Dunc Posted November 7, 2017 Report Share Posted November 7, 2017 I've just started loading for my Tikka TAC A1 in 6.5mm CM. The first batch were assembled using a low dose of RS62 and SMK 142 gr bullets. I was more than pleased with the results, even before I start to develop the ammo properly. I may want to do some varminting with this rifle and ideally, would like to use a similar bullet or at least one with similar ballistics, although I'm seeing that most 'game designed' high BC bullets seem to cater for the larger game species, as one would expect with this calibre. In advance of the lambing season, I'm mainly looking for something to deal with fox. Some US forums/threads seem to be somewhat cavalier in what bullets they use and some don't seem to worry too much about a bullet passing through their quarry. From 'desktop research', the most suitable bullet seems to be the V-Max 95 gr bullet. Is there anything else with a higher BC that I should consider? I've no problem with V-Max, although their BC is somewhat lower than the SMKs. They certainly pack a devastating punch out of my .223 on fox. Thanks in advance for any comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treetop Posted November 7, 2017 Report Share Posted November 7, 2017 I use Sierra 120 pro hunters, a pal uses 100 g Amax and another uses siarra 100 g HP all are good & to be honest, you can work with the ' wind drift' aspect quite easily with a 6.5 creedmoor, as long as you know your ' dope' then it's not too much issue & a good app would help you out with all of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted November 7, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2017 Thanks Treetop. Appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Long Gun Posted November 7, 2017 Report Share Posted November 7, 2017 Anyone tried light Speer Bullets for varminting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tømrer Posted November 8, 2017 Report Share Posted November 8, 2017 I have a Sako 75 Hunter and a Sako 75 Varmint, both in 6,5x55. To hunt foxes, crows and magpie. The hunting range is about 150 m and 250 m max. I use Hornady V-max .264, 95 grs. only. The results are reliable and repeatable. Presission is, in my weapon`s about 20 mm/100 m with 980m/s I recommend this bullet. tømrer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbitter Posted November 8, 2017 Report Share Posted November 8, 2017 I mainly use my .223 for foxing, but if I am out with my 6.5 for deer (140gr Nosler Partition), I carry a few rounds loaded with 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip just in case. I also use those rounds if we are shooting fox in rape stubble. They are accurate and give definitive results and fly close enough to the deer rounds that I don't have to re-zero to use them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted November 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2017 31 minutes ago, tømrer said: I have a Sako 75 Hunter and a Sako 75 Varmint, both in 6,5x55. To hunt foxes, crows and magpie. The hunting range is about 150 m and 250 m max. I use Hornady V-max .264, 95 grs. only. The results are reliable and repeatable. Presission is, in my weapon`s about 20 mm/100 m with 980m/s I recommend this bullet. tømrer Thanks tømrer, yes, I've been very impressed with .223 V-Max on fox and magpie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted November 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2017 25 minutes ago, Rabbitter said: I mainly use my .223 for foxing, but if I am out with my 6.5 for deer (140gr Nosler Partition), I carry a few rounds loaded with 120gr Nosler Ballistic Tip just in case. I also use those rounds if we are shooting fox in rape stubble. They are accurate and give definitive results and fly close enough to the deer rounds that I don't have to re-zero to use them. Now if I can get away with a round that is similar in ballistics to my SMKs, that would be great. Foxing range will be <100 yds for most and most <50 yds. Although the capabilities of this calibre may allow me to stretch that somewhat further... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbitter Posted November 8, 2017 Report Share Posted November 8, 2017 Well, obviously, I don't know how they will fly compared with the SMK, but I would suggest that you could tailor the load for any varminting bullet to have a similar POI to your deer round at those kind of distances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted November 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2017 Yep, that will be the plan. And the beauty of hand loading allows some experimentation. I've got the big NF ATACR on it so any dialing in for the different round that's needed, will be easily repeatable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maximus otter Posted November 8, 2017 Report Share Posted November 8, 2017 I use Norma factory loads in my Sako 85 Finnlight in 6.5 x 55mm. They use the 120 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet: So far I've used them on roe, muntjac, CWD and foxes; about 15 animals total. The results are...emphatic. Runners are - to put it mildly - not a problem. Accuracy is ½ MOA. Highly recommended. maximus otter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treetop Posted November 8, 2017 Report Share Posted November 8, 2017 You could alway note down the offset on the zero and then you won't have to faff about trying to tune an inferior load to match , l would rather have 2 great loads and a bit of homework on the range. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted November 8, 2017 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2017 22 minutes ago, treetop said: You could alway note down the offset on the zero and then you won't have to faff about trying to tune an inferior load to match , l would rather have 2 great loads and a bit of homework on the range. Indeed. That's what I intend to do. The scope can handle dialing to change the zero no bother. But if they are 'similar' in ballistics up to say 100 yds, so much the better. In case I get attacked by a fox while on a deer mission.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treetop Posted November 8, 2017 Report Share Posted November 8, 2017 Lol, good luck & be careful I hear around your way they travel in gangs armed with sharp teeth ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave 6.5 Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 130gr TMK's explosive on Foxes behind 41.2gr V550 same point of aim and impact as 130gr Accubonds with 42.4 gr V550. Different colour tips as well, so you can't get the wrong one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbit Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 What the barrel twist rate? I am trying to get a 6.5CM barrel for Blaser R8 but the stock, standard profile barrel is 1/10 which seems daft - the quality, high BC bullets at 120gr - 140+ apparently need 1/9 - 1/8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hancock Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 Dunc, I'm using 143 ELD-X in my 6.5 which are accurate and expand, though there are stories about pass through due to inconsistencies of Hornady QC. I am going to load 123 SST's and test these. Following . . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbit Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 David - How do you find the 143gr ELD-X's ?? I have loaded up 50 for my 6.5CM Dolphin custom rifles (which is 1/8 twist). Over a ladder test of RS62. They get good reviews but I did see the thing about over penetration. Its unfortunate that the Blaser sporting profile is 1/10 - there is no chance that will stabilise a 143gr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hancock Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 Hob - accuracy wise. shooting a touching three shot "group" at 100 metres which for factory is good for me. (I have 142 gn SMK handloads for one hole bragging rights). Drop foxes on the spot in the Bergara with 143. I am carefully getting to know the 6.5CM - love it !! - Very circumspect about opinions until I have proved kit myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbit Posted November 11, 2017 Report Share Posted November 11, 2017 David thanks - I'll see how I do - Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.