[wyogoob]

...............................................................................................................................

But... like most people already know, when in the field shooting at that big broadside critter... you really never notice the recoil.

-DallanC

With the exception of a 460 Smith n Wesson Magnum revolver.

uh...top of the page.

 

[wyogoob]

To OP -

I kill elk using a razor blade on the end of a stick, LOL (archery).

Shoot a good bullet, and your 6.5 CM will kill elephants. So your question should be, which bullet?

That's right. The bullet with at least 4 CAPITAL letters.

 

[AF CYN]

I know guys who kill them with sharp sticks and 50 ft/lbs of KE. Pick a sturdy bullet that expands reliably (Nosler Partition and Federal Fusion both really impress me) and you'll be fine.

 

[CPAjeff]

I know guys who kill them with sharp sticks and 50 ft/lbs of KE. Pick a sturdy bullet that expands reliably (Nosler Partition and Federal Fusion both really impress me) and you'll be fine.

I love this!! People survived for thousands of years, by killing animals with a rock attached to a stick, flipped by another stick!!!

 

[caddis8]

Can he grow a good man bun? He's gonna need it to get the full effect of the creedmoor. Craft beer is also needed. But maybe one of 3 arabians PBRs would suffice.

I have none of those things. I still have 6.5. Don't regret it, just tried something different. Great for kids and already have a .243 for deer, so thought the 6.5 would be a nice middle gun between .270 and .243. So far, I like it.

 

[#1DEER 1-I]

I have none of those things. I still have 6.5. Don't regret it, just tried something different. Great for kids and already have a .243 for deer, so thought the 6.5 would be a nice middle gun between .270 and .243. So far, I like it.

The 6.5 is the only rifle I have I actually enjoy shooting a bunch in a day.

 

[DallanC]

I dont understand the push for the 6.5 over say, 7mm08... marketing I guess. /shrug

6.5 Creedmoor vs 7mm-08 Remington Review & Comparison

Want a sweet shooting big game hunting cartridge and can't decide between the 6.5 Creedmoor vs 7mm-08 Remington? The best choice is

thebiggamehuntingblog.com

I guess if you dont have a gun in this cartridge range, either would work. I like the wide bullet availability of the 7mm's.

-DallanC

 

[caddis8]

I dont understand the push for the 6.5 over say, 7mm08... marketing I guess. /shrug
I guess if you dont have a gun in this cartridge range, either would work. I like the wide bullet availability of the 7mm's.

I debated a lot about this, and looked at so many charts/balistics. 6.5 or just going with an .06 for a larger gun? I probably did fall for the marketing a little. But, I've found that 6.5 ammunition availability off the shelf is pretty good. I'm not a hard core rifle shooter. I'm too cheap for that. I don't re-load, but I'd maybe think about it. I've found good availability in 6.5. I haven't seen that much 7mm-08 on the shelf, but that is a very good load. I haven't looked for it on the shelf either. I try to stay in the non-sexy calibers so I can find something to shoot anywhere I go. But then I buy a 6.5, so I speak out of both sides of my mouth.

.25-06 is one I'd maybe re-consider as far as ballistics and overall performance. I like the idea of a long range gun, but probably wouldn't shoot at a living critter over 600 yards. I've got the equipment to do it. But I also understand long range shootings takes a lot of practice. I'd consider myself an above average all around shooter, but I recognize how much practice is required for longer range stuff and how much practice I haven't put in.

Great discussion though.

 

[Critter]

The 6.5 crudmorr was for long range target shooting.

Then some started using it for big game.

I have never looked or compared ballistics between it and the 7mm-08 but those long skinny 6.5mm bullets do shoot quite well at long range

Sent from my SM-J737V using Tapatalk

 

[APD]

If I wanted to pick any spot on the front half of an elk, the Creedmoor wouldn't be my choice. As a lung shooter, the 6.5 has been fine for me. I also have larger calibers if I'm in thick terrain with less optimal shooting angles. Either way, all my rifles have a suppressor on the end. If you buy it now you could have it by the summer if you're on the short end of the wait list.

 

[Irish Lad]

Can it kill a big bull? Yes... should you chance your "once in a lifetime LE Elk Tag" on a 6.5CM? Hellz no.

I wouldnt recommend anything under a 280 for big bulls using 160gr bullets. 7MM08 is fine for cows and spikes using 140gr bullets... but IMO, needs a bit more "ooomph" to push 160gr bullets for big bulls. 280 has the power, bullet selection and has mild recoil. Next step up would be 30-06, then the 7RemMag, 300WM, 338 etc.

6.8 Western impresses me ALOT. I already have caliber coverage around that area of the spectrum and its not worth all the cost just to get a SA cartridge (I have a 270 and a 7STW). 6.8 Western recoil apparently is similar to a 7RemMag but some amazing ballistics and downrange energy.

-DallanC

+1 on the .280. Love mine.

 

[brisket]

6.8 Western recoil apparently is similar to a 7RemMag but some amazing ballistics and downrange energy.

My 6.8 Western has noticeably less recoil than my 7mm Rem Mag. But it isn’t a great comparison, different models, weights and my 6.8 has a muzzle break.

 

[middlefork]

.30-06 been killing stuff since the early 1900's. Bullets from 55 g to 220 g. Pick your poison.

 

[DallanC]

.30-06 been killing stuff since the early 1900's. Bullets from 55 g to 220 g. Pick your poison.

Lead

-DallanC

 

[BigT]

It's a lot about shot placement. I've seen many bulls drop with a 6.5 CM out to 500 yards with the Hornady 143s. There's a lady I work with that dumped a massive bull this year on a local CWMU with a 270. Many of these kill shots out to 500 yards. Some further. I've probably witnessed more elk wounded and running with a 30-06 than any others.

As others have mentioned, if you have to try to shoot through the front shoulder, the 6.5 CM is not likely the choice, but if you are able to get a good rest, and put it behind the shoulder, it'll drop just as well as any large caliber.

I've got a 6.5CM and will take it with me on my upcoming LE elk hunt. I am also taking my 300WSM on the trip as well. I shoot suppressed. The 6.5 CM is a joy to shoot. The 300 not as much. But both are zeroed with a suppressor. Haven't decided which one I will take on the hill with me. Leaning 6.5.....

 

[lifesshort]

I know guys who kill them with sharp sticks and 50 ft/lbs of KE. Pick a sturdy bullet that expands reliably (Nosler Partition and Federal Fusion both really impress me) and you'll be fine.

This is spot on. The bullet construction and being able to put that bullet where it belongs is much more important than the cartridge it comes out of. In my opinion there is no absolutely no difference in killing ability between 6.5,6.8,.270,7mm. What matters is
Accuracy-practice-practice-practice
Bullet construction
bullet weight
cartridge
In that order

 

[waspocrew]

I'd prefer a cartridge with a bit more "oomph" to it, but like others have mentioned, shot placement is what really matters. Hunt with what you are most comfortable shooting with and also recognize the limitations of the cartridge you are using.

 

[Old Cowboy]

It's a lot about shot placement. I've seen many bulls drop with a 6.5 CM out to 500 yards with the Hornady 143s. There's a lady I work with that dumped a massive bull this year on a local CWMU with a 270. Many of these kill shots out to 500 yards. Some further. I've probably witnessed more elk wounded and running with a 30-06 than any others.

As others have mentioned, if you have to try to shoot through the front shoulder, the 6.5 CM is not likely the choice, but if you are able to get a good rest, and put it behind the shoulder, it'll drop just as well as any large caliber.

I've got a 6.5CM and will take it with me on my upcoming LE elk hunt. I am also taking my 300WSM on the trip as well. I shoot suppressed. The 6.5 CM is a joy to shoot. The 300 not as much. But both are zeroed with a suppressor. Haven't decided which one I will take on the hill with me. Leaning 6.5.....

Gotta call BS on your 30-06 coment.

 

[BigT]

Gotta call BS on your 30-06 coment.

Call whatever you want. I am involved in A LOT of elk hunts... We grimace when a hunter brings their 30-06 into camp. It's resulted in A LOT of long tracks of wounded, and lost elk. But that could relate to hunters not placing the shots right. Personally, I think the 06 is a great 200-250 yard gun.

 

[justismi28]

Correlation does not imply causation. So to imply the cartridge is the main reason of fault(wounded elk), when ballistic data and math (ft/lbs of energy at distance) prove otherwise, can create false understandings from those without context.

I would be more inclined to believe that given the popularity of the 06, that it is the caliber of choice for the average joe. So you have hunters who are showing up having shot less than 5 shots out of the gun all year, and have less than 40 down the tube in it's life. I'm talking the guys that buy the Remington 710, 783, or 770 with the Bushnell scope package and site it in with Core Lokts or PPU to be able to hit a paper plate at 100 yards and go hunting. They then get 5 more years of hunting using that same box of 20 they bought to site it in. (3 each year to 'verify zero')

When you have a skill issue coupled with 'inferior' or highly frangible bullets, you create a recipe for wounded elk. Fortunately, bullet's have got better and selection of OTC options is way past what it was, but even that won't make up for poor shot placement from lack of skill or experience.