Originally Posted By: coleridgeOriginally Posted By: yotehunter243The 80 gr barnes looks good but afraid I couldn't get the speed in a 18" barrel. Nosler makes a 80gr BT but itshe a dang varmint. Wish someone made a thick jacketed 65 or 70 gr bullet for the little cartridge.
If your worried about the slower velocity not opening a big game bullet enough, why would you be worried slow velocity will open a varmint bullet too much????????
Don't be afraid of the 70 or 80gr nosler. They are way tougher than you think (even if they are a varmint bullet), at least at speeds the 6x45 is capable of. I killed several deer last year with the 70gr version with excellent results in a 6x45 bolt gun (23" barrel). Even shot a few in the shoulders & resulted in a pile of dead deer. The bullet didn't penetrate through very many (mushroom usually caught in opposite hide, but none of the deer made it more than 45-50 yards from shot). The 80 will give you better penetration if you want better blood trails but all the 70's I found looked like this... A buddy has killed 50+ with the 70 in a short barrel 6BR all with great results. Dont be afraid..
When I had my 6X45 AR (20" barrel) I killed a few deer with the Sierra 75gr HP varminter. It also worked very good and gave better penetration also. Other than one deer I shot long ways, all bullets exited.
I cut my 6x45 bolt gun down to 18" for my suppressor this year. Hadn't decided if I'm goint to run the 70 Nosler, 80 Nolser or 75 Sierra HP this coming year for deer. However, regardless of which I choose; I will NOT be under gunned for sane ranges
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Thanks for the reply. Lots of good info. My only concern with the thinner jacket bullets would be hitting a shoulder on a 300 to 350 pound buck. My buck last year dressed 270# I shot him with a 375 gr barnes and found the bullet just inside the hide on the opposite side. I ended up ordering the 85 sierra and may order some partitions to try or Barnes.