6.5mm - Hornady A-Max

Below is one of my favorites, the 140gr A-Max.  Impact velocity here is 2650fps, fairly fast, yet the 140 grain A-Max is fairly consistent from this impact velocity down to 1400fps, although in the 6.5, I prefer to see shooters set a limit of 1000lb retained energy (1800fps) to ensure the A-Max meets plenty of resistance at long ranges to ensure broad wounding in lieu of wind drift. By the same token, I prefer to see users utilize neck or meat saver shots (avoiding shoulder bones) if taking large animals at close ranges in order to avoid shallow penetration. On this day, animals were taken out to range of 640 yards (.260 Rem) which was right on the 1800fps/1000ftlb thresh hold. All animals went down immediately, simply a great bullet when utilized appropriately.

Typical 140gr A-Max exit wound on light bodied animals



Skin flayed back



Broad lung wounding



Below are photos of a forwards shoulder shot on a Fallow deer, the bullet angling out through the neck. Impact velocity around 2600fps from a 6.5x55 and 140gr A-Max. The rifle is a Howa, bedded into a Hogue stock with MatchGrade bedding compound and MatchGrade synthetic stock stabilizer.

Fragments ensured full destruction of vitals, the animal dropping at the shot.