Elk Caliber?

As a slight counter balance to what has been stated, I would say that if you shoot the 6.5 well that you don't have yet. I would not even ask the question if it is an acceptable elk gun. For it definitely is. 130 to 140 grain 6.5 bullets have great sectional density and plenty of energy out to 400 to 500 yards. It is my understanding that a 6.5x55 is the primary moose rifle in the skandinavian countries of Europe.

I grew up on a ranch in Montana, not too far over the hill from Broz. We have elk in the hay meadows across from the house all summer long. Amazingly they are never in the hay meadow the first day of hunting season. Did I mention there is no better eating then a good elk steak or chop.

The largest caliber rifle I shoot is a .30-06 (do have a .45-70 1886 Winchester) and I don't use it much. Most of the elk I have shot have been taken with a .25-06 and some with 6 mm remington. I won't even admit to what caliber my first elk was taken with. Use what you shoot well and shoot within your accuracy and energy range using a good bullet. If you shoot a 6.5 Creedmoor well, you will be fine with the 6.5. Not that I would ever fault someone for using a .300 Win or .338 if they shoot it often and well. But I don't and probably won't ever.. have learned over the years to never say never though.
 
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BigGrizz said:
It was a 250gr Berger Elite Hunter. It was the best entry wound I've had one of those bullets make, and the exit was large enough to fit a pop can through long-ways. Entry was front right chest, exit was behind the left leg, uphill shot. I can't say what it did to the vitals- we quartered using the gutless method. Either way he walked off with a huge hole in his chest.

At close range I have had those bullets blow-up and leave massive wholes in rib cages. The wounds really are catastrophic. That is the last time I use a Berger, though. Right now I have ELD-X bullets loaded up and I have questioned myself. I plan on testing them in the most elk-like media I can find. If I'm disappointed, I'll move to an Accubond like my instincts first told me.

You're dead-on with the bullet and shooting advice. Use something solid and don't stop shooting until its down. In my case the dark timber gave him the chance to make a break for it.

To DR- I think somebody else already said it, if you're questioning the 6.5 then you shouldn't probably take it. Also, if you're worried about having a magnum you'll never really use then you could look at a 30-06, 308, etc. There are cartridges out there that have been doing the job for years that aren't benefitting from the "flavor of the day" phenomenon like 6.5s have been.
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It's not that I am worried about it. I won't take a shot I am not confident in. I was more asking about experience. Also, i have a cow tag which sounds like should need less energy/velocity. My goal was to have a big 300 and a smaller 6.5CM. Seeing as how I already have a 300 (meant for this trip but issues with it) I was asking if a 6.5 CM will work instead of getting a second big gun.
 
Given that elk are out west where the wind is always blowing and long shots (500+ yards) are common, I'd go with 7mm Rem Mag, 28 Nosler, 300 WSM, 300 Win Mag, etc. Of course, anything like a 6.5 Creed or 308 would be very lethal also, but that little big of extra "umpf" is always welcomed.
 
BigGrizz said:
It was a 250gr Berger Elite Hunter. It was the best entry wound I've had one of those bullets make, and the exit was large enough to fit a pop can through long-ways. Entry was front right chest, exit was behind the left leg, uphill shot. I can't say what it did to the vitals- we quartered using the gutless method. Either way he walked off with a huge hole in his chest.

At close range I have had those bullets blow-up and leave massive wholes in rib cages. The wounds really are catastrophic. That is the last time I use a Berger, though. Right now I have ELD-X bullets loaded up and I have questioned myself. I plan on testing them in the most elk-like media I can find. If I'm disappointed, I'll move to an Accubond like my instincts first told me.

You're dead-on with the bullet and shooting advice. Use something solid and don't stop shooting until its down. In my case the dark timber gave him the chance to make a break for it.

To DR- I think somebody else already said it, if you're questioning the 6.5 then you shouldn't probably take it. Also, if you're worried about having a magnum you'll never really use then you could look at a 30-06, 308, etc. There are cartridges out there that have been doing the job for years that aren't benefitting from the "flavor of the day" phenomenon like 6.5s have been.
Click to expand...

It's not that I am worried about it. I won't take a shot I am not confident in. I was more asking about experience. Also, i have a cow tag which sounds like should need less energy/velocity.
 
"IF" you can discipline yourself to accept only the 80%+ shots, then I would say, witht he right bullet, yes, your Creedmoor will do it. But remember...if its on the fourth or fifth day, you are super tired, sore, your feet hurt, your rifle feels like it weighs 15#, you haven't seen "anything" in all that time/miles...then "there he is"....way out there, standing weird, thin brush in between you have to pick a hole to shoot through, and he is only 50yds from the timber...could you pass it up? Odds are, if you pick a good game trail, ease along it and make a cow call every now and then, you can kill one under 100yds! Think of it this way.."90% of the elk spend 90% of their time in 90% of the thickest, down timbered, dog haired black timber! ha Cows...no sweat, the Creedmoor can do it, same with spikes, but a big bull...those puppies get big! A 6.5/284 would "be better I think" and a great target round too remember! For the 3 cows I've killed I used a 30.06/180 Light Magnum ammo; a .375 H&H with 300gr Sierras ( before an Africa trip) and the 338WM/185 XLC Barnes. The 2 bigger calibers "chilled their doo doo with the first shot! Just saying...:)
 
RevJim said:
"IF" you can discipline yourself to accept only the 80%+ shots, then I would say, witht he right bullet, yes, your Creedmoor will do it. But remember...if its on the fourth or fifth day, you are super tired, sore, your feet hurt, your rifle feels like it weighs 15#, you haven't seen "anything" in all that time/miles...then "there he is"....way out there, standing weird, thin brush in between you have to pick a hole to shoot through, and he is only 50yds from the timber...could you pass it up? Odds are, if you pick a good game trail, ease along it and make a cow call every now and then, you can kill one under 100yds! Think of it this way.."90% of the elk spend 90% of their time in 90% of the thickest, down timbered, dog haired black timber! ha Cows...no sweat, the Creedmoor can do it, same with spikes, but a big bull...those puppies get big! A 6.5/284 would "be better I think" and a great target round too remember! For the 3 cows I've killed I used a 30.06/180 Light Magnum ammo; a .375 H&H with 300gr Sierras ( before an Africa trip) and the 338WM/185 XLC Barnes. The 2 bigger calibers "chilled their doo doo with the first shot! Just saying...:)
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My rifle is 15 pounds;)
 
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For what it is worth, I intend to shoot my elk this year with a 6mm Creed running our 88g Hammer Hunter. This bullet is running at 3326fps. At 500y it will still be traveling at 2400fps. This bullet will have no trouble with bone or not. With a consistent 70% weight retention regardless of impact vel the retained portion of this bullet will have no trouble making it through an elk shoulder and reaching the vitals with enough vel to do the needed damage to shut him off. Do I expect this bullet to do the same job as my .338 running our 260g Hammer Hunter at 3230fps...No. It is a quality bullet running at high vel and carrying a stability factor of 1.83sg calculated at standard atmosphere at sea level. This bullet will more than likely not stop in an elk even square through the shoulders. I will be looking to break both shoulders if the angle is right. Regardless of the angle I will be sending it through the center of the pump house. I will also be ready for an immediate follow up shot.

Steve
 
RockyMtnMT said:
For what it is worth, I intend to shoot my elk this year with a 6mm Creed running our 88g Hammer Hunter. This bullet is running at 3326fps. At 500y it will still be traveling at 2400fps. This bullet will have no trouble with bone or not. With a consistent 70% weight retention regardless of impact vel the retained portion of this bullet will have no trouble making it through an elk shoulder and reaching the vitals with enough vel to do the needed damage to shut him off. Do I expect this bullet to do the same job as my .338 running our 260g Hammer Hunter at 3230fps...No. It is a quality bullet running at high vel and carrying a stability factor of 1.83sg calculated at standard atmosphere at sea level. This bullet will more than likely not stop in an elk even square through the shoulders. I will be looking to break both shoulders if the angle is right. Regardless of the angle I will be sending it through the center of the pump house. I will also be ready for an immediate follow up shot.

Steve
Click to expand...
Bullets like yours and a few other Premiums make a smaller caliber "kill bigger"! I have a church member who has used the 240W/95 Partition for over 40yrs out here, killed many a big muley ( one right at 440yds) and several big bulls! I killed a 500# Scimitar Horned Oryx in Leakey, Tx at 184yds (base of the neck, complete penetration) with a little 6x47 wildcat and the 85gr XBT going just 2900fps, but conditions were "perfect" and I had a good rest against a tree. I had killed some Axis deer on the place with it and the opportunity just came up one evening, I assured the guide that I could hit it and it could kill it. We did! ha.
 
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