Elk with a 6.5 Creedmoor

[Toddmack]

My boss is hunting elk next year with one of his buddies. The buddy will have and has shot plenty of Elk with plenty of gun. The problem lies with my boss, he's got plates in both hands from years of hard, self-abusing work. When shooting a bolt gun his middle finger, which is the worst gets hit by the trigger guard at every shot (excruciating pain according to him and he's got an insane pain tolerance). He won a Ruger Precision in 6.5 Creedmoor at a Pheasant's Forever banquet(yes, he's that guy).

Here's my question, what would be some of the better factory rounds to shoot at an Elk? I'll have him buy multiple loadings and shoot them all for accuracy but I'm not a Creedmoor guy and know nothing about the round.

Yes, I know there are better rounds for this but the pistol grip is kind of a big thing in this instance.

 

[BillG]

He could always use a bigger rifle cal with a good brake. Normallythis would not come out of my mouth but I just put a Grizzly Gun Works Defcon1 on my 300Wby Mag. To say recoil was reduced would be a drastic understatement. Felt recoil and gun movement is gone I would say way less ten 6.5 CM recoil. This is just an idea you could pass by your boss.

 

[Prairiedogger]

The 6.5 will do the job. I've killed numerous elk with one. Started with 129 sst killed a few. Longest was 698yds. went to the 140 and and killed a few more. Working up the 143 ELD-X now. Use the one his rifle will shoot.

 

[Toddmack]

That was quick, thanks guys. I tried talking him into a suppressor but he didn't go for it. I reload and he's got a friend that does. Any good starting points?

 

[22DASHER]

I’d probably just tell him to buy a couple different boxes or Hornady loaded ammo and see what shoots the best. It’ll probably shoot up to his standards and kill elk just fine. Then you can collect his brass when he’s done.

 

[ShootDots]

I would seriously consider using the Barnes 130gr TSX Boattail. I would also work up to 41.5grs of H4350. The reason for the Barnes is that they are famous for extreme penetration, especially thru heavy bone. Killing any animal involves tissue destruction with huge amounts of blood loss. Putting an excellent expanding bullet thru the heart lung area will always kill the animal. On an animal the size of an Elk, getting thru bone to the vitals, on some angled shots, may become necessary. The Barnes will go thru the bone..

 

[Jason_A]

I see Swift loads 140 A-Frames. That would be my choice.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...tion-65-creedmoor-140-grain-a-frame-box-of-20

 

[DaveTooley]

In reality it's really not which bullet but how many bullets get expended training. We all know the key to success is bullet placement. Practice practice practice

 

[CharlieNC]

Terminal Ballistics Research website has more real world data than you can get here. Buy the $29 book, cheaper than a box of ammo, and you can make an informed decision.

 

[rammac]

6.5 CM for a novice elk hunter is a really poor choice but it seems to be the current style statement.

 

[ttfreestyle]

In reality it's really not which bullet but how many bullets get expended training. We all know the key to success is bullet placement. Practice practice practice

Plain and simple

 

[huntinglonewolf]

143 Eldx hornady precison hunter factory bullets. Shot placement is the key to any kind of killing

 

[dakor]

You will not need a super hard bullet at creedmoor velocity you would be better off with a ELDX or Accubond style bullet. 6.5 Creedmoor will kill any elk out to 600 yards pretty easy. Shot through the ribs and its game over.

Dont get caught up in the bad angle shot argument by some people either because a 30 cal of any kind with any bullet is not even big enough to shoot any angle on a elk and get to vitals every time.

For that you need a .338 or bigger.

Have him practice a lot and he will be fine.

 

[watercam]

Bear in mind that the 6.5x55 has been killing moose for the Swede's for 100 years. Very similar ballistics. 6.5CM should do the job as outlined above.

 

[grovey]

I own a CM and it certainly wouldn't be my first choice for and elk rifle. In a pinch like his and I had too... I'd use the Hornady hunting ammo that shot the best and keep shots well within HIS capabilitys. The CM is lite in the nuts department in my book. Sure guys are gonna use it and push it way past it's ethical range just to say I can, but that don't make it right.
My opinion is if he's ethical he'll buy a braked 7 mag and feed it quality bullets of some sort to bandaid his disability for the trip. The 120 gr BT is a tough little bullet. It smashes whatever you put it in.

 

[Bc'z]

Ok ok let's look at it this way.
If a 6.5 and a .308 caliber bullet traveling at same speed, which one has the best external balistics?
Or did I fall for the creedmoor hype?
My wifes hunt this year will probably be her 260 pushing 143 eldx's.
I would be using my 30 06 with 180 partitions.
A 6five has all the horsepower needed to dump a elk with proper shot placement at moderate yardage.

 

[carlsbad]

the word Creedmoor will taint the responses. You should have said .260 remington.

 

[Bbear]

22Dasher hit the response. Hornady's factory stuff will work and work well. Especially the ELD-X loadings. Friend took a nice 6x6 at 350 yards on the run with his 6.5Cm. Said the elk stumbled at the shot and face-planted within 10-15 yards. Entrance behind the near leg and exited in front of the off-side leg.
Key, as was stated, is practice LOTS. I'd suggest 6 boxes of ammo and use up 5 boxes between now and the hunt. Take the 6th box on the hunt.

 

[rardoin]

the word Creedmoor will taint the responses. You should have said .260 remington.

Isn't that the truth!

 

[dakor]

Its not how big it is its whats you do with it.