Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting 6.5 Creedmoor bullet for deer ?

I've been shooting the 260 at deer since it was introduced by Remington. In that time, I've loaded just about every major bullet in the 120-140gr range, testing for accuracy. In my first 260 (Ruger 77) the best options were the 120gr Sierra Prohunter (good accuracy, quick kills) and the 120gr Nosler BT (good accuracy, wicked terminal performance). Then Barnes introduced the 120gr TTSX. Better accuracy out of my Ruger, and excellent terminal performance - with all being complete pass-throughs (I'm sure there are a couple still out there somewhere, in a low earth orbit). This bullet shoots accurately in both of my hunting rifles, and I'm sure it'd do just fine in my target gun if I took the time to load it. It just f*cking works! Try it - you'll thank me later.....

Kaiser Norton

This has been a good read for me. Just got an email from Cabelas that my Savage Tactical in 6.5 is in today. I will have a year to find some ammo for next year but looks like you guys get great results with this round.

I’ve had great results with 129gr Hornady Interlocks and 130gr Nosler Accubonds. Have also enjoyed fine results from 130gr Berger HVLDs, 140gr Berger Elite Hunters, 140gr Hornady Amaxes, and 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tips. From the conditions you listed, I think you’d like both the 129gr Interlock and the 130gr Accubond. The most for the least in a short to mid-range Bullet is easily the 129gr Interlock.

John

I was looking for a .308 or, preferably, a 7mm-08 for a 725 SA. David Walter made me a deal I couldn't refuse on a 700 take-0ff .260 TI stainless barrel, tho.

You are gonna like that 6.5!

So far, I haven't found any factory ammo this barrel likes except 140 gr. It's killed over a half-dozen caribou, an elk, and a wolf. With Corelokts, no bullets recovered. Several caribou shots were in excess of 300 yards.

Can't argue with that. I would not hesitate to use it on a moose. You don't need premiums for deer, but use whatever shoots best. Within reason. I'd be looking at the 129 and up real hard tho.

Interestingly, the worst groups of anything were Barnes 120 TSX.

140 NP gets that assignment. If you want good expansion and upset, plus a probable exit, it’s tops.
If you wish to trade good expansion for sure penetration, go X bullet. But I wouldn’t make that trade for southern whitetails. Better to favor rapid upset. Killing deer is one thing, finding them is another.

Ask DennisinAZ about this.

Lol, that's a good one. I have had good luck on Whitetail with 139 Lapua Scenar's in both my Sako 260 and Tikka 6.5 Creed. For some reason either gun does not like Barne's bullets. They always group Sierra, Hornady, and Lapua's better than the Barne's.

Loaded up some 100 gr. Barnes TTSX with an average fps of 3,039 for my son. He’s 9 so I wanted a lower recoiling load. He’s killed 3 whitetails with them so far. Very pleased with the results. I’ll step it up to a 127 gr. LRX hotter load after next season.

I used to shoot that 100TTSX at 3,200 with Big Game in a 260Rem. If I still had that rifle, I’d likely still be shooting that load. Was a good killer on deer and hogs.

I had my second non-exit with the 129 ABLR this morning. 225 yards, almost straight ahead, very slightly angled. Bullet entered the near shoulder/neck cress. I didn't dig through the guts to find it. Buck dropped in place. Forward chest cavity was soup.

I don't own a 6.5 creedmore, I use a .260 rem. I have shot about 14 head of game with it. All save one was with 130 gr berger Hunting vlds. distances where from 200-700 yds. on deer and antelope. One was a pig at665 yds. All dropped at the shot. The actual terminal damage ranged from no obvious exterior damage with pulverized lungs to 12" exit holes and goop running out. Actual impact velocity makes some difference to this effect, but be sure the tips are open and clear of debris to ensure initial expansion. Hitting shoulders will send bone fragments all over and ruin more meat , but through ribs makes them just as dead just as fast. The various Berger hunting bullets and JLK's I have seen used all performed like this in .260s and creedmores with out exception.

Had same results on a buck and a big hog with that bullet. Wrecked vitals up front and pushed deep to the back. Very solid choice if a rifle likes that bullet.