bullet choices

[ktb]

Guys i need some advice. Im booking a trip to montana for an elk hunt. I plan to take my 6.5x284. Question is what do you think would be my most productive bullet for this caliber and this size animal

 

[TheSnake]

You are gonna get vastly different answers here. If I were taking that trip, I would go with 140 gr Berger VLD Hunting bullet.

 

[dmickey]

I hope you are allowing enough time to workup a good load for what ever bullet you choose! :

 

[ktb]

Yea thats why im asking about experience with different bullets. I know it better be a good pick. Question is is this caliber large enough.

 

[Frankr]

+1 on the berger 140vld

 

[TheSnake]

Yea thats why im asking about experience with different bullets. I know it better be a good pick. Question is is this caliber large enough.

Sure it is large enough. The 6.5mm Berger 140 VLD with a MV of 2700 fps has about 1440 lbs of energy at 400 yards. A 7MM Mag shooting a 175 gr Nosler partition with a MV of 2750 has about 1450 lbs energy at 500 yards. The 300 Win Mag with a 180 gr Nosler Partition at 2990 MV would be about 1300 energy at 500 yards. These are conservative MV and some could go higher.

If you feel the 7MM Mag or 300 Win Mag is large enough for Elk at 500 yards, then your 6.5-284 is large enough for Elk at 400 yards.

The 140 gr Berger VLD bullet has a. SD of .287 and that is plenty for Elk.

I am not suggesting you shoot 400 or 500 yards, I just used the ranges to make my point. I myself would limit the 6.5 as mentioned above to 400 yards or less for Elk. Standard disclaimer here for shot placement etc....

 

[338Lapua]

If it was me going and I was limited to the 6.5 cal it would be out of these.
Barns 130-gr.TSX 140 gr Nosler Partition 140 AccuBond..... and get as close as possible so you can get the shot right in the boiler room.

 

[ktb]

Thanks guys thats what i wanted to hear

 

[wapiti25]

140 Berger if your gun like's them. Keep the impact velocity above 2000 FT/sec, Let that tell you the max range. Bergers work! I'm using a 7mm rem mag with 168 bergers, that gives the rifle a range of 700 yds @ 7000 ft. Go to the Berger site and read what they have to say.

 

[archerross]

I'm sure the 140 VLDs would be fine. I shot a cow elk with the 140 accubond and had a bout of bad luck. Put a good shot in the boiler room about 120 yds and she ran several hundred yds. I was able to get a finishing shot in the neck after a long stalk. What happened was, in between a rib and out between a rib. Thus negligible bullet expansion. In the end I got the elk, that's the important thing. I do feel that the 6.5-284 is plenty for elk...assuming standard disclaimers.

 

[Scott Harris]

You should be scouting and not worrying about bullets. Think you've been shooting too many matches and not enough game.