Elk with a 6.5 Creedmoor

[mic2377]

Now people use a lot of fancy bullets, and fancy magnum cartridges, but regardless of what cartridge launches it (6.5 CM, 260 Rem, 6.5x55, etc) a 125 or 140 grain Partition at 2700-2800 for will penetrate and kill pretty much everything that it is fired into the vitals of. Too bad Partition's are not offered in factory loads.

That being said, Federal/Nosler ammo w/Accubonds, or Hornady with SST's/ELD's, will do the job. Just don't expect miracles, it is medium bore cartridge with modest velocities and bullet frontal area.

 

[jds holler]

And yet another "How much gun for elk" thread. Tied together with the "6.5 Creedness" we oughta be able to hit fifty posts. jd

 

[pirate ammo]

And yet another "How much gun for elk" thread. Tied together with the "6.5 Creedness" we oughta be able to hit fifty posts. jd

I jump in here we'll get 100,,really it's all about shot placement, hit the right spot they drop.

 

[dolek]

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

Very true Jerry, good point.

 

[ebb]

I didn't have a Creedmoor when I hunted elk. I read Jack O Connors book and took his advise. I feel like I had enough gun. A 250 grain Nosler out of a 338win mag. The outfitter has shot several elk every year of his life and is 70 years old with a 30/30. Who would have tunk?

 

[jds holler]

I didn't have a Creedmoor when I hunted elk. I read Jack O Connors book and took his advise. I feel like I had enough gun. A 250 grain Nosler out of a 338win mag. The outfitter has shot several elk every year of his life and is 70 years old with a 30/30. Who would have tunk?

A lot of folks used to kill elks with poopy little cartridges. An old friend of mine who killed literally many tons of elk, used a 35 Remington for many of them, including some real toads. He didn't know much about ballistics, but he knew a bunch about elk HUNTING.

The elk these days, are entirely different, and it pretty much takes a 250 grain bullet going around 4000 fps to anchor one. Must be the result of genetics and evolution; probably all the wimpy ones were killed off by guys with 30-30's and 300 Sav's. jd

 

[Toddmack]

1.) I didn't realize this topic had come up so much in the past, because I don't hunt Elk.
2.) Thanks for all the feedback, it's all appreciated.

JDS, I'll try to come up with some updates or something to get to your 50 goal! That is unless the Pirate can take care of it all by himself.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I’ll help with the 50 post count!
“I could take my Creedmoor elk hunting. But my .243 Win. would say, why in the he’ll didn’t he just pick me.”

 

[ShootDots]

I like reading all the "discussion" on why a .35 Rem has been a killer, same with a 30-30. There is little doubt that those cartridges used by an experienced hunter, who knows their limitations and stays inside those parameters, will kill Elk.. I made a post earlier that it takes tissue destruction and blood loss to achieve a kill. If you can get a good bullet (read that expanding) into the heart lung section of an animal, they will die. One of the "legs" of creating a quick kill, is to place enough energy into the animal to create a LARGE wound channel. The larger the wound channel, the more tissue destruction there is, the quicker the kill. The larger the diameter and weight of the bullet and the faster it travels, assuming of course it is a good hunting bullet, the more energy it transmits to the animal. The more energy, with excellent expansion, the more tissue destruction there is. The more tissue destruction there is, the more blood loss there is. This all translates to a quicker kill. All "Big Game" cartridges will kill IF they are used within reasonable ranges for their "power". Having said all that, no hunter can be absolutely sure that once he sees a BIG Bull Elk, that it will be a "classic broadside shot" at your chosen cartridge's reasonable range. I believe that is why when you may be spending $10,000.00 for a private property, guided Elk hunt, you will generally see some form of a large magnum cartridge with a high quality bullet that can both penetrate and expand, WHILE holding on to most of it's original weight. I think that those type cartridges, with a well placed shot will bring the animal down quickly, at most ranges.. I also think that the cost of a rifle and good ammo is a pittance, compared to the $10,00.00+ you just spent on a hunt! Why not just plan for the hunt, get a really good rifle / cartridge for Elk and either load up or have excellent ammo loaded up to allow you to have the highest possible chance for success!

 

[Toddmack]

Dots, I'm fine with your summary of the hunt that I layed out. My problem is that you didn't read the entire post! He has F'd up hands, and has a hard time shooting bolt guns. That's the entire reason for me posting this. The guy has all kinds of "elk worthy rifles" but his hands are F'd!

Enjoy your ride home on your high horse!

 

[ShootDots]

Dots, I'm fine with your summary of the hunt that I layed out. My problem is that you didn't read the entire post! He has F'd up hands, and has a hard time shooting bolt guns. That's the entire reason for me posting this. The guy has all kinds of "elk worthy rifles" but his hands are F'd!

Enjoy your ride home on your high horse!

I am sorry you took my post incorrectly. I did read your original post. My FIRST reply addressed YOUR situation. My last post (the one you're mad at) was in response to those folks who seemed to be sarcastically "telling" people that since 35Rems and 30-30s can kill Elk, they must be decent Elk cartridges. It was in response to those posts, that I made my post you're upset at. So, I believe you either did not read mine, or you did not read my first posting. In either case, I apologize for upsetting you..

 

[Kermit in Va.]

Now now boys...
Don't nobody be gett'in upset.
All it takes is for Capt.Dan to fire up the furnace and
make the old boy a "Necklace" ...
I'm sure that wouldn't be a problem...


Kermit

 

[pirate ammo]

Now now boys...
Don't nobody be gett'in upset.
All it takes is for Capt.Dan to fire up the furnace and
make the old boy a "Necklace" ...
I'm sure that wouldn't be a problem...


Kermit

The task has been done, there is a few ready to fly. On the main topic, how many deer have taken with a 22 magnum, especially at night.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I killed a butt load of elk back in the day with a 264 Win Mag. I imagine the 6.5 will do the same.

 

[dakor]

The bad shot angle with the $10,000 dollar Elk hunt has joined the discussion. Anyone that has really hunted Elk will know this to be true. If a 7mm mag, or big 7mm, 300 win, 300 Ultra mag cannot always reliably exit the off side on broadside shot. How can they reliably make it to the vitals on a hard quartering or Texas heart shot?

Simple they cant. Yes you might get lucky and break the pelvis causing the animal to drop but if that doesnt happen more than likely that bullet is stopping in the guts with those type of rounds. I can hear it already somone will say they did it just fine and I will say you are the exception not the rule.

You need to go bigger and it starts at .338 and goes up from there if you want an any angle rifle. But should you be taking any angle shots? I passed on a hard angle shot on huge bull a little over 200 yards and had to let him walk into the timber. I was packing a 338 Ultra mag with 250gr Accbonds leaving the muzzle at 3058fps. Would that go through the hind into the vitals probably.

I didnt want to shoot him in the hind trying to get to the vitals I figured the risk was not fair to him. Was I down about not getting him sure but I got over it . Thats hunting take a good angle shot and leave it at that. If you are worried about the money you spent on a tag to justify your shot decision IMHO you should be playing golf or bowling and not hunting.

 

[rammac]

I always read the comment that it's not how big the caliber is it's where you put the bullet that counts and I agree.
The problem is that most novice elk hunters will not be very good at placing the bullet where it needs to go. Bears have been dropped with .22 cal bullets but I don't recommend trying it either.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

The bad shot angle with the $10,000 dollar Elk hunt has joined the discussion. Anyone that has really hunted Elk will know this to be true. If a 7mm mag, or big 7mm, 300 win, 300 Ultra mag cannot always reliably exit the off side on broadside shot. How can they reliably make it to the vitals on a hard quartering or Texas heart shot?

Simple they cant. Yes you might get lucky and break the pelvis causing the animal to drop but if that doesnt happen more than likely that bullet is stopping in the guts with those type of rounds. I can hear it already somone will say they did it just fine and I will say you are the exception not the rule.

You need to go bigger and it starts at .338 and goes up from there if you want an any angle rifle. But should you be taking any angle shots? I passed on a hard angle shot on huge bull a little over 200 yards and had to let him walk into the timber. I was packing a 338 Ultra mag with 250gr Accbonds leaving the muzzle at 3058fps. Would that go through the hind into the vitals probably.

I didnt want to shoot him in the hind trying to get to the vitals I figured the risk was not fair to him. Was I down about not getting him sure but I got over it . Thats hunting take a good angle shot and leave it at that. If you are worried about the money you spent on a tag to justify your shot decision IMHO you should be playing golf or bowling and not hunting.

I guess all those elk I killed with a 270 or a 264 are still alive...

 

[jds holler]

And pardon my sarcasm, but I never meant to imply that I think that 30-30's OR 35 Rem. are great elk cartridges. Back when that was what most folks had though, a lot of elk, an everything else got killed with them. (and lost too I'd wager)

These days, with guided hunts, I think the battle plan often calls for those 300 + yard shots. A couple of my best friends have been doing a private ranch hunt for about five years now, and it is primarily a "elk shoot". The guides put everybody through quite a bit of rifle practice before taking them out, and even have a long range loaner rifle in case someone is lacking in the equipment department.

I've done a lot of public land hunting and killing with these guys, and they say that this isn't the same. But Hell, we're all getting older, and don't necessarily feel like climbing the mountains any more; or dragging elks out with us on the return trip. jd

 

[dakor]

I guess all those elk I killed with a 270 or a 264 are still alive...

Not sure what you are trying to say but either one of those will easily kill an Elk in the boiler room....

 

[Toddmack]

I am sorry you took my post incorrectly. I did read your original post. My FIRST reply addressed YOUR situation. My last post (the one you're mad at) was in response to those folks who seemed to be sarcastically "telling" people that since 35Rems and 30-30s can kill Elk, they must be decent Elk cartridges. It was in response to those posts, that I made my post you're upset at. So, I believe you either did not read mine, or you did not read my first posting. In either case, I apologize for upsetting you..

ShootDots, you're right. I did read your response quickly and half-assed. In return I responded angrily and well, half-assed. After re-reading your post, I was a "Richard" and for that I apologize.

Again, even though this has apparently been brought up multiple times on here. Thanks for the responses.