Deer rifles are zeroed

[Mobuck]

Didn't take long. Thompson Center Compass 2 in 6.5 Creedmoor two shots-- didn't need adjustment. 6.5 Grendel Ruger compact 6 shots(tried two brands of ammo-one opens up quick and the other slower) two clicks to reach a spot that is 'close enough' with either load(one brand is hitting 1/2" left of vertical and the other brand is 1/2" right).
I'll get around to the 'handguns' a bit later (don't need those until late December) as a crosswind was beginning to pick up.

 

[Wvfarrier]

Good luck

 

[Hawk-in-Wi]

I haven't had time yet to do more than get a couple T/C Contender Carbines out of the safe, Son says he wants to try and get 2 of the older kids ( 12 and 9 ) to go hunting with him , so I'm going to have them try the T/C in 223 , or 30-30 or 7-30 Waters . I figure the the 223 should be no problem for either of them but the 30-30 or 7-30 waters might be , I've got some good 223 Federal 62gr. bonded soft points to try , plain jane 150 gr 30-30, plus some 125gr. SP 30-30 and some new Hornady 175 gr. sub x loads .. I really hate to use the 7-30 waters up in letting the kids practice with them so I'm hoping the first 2 will work out

 

[Mobuck]

Still 10 days away but we have several 'projects' that may use up most of that time.
Son has several items big and small advertised for sale and prospective buyers seem to want to come and look when he's not home so my time is often uncertain so gotta make progress on my projects when time allows.

 

[Mobuck]

"I've got some good 223 Federal 62gr. bonded soft points"
We've had good results with those-just don't stretch the range too much.

 

[Hawk-in-Wi]

150yards or less is what i was thinking ??????

 

[JohnL]

150yards or less is what i was thinking ??????

Depends on the rifle and the country, right?

In woodsy northern California 150 to 200 with a .270 was about right.

 

[Don Lovel]

Didn't take long. Thompson Center Compass 2 in 6.5 Creedmoor two shots-- didn't need adjustment. 6.5 Grendel Ruger compact 6 shots(tried two brands of ammo-one opens up quick and the other slower) two clicks to reach a spot that is 'close enough' with either load(one brand is hitting 1/2" left of vertical and the other brand is 1/2" right).
I'll get around to the 'handguns' a bit later (don't need those until late December) as a crosswind was beginning to pick up.

I really miss handgun hunting in Missouri. Northern Mo has some awesome creek drainages to hunt. I had a camp chair, folding saw, 45 Colt Bisley.
Find a fat cedar tree and cut a hole in the greenery out of the cold wind and big enough for me in my chair. Carry my insulated coveralls and put them on last thing before I sit down so I did not sweat walking in Stay warm and comfy.
Shooting the Bisley off a camera monopod.
I killed 9 Whitetails doing that.
Here in Oklahoma I have longer shots so I take the 6.5 Grendel AR. Still carry a Bisley Vaquero 45 and did pop a coyote last year with it.

 

[Mobuck]

The Federal MSR ammo (62 grain?) is very similar to my favorite .223 game ammo- the 55 grain 'Gold Dot' which has proved to be very effective. I use the 55 grain Gold Dot in my suppressed AR .223 'pistol' and 16" carbine during appropriate seasons for harvesting 'meat deer' and/or backing up youth hunters. I consider 200 yards a good maximum distance for using the .223 IF the bullets can be delivered accurately.

 

[Hawk-in-Wi]

I picked up a Howa 1500 mini action last year in 6.5 Grendel, it shoots well enough , not sub minute but 1 1/4 to 1 1/2" , nice little rifle but the mags and mag release are just pure crap, thought about doing a bottom metal switch but then you're spending some where between $130 to over 200 more on a cheaper rifle , my thinking is I might just as well sell the gun and put that extra money into something better , what do you think ? good idea or not ?

what do you guys use for hunting ammo in your 6.5?

 

[Mobuck]

I can't give much advice on the rifle swapping. The only HOWA 'mini' I have is a 7.62x39 with an internal magazine and even that doesn't feed great.
My choice(s) for deer hunting ammo for the Grendel based on 2023 results (5 deer, 1 coyote, 1 bobcat) are:
#1: Hornady 123 SST-excellent accuracy but bordering on a bit too fast expanding
#2: Federal 123 MSR (nearly unobtanium at this time)- good accuracy with less violent expansion and more penetration than SST
#3: PSA/AAC 123 SabreTip-priced right and ready to ship from PSA- adequate to good accuracy but not tested in the field yet-purported to expand similar to SST

 

[Hawk-in-Wi]

thanks for the info on ammo ! I just ordered some from PSA for the 6.5 and the 300 blackout