6.5 Creedmoor deer knockdown

[Allen Roberts]

It’s probably been discussed, but what’s your opinion on CM deer retrieved. I understand it matters on placement, but I want that deer to go down without a long blood less search. I was trying to avoid my pounding range sessions with my Remington 700 270 and deer hunt too. Maybe I’am trying to get to much out of one caliber.

 

[Capt. Oblivious]

With a proper bullet you wont have any problems, I hunt 90% of game with a 6SLR and 108gr bullet

 

[Rob01]

6.5 Creedmoor is no problem for deer. My buddy dropped an elk at 750 yards with Berger 140s and no long blood trail. It will drop a deer without issue.

 

[rdremsek]

I also use a 6.5 creedmoore for deer in Pennsylvania some drop right there some run 50 yards I've shot 140 grn eldx and 140 grn amax with no problems also

 

[Dimner]

The 6.5mm bullet has been dropping ungulates for over the past 100 years. With the same speeds and trajectory as the creedmoor case provides. You will have no problem.

If your budget is not of a concern, buy a premium rapid expansion and high weight retention bullet. However, any cup and core bullet will do the job with excellent results. Personally for 350 yards or under, cup and core are all i use

 

[K22]

I never shot a deer with a CM but I have taken a lot of deer with a 243 Win. The CM has more than enough energy to drop a deer. The two critical issues regardless of cartridge selected, are shot placement and terminal performance of the bullet.

Your desire to drop a deer in place is the desire of ever deer hunter. But hunting is not target shooting. The unexpected can always happen, such as the deer moves just as you are touching off a shot resulting in a less than optimum shot placement.

Here's a true story. Several years ago, the farm where I use to hunt deer, the son of the farmer, an experienced deer hunter and above average field shot, knocked down a large 10-point buck with a 7 mm magnum. When he approached the deer laying in the field, the deer got up and ran off. We tracked and searched for that deer for several hours than night and the next day and never found it. Nothing is absolute when it comes to hunting.

You can maximize are chances of success by becoming a proficient field shooter, knowing the maximum distance that you can place a shot in the vital area under field conditions, and selecting a hunting bullet that has a history performance on game animals. If the deer runs off, make a mental note of where the shot was place and mark the point with a ribbon when you approach it. That will provide an accurate location to start tracking if necessary.

 

[Dimner]

I never shot a deer with a CM but I have taken a lot of deer with a 243 Win. The CM has more than enough energy to drop a deer. The two critical issues regardless of cartridge selected, are shot placement and terminal performance of the bullet.

Your desire to drop a deer in place is the desire of ever deer hunter. But hunting is not target shooting. The unexpected can always happen, such as the deer moves just as you are touching off a shot resulting in a less than optimum shot placement.

Here's a true story. Several years ago, the farm where I use to hunt deer, the son of the farmer, an experienced deer hunter and above average field shot, knocked down a large 10-point buck with a 7 mm magnum. When he approached the deer laying in the field, the deer got up and ran off. We tracked and searched for that deer for several hours than night and the next day and never found it. Nothing is absolute when it comes to hunting.

You can maximize are chances of success by becoming a proficient field shooter, knowing the maximum distance that you can place a shot in the vital area under field conditions, and selecting a hunting bullet that has a history performance on game animals. If the deer runs off, make a mental note of where the shot was place and mark the point with a ribbon when you approach it. That will provide an accurate location to start tracking if necessary.

K22's story is a great one to keep in mind with bullet selection.

Only thing to add is to research the velocity performance of your bullet. How will the bullet perform at your muzzle velocity and at your max distance velocity?

Some fancy premium bullets are designed to expand down to very low velocities (so they can go longer range), but then a person will use them in their super wammy magnum cartridge, thinking they are going to be shooting deer at 500 yards. Loaded to 3100fps so there is plenty of velocity left at long distance.

Come hunting season, they see a magnificent buck at 60 yards. Shoot it, and then complain how poorly the bullet performed. The problem with that.... Some bullets that expand at very low velocities but then crap the bed at near muzzle velocity. So do your homework. Over I have taken at least a half dozen deer under 75 yards. So in my situation, I have to take in account how the bullet performs near muzzle velocity. Which means, there are some bullet designs that just will not work for me. They explode before they penetrate much.

 

[K22]

K22's story is a great one to keep in mind with bullet selection.

Only thing to add is to research the velocity performance of your bullet. How will the bullet perform at your muzzle velocity and at your max distance velocity?

Some fancy premium bullets are designed to expand down to very low velocities (so they can go longer range), but then a person will use them in their super wammy magnum cartridge, thinking they are going to be shooting deer at 500 yards. Loaded to 3100fps so there is plenty of velocity left at long distance.

Come hunting season, they see a magnificent buck at 60 yards. Shoot it, and then complain how poorly the bullet performed. The problem with that.... Some bullets that expand at very low velocities but then crap the bed at near muzzle velocity. So do your homework. Over I have taken at least a half dozen deer under 75 yards. So in my situation, I have to take in account how the bullet performs near muzzle velocity. Which means, there are some bullet designs that just will not work for me. They explode before they penetrate much.

Excellent point! This is what suspect happened with the farmer son in question. The vast majority of shot opportunities in the local areas I hunted are under 200 yards. The deer in question was shot at about 125 yards with a 175 grain all copper bullet. I suspect the bullet punched through the deer expending most of its energy / expansion on the ground beyond.

 

[CJ6]

I'm a firm believer in bonded bullets for hunting. Yes I've used cup and core in the past and taken plenty of game, but I feel bonded bullets give you better dependability of expansion and penetration than standard (cup and core).
Brand wise try several and pick which shoots best.