69gr SMK and deer

[kz45]

Does any one know how well a 69gr SMK will preform on deer, will it stay together (mostly) giving a good shot placement, and not hitting bone?
My load is going 2850 fps, I would think if the body stays together and only the tip fragments it should perform as well as a 55gr hunting bullet.

 

[AK shooter]

I don't know anything about the SMK bullet, but I really like the Corbon DPX bullets. I used a 55gr to take a doe a couple of years ago with excellent results.

 

[kz45]

The SMK is a hollow competition bullet, I've read where some people have used it for hunting,

 

[Bam Bam]

Head shots?? I was told take head shots if using those bullets by one guy and told by another to use the Barnes bullets. I am going to use my 68gr Horndays to hunt with and try for head/neck shots. But I'm only going to hunt a few days. No need to buy different ammo for that in my book.



Bam Bam

 

[kz45]

I just ordered a scope base for my Savage 270, I'll be able to pull my little 1-4 NF off the carbine and attach it to the Savage, that way I can just shoot the shoulder and not have to worry about making a perfect shot or tracking a deer.
I'll take the 223 and test the ammo on some hogs, then I can make a informed decision on the 69gr load

 

[highstandard40]

Sierra makes a 65gr Spitzer boat tail Game King bullet. It's the only bullet Sierra markets as a hunting bullet. I have used it with good success on deer. Shot placement is key.

 

[HiCapMag]

KZ, as they say, shot placement is key. At decent range and in a heart/lung shot role I would think they would work fine.

Having said that, I did a fair amount of research on the subject getting ready for a kids hunt with the 223 last year. I ended up going with the Barnes TSX 62 grainer, and loaded it over 24.5 grains of TAC. Just shot one group as I was in a hurry, and they grouped fine with the same zero as my standard 69 SMK load. I have bullets and powder if your in a hurry.

 

[Barney88PDC]

Joe everything I have read about SMKs as hunting rounds gets mixed reviews. Plenty people say they use them with great results and others say you shouldn't and should use a hunting bullet for hunting. Now most of this was in regards to .30 cal projectiles.

I know that didn't help much but my personal opinion is it's all about shot placement. A hole in the heart or lungs = BAD no matter what bullet caused it. The guys that do hunt with them don't complain. I've never read where someone shot something with one and wished they had not. YMMV.

 

[HiCapMag]

Joe everything I have read about SMKs as hunting rounds gets mixed reviews. Plenty people say they use them with great results and others say you shouldn't and should use a hunting bullet for hunting. Now most of this was in regards to .30 cal projectiles.

I know that didn't help much but my personal opinion is it's all about shot placement. A hole in the heart or lungs = BAD no matter what bullet caused it. The guys that do hunt with them don't complain. I've never read where someone shot something with one and wished they had not. YMMV.

Now you quit dealing with such frivolity and get out there and get us some video with the 300BLK and the can! (I am at least two months away on the lower so still have not bought the upper yet.)

 

[kz45]

Thanks Hicap, are the bullets and powder being held together with a case, and a primer holding the powder from leaking out?
If I can't get my rig set up before the hunt I'll give you a shout

 

[RStewart]

60 grain Nosler Partitions are a good round and hold together well. Although not an optimal round, in a pinch the SMK's will do the job, but don't expand quite as well a bullets designed for hunting. So shot placement will be more crucial with them.
Shooting deer in the head is fine, if you kill them. I personally dont reccomend it as I have seen too many deer that someone decided to head shoot and blew the jaw out. The deer starves to death.
Just my opinion.

 

[HiCapMag]

Thanks Hicap, are the bullets and powder being held together with a case, and a primer holding the powder from leaking out?
If I can't get my rig set up before the hunt I'll give you a shout

Sorry, I cant give you fish, just bait and tackle.

 

[RStewart]

Father-in-law took another deer today with his AR and the 60 grain Nosler Partitions I loaded for him. Medium sized doe, 110 yards, chest shot. She traveled 10 steps. He doesn't even use his .270 anymore.

 

[flamatrix99]

What about a Rem 700 in .308? I would think that would work fine. I know my Win 94 30-30 would work well. I just need a scope on it. I've only gone hunting once but want to go again.

 

[Sin-ster]

From what I've read/been told, they come apart pretty violently in two-legged animals. Essentially, the Mk 262 for a 1:9 twist rifle-- and at fairly low velocities, like you'd find with your load at 100 yards and change.

That's based off of laboratory testing and very limited real world evidence, though-- and again, on bipeds and not deer. The 60 grain Nosler is also recommended for such rifles, but not for its fragmentation characteristics, IIRC. In fact, I think it's one of the suggested substitutes for bonded bullets and work on barriers-- i.e. retains mass, like a good hunting bullet should.

I would definitely shoot a few pigs to get a better idea. It'd suck to wreck good meat in a learning process-- and at least the hogs are plentiful.

 

[RStewart]

The 60 leaves a small entrance and exit hole through the hide. It leaves a much bigger hole in the rib cage entry and exit area. In between, the heart and lungs are torn up. The 60 Partition, because if it's design, holds mass well.

 

[Ben Segrest]

Does any one know how well a 69gr SMK will preform on deer, will it stay together (mostly) giving a good shot placement, and not hitting bone?
My load is going 2850 fps, I would think if the body stays together and only the tip fragments it should perform as well as a 55gr hunting bullet.

Neck shot, ~60 yards, destroyed the spine and passed through.

 

[vgodenwa]

Shot a deer once with a 75 TAP. Did ok, but visibly less reaction than more powerful rounds. Deer only went 50 yards, but stumbled and leaned against trees while slowly bleeding out. 115 yards from 16" colt 1/9". Doe. Round tumbled and exited. No fragmentation visible. Have pics somewhere.

168 smk American eagle factory load out of 20" .308 also about 115 yards blew up in chest and killed buck quickly. No exit. Went about 25 yards. No pics.

Never used 69gr but these may be of interest.

Von

 

[JWG223]

Does any one know how well a 69gr SMK will preform on deer, will it stay together (mostly) giving a good shot placement, and not hitting bone?
My load is going 2850 fps, I would think if the body stays together and only the tip fragments it should perform as well as a 55gr hunting bullet.

It will yaw and then fragment violently above around 24-2500fps most likely.

 

[kz45]

It will yaw and then fragment violently above around 24-2500fps most likely.

Do you mean when it hits a deer?

That load is my competition load, so far it stays together throughout the flight till impact on target