Opinions on 6.5 120 deer load

[Gunner]

I have always read about how good the 6.5mm 120 gr bullets are for deer hunting in the 6.5 JDJ and similar cartridges. But at what range and deer size does it start to become uneffective? Say my load runs 2300 fps at the muzzle with a Nosler 120 BT, 300 yards is a yardage I could make a shot at, but if the deer is 250 lbs or more, is the load enough? What range and or size would you not take the shot?


Thanks
Gunner

[huntsman]

My own preference with a 120 grain .264 bullet on a 250-pound game animal would be to have at least 1900 fps velocity to ensure a good wound channel and adequate penetration through bone. With 2300 fps muzzle velocity, the 1900 minimum is reached at about 230 yards, far short of the 300 you were hoping for. Keep your shots on game that size to less than 230 yards to avoid possible problems. I would feel comfortable shooting at 300 yards (if I was accurate, as you say) on game to about 150 pounds with this bullet and velocity.

[Questor]

My only experience with the 120 grain bullets in 6.5JDJ have been on lighter game of pronghorn size-- 100-120 pounds. I took a pronghorn broadside at 260 yards with a 120 grain Nosler BT and it penetrated completely and exited after passing through the rib cage.  Muzzle velocity of that load was 2350fps.  I have shot Mouflon sheep at closer ranges with the 120 grain Speer and it is an excellent bullet too.

I wouldn't hesitate to use the 120s on deer up to 250 pounds. If it were hogs, I'd want the heavier 140 grain Nosler Partition.

[Golsovia]

I have not used the Nosler 120 BT in a handgun cartridge but have used it on a number of occasions on deer sized game: caribou, with a 6.5X55 rifle. The bullet holds together and penetrates well even at 300 yardish distances. I'm not sure how far down into the lower velocities it would be effective but I do believe this bullet is a bit tougher typically than some of the BTs in other calibers. I have not seen evidence of it wanting to blow up when started in a rifle at 2700-2800 fps.

[palgeno]

The Speer 120 gr sp is a tougher bullet than the Nosleer 120 gr bt---JD Jones likes them----also consider the 125 gr Nosler partition and the new Barnes 130 gr tsx---lot's of choices!!!  :grin:  pg

[palgeno]

BTW, reading through some info from JD Jones, it appears that the 6.5 JDJ loaded with 120 gr Nosler Ballistic Tips has taken animals up to 400 lbs---and that is with muzzle velocity approaching 2400 fps---probably included some excellent shot placement, too. A published article in The Sixgunner shows an 800 pound elk taken with the 6.5 JDJ using Noslers 125 gr Partition bullet also just below 2400fps. The sectional density of the 6.5mm bullets is the key to killing power beyond what conventional wisdom would expect  for the 120-125 gr weight. I personally have only taken average sized deer with the 6.5 JDJ but would love to shoot a giant one!!!!!:o  pg