30 cal and a 2XXgr bullet on up is really where its at for Elk+ sized animals IMO. Thats what my dad uses and there is a significant difference on game from my smaller cals (277/264). He has never lost an elk, sadly I cannot say the same. There is a reason why a 300 found its way into my safe this year....
6.5 Brass
- Thread starter CLarson757
- Start date
Flat hats make the shooter more aerodynamic therefore increasing the BC on the projectile! It's science boys! You spin that hat backwards and you can forget about even needing to dial elevation because the bullets fly soo flat! Haha
I have 2 6.5’s. The Creed and a 6.5x284 Norma
6.5 Creed is a great round for deer size animals and targets. In my opinion, (worth a couple of pennies) or not.
For me it really shines when shooting steel. Superbly accurate, easy on the shoulder, gets along well with barrels. Great BC’s.
If you are going to chase larger animals with a 6.5 you should increase the horsepower behind the bullet. Get those 140 gr bullets over the 3,000 mark and you’re in the money.
Get the 127-124 coppers up around the 3,200 plus mark and you’re in there with Hatchets beloved 257W.
I’m with @NBK would love to see the video Aeon has. I keep picturing the ripple on that high lung shot when that 143 ELDx hit it (passed through) followed by a spine shot recovered.
6.5 Creed is a great round for deer size animals and targets. In my opinion, (worth a couple of pennies) or not.
For me it really shines when shooting steel. Superbly accurate, easy on the shoulder, gets along well with barrels. Great BC’s.
If you are going to chase larger animals with a 6.5 you should increase the horsepower behind the bullet. Get those 140 gr bullets over the 3,000 mark and you’re in the money.
Get the 127-124 coppers up around the 3,200 plus mark and you’re in there with Hatchets beloved 257W.
I’m with @NBK would love to see the video Aeon has. I keep picturing the ripple on that high lung shot when that 143 ELDx hit it (passed through) followed by a spine shot recovered.
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@Lungpopper @NBK
Here is a video of a bull I shot with a 6.5PRC 124 Hammer Hunter @3400. This was taken about 1200 yards below, I was 200 yards to the right of the bull. As you can see it had plenty of power do dump him. He went legs up even as he crashed down. However...... I took my eyes off of him after a couple seconds trying to get my buddy right next to me a bull also. This bull got up and took off during that time. Searched hard for him, receruting everyone I could but never turned him up. At the end of the day I made a poor shot (too forward I think) and didn't stay on him (huge mistake). I have a bit of OCD keeping crosshairs on "dead" animals now.
Here is a video of a bull I shot with a 6.5PRC 124 Hammer Hunter @3400. This was taken about 1200 yards below, I was 200 yards to the right of the bull. As you can see it had plenty of power do dump him. He went legs up even as he crashed down. However...... I took my eyes off of him after a couple seconds trying to get my buddy right next to me a bull also. This bull got up and took off during that time. Searched hard for him, receruting everyone I could but never turned him up. At the end of the day I made a poor shot (too forward I think) and didn't stay on him (huge mistake). I have a bit of OCD keeping crosshairs on "dead" animals now.
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One of those lessons you only need once
I wish. We were about 300 yards from the road when we picked him up, then it was about 700' gain and 1 mile for the stock. Those post rut bulls arent the most compliant.
My take on that video.
You hit some solid bone. That bull took everything you threw at him got up and left.
Good reason to shoot a bigger cartridge/bullet when hunting animals larger than deer.
Snake Charmer
Happiness is a warm gut pile
I Concur with NBK and LP, the 6.5 is a good cartridge in its weight class just like any other load that is energy and weight sized to the game you are pursuing. You can kill an elk with a .243 but its not a good idea and takes surgical precision to execute. When you move up to magnums in the 7mm and above range you get much more freedom at which angle and distance that will yield good results. I like to use cartridges that can create pass through shots at any angle that the animal presents so that if your first shot is not so good you can be confident that if the animal presents you with a less than desirable angle as it escapes you can poke it again and have a good chance at finishing the job.
Would you guys take a quartering away shot on an elk with a 6.5 solid copper second to last rib back ?
I would if that's all I had and I *know* I could make the shot. Assuming it's not too far/quartered.
I would probably do what I could to get my hands on a bigger cal from a buddy, work overtime or sell something and pick up a bigger cal though.
Not so much. Part of the problem with lighter bullets is the lack of penetration in dense animals. It might work and it might not, which is my point. And again, most people expect more from the 6.5 than it can consistantly deliver. And some folks will find success and then expect that is repeatable on a regular basis. If you have a conversation with 10 elk guides, you will definitely find your answer.
I've never heard it called this before...but I will never call it anything else now.
I've done with a 300 WM and a 338 RUM, those both work but the 338 hit him like a lightening bolt.
My Bull last fall absorbed 4 poorly place shots with my 300 WM before I finally broke both shoulders to get him down. He never even flinched and I thought I was missing...until i found a blood trail under my feet when I put the last bullet in him 300y away.