Anybody ever shoot any deer with a 14” barreled 6tcu? I’ve been fire forming with 70 bthp sierras but would like some input on hunting bullets. I’ve got a box of 85gr partitions but other than that all my other bullets are for pdogs or 100 grains. I’m thinking of some 80-85 Gr sierras. Thx

I had a 6x45 for a while and killed deer with 85 Sierra gamekings, 87 Hornady SP and 70 grain nosler ballistic tips. they all worked fine but at those speeds the 70 nosler was my favorite

I’m sure Bob Milek has killed a few...

I've taken several deer & a couple of antelope with the 70 gr Nosler Ballastic Tip. Worked great out of my 15" Bullberry barrel.

Dick

Send our own Bobby Tomek a PM and ask him. I don't know about 15" barrels but I'm pretty sure he could help you with the cartridge and its performance on deer-like critters from a carbine length barrel.

Thanks. I remember reading Bob Milek articles as a kid. Got my first contender because of him! I remember an article where he shot an antelope with the 70Bt and found one on line where he was using the Sierra 85BTHP.

Dude270 did you take shoulder shots with those loads or keep it behind the shoulder? I was nervous about the 70 BT coming apart if I hit a shoulder. Thx.

If you are hitting shoulders, and want insurance, just go with an 85 Partition, Layne Simpson used them...

Bob Milek...he used the 85 BTHP often with success a good one, the 70s I believe are perhaps tougher than some might think, and surely more than the 55s in 6mm. The 87s are GOOD killers per reports from a reputable source, even the BTHP but I'd hedge the SP as more reliable to open. I ran 120 SP in a 7BR and they expanded well and had around 50-60% weight retention on deer.

I ran the Sierra BTHP 85s in the 22" TC Carbine I had, speeds around 2800-2900 IIRC, the 12" twist did fine, but a 10 or faster would have been better. If you ever found any 70 grain solid base Noslers, now discontinued they would do fine, but the newer BTs may have the same jacket specs. Out of a 14" - the 70s might do all you need, less speed, more bullet integrity on impact. Run what is most accurate and place your shot, you will be eating fresh venison I ran 70 TNTs in that carbine also, but if you hit bone, it will not do well. I killed a few deer with neck shots and lung shots, no problem. Would not try neck shots with a handgun unless very close.

Bobby Tomek is a wealth of info, I concur, PM him....

Benbo,

most of the deer I shot I hit behind the shoulder but I shot at least 1 that I remember in the shoulder and it worked fine too.

80 grain Ballistic Tip or 80 grain Sierra BTSP would be my.pick.

No experience in a short barrel but those Sierras really surprised me out of a rifle.