1 of 5 6.5x47 Lapua factory loads carry 1,000 ft·lb and expansion velocity for mule deer; the best reach 150 yd (Lapua 140 gr Naturalis (N563)). Ranked, with the drop chart for each.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lapua 140 gr Naturalis (N563) | 140 | 150 | 2,648 | 302 | yes |
| Lapua 139 gr Scenar (GB458) | 139 | wrong bullet | 2,690 | 1,105 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 123 gr Scenar (GB489) | 123 | wrong bullet | 2,790 | 1,066 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 120 gr Scenar-L (GB547) | 120 | wrong bullet | 2,772 | 973 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 136 gr Scenar-L (GB546) | 136 | wrong bullet | 2,625 | 986 | behind the shoulder only |
Deer-class rules of thumb; a slightly bigger animal than a whitetail. Legal: CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd. Floor used: 1,000 ft·lb at impact plus the bullet's published expansion velocity. Orange = a target or varmint bullet (construction, not energy); red = never carries the energy. Sources: chuckhawks.com, www.petersenshunting.com.