[Xman]

There is useful information spread throughout this topic regarding six8 bullet terminal performance. As it has grown in length, these links have been added to take you directly to pages where new bullets and additional testing were added.

100 Yard Terminal Testing; Barnes 85gr TSX & 95gr TTSX, Sierra 90gr HP, Hornady 110gr V-Max & HPBT and 120gr SST
starts with this post below the links.

100 Yard Terminal Testing; Nosler 100gr and 110gr Accubond
6.8 SPC Bullet Performance

200 Yard Terminal Testing; Barnes 85gr TSX & 95gr TTSX, Nosler 100gr & 110gr AccuBond, 120gr Hornady SST
6.8 SPC Bullet Performance

300 Yard Terminal Testing; Barnes 95gr TTSX, Nosler 100gr & 110gr AccuBond, 120gr Hornady SST
6.8 SPC Bullet Performance

100 & 200 Yard Terminal Testing; Barnes 85gr TSX, Nosler 85gr E-Tip, Sierra 110gr Pro-Hunter, Berger 130gr VLD,
http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=416527&viewfull=1#post416527

Round 2 -> 100 & 200 Yard Terminal Testing; Hornady 110gr HP and HPBT, Nosler 115gr Match
6.8 SPC Bullet Performance

Round 2 -> 300 Yard Terminal Testing; Nosler 85gr E-Tip, Barnes 95gr TTSX, Sierra 110gr ProHunter, Nosler 110gr AccuBond, Federal 115gr Fusion MSR
6.8 SPC Bullet Performance

Comparison: 100gr & 110gr Nolser AccuBond with 115gr Federal Fusion MSR
6.8 SPC Bullet Performance

Round 2 -> 200 Yard Terminal Testing; Sierra 90gr HP, Hornady 110gr V-Max & HP, Sierra 110gr ProHunter, Federal 115gr Fusion MSR
6.8 SPC Bullet Performance

Round 2 -> 300 Yard Terminal Testing; Sierra 90gr HP, Hornady 110gr V-Max, HP & BTHP, Nosler 115gr Match
6.8 SPC Bullet Performance

Federal Fusion MSR/GD Bullet Performance Comparison - 90gr Gold Dot, 115gr and 120gr Fusion MSR
6.8 SPC Bullet Performance

Benefits of Ballistic Tips (or what happens when you remove them on monolithic bullets)
6.8 SPC Bullet Performance

100 Yard Terminal Performance Testing; 110gr Barnes TTSX
6.8 SPC Bullet Performance

100-300 Yard Terminal Performance Testing; 110gr Barnes TSX
6.8 SPC Bullet Performance

All Copper Bullet Comparison; 85gr Nosler E-Tip, 85gr Barnes TSX, 95gr Barnes TTSX, 110gr Barnes TSX
http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=456500&viewfull=1#post456500

What Defines Bullet Expansion? An analysis of monolithic and lead-core bullet performance.
http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=457110&viewfull=1#post457110

Effects of Barrel Twist Rate on Bullet Expansion.
http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=633586&viewfull=1#post633586

Round 3 - > 130gr Bullets
130gr Bullet Testing; Hornady SST, Sierra Pro-Hunter, Nosler Ballistic Tip and E-Tip http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=471451&viewfull=1#post471451
130gr Berger VLD http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=416533&viewfull=1#post416533
130gr Nosler Partition http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=533428&viewfull=1#post533428
130gr Sierra GameKing http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=562847&viewfull=1#post562847
130gr Federal Fusion, Remington Core-Lokt, and Speer Hot-Core http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=616848&viewfull=1#post616848
130gr Speer BTSP http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=628630&viewfull=1#post628630
130 Hornady InterLock and Woodleigh PP SN http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=681588&viewfull=1#post681588
130 Federal Flat-Base http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=946545&viewfull=1#post946545
130 Cutting Edge MTH http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=959122&viewfull=1#post959122

400 Yard Terminal Performance Testing

• The Challenges of Longer Range Shooting
• Varmint/Target Bullets: 110gr Hornady HPBT & V-Max, 115gr Nosler Match CC
• Hunting Bullets: 90gr Gold Dot, 95gr Barnes TTSX, 110gr Barnes TSX, 110gr Nosler Accubond, 120gr Fusion MSR, 120gr Hornady SST

http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=549061&viewfull=1#post549061

Comparison: Nosler 90gr Bonded Core vs Federal 90gr Gold Dot
http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=561863&viewfull=1#post561863

GS Customer Bullets for the 6.8 SPC: 80gr and 99gr HV
http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=578650&viewfull=1#post578650

Hornady's New 100gr GMX
http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=581055&viewfull=1#post581055

Comparison: Hornady 100gr Soft Point vs Remington 100gr Pointed Soft Point
http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=594765&viewfull=1#post594765

Sellier & Bellot 110 FMJ
http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=605488&viewfull=1#post605488

Remington 115gr Ultra-Bond
http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=616848&viewfull=1#post616848

Lehigh Defense 100gr Controlled Chaos (CC)
http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=642566&viewfull=1#post642566

Comparison: 110gr Hornady V-MAX and Sellier & Ballot Plastic Tip Special (PTS)
http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=681671&viewfull=1#post681671

Cutting Edge 120gr & 130gr Match, Tactical, Hunting (MTH)
http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=959122&viewfull=1#post959122
Speer 90gr TNT HP
http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?33178-6-8-SPC-Bullet-Performance&p=976985&viewfull=1#post976985

Cavity Back Bullets 105gr & 120gr MKZ
http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...et-Performance&p=983682&viewfull=1#post983682

Nosler 110gr Flat-Base Soft Point (FBSP)
http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...-Performance&p=1021418&viewfull=1#post1021418

Cavity Back Bullets 95 CB Tech
http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...-Performance&p=1072809&viewfull=1#post1072809

Winchester 115gr XP
https://www.68forums.com/threads/6-8-spc-bullet-performance.33178/post-1455900

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Original Post
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I had the opportunity to take six 6.8 SPC bullet combinations to the range and test terminal performance. My goal was to verify the bullet I would be using for deer and hogs. I tested performance using a bullet "trap" that I have refined and used for a couple of years. The trap consists of a gallon jug of water (typically an empty milk jug) in front of a box of phone books and magazines. The water jug provides the hydraulic medium to effect bullet expansion/mushrooming. The box catches the bullets and provides relative penetration performance. I've used this bullet trap with .223 Rem to .300 Win Mag and have seen similar terminal performance results on elk I have harvested with a .270 Win. With that said, I realize this method of testing is not as good a medium as ballistic gelatin but that's a whole other story and not very convenient to use. More details on the bullet trap can be found in this on-line article. Note, I now use a single phone book in front of multiple magazines like G&A, Shooting Times, etc.

http://www.huntingnut.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=84

These are the bullets and their respective muzzle velocities shot from and 18-inch PSA SS SPR barrel. There was a 15+ mph headwind and the temperature was 48F.
85gr Barnes TSX - 2815 fps (31.0gr AA2200)
90gr Sierra HP - 2775 fps (30.5gr AA2200)
95gr Barnes TTSX - 2805 fps (29.6gr AA2200)
110gr Hornady V-Max - 2615 fps (factory)
110gr Hornady HPBT - 2640 fps (factory)
120gr Hornady SST - 2525 fps (27.5gr AA2200)

Caution - these loads worked in my rifle but this is no guarantee that they will work safely in yours.

Here is a link to a picture of the 6.8mm (0.277") bullets used with some .270 Win bullets I typically load on the right side for reference.

 

[Xman]

The results were more than interesting as you can see in the picture below. Note, I had only worked up loads for the 95 TTSX. All the other bullets arrived from Midway the day before and I loaded up enough rounds at a safe powder charge to put 2 on paper to judge POI then one into the trap. I plan to work up my loads for accuracy and velocity prior to repeating this test at longer range.

85gr Barnes TSX - perfect expansion. After testing numerous Barnes and Hornady GMX monolithic bullets in various calibers, I expected nothing less. Every one of these bullets I have shot has had reliable and flawless expansion with 100% weight retention. The penetration was not quite through the phone book (note, the velocity is less than what I would expect after I develop this load).

90gr Sierra HP - completely fragmented, did not penetrate into the box of paper, and was not recovered. This wasn't surprising for a varmint HP.

95gr Barnes TTSX - this is the bullet I had planned to hunt with before I even started my 6.8 project. I bought the others to have a comparison and learn more about my newly built rifle. This bullet did not disappoint and shows why it has such an excellent reputation in the 6.8 community. It mushroomed to 0.556" - the largest I have ever recovered including .308 caliber bullets. It was fully expanded and as you can see was shorter than the 85gr TSX. It penetrated through the phone book and one magazine. Note, my .270 130gr GMX bullet penetrates through 7 more magazine issues. The 95gr Barnes TTSX will be my go-to bullet for hunting deer with a 6.8 SPC.

110gr Hornady V-Max - the bullet flattened, barely made it through the water jug, and was laying on the ground in front of the box. Only 52 grains of the bullet remained. IMO, not the best bullet for deer or hogs.

110gr Hornady HPBT - fragmented and went ½-way into the phone book. The jacket separated from the lead core and the largest fragment recovered was 32gr. I plan to use this one as my general purpose/target shooting bullet. Just wanted to see what it would do.

120gr Hornady SST - this was a surprise for me. I thought this bullet at this low a velocity would have retained more weight. The jacket separated from the lead core and the largest fragment recovered was 30gr. It was hard to distinguish from the Hornady HPBT. The 30gr lead fragment did make it through the phone book and into 3 magazines, however, I have often found a projectile with a smaller diameter will penetrate further than a larger diameter projectile with more energy, e.g., I've had a 270 130gr GMX bullet out penetrate the a 300 Win Mag 165gr GMX. I anticipate this bullet will perform better in a longer range test when it is at a lower velocity.

 

[Xman]

Other Observations:

- The expansion must be very rapid for both the TSX and TTSX as the jugs jumped over 10 feet away while all the other bullets only moved their jugs 2 or 3 feet.

- Because the 95gr TTSX expansion was so complete, I am not going to be concerned if I need to drop velocity a bit to achieve better accuracy for my particular rifle. Based on this performance, I believe this bullet will open up/mushroom at the advertised 1600-1700 fps.

- There were many small lead fragments, more like flakes embedded in the paper that were not recoverable. I know that fragmentation is lethal, however, I have found that penetration and the path of penetration is not always reliable or predictable with lead-core bullets that fragment like this. I’ve seen a Core-Lokt shot from a .300 Win Mag fragment and not even penetrate the outside of the cardboard box. I also don’t like to lose meat to lead fragments. I’ve watched a butcher remove an elk’s shoulder and toss it because it was full of lead fragments. I have also lost the far shoulder too many times when I hunted deer with fragmenting lead-core bullets.

- I would expect that a bullet like the Nosler Accubond with is bonded lead core would have retained its core and ultimately had better weight retention. I may have to look for an opportunity to test one of these bullets.

The testing isn’t over. I need to work up loads optimized for my rifle and head back to test at longer ranges, likely 300 yards. That may not be for a couple of months will all the activities coming up.

 

[Xman]

The link had the trap set at 100 yds.

yes. This test was at 100 yards. The next test will be at 250 to 300 yards.

 

[Xman]

And you will have Accubonds to test too. Dropped some in the mail for you yesterday.

Looking forward to seeing the results and both ranges.

thanks Dude-Sweet! I look forward to collecting Accubond data.

 

[Xman]

The SST really did look like the 110 HPBT in the pic.

I noticed that, also. Lt is like the SST is just a heavier HPBT with a tip on it. I will see if I can determine any difference in jacket thickness.

 

[Xman]

Thank you all for your compliments and feedback. I will continue to add data to this topic.

 

[Xman]

Dude-Sweet, send them along also and I will include them in my next test also.

 

[Xman]

Thanks, 68WJ, for the explanation. As velocity increases, the bullets "peel" back more until they reach the end of their hollow point. If velocities are ultra-high, a pedal can break off but I haven't seen this occur on any of my tests. As the the monolithic bullets slow down, they remain longer and their diameter of expansion is a little less. You can see this affect in the picture I've added of a series of expansion tests I've done over the last year with my .270 Win with a 130gr Hornady GMX. I was lucky enough to pull the 400 yard bullet from a cow elk last weekend. The bullet penetrated 30 inches. I will have a comparison similar to this after I conduct longer range tests with 6.8 bullets.

 

[Xman]

Here are some topics that show bullet terminal performance on deer. You can see how the bullets recovered from game compare to those in the results from these tests.

95gr TTSX
http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?33552-**warning-graphic-coyote-buck-and-doe/page3

120gr SST
http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?24657-120-SST-Whitetail-autopsy-pics.-Graphic.
http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?33514-Interesting-120sst-exit-wound
http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?34148-6.8-freezer-filler-finished-and-freezer-filled!
http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?44193-First-deer-and-recovered-120sst

Note, I did get out to the range and tested the 100 and 110 grain Accubonds that Dude-Sweet sent me. I'll get the results posted this weekend.

 

[Xman]

Thanks to Dude-Sweet I was able to add 100gr and 110gr Nosler AccuBond bullets to this testing. These are the bullets and their respective muzzle velocities shot from and 18-inch PSA SS SPR barrel updated with the two AB bullets.

85gr Barnes TSX - 2815 fps (31.0gr AA2200)
90gr Sierra HP - 2775 fps (30.5gr AA2200)
95gr Barnes TTSX - 2805 fps (29.6gr AA2200)
100gr Nosler AccuBond - 2770 fps (30.0gr AA2200) this load is hot in new brass, will load 29.5gr in the future
110gr Nosler AccuBond - 2650 fps (29.0gr AA2200) this load is hot in new brass, will load 28.5gr in the future
110gr Hornady V-Max - 2615 fps (factory)
110gr Hornady HPBT - 2640 fps (factory)
120gr Hornady SST - 2525 fps (27.5gr AA2200)

Caution - these loads worked in my rifle but this is no guarantee that they will work safely in yours.
Go to the First Page for Quick Links to all the bullets tested

Below are the bullets pulled from the trap. I reshot the 85gr TSX as a control.

85gr Barnes TSX - perfect expansion was repeated with 100% weight retention. The penetration was not quite through the phone book just as before (note, I'll be working up a load with higher velocity for the long range testing).

100gr Nosler AB - nice flat mushroom with 76% weight retention. The penetration was not quite through the phone book and similar to the TSX. There was good reaction with the water bottle with the plastic being torn in about every direction from the impact.

110gr Nosler AB - the slower velocity may have resulted in this heavier bullet not mushrooming as much as the 100 gr AB. Weight retention, percentage-wise, was the same as the 100gr AB at 76%. The penetration was excellent with the 84 gr piece penetrating through the phone book and 5 magazines. This deeper penetration is primarily the result of a smaller cross-section and the fact that the core and jacket stayed intact. Nosler's fusing process of the lead core and copper jacket really works.

I included the 95gr Barnes TTSX and 120gr Hornady SST in the bullet line-up as these 5 bullets are the ones I will take to the long range terminal performance testing.

 

[Xman]

If one is planning for hunting situations beyond 100 yards, down-range energy becomes a consideration. Here is a graph comparing the 5 hunting bullets I will test later at 250 yards or longer. I'm going to have to ponder this some more. The ballistic coefficient (BC) of the bullet makes a difference. Note, I stepped the muzzle velocity of the 85gr TSX up to 3000 fps which many are achieving. I included the .223 62gr Barnes TTSX for a comparison. This is the performance I obtained from my 24" AR and why I started my 6.8 project. I am impressed with the increased performance but can't get cocky. My .270 Win has the same energy at 300 yards that my 6.8 does at the muzzle with bullets that have better BCs. I had included the 130gr GMX in the graph initially but removed it because it squashed all the others down to much.

 

[Xman]

These Speer would be a good one to test. I'm surprised to see a .277 bullet that short have that high a BC. I would test terminal performance and verify BC. To do testing from 100 to 300 yards, I would need 10 bullets.

 

[Xman]

Here are threads showing terminal performance of 100 Nosler AB on deer.

http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...e-on-South-Texas-White-tailed-Deer-(pic-heavy)
http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?44084-Pics-of-Accubond-hit

Here are links of 100gr AB used to harvest elk.

http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?32807-Elk-with-6-8
http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?44996-100-gr-accubond-vs-elk
http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?53516-100-gr-accubond-vs-elk-round-2

Here is one showing the 110 AB on deer and hogs.

http://68forums.com/forums/showthre...tetail-110-Gr-Accubond-Autopsy-Pics-(Graphic)
http://68forums.com/forums/showthread.php?53692-2-Shots-2-Hogs

 

[Xman]

There was a break in the wintery weather so I scrambled out to the range last Saturday with a couple of hours to go before sunset and continued the terminal performance testing at 200 yards. I tested the Barnes 85gr TSX & 95gr TTSX, the Nosler AccuBond 100gr & 110gr, and Hornady 120gr SST. Here is a recap of the average muzzle velocities I have been achieving from my 18-inch PSA SS SPR barrel with 1:11.25 twist.

85gr Barnes TSX - 2815 fps (31.0gr AA2200) [BC 0.246]
95gr Barnes TTSX - 2805 fps (29.6gr AA2200) [BC 0.292]
100gr Nosler AccuBond - 2770 fps (30.0gr AA2200) [BC 0.323] this load is hot in new brass, will load 29.5gr in the future
110gr Nosler AccuBond - 2650 fps (29.0gr AA2200) [BC 0.370] this load is hot in new brass, will load 28.5gr in the future
120gr Hornady SST - 2525 fps (27.5gr AA2200) [BC 0.400]

Caution - these loads worked in my rifle but this is no guarantee that they will work safely in yours.
Go to the First Page for Quick Links to all the bullets tested

Below are the bullets pulled from the trap at 200 yards.

 

[Xman]

85gr Barnes TSX - at 200 yards, the velocity of this round had decayed to 2110 fps, just above the advertised velocity required for expansion (2100 fps). The tip of the bullet barely opened and did not have significant frontal area. I found the bullet deep in the trap, going through the jug oF water, phonebook (1800 pages) and 6 magazines. This is significant over-penetration. Note, I believe if the bullet makes it past 800 pages of the phonebook you will have an exit wound on a deer. My muzzle velocity was just above 2800 fps. If you are getting 3000fps out of your rifle configuration, this might be a 200 yard round. I'm going to limit my use to 150 yards. For close range hog hunting, I can see why this is such an effective, deep-penetrating round.

95gr Barnes TTSX - once again, perfect expansion (as expected). It penetrated through the phonebook and three magazines. I wasn't expecting this much penetration but I was using two phonebooks side-by-side and its impact was near the edge of one phonebook which could have provided less resistance. The water jug jumped a significant distance away after impact but not as far as it did at 100 yards. I'll take this bullet on to the 300 yard test.

100gr Nosler AB - nice flat mushroom with just over 80% weight retention. The penetration did go through the phone book and one magazine. It was near the edge of a phonebook like the 95 TTSX which could have been a factor in its deeper penetration than achieved at 100 yards. As in the 100 yard test, there was good reaction with the water bottle with the plastic being torn in about every direction from the impact. You can see the reaction in the picture sequence below (note, the bullet trap, e.g., box with phonebook and magazines, is under a plastic bag to keep it dry).

110gr Nosler AB - another nice mushroom with weight retention, percentage-wise, at 82%. It went through 1250 pages of the phonebook. This is an excellent bullet.

120gr Hornady SST - I was anticipating that this bullet would retain more weight at a low a velocity. I found the jacket separated from the lead core 650 pages into the phonebook. At first, I didn't find any lead fragments. However, the jacket was as clean as a whistle so I assumed the lead core was ejected just before the jacket separated. Thus there should be lead in the trap. The next morning, I recovered the phonebook and magazines from the recycle bin, went back through them a second time, and found a 51gr fragment stuck to a tear in a magazine. It was almost like it was glued to the pages. I am not sure how far back this magazine was from the phonebook but the fragment had definitely penetrated all 1800 pages of the phonebook.

 

[Xman]

Other Observations:

- The limited expansion and over-penetration of the 85 TSX is why I don't use 110gr Barnes bullets in my 6.8. In my .270 Win, I get 3450fps with them but the velocity in the 6.8mm is much diminished and the monolithic copper bullet that size limits powder capacity in such a small case. Except in one area I hunt, all my shot opportunities can be as far as 200 yards or more so I need a reliably expanding bullet at this distance.

- I'm impressed with how well the AccuBond bullets retain their lead cores and mushroomed. Though the construction of the 100 and 110gr bullets appears similar from the outside, there is something different in how the 100 expands. When it hits the water jug, the 100gr AB has a noticeably more violent reaction than the 110gr. At 200 yards, the velocity of the two bullets is within 40fps of each other so I think it's more than just the velocity advantage of the 100gr.

Updated Nov 2014, here are images showing the cross-sections of the 100 and 110 AccuBond bullets. With the images placed side by side, it is evident that the 100 AB's copper jacket is thinner in the area of the ogive. This explains why the 100 AB expands more and hits harder inside 200 yards than the 110 AB.

- It is obvious from other posts and hunter success that the 120gr SST is an effective hunting bullet. Its lethality comes from its fragmentation. I haven't been a fan of lead fragmenting bullets in the past when I've hunted with a .308 and .270 Win because I lost too much meat. However, I am warming up to the 120gr SST for use in the 6.8. It will not be as deep penetrating as the other bullets so I'm going to avoid shoulder shots with it. I expect it will do really well with lung shots which I like to take and look forward to hunting with this bullet.

Below is a comparison of all the bullets collected so far from the 100 and 200 yard tests. Up next is testing at 300 yards sans 85gr TSX. This next session may not be for a while. I hope to go deer hunting for the next two months with what free time I have on weekends.

 

[Xman]

If I had any on hand, I'd send you some of the Nosler 85gr E-Tip. Would like to see how they perform in these tests.

If anyone would like to have a specific bullet added to these terminal performance tests, just pm and I'll give you my address so you can send some.

 

[Xman]

I believe the factory 85TSX load is near 3000fps, do you think it will change the expansion of the TSX at range starting 200fps faster?

Looking at the ballistic tables it should add at least another 50 yards of effective range.

 

[Xman]

Rusty, the tip helps improve expansion but there are metallurgy changes also as most Barnes Tipped TSX bullets don't open up at 1600-1700 fps. The new LRX bullets open up at these lower velocities also.