6.5 CM, 6.5 PRC Enough/Effective for Elk?

RugerHawg413 · Feb 6, 2024

Hello,
I have two rifles that I am deciding on which one of them to make my main go to rifle, one is a 6.5 CM and the other is a 6.5 PRC. The only concern that I have about them is, is that are either 6.5 CM or 6.5 PRC effective on elk? I have heard a lot of people go back and forth regarding 6.5 CM for elk. But, I am having a harder time finding info regarding 6.5 PRC on elk. I prefer the 6.5 CM rifle to the 6.5 PRC. So, I guess my real question is 6.5 Creedmoor effective on elk??

I have found a 7mm rem mag that I like, but would rather not spend the cash on something while I already have something that works just fine.

Any and all info and wisdom are appreciated! Thank you!

YZ-80 · Feb 6, 2024

RugerHawg413 said:
Hello,
I have two rifles that I am deciding on which one of them to make my main go to rifle, one is a 6.5 CM and the other is a 6.5 PRC. The only concern that I have about them is, is that are either 6.5 CM or 6.5 PRC effective on elk? I have heard a lot of people go back and forth regarding 6.5 CM for elk. But, I am having a harder time finding info regarding 6.5 PRC on elk. I prefer the 6.5 CM rifle to the 6.5 PRC. So, I guess my real question is 6.5 Creedmoor effective on elk??

I have found a 7mm rem mag that I like, but would rather not spend the cash on something while I already have something that works just fine.

Any and all info and wisdom are appreciated! Thank you!

No wisdom to impart but I am interested to hear some responses. I have 2 Creedmores and really like them. I bought a PRC for a little more "oomph" if I ever do go for big game. Realistically, I really don't think I'd shoot at anything out over 500 yards anyway, based on my ability, so maybe that's not "Long range" hunting but everything is relative. On YouTube (the informational authority for everything) a fella shot an Elk at over 630 yards with a Creedmore and put it down. Under reasonable conditions, I'm sure it can be done. Please don't tell anyone I like the Creedmore.

snox801 · Feb 6, 2024

Yes it's fine but keep in mind you need to be careful of bullet choice. This year my 6.5 creed killed a cow at 430 yards, then a 325 bull and a cow both at 608 yards. Last year same load different gun took a large bull over 600 and two cow. I didn't have as good of luck with the 143-147 eld. I switched to the hammer 123gr and it's been very accurate and deadly.

carpassasin · Feb 6, 2024

My old greek buddy in colorado had a 243 for years and lived on deer and elk his motto was head neck or nothin !

Plinker147 · Feb 6, 2024

Yes both will work. People have been killing elk with 270 Winchester's with 130 to 150 grain bullet for the last 30 or 40 years and that's never been an issue. Put the bullet where it supposed to go and you'll be just fine.

We've killed lots of elk with 6.5 MM's

100percent · Feb 6, 2024

Both will certainly work! However, I hunted with a 6.5SST a few years ago. Took the new toy instead of choosing one of several more suitable options. I got my elk with some luck and a good angle but, I sure felt undergunned the whole trip. Won't do that again!
If a 6.5 will do, a 7 will do it better so let's just take a 338 to be sure… is my philosophy going forward.
Good luck with your hunt!

Syncerus1 · Feb 6, 2024

Shot placement is the only thing that matters... both rounds are close enough to not matter a whit. Your job is only about getting your choice of projectile delivered properly and with enough oomph to get er done! No worries.

fordy · Feb 6, 2024

Gday rugerhawg413
Snox & syncerus1 are onto it

yep projectile choices

& no doubt you'll see when things go right & that's cool but I'd suggest you look @ the ones that go wrong & try & find out why they went wrong as nothing worse than being on the end of the oh no problem

A good general rule of thumb is over penertration is better than under

caveat make sure the pill still has a good wound channel

I like bigger calibers on bigger critters overall but warming to the 6.5 as you get the better pills & it's pretty cool what they can do
Here's a few critters that are pretty hard to put down but the better 6.5 projectiles do get it done with the

not

Cheers

RugerHawg413 · Feb 7, 2024

fordy said:
Gday rugerhawg413
Snox & syncerus1 are onto it
yep projectile choices & no doubt you'll see when things go right & that's cool but I'd suggest you look @ the ones that go wrong & try & find out why they went wrong as nothing worse than being on the end of the oh no problem

A good general rule of thumb is over penertration is better than under

caveat make sure the pill still has a good wound channel

I like bigger calibers on bigger critters overall but warming to the 6.5 as you get the better pills & it's pretty cool what they can do
Here's a few critters that are pretty hard to put down but the better 6.5 projectiles do get it done with the not

View attachment 541401 View attachment 541402 View attachment 541403 View attachment 541404
Cheers

Understood! Thank you for the info!

HARPERC · Feb 7, 2024

fordy said:
I like bigger calibers on bigger critters overall but warming to the 6.5 as you get the better pills & it's pretty cool what they can do
Here's a few critters that are pretty hard to put down but the better 6.5 projectiles do get it done with the not

I have always preferred bigger, but the newer bullets have made smaller choices legitimate.

The 270 has killed a lot of elk historically, but also came with controversy. meaning not everyone was having the same level of satisfaction. These failures were generally bullet related, and again newer bullets make it better.

cajun · Feb 7, 2024

The prc will get you a little more range. For hunting if you can find some reloader 26 you will get 100 fps more in either round.

snox801 · Feb 7, 2024

cajun said:
The prc will get you a little more range. For hunting if you can find some reloader 26 you will get 100 fps more in either round.

Depends on weight of bullet and barrel length. I gained nothing with 26 in a 22" tube. But lost with it using the 123gr hammer. I have best luck with varget or rl15

tydaws · Feb 7, 2024

Select a good bullet & practice…a lot. Know your limitations & put it in the boiler room. Either choice will do fine.

Darryle · Feb 7, 2024

@fordy do you have weights for those critters? Leave it to @fordy to walk in an drop some reality.

Today moreso than ever in the history of hunting has there been a case to run what you bring. Bullet construction and reasonable placement trump diameter, just look at the Rokslide 223 77gr TMK thread.

Now if you want to discuss shooter ability combined with smaller calibers, that is a valid discussion. To simply cast aside a chamber simply because of diameter is foolish.

A 338 is just as capable of failure in the wrong hands as a 223 is capable of success in the right hands. Margin of error only comes in to play based on the skill set of the hunter.

6.5 CM, 6.5 PRC Enough/Effective for Elk?

RugerHawg413

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YZ-80

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snox801

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carpassasin

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Plinker147

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100percent

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Syncerus1

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fordy

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RugerHawg413

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HARPERC

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cajun

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snox801

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tydaws

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Darryle

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