Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Medium Range Deer Cartridge Y or N

First off thank you for all the people who will say you can kill a deer ethically with a 22 Mag all the way up to you need to hit them like a Mack Truck and shouldn't shoot less that a 180 grain slug.

My question is: I built a new rifle in 6.5 Grendel. I only get to hunt and have shots in my area to about at the most maybe 300 yards. I know the Grendel is more than enough for that. The kicker is that I got invited to hunt on a place with some old friends for a few days where there are reportedly 600 yard shots. Not that anyone should attempt to take a deer at 600 yards, but I would like to take my new rifle and not lug around my heavy barreled .257 Weatherby Mag. I shot the Grendel suppressed and it has zero recoil. I also don't want to wound one and mess up others hunting.

My gun is shooting a 120 grain Barnes TTSX @ 2280 FPS from the muzzle.

100 yards Velocity is 2082 fps with 1155 ft-lbs of Energy
200 yards Velocity is 1894 fps with 956 ft-lbs of Energy
300 yards Velocity is 1718 fps with 786 ft-lbs of Energy
400 yards Velocity is 1554 fps with 644 ft-lbs of Energy
500 yards Velocity is 1407 fps with 527 ft-lbs of Energy
600 yards Velocity is 1278 fps with 435 ft-lbs of Energy

Some people say 600 is good for the cartridge because the bullet is still supersonic.
Some people say 250 to 300 is the max due to the ft-lbs of energy.

What do you say???

I would take the 257.

Tony

257 Weatherby. Hands down.

It seems like 1800FPS is about the minimum velocity to give reliable expansion with the TTSX.

Take your new rifle in 6.5 Grendel and do the right thing and limit your shots to 300 yards or under.

Just because you can make a longer shot, you need to be positive that you are making a good shot on the animal.

I wouldn't use the Grendel for shots longer than 300 yards or so. That being said, just because 600 yard shots are possible doesn't mean that will be your only option. Take the gun you want and make it work. Chances are the Grendel will do just fine for your needs, if that's what you choose.

Scratched... see PaulBarnard's post.

The terrain is a consideration also. You're probably gonna have a tough tracking job.

I like that Dr Pepper cream soda

600 is a little more than medium range..............most people can't shoot for schitt at that range, don't know if you fall into that category or not.

The Grendel it a little outgunned at 600 with the drop & drift at that range, IMO.

Take the 257 even though it's heavy...............if not for this scenario, then what did you buy it for?

Or splurge & buy something lighter in a decent chambering.

MM

smh

There’s shooting, the. There is hunting. Which do you intend to do?

As others stated, the TTSX in your Grendel is only good out to 200+ yards (1800 fps to reliably expand) per your data posted.

Ok,

When you say “having to lug around heavy barrel 257”

Are gonna be parked in a little ‘shootie house’ or really actually lugging it around

If I was going to sitting on my butt, long as had sticks or a good brace, I wouldn’t care if it weighed 15 lbs.

Might see a Booner man

No way I would shoot a Barnes TTSX out of a 6.5 Grendel at 600 yds

I can't even see a deer at 600 yards.... much less shoot one.

^^^^This^^^^

Why is it that just because you can see a deer 600 yards away, you should shoot at?
I shoot a 6.8mm Rem SPC and still won't even consider a shot beyond about 150 (+/-) yards.
I trust the gun, I don't trust me!
Besides, if I'm so desperate that I feel a 600 yard shot is necessary, I'll save money and go to the grocery store!

600 yds is very doable, just not with a Grendel and TTSX

I want to see you point out a deer at 600 yds.

Shoot what you’re comfortable too.

I can also shoot a 123 Grain Hornady SST in the Grendel.

I probably should just carry the 12 pound .257 Mag. It is hilly and some elevation mostly hunting from the ground on 1200 acres of hard woods and pasture mix. I will be on the ground and still hunting. I have not hunted this place in 20 years.

The 257 Mag is shooting a 100 grain Barnes TTSX @ 3652 FPS from the muzzle.

100 yards Velocity is 3338 fps with 2475 ft-lbs of Energy
200 yards Velocity is 3047 fps with 2062 ft-lbs of Energy
300 yards Velocity is 2774 fps with 1709 ft-lbs of Energy
400 yards Velocity is 2518 fps with 1408 ft-lbs of Energy
500 yards Velocity is 2276 fps with 1151 ft-lbs of Energy
600 yards Velocity is 2049 fps with 932 ft-lbs of Energy