I'll bet the topic has been wrestled to the ground before here on the 'Fire, but I'm dammed if I can find out via the sucky search engine here.

Basically: real life experience with 6.5mm Scenars (specifically 139's at 6.5x55 velocities) when used on thin-skinned game (specifically deer at "woods" distances)?

Now let's see how far and how quickly this'll wander off-topic!

This will keep you busy for a while

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/5681850/1

Thanks!

I remembered there was an exhaustive thread on the subject, but darned if I could find it. I added a stash of 139 Scenars to the mix of bullets I'll be experimenting with in my new Ruger #1A 6.5x55, and not ever having had experience with them I was curious about their efficiency away from the rifle range.

I loaded up 123s to take to Wyoming come Friday. Hopefully, I'll have pics of positive results.

Have had 100% success on whitetail w 139’s out of 2 different 260’s running approx 2750 FPS, out to 300 yards. Bang-down.

Is there much difference between the Scenars and Scenar-L? I want to stock up on the 105 x 6mm. for deer loads.

That simple recipe calls for a 139 Hornaday IL every time........

My Creed sure likes them...

#2 Shilen barrel on a 700 SA in McWoody Mtn Rifle stock, Timney 510.

DF

I've now killed 10 pronghorn with a 139/136gr Scenars out of a 260. Nothing but great performance at ranges from 80-437yds. Makes me wonder why I use anything more on critters smaller than bull elk.

Hope you have enough twist for those 105’s. My 10 twist .240 won’t stabilize them, even with the extra velocity. Speed helps but is a poor sub for twist.

DF

Use them with total confidence...

FWIW, they'll crush an elk with the best of them.

I know the 139 has a great reputation but how are the 123 6.5s for deer hunting?

I don't know about deer but I have killed a trailer load of hogs with them from a 6.5 Rem Mag at 3250 fps or so. Distances are from 25-400 plus yds. No failures if I spotted the shot properly.

I haven't killed anything with the 123, yet.

I'm thinking it would depend on speed. I would expect great performance at Creed speed. Ya gotta balance bullet design parameters with application; speed is important. I would not pick the 123 for my 26 Nosler.

I killed deer with the 90 gr. Scenar out of a .240 Wby. At that speed, the 90 gr. is a bit too expansive. One time WT chest soup was enough for me. That bullet may do better at .243 speeds.

Speed kills critters and sometimes, bullets as well...

DF

My 6mm AI was purpose built for the 105s with a 1 in 8 twist and a compromise throat so I can load 87-108 grainers to the lands thanks to the long neck. The 115 Bergers might be marginal at 2000 ft. but will give them a try too. Some 1 in 8 barrels will shoot them others not.

Is the Scenar L different? Lapua just says tighter standards and it has the same BC so probably the same jacket thickness, but don't know.

If the Scenar L is made to "tighter standards", them it must be pretty good, as the non-L version is really good.

DF

I've no experience with the 139 but the 123's have been working very well for me out of 2, 260 AI's on WT deer, mule deer, and antelope at 3100 fps.

How much tissue damage, exits, etc.

DF

Sorry, no "hunting" experience with the 139's. Have shot 1000's and 1000's from 6.5x47 in PRS/NRL competition. Very consistent bullet to bullet, lot to lot. Have made numerous 1st round hits at 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300+ in competition.

Alan

I don't know if I could say that the 123's are any more rough on tissue than many other bullets. I've had exits on everything I have shot broadside except a mule deer that I shot between the shoulder blades into the spine that I recall. Usual exits are bigger than a silver dollar, maybe about the size of a tennis ball depending on what it caught on the way through.

I haven' had anything happen that would discourage me from continuing to use them on that size of animal.

Though mine have been used on pronghorn, I've not seen much qualitative difference between a Scenar and a Partition on them. Just last week I shot a buck pronghorn quartering to me. Bullet exited high on the offside rear quarter. Some meat was lost, but not a bunch. I've had more lost meat on pronghorn with a 165gr X out of a 30-06.