No 6mm BR Norma factory load we have sourced carries 1,000 ft·lb for whitetail deer past the muzzle. Here is why, load by load.
| Load | gr | Max ethical yd | MV fps | 500 yd ft·lb | Shoulder shot |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norma 105 gr Diamond Line moly HPBT | 105 | wrong bullet | 2,789 | 870 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 90 gr Scenar-L (GB543) | 90 | wrong bullet | 2,950 | 756 | behind the shoulder only |
| Lapua 105 gr Scenar-L (GB542) | 105 | wrong bullet | 2,674 | 723 | behind the shoulder only |
The 1,000 ft·lb deer figure traces to Townsend Whelen and is the one everyone repeats; Hawks puts the floor nearer 800. An 8–10″ heart/lung zone. Legal: CO: 1,000 ft·lb at 100 yd · SD: 1,000 ft·lb at muzzle. 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: www.outdoorlife.com, www.petersenshunting.com, chuckhawks.com.