6.5mm Nosler Ballistic tip.

[coyotejoe]

In the past I have been quite satisfied with the 120 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip as a deer load in my 6.5x55 but am now re-thinking that. All shots int the past have been pretty much direct broadside at 100 yards or so. Performance has been perfect, with exit wounds of golf ball size. This year was different. I took a doe on an angling away shot at about 50 yards. I held far back on the rib cage to angle toward the off side shoulder. She ran about 15-20 yards and collapsed as expected. When I walked up I thought "wow, what a huge exit". It was an oval the size of a goose egg, but wait, that was the ENTRANCE WOUND!!. There was an exit in the shoulder which looked more like an entrance, I had to think about it a while to be sure which was which.
 Then the wife's deer, a button buck, was a straight on frontal shot also about 50 yards. The entrance looked normal, just off center of the upper rig cage.  There were several small exits from one side of the rig cage indication where fragments had exited. With the downward angle the shot passed above the heart, pulped the lungs and blew away half the liver. I found a fragment of jacket inside a ventricle of the heart which had not been punctured. Apparently that fragment had entered the heart through one of the blood vessels.
  These BT's were loaded to about 2800 fps and while I have taken quite a few deer with them in the past, this season's results were a bit more explosive than I like. They did kill and kill quickly but I have to think that if larger bones had been encountered the results may have not been so good. I still feel that 120 grains is enough for deer and antelope but the BT's are a bit explosive. I'm now ready to start working with the Hornady 129 grain.

[Sweet 6.5]

Hi Coyote

This is the link to a quick test I did with some speer(120 and 140 ) and hornady (129 & 140)
bullets. Not the most comprehensive test but good enough to get an idea of what to expect.
I have some time on my hands seeing that our season is over, so next step is to focus one bullet at a time.
Load a couple at different speeds and maybe stick a piece of pine between the paper to try and create
a bone effect.

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,128727.0.html

Let me know how the 129s work for you, seeing that I have only used the 140gr Speers for hunting.

Sweet

[Slamfire]

I've had a dozen rifles in some 6.5 cartridge or another, and the only one that didn't like the 129s liked everything else even less.

[Luckyducker]

I have a 264 WinMag that I have two loads for, the 129 Hornady IL and 140 IL.  The are both very accurate in my rifle, but unfortunately it is still a virgin.  I have no doubt that either of these bullets will kill deer if properly placed, and by that I mean through the vitals whether through a shoulder or rib or not.  I have used a lot of Hornady Interlock bullets in other calibers without a hitch and see no reason to expect less from their 6.5s.  I have rang the small steel hogs at the shooting range out to 500 meters with no problem at all with the 264 as well.  On the other hand I have seen the results of some of the shots fellow hunters have made on deer with the Ballistic tips and though they died the meat damage can be drastic and I don't recall ever seeing a pass through from this bullet.  I think they both shoot 270 Win. with the BT bullets.

[Larry Gibson]

I've used the 6.5x55 and a 6.5 280 since the mid '70s. I consider the 120 Nosler BT to be an excellent coyote and rock chuck bullet in the 6.5-280.(3200 fps muzzle velocity).  However to the point, I've used the 129 and 140 gr Hornady InterLoc's with complete success in both rifles on deer and elk. My favorite big game load for the 6.5x55 (sportized Swede) is the Hornady 140 SP over 49 gr H4831SC in WW cases. Velocity is 2710 fps with excellent accuracy and terminal ballistics. The Nosler 120 BT over 49.5 gr H4831SC runs 2880 fps and is good coyote medicing as mentioned.

Larry Gibson

[coopershooter]

Iv'e used the sweed for a while now, The only two bullet's iv'e used on game, are the nosler partition 140 gr. and the sierra game king 140 gr. they both worked well.
 the gamekings were more accurate. (in my two guns) but I suspect the partition, would hold up better, against heavy bone.
 I want to try the 125 gr. partition. they might be the best balance between speed and bullet intregrity.
 good luck!

[coyotejoe]

By way of an update, last night we were eating the liver of the buck my wife took with a frontal chest shot. She stopped eating and began digging into her mouth with fingers and came out with a flake of jacket metal about the size of her pinkie nail!  I do like the way those Ballistic Tips put them down but they are just too explosive for any but square broadside shots which don't touch any edible meat.

[264 WIN MAG]

I tried the 120gr. ballistic tip in my 264 mag and I was not impressed in the least. It seemed the bullet got no penetration at short range. Anything under 200 yards you would have to take a neck shot. I also never had a deer shot with this round drop in its tracks, they would run at least 50 yards if not more.

I started shooting the 140gr partition. It grouped better and dropped every deer in its tracks. Since then I haven't had to track one deer (except other peoples). I don't suggest ballistic tips to anyone.

[nomosendero]

I loaded 120 BT's in the past for my Wife's 6.5x55 & it is a great rib cage bullet. I can see where it is not a 264 bullet of choice for close range, but who would be surprised?

My Wife shot an Antelope Buck & a Antelope Doe a couple of weeks ago with the 130 Accubond /6.5x55. I was very impressed with the performance & is a great allround bullet.

[264 WIN MAG]

From what I gather the 264 mag is a little to fast for the ballistic tip. I know my father has tried the sirroco in his 7mm and liked the performance.

Me personally...I'm done with all those plastic tip bullets. Give me the good ole faithful partition.

[nomosendero]

From what I gather the 264 mag is a little to fast for the ballistic tip. I know my father has tried the sirroco in his 7mm and liked the performance.

Me personally...I'm done with all those plastic tip bullets. Give me the good ole faithful partition.

Sounds like a good plan for you. For me, the Accubond did everything well & flyes better than the Part., so this will be a good choice for me.

[DakotaElkSlayer]

  So far all I have handloaded for my 6.5x55 is the little 100gr. BT @ 3050fps.  I have taken deer from 120yds to 299yds. and the bullet has performed perfectly for me; punching through everytime.  Like others mentioned, I only take the "behind the shoulder" shot.

Jim