New A/R - 6.5 creed....what ammo for close range deer hunting?

[HoosierHunter128]

Bought 4 boxes of ammo to see what the rifle likes, and all were very similar. Most of my deer hunting shots are 20-75 yards. Which factory ammo would you use for close range deer hunting, and why choose it?
1. Norma, professional hunter - 130gr
2. Hornady precision ELD-x - 143 gr
3. Federal Premium Barnes TSX - 130gr
4. Winchester ballistic silver tip - 140 gr

All shot within 1/4” of each other at 100, so I’d rather choose the one that will be the best for deer hunting in an A/R 6.5 creedmoor. What are your thoughts. It has a stainless barrel if that changes your thought.

 

[AK Hunter]

Any of the 130gr for light recoil & maybe a follow up shot.
At that close you may be better with a slingshot. LOL

 

[entropy]

At the ranges you expect to shoot a deer, any of those rounds will be more than sufficient.

Of the rounds you listed, I'd choose the CT Ballistic Silvertip, because I prefer that bullet design. (or better yet the Nosler Partition in 125 grain. )

 

[gotboostvr]

At those ranges, they'll all work. I'd probably go with whichever's cheapest and stack it deep.

 

[FL-NC]

Whichever one it is currently zero'd for. If POA/POI is the same, flip a coin. Don't overthink it.

 

[HoosierHunter128]

Yeah, I hunt with a .270, 30/06, and 300 win mag, all bolt action. Have found the right ammo for each. Had to get HSM low recoil for my 30/06 bc the eye relief on the vortex diamondback scope is so bad. That ammo does not drop a deer, close or up to 300yds, they always run 25-50 yds. I guess what I was asking is any of the above mentioned ammo better for dropping a deer at close range. I don’t mind tracking deer in bow season, but I want them to drop when gun comes in...

 

[jmr40]

Flip a coin. But where I live the Hornady ELD-X is cheaper and more readily available.

 

[entropy]

No projectile will guarantee a bang-flop on deer. There are just too many variables involved, the main one being the animal's state of alertness and amount of adrenaline in it's system.(assuming the shooter puts the bullet where they want it.)

 

[giggitygiggity]

I’d go with the Silvertip. Those bullets are impressive in my experience.

 

[horsey300]

Yeah, I hunt with a .270, 30/06, and 300 win mag, all bolt action. Have found the right ammo for each. Had to get HSM low recoil for my 30/06 bc the eye relief on the vortex diamondback scope is so bad. That ammo does not drop a deer, close or up to 300yds, they always run 25-50 yds. I guess what I was asking is any of the above mentioned ammo better for dropping a deer at close range. I don’t mind tracking deer in bow season, but I want them to drop when gun comes in...

What are your deer made of?????
My flesh and bone critters have dropped at all sorts of loads from many chamberings, and then again, death ran with a blown open chest cavity for 30 yds. Best ways I've seen to drop em involve brain, 2 shoulders, or spine.... chambering and bullet used in those instances had little bearing. At <75 yds I'd take the most accurate most explosive round (read accuracy first) wait for a frontal shot, and shoot dead center of the white patch on the throat.

 

[mondocomputerman]

The 143 eld-x is a great bullet, but at those close ranges you won’t utilize the high BC benefits. That bullet has a thin skin, I would go with the 123 grain interlock. It is a proven bullet design and perfect for deer. I stock both those Hornady rounds.

 

[Sniper66]

Of your list, I would pick the Norma. Great cartridge and will meet every requirement you have easily.

 

[sixgunner455]

I would pick tough bullet, like the Barnes, to avoid having a bullet grenade in the deer at such close ranges.

Most of my deer are shot at multiple football field distances, though, so YMMV.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I would pick tough bullet, like the Barnes, to avoid having a bullet grenade in the deer at such close ranges.

This is an excellent point. At that distance any of your four choices are going to be screamin' fast at impact.

Dare I suggest a future purchase of an upper for your platform in .45 Raptor? Much more likely for a bang-flop scenario...it's straight walled which opens up areas for deer in states which previously have been restricted to shotgun and muzzle loader only...., a hand-loaded round would reduce your ammo cost and could be tailored for a shot at 200 yard or less. While perhaps not cycling the rifle, with that slug a good marksman that close, harvesting a deer, isn't going to need the semi-auto function. ( AND Isn't part of the "fun" of owning something in the AR family, having different uppers to swap out for different tasks ? )

I opted for similar idea in my AR-15 this year and .450 Bushmaster for hunting where it's up close and straight walled cartridges only.

LD

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Like @entropy said, no bullet guarantees that.

However, if that's what you're after, I think violently expanding bullets are the way to go. Of the deer I've killed, most of the bang flops were with ballistic tips or ballistic silvertips.
But, I don't really care if they run 25-50 yards. I don't even consider that a tracking job.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Yeah, I hunt with a .270, 30/06, and 300 win mag, all bolt action. Have found the right ammo for each. Had to get HSM low recoil for my 30/06 bc the eye relief on the vortex diamondback scope is so bad. That ammo does not drop a deer, close or up to 300yds, they always run 25-50 yds. I guess what I was asking is any of the above mentioned ammo better for dropping a deer at close range. I don’t mind tracking deer in bow season, but I want them to drop when gun comes in...

At that range, break their neck or put one high in the shoulder.
My wife's 260 bang flops them with a 100 Amax at 2950. If she puts the bullet in the right spot.
She liked to do the bow hunter one leg forward shot when she started and the deer ran about 50 yards every time.
Point is. Where it hits is more important than what hits it.