What bullet for Moose/Elk? More details within.

[SigSavage]

I've been pondering what I would use if I had the opportunity to go for a moose or elk. I have 2 rifles to choose from: a .270 Win and a 6.5x55 Swedish. I only have loading equipment for the 6.5x55.

I would prefer a bullet that is going to perform well at long range and be reliable for a quick kill. As far as I can tell, I don't have a lot of options. Here's what I have come up with, so please add any advice or ideas:

1) .270 Win 150gr Federal Vital Shok Nosler Partition
2) .270 Win 150gr Nosler Accubond Long Range
3) .270 Win 150gr HSM Trophy Gold VLD
4) .270 Win 156gr Sako Hammerhead
5) .270 Win 140gr Hornady Superformance SST

I have not heard great reviews (accuracy and ammo consistency) about the HSM or Sako, which surprises me.

6) a hand load of either a VLD or Accubond LR for the 6.5x55, but they could only be done in 140gr.

 

[stacy]

MAY WANT TO GIVE THE NEW 6.5 HORNADY 143GR ELD-X BULLET A TRY HIGH BC I THINK THEY WOULD HANDLE EITHER!!!! THE 6.5X55 WOULD BE MY CHIOCE !!!!

 

[HTSmith]

Of the choices you presented--the 150 Gr Nosler Partition.

 

[wboggs]

Of the choices you presented--the 150 Gr Nosler Partition.

Agree with the Nosler Part. It has been used successfully for many years. You may look for a Barnes 150 TSX/TTSX load.
Chose your shot carefully and you will not be disappointed.
Bill

 

[Tommie]

Of the 2 options I'd lean towards the 270 but only because it offers a little more horsepower. Go with a partition or a bonded bullet. Figure out which shoots best in your rifle and you're golden.

 

[Jaybo]

#1. 150 Nosler partition would be my choice

 

[SigSavage]

Thanks guys. I had the partition at #1 for a reason All the bullets listed have been difficult/impossible for me to come by, being in Canada (don't even get me started on Trophy Bonded Bearclaw lol). Some partitions came available at a local store so I grabbed them. Half of my list has been unavailable for over 6 months!

 

[savagedasher]

Thanks guys. I had the partition at #1 for a reason All the bullets listed have been difficult/impossible for me to come by, being in Canada (don't even get me started on Trophy Bonded Bearclaw lol). Some partitions came available at a local store so I grabbed them. Half of my list has been unavailable for over 6 months!

Big bone animals need bullets that maintain their weight when hitting bone . Larry

 

[CJ6]

Thanks guys. I had the partition at #1 for a reason All the bullets listed have been difficult/impossible for me to come by, being in Canada (don't even get me started on Trophy Bonded Bearclaw lol). Some partitions came available at a local store so I grabbed them. Half of my list has been unavailable for over 6 months!

If and when you do run across the TBBCs... BUY'EM they're worth it.

 

[Dans40X]

For the larger AK-Yukon moose, as mentioned a Barnes solid would be your best bet.
Any open heeled Nosler Partition will not pass through both shoulders of a Ak-Yukon moose at 200yds.
The open heel/base will be stoped against the skin w/o exit & weigh less than half the original weight.

Elk are smaller boned & thinner skinned & weigh in at less than 1/2 the weight of an Ak-Yukon bull moose.

I'd leave the 270Win in the safe.
The 6.5X55 Swede or any 6.5/264" diameter projectile will penetrate well.

 

[effendude]

I would also vote for the Nosler Partition. Second choice would be a Barnes bullet. Long story, but I used a 6.5-284 on a large Alaskan moose in 2014. He took two Partitions into the lungs broadside and then he turned to face the sound of the shot. A 140 VLD into the spine through the front of the neck took him down like he was struck by lightning.

Moose don't typically run when hit, they seem to stand and allow follow-up shots. You typically are not going to have to blood trail one if shot well. But do shoot the toughest bullet that is accurate in your rifle. Skinning your moose will enlighten you as to why. Good Luck!

Scott

 

[CaptainMal]

Still have two recovered Nosler partition 270 bullets from a large bear I used them on. Keep them as a reminder.

The reminder??? Next hunt was an elk hunt where I used a 225 Hornady in my 338. Damn bear took three of those 270 Partitions and still run straight at me for a good 75 yards before a third one through the front shoulder into the spine put it down just feet from me.

 

[wboggs]

Still have two recovered Nosler partition 270 bullets from a large bear I used them on. Keep them as a reminder.

The reminder??? Next hunt was an elk hunt where I used a 225 Hornady in my 338. Damn bear took three of those 270 Partitions and still run straight at me for a good 75 yards before a third one through the front shoulder into the spine put it down just feet from me.

There is no comparison in penetration between a Partition and a cup and core Hornady when SD is equal.

 

[SigSavage]

For the larger AK-Yukon moose, as mentioned a Barnes solid would be your best bet.
Any open heeled Nosler Partition will not pass through both shoulders of a Ak-Yukon moose at 200yds.
The open heel/base will be stoped against the skin w/o exit & weigh less than half the original weight.

Elk are smaller boned & thinner skinned & weigh in at less than 1/2 the weight of an Ak-Yukon bull moose.

I'd leave the 270Win in the safe.
The 6.5X55 Swede or any 6.5/264" diameter projectile will penetrate well.

I have yet to see a Barnes 130 in stock, let alone a 150. Good to know though- I will keep looking for them.

Considering the largest grain bullet I can use for the 6.5x55 is 140gr, which one would you recommend?

 

[SigSavage]

I would also vote for the Nosler Partition. Second choice would be a Barnes bullet. Long story, but I used a 6.5-284 on a large Alaskan moose in 2014. He took two Partitions into the lungs broadside and then he turned to face the sound of the shot. A 140 VLD into the spine through the front of the neck took him down like he was struck by lightning.

Moose don't typically run when hit, they seem to stand and allow follow-up shots. You typically are not going to have to blood trail one if shot well. But do shoot the toughest bullet that is accurate in your rifle. Skinning your moose will enlighten you as to why. Good Luck!

Scott

This does not sound like the partitions performed well for you at all though. Why would you vote for it? It sounds more like the Berger VLD did the best job, no?

 

[JRS]

I have yet to see a Barnes 130 in stock, let alone a 150. Good to know though- I will keep looking for them.

Considering the largest grain bullet I can use for the 6.5x55 is 140gr, which one would you recommend?

Powder Valley has the 130 in stock. Norma makes the ORYX in 156 grains, and I have a few boxes of the original Jack Carter made Trophy Bonded Bear Claws.

 

[wboggs]

This does not sound like the partitions performed well for you at all though. Why would you vote for it? It sounds more like the Berger VLD did the best job, no?

It was the shot placement not the Berger construction.

 

[SigSavage]

Powder Valley has the 130 in stock. Norma makes the ORYX in 156 grains, and I have a few boxes of the original Jack Carter made Trophy Bonded Bear Claws.

I'm in Canada though

 

[JimPag]

I'd rather use a Swift A-Frame over a Nosler Partition any day of the week. They are more heavily constructed than the Partitions and usually retain 95+% of their weight vs Nosler's 60+%, so they will penetrate deeper. Prove it yourself. Dry newspaper is a great media for testing how a bullet will hold together. I've read a number of horror stories from professional hunters who have had bad experiences with Partitions on Dangerous or Heavy boned game animals.

 

[FryeGuy]

why limit the 6.5x55 to 140grain? Hornady makes a 160, and sierra used to as well. I still have a couple of boxes of the sierra 160smp. I shot a bison that was on the small side (under 1,000lbs easy) with a 6.5x284 with a 160grn. It had a short barrel, and I had to seat bullets deep to fit the mag length, so speeds were down to the same as a swede. I hit the bison right in top of shoulder. It broke the upper shoulder, went thru the thick of the spinal cord, then thru the opposite shoulder too. there was no bullet recovery, but that wound channel was freaking crazy. I couldn't believe the size of the leg bones, spine, etc. and there was a golf ball size would thru it all. Not sure about on a moose. I did watch some videos recently on you-tube of swedes shooting moose, which was really cool.