%20bullet%20test/Sierra160SMP.jpg[/img]

Alberta Wildcat 168gr VLD
Average Penetration (inches): 13.17
Average Weight Retained (grain): 76.4
Average Weight Retained (%): 48
Average Expansion (inches): 0.539
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/...64%20cal%20bullet%20test/AWC168grVLD.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/.../264%20cal%20bullet%20test/AWC168VLD.jpg[/img]

Approximate impact velocity:
90-100gr.............2850-2900fps
120gr..................2750-2800fps
125gr..................2600-2700fps
129-130gr............2550-2600fps
140gr-142.5gr.......2500-2550fps
156-160gr............2400-2500fps
168gr..................2300-2400fps

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Wow! Great stuff Steve. Thanks for takin' the time to post the pics again. I somehow missed them the first time around.

A few months back I picked up 250 of the 6.5 125 grain Partitions and even though I've shot lots of Partitions, I've never used the 125's in 6.5 and they look great from your results.

Thanks again.

Last edited by Lonny; 04/05/08.
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Very informative! Many thanks for sharing it!

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Thanks a ton for bringing this back up. I recently puchased a 264 so this is a great beginer for me.

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Wow, Very imformative.

I need to test my 140 gr. Sierra Gamekings to compare. Though I shoot a 6.5-284. so it wouldn't be a fair comparison. Its sure has me considering the 130 TSX's though.

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Many thanks for the in depth test!

I may have to hunt with a 6.5 x 55 Swedish this year instead of my .375 Ouch & Ouch because of a slowly-healing rotator cuff injury.

I will save your test to help pick the best bullet, in case I have to drop down a few steps in recoil!

John

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Thanks guys for the kind words. The sad news is that I sold my 6.5X55 since the test. The good news is that I built a .260 Rem so the data still applies grin.

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After doing a lot of testing and documenting it to share with my follow forum members, I can attest to how time consuming that can be...

a very sincere thank you, not only for the time and energy to accomplish this testing... but the time it took to put it all together to share with your fellow forum members...

best regards, eh?
seafire..


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Wish we had the 130g NAB and Scirocco II, would love to see the 160g Woodleigh PP.

Thanks for the in depth test.

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BCSteve,
I've been a believer in the .264 bullet at moderate velocities for the killing of game from bull elk and bears down to deer for years.
Your efforts and documentation are excellent..ought to be a sticky..:)

I always used wet phone books, covers on, after soaking in a clay surry for a week for my tests back when.

I also shot at 50, 100, 200 and 300 yards.

That told me something about the bullets and loads I tested which were for big gasme in the lower 48...at my own hunting distances...which were always closer than 300 yards..

Worked the chrono also and only loads and bullets that would shoot MOA from a rest from my rifles were bothered with.

Hard to beat the 139-140 grain bullets in the .264 running at 2500-2600 fps MV for penetration, accuracy and killing efficacy on game bigger than a shepherd dog..:)

The Swede 6,5x55 is my only experience with the .264 bullets on killing..
Because that worked..I never 'fixed' anything..:)
Best regards, Jim

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Perhaps in a future test with your .260 Rem: 120gr Speer Hot-Cor and 120gr Remington Core-Lokt.

A Rem factory load possibility: 140gr Core-Lokt Ultra since that's offered for the .260

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Great post! Liked it both times I've read it!


Wade

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Love to see these kind of tests. Thank you for going through the effort. The 2 bullets I wanted to see were the 130 gr Scirrocco and Accubond.

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