6mm sierra 85gr hpbt experiences on game at high velocity

[interlock]

Hi Guys,
I am considering loading this bullet in my .243 AI. i will be using it for hunting fairly small deer at ranges up to 250 yards. the muzzle velocity will be towards 3300 fps from a 25 inch barrel.

I am looking for anyone with real on game experience of this bullet. I am currently shooting 85gr barnes tsx, but these are pretty expensive here in the uk. What i require is controlled expansion, good integrity and no fragmentation.

Thanks for your input

 

[natman]

Using light, fast expanding bullets on game can work well. If you slip one between the ribs and it blows up in the vitals it can act as if the deer swallowed a hand grenade.

Unfortunately, if it hits a rib or just feels like blowing up a bit early, the result is a big shallow wound that lets the animal run off to die slowly.

I'm not a big fan of any 6mm for deer, but if you must, place your shots extra carefully, keep the range short and use a tough bullet.

 

[BFE]

Don't remember his name but there is a sniper down in GA that shoot's deer for the State, he uses .240 Weatherby with that very bullet and claims the deer drop in their tracks . He has shot thousands of deer using this bullet combo out several to hundred yards, his is shooting a little faster with the .240 Weatherby but with that said withen closer range it should not be much difference with your .243.

 

[Art Eatman]

That's my pet load in my .243. I've tagged 20+ bucks with it. Generally, field-dressed weights from 120 on down. I tend to restrict myself to neck shots or cross-body heart/lung shots. I'm dubious about adequate penetration on an angling shot, particularly if quartering away...

After nearly forty years of successful use of Sierra bullets, I guess I'm sorta one of their fanboys.

 

[oneounceload]

when I had my Ruger RSI in 243, it worked great for antelope

 

[Stinger]

I have had excellent results on deer-sized game with the 85g Sierra. Its exceptional accuracy is hard to beat as well. It is the only bullet I load in 243 anymore.

 

[interlock]

"Using light, fast expanding bullets on game can work well. If you slip one between the ribs and it blows up in the vitals it can act as if the deer swallowed a hand grenade."

this bullet is not a fast expander.

thanks for the other input guys.

 

[retsub]

^^^what he said^^^

You won't need to be such a great shot as to slip one between any ribs. This bullet will break shoulders if you pull a bit. I have shot it out of my 6mm rem at about 3250 fps with good results even at close range. Best part is they work well also at longer ranges.

 

[Art Eatman]

interlock, from the autopsies I've done, I gotta believe that this bullet is indeed a fast expander. A heart/lung hit on a deer makes a double-handful of mush. And it spreads coyote innards over about a half-acre. Serious yuck.

 

[interlock]

Art, Thanks for that. It won't be on my ;ist of to tries then. I think that maybe speers 90 gr spitzer might be better it is apparently, quite a tough bullet.